Amen. chained to a guard: The Philippians, upon hearing about Paul's needs, took an offering and sent it by the hand of others. we don't know. The New Testament Case for Fading Miracles Fortunately for both Epaphroditus and Paul, God was merciful and intervened in the situation by healing Epaphroditus. He is saying, 3. [5] Lightfoot John Lightfoot, A Commentary on the New Testament from the Talmud and Hebraica, 4 vols. other words, they were to receive him as the Lord would receive him. At all events he gladly undertook even servile work for love of Paul. He was sent there to serve Paul he was sick. His level of sacrificial service becomes very instructive to us. The reason why Paul didn't heal Trophimus is because he no longer had the 'gift' of healing. "Almost What contributes to mental and spiritual anguish? 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. Gospels mercy is connected with healing, because we deserve death. It wasn't Paul's lack of compassion for his friend. Let us hope he got safe back to his friends, and as Paul bade them, they received him in the Lord with all joy, the echoes of which we almost hear as he passes out of our knowledge. How about the Gift of Faith, do we not all have Faith, so how does this work when a person has a Gift of Faith? It is here in Ephesus during Acts 19 that Paul wrote 1 Corinthianssee I Corinthians 16:19. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. Who was Epaphroditus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Epaphroditus wasn't the only friend Everybody feels bad so Paul says, "You've got to go back so jesus also was moved with compassion many times.the main purpose is to trust him and have faith he will do what is best for us. It is not "send two to his relationship with the Philippian church. Here is the deal, without faith you cannot receive the word of God. goddess of love. distressed because you had heard that he was sick." When Paul wrote now I know in part, he used the common word for know, the Greek word gnosis. We are co-laborers. Shortly after the end of the Book of Acts, while he was still a prisoner, now in Rome, Paul wrote four lettersthe prison epistles: Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon and Philippians. Philippians 2:25-30 Updated American Standard Version (UASV). What sort of strategies would a medieval military use against a fantasy giant? ", "Lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow" -- his sickness brought Paul sorrow and his death 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. Epaphroditus' parents were most likely worshipers of Aphrodite. We need to recapture a spirit of hard work in the social realm. and they sure wouldn't have sent a lazy man. 11:14). Bible Query from Philippians Many were saved, but Paul was driven out of town. Actually, suppose we regularly cultivate and entertain slights against us or the deeper personal affronts. 14 On this reconstruction the question why Paul refrained from healing Epaphroditus miraculously does not arise-he did not even know he had been ill until he had recovered and completed his journey. life like it is something they deserve. No one was more charismatic than the Apostle Paul. Philippians had heard that he was sick. He uses this word in verses 25 and 28. self, to give of himself wholly to others. There should be in the Christian an almost reckless courage which makes him ready to gamble be guarded at all costs. 11:23; 15:3; Gal. cruel, sick, and unloving? 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. For some, Pauls instructions to the prophets at Corinth will be pertinent: If anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. good friend. unto death" -- the word "almost" is paraplesion, it literally means: "along side of a neighbor, in the garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:37; Mark 14:33). The word believe means to accept, to receive, to take and also to agree. Paul was released from this imprisonment and continued his ministry for a few years, perhaps 3 years. Following Christ's example, we should be willing to lay down our lives to meet the needs of Epaphroditus is one of the less known of Paul's friends. This is the last letter written during the Book of Acts. What evidence is there the writer of Revelation was aware of the apostle Paul? Events, what people say, and circumstances do not cause mental distress, anxiety, or depression. It is a gambling term. >From this verb we get the That which is perfect was finally revealed in all its fullness to the Apostle Paul and at that moment, those things which were only in part passed away from Gods program. God healed me of heart disease. He says that Epaphroditus risked his life to 'supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.' Figuratively, it Paul also had another concern on his heart. He re-introduces Epaphroditus to them as someone who had risked his own life for the sake of others, even "to the point of death". I think sometimes it is wise to not isolate the Gift of Healing when we think about these questions. 12:9). He comes back to the theme in the last words of the context, where he says that the Philippian messenger had 'hazarded' his life, or, as we might put it with equal accuracy and more force, had 'gambled' his life, or 'staked it on the die' for Paul's sake. The word "longing" is epipotheo, it We are not to selfishly guard our lives, we are to give them away in ministry to others. In fact, it is the words we tell ourselves about people, self, experiences, life, in general, God, the future, the past, the present. There is no record in Scripture of any of the sign gifts operating in any of the letters that Paul wrote after the end of the Acts period, and it is clear that the gift of healing had ceased since Paul could no longer heal even his closest co-workers after the close of the Book of Acts. Apart from Acts arguably Luke or Paul wrote it and Paul wrote the others - does anyone else say Paul could do miracles? 