D3: The Ministry (Paul, Timothy & Epaphroditus)

D3: The Ministry (Paul, Timothy & Epaphroditus)

Philippians 2:25-30 (Part 2)

INTRODUCTION:

• Read 2:19-24. Part 1: 6 Ministry Observations. 1.) Relationships in the gospel mattered greatly to Paul. 2.) Paul sought the en that comes from relationships. 3.) Ministry had seasons of loneliness for Paul. 4.) In ministry’s di culties Paul was buoyed by ffi co-laborers. 5.) For Paul nothing could fully replace face-to-face time in ministry. 6.) Paul’s hope and trust were not ultimately i relationships but the Lord Jesus.
• Read 2:25-30. At this point in the letter, Paul felt an obligation to explain why he was sending their messenger and minister back without his ministry being completed. Their intent was that Epaphroditus would stay indefinitely with Paul (Paul’s need was for m mindedness surrounding him, 2:20-21, 25.). So, while Paul waits to see how his trial goes, he sent Epaphroditus back with the le Philippians. He will soon send Timothy when he can. But ultimately he wants to be with the Philippians himself.

The probable order of events concerning Epaphroditus, Paul and the Philippians:

• The Philippians desired to minister to Paul while he was in prison, 2:30b.
• Epaphroditus was their “apostle” and minister to fulfill that ministry to Paul, 2:25b, 30b.
• While with Paul, Epaphroditus became to Paul his “brother, fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier” in the work of Christ, 2:25a.
• Epaphroditus risked his life as he tried to complete his ministry to Paul and became sick, 2:26b, 30b.
• Epaphroditus nearly died in or from his ministry to Paul, 2:27a, 30a.
• The Philippians grew concerned when they heard Epaphroditus was sick and was not able to minister to Paul, 2:26b. (Other traveled with Epaphroditus and then returned to Philippi. They had heard he was sick and now thought that all their good inte evaporate.)

• Epaphroditus longed for the Philippians and was distressed that he caused them concern, 2:26.
• Paul became anxious for the Philippians, 2:28b. (Paul wanted to be free from the worry he had for both parties.)
• God had mercy on Epaphroditus (and Paul!) in that Epaphroditus recovered, 2:27b.
• Paul eagerly sent Epaphroditus back to bring joy to the Philippians, 2:28, 25. (Since Epaphroditus was sent to help Paul for period of time, Paul felt the need to explain why Paul was sending him back early.)

• The Philippians were to receive Epaphroditus back early with all joy, 2:29a.
• The Philippians were to hold men like him in high regard even though his ministry objective was not completed, 2:29-30.

5 gospel ministry observations from Philippians 2:25-30:

1. A servant in gospel ministry must fulfill many roles, 2:25.

(The first 3 are what Epaphroditus became to Paul while he was with Paul - not what he was to Paul before.) ➡Brother.

• Spiritual brother through union with Christ. Personal, family a ection. An abiding friendship and companionship bec ff the spiritual family tie.

➡Fellow-worker.

• A companion in spiritual labor (side-by-side in it). Paul’s humility on display - Epaphroditus was a co-equal with Paul much a worker in the gospel as Paul was.).

➡Fellow-soldier.

• Engaged in incessant spiritual battle/conflict for the souls of men and for the glory of God in gospel ministry. Calvin: who want to edify the church, know that war is declared against you.” Again, Paul’s humility on display (E was ever a soldier in the gospel as Paul was).

(What Epaphroditus was from the Philippians perspective.)

➡“Apostle”.

• Messenger - one entrusted with a mission. O cial-ness in the role. Not the same use of “apostle” as in Paul’s case ffi Jesus’ “sent one.” E was the Philippians’ “sent one.”

➡Minister.

• An o cial-ness to this term as well. So E was sent o cially to o cially meet Paul’s “need.” What was Paul’s need ffi ffi ffi But also, 2:20-21, 25b (the need of a co-laborer, co-worker, co-soldier, a like-minded brother.) E was much more tha deliverer. Paul’s need in Rome was for qualified men more than money.

