But, what happened? He was troubled because they heard that Clarify sometimes that may be a spiritual healing , but they will be healed. For many this is a great relief. He speaks of Epaphroditus' recovery as a mercy to himself 'lest he should have the sorrow of imprisonment increased by the sorrow of his friend's death.' becoming involved in the same charge. of beauty, mother of love, queen of laughter, mistress of the graces and pleasures and also the 12:9). Having seen the pattern of truth regarding the gifts, we need to ask, why did the gifts cease at this time? All others were not apostles of Jesus Asked January 21 2014 Vote Up The sign gifts, tongues, prophecy, the gift of healing, etc. In Acts 20:2,3 Paul arrived in Greece, i.e. messages, or do what ever Paul needed. necessity, that which is lacking." Paul commends Epaphroditus very highly for his faithfulness even unto death. Isn't that Epaphroditus wanted to go back to Philippi so they would see that he was alright and end their He never allows us to suffer something that He doesnt give us the strength to live through. For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge (epignosisfull knowledge) of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light (Col. 1:9-12). Is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box? When it came, then the gifts which were only in part would cease. The Book of Acts is replete with 'transitional stages' that are pivotal in the understanding of why all of these changes took place, and why, later, we see different signs no longer being used, or no longer operational in the sense of "signs and wonders," etc. 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. It is clear that the gift of healing has ceased because, as in Philippians, Paul was no longer able to heal, even his co-workers. It means for any gift that you and I will receive from Him by the Holy Spirit is premised on your ability to accept,take, agree or receive without doubt His word which comes as a command, law, or instruction. Besides, Epaphroditus was longing to see the church because he knew that they had found out that he had been ill (2:26). We don't He tells us in verses 26-28. His was a singular fate -- to cross Paul's path, and for one short period of his life to be known to all the world, and for all the rest before and after to be utterly unknown. We need to work hard in intellectual areas; we need to toil in study. Spam, January 24 2014 But Paul feels bad because Epaphroditus feels bad, because the Philippians The next two letters that Paul wrote are the two letters to the Corinthians. Paul put the needs of the Philippians ahead of his own. Once on his way again, he was distressed, i.e., depressed because he continued to entertain and cultivate such irrational thoughts as. 1:1, 15-19). impact our society, if we are going to be effective in our evangelism, we need to quit selfishly This word is only used two other times in the New Testament, both of them of Christ [8] Astheneo means to be sick and, as a result, in a state of weakness and incapacityto be sick, to be ill, to be disabled. Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 269. It is not an official title. The word "longing" is epipotheo, it The word "send" is pempo. Vote Up 12:12; Heb. Where was Paul when he wrote to the Philippians? empty ourselves to make ourselves of no reputation. In fact, he would have probably sent a handkerchief or even went to him, personally, if possible, and laid hands on him and healed him instantly. [4] Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 314. All we know about him is what we learn from this passage. Epaphroditus' service to Paul was a spiritual priestly function. In Acts 21:33 Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, and would spend the next 5 years in prison, right through the end of the Book of Acts. When is the last time you set aside something on your agenda The context gives us an interesting miniature of the last, and pathetic glimpses into the private life of the Apostle in his imprisonment, and it is worth our while to try to bring our historic imagination to bear on Epaphroditus, and to make him a living man. God's sparing of Epaphroditus' life was a tangible expression of His abundant grace to Paul. We are to be working to Maybe you can't preach or teach, maybe you're not a leader or an administrator, but you can (Many of these 'teachers' are a part of the 'Word of Faith' movement, the Properity Gospel crowd, et al, that teach that positive confession is necessary for having what you want or "claim," and they teach that if you do not get healed, or if you get sick or have any sort of malady, this means that you don't "have enough faith." If our hearts are set to 'hallow all we find,' the most secular duties will be acts of worship. Greek He was sick For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 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. involved in. May we not further draw from Paul's words here a lesson as to the honour due to Christian workers? sisters in Christ in other countries. life like it is something they deserve. The word "reputation" is the Greek word kenoo, it means: "to make empty." Even where we might have expected Paul to write of tongues in the passage about being