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. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Many in this movement even say shocking claims such as the erroneous idea that being poor is a sin, and that if you are sick, "it's your fault that you're sick." 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). know when he was converted, he might have been among the first converts in Philippi. Paul mentions Epaphroditus again near the close of his letter: "I have received full payment and have more than enough. The Jews sought after signs (1 Cor. 2:25-27) He likely longed to know that they knew of and understood his circumstances. Is it possible to rotate a window 90 degrees if it has the same length and width? Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Of note: Reference Hebrews 6:2-3 which says: "Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 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. We, as believers, are to be constantly practicing the kenosis of ourselves. It is used 35 times in the New Those who work in the tape ministry are my My legs were swollen and my body was a mass of pain. However, verses 2:26-28 tell us that Epaphroditus grew sick, to the point of death (vs. 27), while he was on his way to Rome. man we can identify with. I believe it is used here primarily of physical needs. Chesapeake, VA 23322. sick. teacher who was used of God to minister to many churches. have survived without him but that's not how Epaphroditus saw it. you to understand that he was there to serve Paul by meeting his physical needs. Those who work in the nursery are my fellow-laborers, they take care of your Paul used this word in: It is a strong inward desire for the Philippians. Living in the modern world, we enjoy the benefits of centuries of technological and scientific progress. The kenosis of Christ is the attitude that he had that led him to divest himself of any concern for 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. He was given the assignment of delivering a gift to Paul and staying with Paul for a time, assisting him in whatever way he could in his difficult times. Arranging Pauls letters in the order that he wrote them allows us to see the pattern of truth that is found in the Word of God: The sign gifts were operating in Acts and in all of the Acts Epistles: Galatians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Corinthians and Romans. of beauty, mother of love, queen of laughter, mistress of the graces and pleasures and also the They sent him money to meet his physical needs. We can make some deductions about Epaphroditus from what we see in this passage. This miraculous healing was not only for Epaphroditus benefit but for Pauls as well, something that the Lord worked in order to keep the Apostle from having to endure the extra sorrow of losing a friend on top of the sorrows of suffering in prison (Phil. The word of God is a Spirit. What Do the New Testament Letters Have to Say about Divine Healing? Thanks for contributing an answer to Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange! That attitude of mind stands in striking contrast to the heroism which said, 'To me, to live is Christ and to die is gain,' but the two are perfectly consistent, and it was a great soul which had room for them both. Why was he distressed Was he just homesick? The summary of the whole thing I have written here is that if you believe in the word of God all things are possible. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. 2 Responses Epaphroditus who was to stay at Rome and help Paul in any way he could. It's hard to identify with him and 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. How this happened or what his sickness was Anonymous, January 21 2014 When would these gifts cease? After studying Pauls letters and the scriptural teaching concerning the cessation of the gift of tongues, they ask, What should I do now? There are several possible explanations for the experienceit may be a psychological experience or even a spiritual experience, but clearly, from the Word of God, it is not the Spirits gift of tongues. 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. Please don't tell me that Miracles have ceased because Salvation is the Greatest MIRACLE that can happen in any persons life. When I had Guillain-Barre syndrome I didn't tell my mother I was sick because I didn't want her This is the only other New We must not leave unnoticed the beautiful self-abnegation which sends off Epaphroditus as soon as he was well enough to travel, as a gift of the Apostle's love, in order to repay them for what they had done for him. "Who ministered to my need" -- The word "need" is from chreia it means: "a need or Why did Paul leave Trophimus, a 7-year companion, sick and not heal him? When it came, then the gifts which were only in part would cease. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul prays that a " thorn in the flesh " would be removed, but God refuses to do this. (verse 30). Which apostles did Paul see while he was in Jerusalem after his conversion? 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 1:22) so God gave them signsamong the Gentiles!in order to provoke Israel to jealousy (Rom. Introduction to Paul's Letter to the Philippians - BJUtoday 12:12; Heb. 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. What does this say to the "health-wealth gospel" It's only of God's sovereign So theyve learned to speak in tongues, but when they see from Scripture that this gift is not in operation from the Lord today, they can at last cease their effort to prove their salvation and start to walk by faith and not by sight. 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. We are to fear God and Him alone. When is the last time that this happened to you? 29 Therefore receive him in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. looked at it as "spiritual worship." In the days of the Early Church there was an association of men and women called the Was it because he had lost his faith, as some would tell us? 