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If you haven't already, please make sure to take our tour, to get yourself familiar with the site and to see how we're a little different than other sites. There was no reliable way of getting these to Paul but to take them, and so Epaphroditus faced the long journey across Greece to Brindisi and Rome, and when arrived there threw himself with ardour into serving Paul. I subscribe to the view that the reason is because the gifts that he was performing in the early days was a "sign to the Jews"; not all spiritual gifts are still in operation today; or, they aren't necessarily "needed." God's sparing of Epaphroditus' life was a tangible expression of His abundant grace to Paul. I do not see Jesus telling His disciples that this is referring to the "Gifts of the Spirit" or this will not be pertinent after you guys die or the early church is established. This is the last letter written during the Book of Acts. When is the last time that this happened to you? priestly functions that were performed in that system. When we are having an experience that we learn from the Scriptures is not from the Lord, it is time to keep silent, and remember that our spirits are to be under our own controlthe spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.. involved in. Yes: Paul clearly had the gift of healing yet his friend almost died and he didn't heal him. He says that Epaphroditus risked his life to 'supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.' We are to labor in calling men to be reconciled to God. The word "longing" is epipotheo, it Because I am submitted and 2. Cyprian, the Christian bishop, financial gift, and was there to minister to Paul in any way that he could; do his laundry, carry For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. So, please don't tell me that Divine Healing ceased. I have had people want to debate on this wine issue by saying that "wine isn't medicine," which is to split hairs (weak rebuttal that holds no ground). 16:23). If the Apostle Paul still retained the gift of healing by laying on of hands (or healing, in general), then there is absolutely no way under the sun that he (Paul) would have left any brother sick. 2:27). We can make some deductions about Epaphroditus from what we see in this passage. looked at it as "spiritual worship." In the 3 Pastoral Epistles, as in the prison epistles, we do not read of tongues or the gift of healing operating at this time. sacrificial life. I don't really understand the question from your first comment. Ye shall notprint any marks upon you (Lev. His letter to the Philippians was just one of four "Prison Epistles" written during this time. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. It is impossible to be sure whether the Philippian Christians thought Epaphroditus had purposefully failed in his mission. Have you taken the tour of our site yet? The Lord does not deny that they had done these things. Paul commends Epaphroditus very highly for his faithfulness even unto death. She was the goddess The next letters Paul wrote are the two letters to the Thessalonians. It was still only in part during the Acts period, but with the close of the Book of Acts, the Lord completed the revelation of the Mystery (see Eph. It means: "messenger or sent one." This morning we are going to look at the kenois of Epaphroditus who is much like us, he is a Still this does not explain why he and these other infirmed people did not seek someone who had the "gift" of healing. Paul uses this as a term of affection. we living as sent ones? think is a good description of the Christian life in: This is what the Christian's life is all about, building and battling. There are very many Christian workers who never get their due of recognition and welcome from their brethren, and there are many who get far more of both than belongs to them, and both they and the crowds who bring them adulation would be freed from dangers, which can scarcely be over-stated, if the spirit of Paul's warm-hearted praise of Epaphroditus were kept in view. What did the apostle Paul use the gift of tongues for? empty ourselves to make ourselves of no reputation. Why did she weep? titles. Shortly after that Paul traveled to Macedonia (see Acts 20:1 and 2 Cor. were no longer in operation by the time Paul wrote the pastoral epistles. Spam, "Let a search be made in the royal archives" Ezra 5:17 NIV, Pastor of the Community Bible Church in Aguila, Arizona, One beggar leading others to where the bread is. Perhaps over-exertion in travel, or perhaps his Macedonian constitution could not bear the enervating air of Rome, or perhaps Paul's prison was unhealthy. The words "more eagerly" have the idea of: "with haste or diligence." In this case, Paul did pray for healing, but his request was denied. It does not contain doubt, but refers to a decision arrived Are we a sunergos, a fellow worker? This time he anticipates being beheaded for the Lord and writes the last letter, Second Timothy. apostolic delegate. Epaphroditus' service to Paul was a spiritual priestly function. cruel, sick, and unloving? Are we fellow soldiers? Stop speaking in the tongue because it is not from the Holy Spirit. We need to recapture a spirit of hard work in the social realm. Vote Up (Phil. Having seen the pattern of truth regarding the gifts, we need to ask, why did the gifts cease at this time? MM[6] cites the word in the papyri in the sense excessively concerned and holds that it would suggest originally bewilderment. The combination makes it clear that Jesus was in great distress of spirit.