filled with the Spirit in Ephesians 5:17, he has nothing to say about tongues. All deeds done from the same motive are the same, however different they may be in regard to the material on which they are wrought. and stand against the social evils of our day. derived from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess, better known by her Roman name , Venus. Was it perhaps meant to ask for a clarification of my own comment ? We but feebly echo Paul's rapture when he thought that there was 'neither Barbarian or Scythian, bond or free, but all were one in Christ Jesus,' and for all our talk about the unity of humanity and the like, we permit the old gulfs of separation to gape as deeply as ever. When God spared his 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. Theyve been taught that a person has to speak in tongues to prove that he is really saved, or that he really has the Holy Spirit dwelling within. It does not contain doubt, but refers to a decision arrived 8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. We briefly note some general lessons which may be suggested by the picture of Epaphroditus as he stands by the side of Paul. Also the casting out of 7 demons; Oh, by the way, I have the recording of this event. Thanks for contributing an answer to Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange! Because I am submitted and 2. The Jews sought after signs (1 Cor. How many times was the apostle Paul in a prison in Rome? Epaphroditus' parents were most likely worshipers of Aphrodite. However, God, who can do things as He chooses, chose not to immediately heal Epaphroditus. In verse 25, we have a description of Epaphroditus. "Who ministered to my need" -- The word "need" is from chreia it means: "a need or In the first six letters, all written during the period covered by the Book of Acts, we find that the sign gifts were operating in all these churches. 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. We need to "show" people that we love them by 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. mercy that any of us live. The words "not regarding" are from the Greek word parabouleuomai. What can a lawyer do if the client wants him to be acquitted of everything despite serious evidence? [3] After dealing with his sickness, which caused him to delay his efforts to help Paul, he traveled on to Rome. 1. 1:22) so God gave them signsamong the Gentiles!in order to provoke Israel to jealousy (Rom. Epaphroditus was a Christian who lived in Philippi. 1:2) and Titus (Tit. Epaphroditus was evidently healed through the Lords direct, miraculous intervention, perhaps via the gifts of healing that some believers possessed during the Apostolic era (1 Cor. Hardly. These very thoughts are what keep us sluggish and contribute to our feeling frustrated, angry, or worthless. The normal word Paul was a great theologian, he knew that death for a Christian was a promotion, an end of pain Epaphroditus who was to stay at Rome and help Paul in any way he could. These men and women of God where normal people of God, who made mistakes just like us and didnt do everything perfect. Ye shall notprint any marks upon you (Lev. deliver the money and leave, he was to stay and to minister to Paul's needs. Finally at the end of his life he is again in prison. it this way: Epaphroditus is a model for all of us to follow. She's the we are all from the same womb, we're family. ), Apostolic Fathers (e.g., Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp), Apologists (e.g., Justin Martyr, Clement, Tertullian), Church Fathers (e.g., Gregory, Jerome, Augustine, Ambrose), Flawed Biblical Historical Literary Criticism, PART 8-Jesus Resurrection to the Death of the Apostle John. Do you know who my co-laborers are? On the contrary, Paul considered him his "brother," "fellow-worker," "fellow-soldier," and "their apostle and servant" (2:25). In Acts 13,14 Paul and Barnabas went on their first apostolic journey which took them into Galatiacities like Antioch, Lystra, Derbe, etc. co-laborer with Paul, but with God. The name Epaphroditus means "belonging to Aphrodite," which is ironic because his life certainly did not belong to the Greek goddess. Paul's physical needs, it was spiritual. Not only did they intend for him to be the bearer of their gift; they also intended for him to stay in Rome and be Paul's personal servant and attendant. It was his brethren who were exhorted to receive their own messenger back again 'in the Lord with all joy, and to hold him in honour.' Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. If the Apostle Paul still had the power to heal why would he leave Trophimus sick, while Epaphroditus was also sick to the point of death in Philippians 2:27 and encouraged Timothy to use a little wine for his stomach and frequent ailments (1 Timothy 5:23)? The first fact about him is, that he was one of the Philippian Christians, and sent by them to Rome, with some pecuniary or material help, such as comforts for Paul's prison-house, food, clothing, or money. hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/tour Thanks! He was sent there to serve Paul We won't help someone in trouble because we're afraid we might get hurt or even killed. You can help further this work by your prayer and by contributing online or by mailing to: Berean Bible Church "distressed"ademoneo, it means: "to be depressed or rejected, be troubled, full of anguish or 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. This time he anticipates being beheaded for the Lord and writes the last letter, Second Timothy. I think sometimes it is wise to not isolate the Gift of Healing when we think about these questions. That is what God calls us to. We have surveyed the 13 letters written by the Apostle Paul, arranging them in the order in which Paul wrote them: Then after the Book of Acts ends7 more letters: Having surveyed the 13 letters and having put them into their chronological order, lets see what they tell us about the question: when did the sign gifts cease? Thanks. We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. Yes, they really had had these experiences. destruction and desolation. know that they were rejoicing. delegate. He provides a pattern that parabolani, the gamblers. Whether we are well or sick, whether we are like Epaphroditus or like Timothy, we can always claim this promise from the Lord that His grace and strength are sufficient for us. be-shem omro)? Paul could have still used Epaphroditus, but he cared more about their joy than his own physical All this was done in a church in Austin, Texas with an Evangelist from Virginia working through the Gifts of the Spirit, ie, Word of Knowledge, working of miracles, gifts of healing. What should they do? We may further note the intensity of Paul's sympathy. So, in short, Epaphroditus grew sick on his 600-mile journey to Rome, to the point of death, which delayed him from fulfilling his mission of helping Paul. Romans 10:8-10 tells us: 8 But what saith it? He is a co-worker, it's speaking of common effort, diligence. Actually, suppose we regularly cultivate and entertain slights against us or the deeper personal affronts. It is not confined to Here Paul writes of the gift of tongues, the gift of prophecy and the gift of knowledge (see 1 Cor. No! Chesapeake, VA 23322. What evidence is there the writer of Revelation was aware of the apostle Paul? Why would the apostle Paul "delay" being baptized (Acts 22:16)? The reason why Paul could not heal toward the end of his life was that the gift of healing was a temporary gift to the apostles and was designed to authenticate that they spoke from God. Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. The letters are also arranged by lengthRomans is longest and is first, then the Corinthian letters, then Galatians, etc. Remember that God is not a man that He should lie. >From this verb we get the He uses this word in verses 25 and 28. sorrow." In Galatians 3:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:20, 1 Corinthians 12,13,14, 2 Corinthians 12:12, Romans 12:6in all these letters we read about the gifts in operation right through to the end of the Book of Acts. at after carefully weighing the facts. In all the seven letters written after the close of the Book of Acts, Paul uses this word epignosisthe full knowledge. sick. Why didn't Paul just heal Epaphroditus? This is However, Paul was often an instrument of healing. When he recovers, Paul sends him back to Philippi It is what we tell ourselves; it is what we think about events, what people say, and circumstances that contribute to our mental distress, anxiety, or depression. But Paul uses leitourgos here. Paul Epaphrodtus. That makes Galatians the earliest of Pauls letters. Paul was saved in Acts 9 when the Lord appeared to him on the road to Damascus. The question has always been: when? other words, they were to receive him as the Lord would receive him. We need to be sustratiotes, fighting together. Every breath that you take, every beat of your heart is mercy. God owes us nothing! 14:18)! Giving Bible readers what God said not what translators think God meant, Please Support the Bible Translation Work of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV). 'The cup of cold water' given 'in the name of a disciple' is grateful to the lips of the Master. But we read that Epaphroditus was healeddirectly by the Lord: He was sick unto death but the Lord had mercy on him.. Philippians 2:25-30 Updated American Standard Version (UASV). You were extremely upset and grieved over Why would the Apostle Paul insist that married couples have regular sex "except [for one reason only] by mutual consent and for a time (of prayer)" when there may be other factors such as sickness, busyness, or fatigue? and they sure wouldn't have sent a lazy man. We can make some deductions about Epaphroditus from what we see in this passage. It is impossible to be sure whether the Philippian Christians thought Epaphroditus had purposefully failed in his mission. been painful. Paul's first burst of gratitude and praise does not exhaust all that he has to say about Epaphroditus. When is the last time that this happened to you? Epaphroditus is one of the less known of Paul's friends. We have no reason to suppose that Epaphroditus took part with Paul in his more properly apostolic work, and the fact that the purely material help, and pecuniary service which most probably comprised all his 'ministering,' is honoured by Paul with these lofty designations, carries with it large lessons as to the sanctity of common life.