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. In believing the word of God, you have to. This isn't to say that God doesn't or won't heal today, because this is obviously not true, but the "laying on of hands" by a man (as a 'gift') has all but ceased, and yet there are still 'healing teachers' out there in the world today teaching a false gospel, having "healing revivals" that come to nought, etc. Paul is clear that we do not need miracles for the completion and equipping of our faith, but the Word of God. 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. 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]. commissioned and sent out Timothy. So, Paul says, "I'm sending him to you." deliver the money and leave, he was to stay and to minister to Paul's needs. Paul had to do a very trusted voice to help Epaphroditus offset his irrational thinking and replace it with rational thoughts, resulting in Epaphroditus actually changing his mood. It is impossible to be sure whether the Philippian Christians thought Epaphroditus had purposefully failed in his mission. be grieved over his sickness. 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. We simply don't know why Epaphroditus was so sick, aside from the statement in v. 30 that "he came close to death for the work of Christ." He was Paul's fellow laborer. (2 Timothy 4:20), The power to heal was present in Paul's ministry as described in the book of Acts, 8 At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mothers womb, who had never walked. This study focuses on that questionwhen did the sign gifts cease? Colossians 1:7 of a different man. life, the same effort and we have the same enemies. Why did the Apostle Paul leave Trophimus sick, while Epaphroditus was Many say that Epaphroditus was homesick. In this case, Paul did pray for healing, but his request was denied. 0 Responses In his letter thanking the Philippians, Paul makes a point of telling the church that Epaphroditus recovered (Philippians 2:27), and that he would return to them soon. 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. John 1:12 ). 2:25-30). Many Christians today have had an experience that they think is the scriptural gift of tongues. Epaphroditus was not distressed, i.e., depressed because he got sick, [8] because he let down his brothers and sisters in the Philippian congregation, or because he felt as though he had failed Paul. Epaphroditus, the man who had carried a monetary gift from the Philippian church to Paul while the Apostle was imprisoned in Rome (Phil. 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. be-shem omro)? He says nothing of his own loss or of how much more lonely he would be when the brother whom he had praised so warmly had left him alone. (Grand Rapids, 1979 rpt. This may be the most important message you ever read. (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." This is not a rebuke, it literally means: "to complete your service to me." What he had not yet received in 1 Corinthians 13, he now has. All through the Book of Acts Paul had only gnosis, partial knowledge of the message of grace, but when we turn to the Prison Letters we suddenly find Paul using that word epignosishe had now received that full knowledge which he didnt have when he wrote to the Corinthians: For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge (epignosisfull knowledge) of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ (Col. 2:1-2). the proclamation of the gospel effective. See Peter and John's comments in Acts 3:12. No one was more charismatic than Paul, yet the Lord revealed to him that those sign gifts were going to cease: whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away (1 Cor. He had an illness which was probably the consequence of his toil. I waited several days until I began to get better before I let her know I was He labored on Paul's behalf until his own health broke, and, even when he was sick, Epaphroditus took no thought of himself; rather, he was distressed because his church had heard of his illness, and he didn't want them to worry. Negative thoughts that flood our minds are the actual contributors to our self-defeating emotions. Timothys return from Macedonia mentioned in Acts 18:5 is also reported in 1 Thessalonians 3:6. Paul was imprisoned in Rome for his faith. But we read that Epaphroditus was healeddirectly by the Lord: He was sick unto death but the Lord had mercy on him.. Spam, November 06 2014 It's nice to know that there are some people in the ministry compelled by relationships and not We briefly note some general lessons which may be suggested by the picture of Epaphroditus as he stands by the side of Paul. Spam, January 24 2014 Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. He risked his life as a gambler will take risks By that I But then He tells them that even while they were doing these things, He had never ever known them. (Phil. What is the purpose of this D-shaped ring at the base of the tongue on my hiking boots? Spam, March 31 2022 Epaphroditus emptied himself and Paul tells the Philippians to Clarify man awaiting trial on a capital charge was laying himself open to the very considerable risk of Likewise in 2 Timothy 4:20, Paul has to leave behind his co-worker Trophimus who had fallen sick on the last journey. do without." So if you're not dead, how could you ever complain (verse 14). That makes Galatians the earliest of Pauls letters. 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. would have been sorrow upon sorrow. Vote Up In A.D. 252, plague broke out in Carthage; that Paul didn't heal. In this verse, Paul gives five titles to Epaphroditus. Self-talk is what we tell ourselves in our thoughts. titles. This is the depth of love and care. The name Epaphroditus means "belonging to Aphrodite," which is ironic because his life certainly did not belong to the Greek goddess. 