[7]. The word of God is medicine to our flesh (bodies ). Epaphroditus was sent by the church at Philippi with gifts of support to bring to Paul who was living under house arrest in Rome. he was sick. The word "receive" means: "to receive to one's self. When I had Guillain-Barre syndrome I didn't tell my mother I was sick because I didn't want her If you check take that Tour, and read other Q's, A's, and comments, you'll notice we're a group of people from numerous religions and beliefs, not needing anyone telling us who's right and who's wrongjust discussing what we see in Scripture. He provides a pattern that This may be the most important message you ever read. Which apostles did Paul see while he was in Jerusalem after his conversion? But in this time period, in 1 Corinthians 13:8-12, Paul tells us that the Lord had revealed to him that these gifts would cease some day. commissioned and sent out Timothy. do without." Paul might have no longer had the use of it, but even if he did, it was not intended for believers. Paul is saying,"God gave Epaphroditus mercy and he gave me mercy also. great opposition." Why did the Apostle Paul leave Trophimus sick, while Epaphroditus was also sick to the point of death in Philippians 2:27? God heals when it's in His will to heal; the difference is that the gift of healing (a man laying on of hands with instant healing) has ceased, and 2) so has the gift of tongues (it's no longer needed, but if it is used, I believe that God will allow it to occur, only when the church is edified, and only when there is an interpreter amidst the assembly! 19:28). that Paul didn't heal. He uses this word in verses 25 and 28. The name later came to mean: If we are going to The answer is: He wouldn't have! Today God no longer gives the gift of healing, and there are no healers. But we should not think that God Himself no longer heals! Galatians was written soon after Paul returned from that first journeysoon after Acts 14:27. emptied himself. back" but "send." Why would he just leave him there sick, if he still had the gift of laying on of hands to heal someone? Epaphroditus. becoming involved in the same charge. Jesus is speaking: 17 And these signs shall follow them that BELIEVE; IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK, AND THEY SHALL RECOVER. This illness, as we will see in tomorrows study, occurred as Epaphroditus journeyed from Philippi to Rome with the gift for Paul, and it was so severe that word of it had spread back to the Philippian Christians (v. 26). John uses this word also in: This word is used of meeting physical needs. 12:9). risks. The fact that Paul performed many miracles means that he exercised divine power at the behest of the divine will. Paul does not seem to have healed Epaphroditus. He was the, "Loving Gambler.". 2:25-30) and Paul no longer had the gift of healing, and was no longer able to heal as he did only a few years earlier in Acts 28:9. And Paul who had miraculously healed so many left Trophimus at Miletus sick (II Timothy 4:20). 2:25; cf. For instance if I have a gift of Knowledge does that mean every person I see I will do know things about them. Why would he not heal his friend? 12:12; Heb. 1:1, 15-19). Amen. Paul was a great theologian, he knew that death for a Christian was a promotion, an end of pain I think sometimes it is wise to not isolate the Gift of Healing when we think about these questions. It wasn't Paul's lack of compassion for his friend. Epaphroditus felt extreme guilt as though he had failed in his mission from the Philippian congregation, having to let them down, so he grew depressed. In that he had heard about the seeds of division that had been planted in the church at Philippi. Possibly there were in Philippi some sharp tongues and envious spirits, who needed the exhortation. The answer is: He wouldn't have! Epaphroditus was a godly humble servant of great courage. What contributes to mental and spiritual anguish? Answer (1 of 9): EPAPHRODITUS [handsome, charming]. Look at the rest of the verse: "was Events, what people say, and circumstances do not cause mental distress, anxiety, or depression. A man who never opens his lips but to censure or criticise, who fastens on faults as wasps do on blemished fruit, will never be surrounded by loyal love. sometimes that may be a spiritual healing , but they will be healed. Paul says, in essence: "I will continue to do those signs IF God permit." [1] Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe, When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties (Wheaton, Illinois: Victor Books, 1992). A worker must be a warrior, in the work of the gospel you encounter many foes. We are co-laborers. used for minister is deokonos -- deacon. Some scholars also believe that before news of this illness reached Philippi, the Philippian Christians may have thought that Epaphroditus had proved unreliable because of his delay in returning to Philippi. That implies that all which the Philippians' ministration lacked was their personal presence, and that Epaphroditus, in supplying that, made his work in a real sense theirs. But we read that Epaphroditus was healeddirectly by the Lord: He was sick unto death but the Lord had mercy on him.. Paul was quick to send Originally published in Tabletalk, our daily Bible study magazine. co-laborer with Paul, but with God. Spam, January 22 2014 Simply: Stop! 32, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 120. We are not to selfishly guard our lives, we are to give them away in ministry to others. They were to receive him "in the Lord." Thanks for contributing an answer to Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange! The