The Pulpit Commentary — Philippians — Section 81

Vers. 24-30.-Epaphroditus the link between the apostle and Philippi. As it wns still uncertain what would be the issue of his bonds at Rome, the apostle deemed it right no longer to detain the worthy Philippian minister who had relieved the tedium of his imprisonment, but sent him back to Philippi under circumstances which attest the tenderness of the relation which bound all three together. I. 0oNSIDER THE APOSTLE'S ESTIIIATE OF THE filGH CHABACTEB OF EPAPHRODITUS. I. In rdation to him,self. "My brother "-as if to mark the common sympathy that bound them together-" my companion in labour "-to signify the common work which engaged them-" and fellow-soldier "-to signify the common perils and sufferings ;:,f their service in the gospel. 2. Jn relation to the Philippians. "Your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants "-doing for them what they could not do for themselves, supplying "your lack of service toward me." He was the representation of their liberality, and was about to take back to Philippi this beautiful and touching Epistle. II. 'I'm: DANGEROUS ILLNESS OF EPAPHRODITUB. "For indeed he was sick nigh unto death." 1. The caUBe of this sickness. "Because for the work of Christ he came nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me." He bad overtaxed his strength in the service of the gospel, either by his labours in preaching or by doing a thousand little offices of love for the imprisoned apostle. 2. 'Hu recovery. (1) 'l'he apostle might have used his !rifts of healiug to restore such a valuable life to the service of the Church, but such gifts were mostly used for the sake of unbelievers, aud the Lord did not see fit to have them exercised for the benefit of ordinary believers. (2) It was God himself who was the Author of this recovery;" God l:ad mercy on him." It is a mercy to be thankful for that we should have our health restored and our lives prepared anew for holy service. It is a mercy to the minister, who has fresh opportunities of doing good; and a mercy to his flock, as they receive ;::realer blessing from his labours. 3. The de,ep sgmpathy of tlui Philippians with their suffering minuter. " He longed after you all, and was sore troubled, because ye had heard that he was sick." (1) The distress at Philippi was a proof of their love to Epaphroditus and their interest in him. (2) His distress on account of this rumour shows, a<:>:ain, a deep feeling of love for them. III. THE JOY OF THE APOSTLE AT BIB BECOVEBY. "God had mercy on him; and uot on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow." The ,q,ostle had already to bear the hard sorrow of imprisonment,_ but if Epaphroditus had ,:ied at Rome his sorrows might have become overwhelmmg. We are all deeply i11lt:reste<l in the recovery of the saints, and especially of eminent mlnis!er11, whose lives cuntribute to the enrichment of the world. JV. HIB REASONS FOR 61':NDING EPAPHRODITUB BACK TO PHILIPPI. "l have sent him tl,ercfr,re tlie more dili"ently, that when ye see him again ye may rejoice, and that 1 1uay Le the less sorrowhJ.l." They would recover their cheerfulness at the Right of their Lelovc<l n,iuistcr, and the sum of tlie apostle'11 daily cares would thereby be proportion- 11,l,\y J,·88(:IJCd.-T. c. OD, II, 1-30,] THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPI.ANS. 77