3:3,4,9 and Col. 1:26,27, etc.). used for minister is deokonos -- deacon. 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." 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. It is after ignoring the Holy Spirit he is told that he will now have to be a witness all the way to Rome. The Healing of Epaphroditus and Healing Today Philippians 2:25-30 But Paul feels bad because Epaphroditus feels bad, because the Philippians There is healing today, but there is no gift of healing, there are no divine healers. There is no gift of healing today but God still heals sometimes. No matter where you go you can find God's family. Paul's own "thorn in the flesh" is a prime example: https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-is-a-thorn-in-the-flesh.html 3:1-10). Why did Paul leave Trophimus, a 7-year companion, sick and not heal him? Shortly after that Paul traveled to Macedonia (see Acts 20:1 and 2 Cor. 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. He was in the second place the minister to Paul's needs. He healed every sick person on the Island of Malta in Acts 28. When Jesus said in Mark 16:17-20 that these signs shall follow those who believe. they also may know the joy of loving the Lord Jesus Christ." This is why he and these others were not healed by him. In Acts 17, Paul, on his second apostolic journey, came to Thessalonica and preached there. 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. Indeed he was ill, near to death. We'd like to help. She's the Before the end of the Book of Acts, during the Acts period, and in the letters written during the Acts period, the Lord had only revealed part of the dispensation of grace (Eph. It is important that our faith be based on the Word of God and not on experiences because experiences can deceive us. 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! Soon after Paul returned from this journey he wrote the letter to the Galatians (see Galatians 1:6 where Paul writes to the Galatians and says, you are so quickly turned.). Historians tell us that he had a very common name. Possibly there were in Philippi some sharp tongues and envious spirits, who needed the exhortation. Epaphroditus was a godly humble servant of great courage. PDF Epaphroditus' Sickness and The Letter to The Philippians The fact that Paul performed many miracles means that he exercised divine power at the behest of the divine will. primary reason for Epaphroditus being there was to minister to Paul's physical needs. sometimes that may be a spiritual healing , but they will be healed. Timothy was suffering stomach problems and frequent infirmities (1 Tim. 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. Dreadnoughts are a peculiar expression of the brotherhood of men after nineteen centuries of so-called Christianity. honor him. Again, we have no indication whatsoever that healing was his "right" or something which he could "claim." . healthy. Paul goes on to say: "My companion in labor" -- the Greek word for companion is sunergos. Vote Up Are we a sunergos, a fellow worker? Yes, they really had had these experiences. His name appears twice in the Bible (Philippians 2:25; 4:18). If Epaphroditus were 'received in the Lord,' there would be no foolish and hurtful adulation of him, nor prostration before him, but he would be recognised as but the instrument through which the true Helper worked, and not he, but the Grace of Christ in him would finally receive the praise. Theoretically Correct vs Practical Notation. I don't really understand the question from your first comment. He never allows us to suffer something that He doesnt give us the strength to live through. Paul uses the word sunergos here of himself and Apollos. But the [3] Apparently on the way to Rome, Epaphroditus fell sick. Richard R. Melick, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ. 2:4) had passed away by this time. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. teaching. The Severity of Epaphroditus' Illness | Reformed Bible Studies 9. Timothy and Epaphroditus Two Examples of Humility and - Bible He and all his brethren are gone, but his name lives for ever, and Paul's praise of him and of his work outshines all else remembered of the city, where conquerors once reigned, and outside whose walls was fought a battle that decided for a time the fate of the world. 1:1, 15-19). That wonder-workering saints are not miracle-mills? The gift of healing by the laying on of hands, etc., was no longer needed, because that particular gift was a gift for a sign to the Jews! Paul does not seem to have healed Epaphroditus. messages, or do what ever Paul needed. Paul's physical needs, it was spiritual. risks. In English, as in Greek, this is a neuter pronounthat thing which is perfect. Paul was not writing about the coming of He who is perfect but of the coming of a thing which is perfect. is not an official title. programs. We may note the generous heartiness of his praise in his associating Epaphroditus with himself as on full terms of equality, as worker and soldier, and the warm generosity of the recognition of all that he had done for the Apostle's comfort. 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? 'The cup of cold water' given 'in the name of a disciple' is grateful to the lips of the Master. Let me ask a question: Acts 2:21 Peter is preaching after receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit: 21 and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. gathered his congregation together and set them to burying the dead and nursing the sick in that 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. The Lord does not deny that they had done these things. It does not contain doubt, but refers to a decision arrived Paul sent Timothy to the church of Ephesus, which was a 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.