answer: The sign gifts ceased at the end of the Book of Acts. In verses 26-28, we are given the reasons for All we can do is guess. On the contrary, Paul considered him his "brother," "fellow-worker," "fellow-soldier," and "their apostle and servant" (2:25). For we know in part and we prophesy in part. View all posts by Christian Publishing House, UASV DAILY DEVOTIONAL, TUESDAY, MARCH 01, 2022. on Phil no. He wasn't an incredibly gifted man but he was committed totally to mercy that any of us live. Epaphroditus is one of us, which makes his example very powerful and very convicting to us. The terms in which the work of Epaphroditus is spoken of by Paul are very significant. The Christian Apologists (150 220 C.E.). Not only did He save the former Pharisee, but He also gave Paul ext God's sparing of Epaphroditus' life was a tangible expression of His abundant grace to Paul. soon meaning: "together with" and stratiotes meaning: "soldier." Paul uses the word sunergos here of himself and Apollos. Therefore, Paul sent Epaphroditus back with his letter to the Philippians so that they could stop worrying and rejoice too (2:25-30). and suffering, and given a choice, Paul preferred death: But if Epaphroditus would have died, Paul would have lost a good friend and this would have accounted for the success of Rome's armies, they were the terror of the ancient world. hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/tour Thanks! of the church. Why do small African island nations perform better than African continental nations, considering democracy and human development? The ministry is people! Work done for Paul was done for Jesus, and that, not because of any special apostolic closeness of relation of Paul to Jesus, but because, like all other Christians, he was one with his Lord. Epaphroditus is one of the less known of Paul's friends. Edward D. Andrews wrote. When would these gifts cease? Back to Romans 10: 9 that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. speaks of a common origin. means: "to intensely crave, desire greatly." This is not to say that medicines are not good or doctors are not helpful. Why wasn't Pauls companion healed that day, I have no clue. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death - Dr. Paley has remarked (Hor. He wasn't a teacher nor preacher that we know of. Most likely it was not the apostle Paul who led him to faith in the Lord Jesus as his Savior because he would have called Epaphroditus "his son in the faith" as he did Timothy (I Tim. During this time he wrote the three letters known as the Pastoral Epistles, because these letters were written to Pauls co-workersPastor Timothy and Titus. It would be like the difference between being a child and becoming a grown man, or between seeing someones face reflected in a wavy ancient mirror, and seeing the person face-to-face. Epaphroditus had made a 600-mile journey from Philippi to Rome, an 80-day journey on foot round trip, which was fatiguing, to visit the apostle Paul. We need to labor to reach the lost: Paul was willing to suffer to reach the elect with the gospel. It is a pathetic little picture of the Macedonian stranger in the great city -- pallid looks, recent illness, and pining for home and a breath of pure mountain air, and for the friends he had left. I don't think so. And in 2 Thessalonians 2:5 Paul reminds the Thessalonians of his teaching, as if it had not been very long since he had been with them. 27 For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. When is the last time you set aside something on your agenda Paul was imprisoned in Rome for his faith. In fact, we are so accustomed to recovering from sickness that we are often surprised when we or others take a long time to get over what we regard as routine illnesses. Paul would derived from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess, better known by her Roman name , Venus. PROVERBS 1:1 How can we accept the majority of Proverbs by Solomon when Solomon did what was evil in the eyes of God? We won't help someone in trouble because we're afraid we might get hurt or even killed. Paul did not need this gift anymore because his authority as an apostle was already established. The purpose of the gift of healing was not to keep Christians What we do know for sure is that Epaphroditus illness was so severe that he almost died (v. 27). The Scripture serves the purpose to do that work necessary and there is no mention to Timothy of the need for miracles to sanctify us. sadness. It is used in extra-biblical Greek to honor a solider. The reason it is "send" is because he was supposed to be there permanently. Epaphroditus means: "belonging to or devoted to Aphrodite." the most complete healing is when we are taken home. In fact, it is the words we tell ourselves about people, self, experiences, life, in general, God, the future, the past, the present. 12:9). 7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. "Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus" -- Why? Please make sure you take our Tour. our other elder. There should be in the Christian an almost reckless courage which makes him ready to gamble So, Paul calls him a brother, a fellow worker, and then he calls him: "My fellow solider" -- solider is from the Greek word sustratiotes. Longer letters are first, shorter ones later. What he could do in Acts 28, he could no longer do in Philippians, or in 1 and 2 Timothy. someone's concern for your condition? Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. Proverbs 4:20-23. Of course, our apostle Continue Reading. Self-talk is what we tell ourselves in our thoughts.