2. A servant in gospel ministry is burdened when his ministry remains undone, 2:26.

• “You heard that he was sick” = others must have traveled with E. When he became sick while with Paul, some who cam traveled back to Philippi to relay the news. When E found out that the Philippians knew he was sick, “he was distressed” anguish, troubled greatly that they now knew he was unable to be of help for Paul. After all, he was sent to o cially rep ffi Philippian believers. And now, instead of caring for Paul, Paul the prisoner had to care for E! E “longed for” the Philippia that this was not going to go the direction they all had planned.

• Epaphroditus was probably the one most concerned that his ministry to Paul would not get carried out. He was surround parties that he most likely felt he had let down. Party #1: Paul - Paul was not going to receive the maximum benefit that Philippians had planned for him. Party #2: The Philippians - Their plans now lay on the floor ½ carried out. And this “d

Epaphroditus = had deep anguish, anxiety, emotional turmoil. He longed to be with them to help them work through this than be a burden to Paul.

• Plan A or B - which is being carried out? :) It is di cult when you make a good plan and it can’t go the way you wanted ffi will be a burden felt in it. Many were depending on Epaphroditus and he feels he has let them down. And that is a burde with him as he heads back to Philippi.

3. A servant in gospel ministry may risk his life for the gospel, 2:27, 30.

• 2:27a. “He was sick to the point of death” = Paul writes in such a way that it appears Epaphroditus hung between life a d bit. They all seemed to believe that death was going to win out over life concerning him. 2:30 (all) = The Philippians kne experiencing lack, need, deficiencies while in prison in Rome. Paul’s language reveals that they made Paul’s deficiencie their own that they had to meet. They could fill the needs he had - in fact they had to.
• So Epaphroditus sacrificed himself to meet those needs of Paul on behalf of the Philippians. At some point as he was fa perhaps had to make the choice between not finishing his ministry to Paul or neglect his health. We know what he chose preserving his health meant neglecting his service to Paul, he chose to neglect his health.

• 2:27b “But God had mercy on him and me so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow” - According to Paul, Epaphroditu would have been bitterly painful for him. Paul loves this man! Paul could not endure his death while he came to serve P
• How do you reconcile Phil 1:23 and 2:27??

4. Gospel ministry is full of mutual concern and love, 2:26, 28.

• Philippians concern for Paul - 2:25b, 30b
• Paul for Epaphroditus - 2:25a, 27b
• Epaphroditus for Philippians - 2:26
• Philippians for Epaphroditus - 2:25b, 26b, 29
• Paul for Philippians - 2:19, 20, 21, 28b
• Paul could have just said: “Epaphroditus is better,” but relationships matter to Paul. And Paul preferred the benefit they in receiving and esteeming E than his own gain from keeping Epaphroditus.
• Can you imagine small group ministry, and leadership development e orts, eldering, evangelism that was empty of mutu ff for one another? What is the di erence?

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5. Gospel ministry esteems men of courage and sacrifice above task completion, 2:29-30.

• 2:29 is a command from Paul - he is instructing, directing the Philippians to have one and only one response to Epaphrod early return. 2:28-29. “Receive him” - was it possible that they actually might not want to? Paul directed them in such a failing to receive him back would not happen. “Receive him in the Lord” - the receiving was not to be their kind of receivi version - but one that was rooted in the Lord Jesus. Was it possible that they might receive him back in a lesser way tha should? “Receive him in the Lord with all joy” - was it possible that they might receive him back with reluctance?

• 2:29 - and “hold men like him in high regard” - was it possible that they might not? In Paul’s mind this was a teaching op for them and an opportunity to keep the Philippians away from an unhelpful maybe even sinful response from E returning prematurely.
• 2:30 - Why should they esteem such a one who did not fulfill his ministry plan? :) Paul: “Your o cial delegate you felt o ffi send to represent you as you met my needs through him didn’t complete his task. But he did sacrifice himself almost to d service. Esteem that kind of a man.” What matters to the apostle Paul most? A ministry agenda being finished or the se sacrifice of a servant of Christ who may or may not get to finish his ministry plan. For Paul the idea that ministry plans ha succeed at all costs was a foreign idea to him. Paul shepherded them to think rightly in the midst of an unfulfilled ministry