Commendation = Encouragement. Philippians 2.25-30

It is difficult to navigate his name: E-pa-phro-di-tus . . . and why bother?   It seems as though Paul is just addressing a housekeeping matter--sending him back to the church in Philippi.  The point seems superfluous in this magnificent chapter two of Philippians, so rich with teaching about the body of Christ.  When Paul talks about the importance of humility, saying we ought have the same disposition as Jesus Christ, who gave up his place next to God the Father to take on the body of a man … all to suffer and die … and then, ‘oh yeah, Boys, in addition, I am sending Paphro back to you…’!  What is the point?

Well, first remember in the preceding few verses Paul has mentioned Timothy, that he will send him back to them soon, but is still in need of his ministry—then took the opportunity to commend Timothy, and indicate what he has meant to him.  Indirectly, we see Paul’s humility in sharing the work of the Gospel with another Christian brother—Timothy—though he was much more like a spiritual son to Paul than a brother.  It takes nothing away from Paul to give value to another fellow laborer in the cause of Christ.  Indeed it is important to give credit where credit is due.  Just think how much that commendation must have meant to Timothy!

He writes:  “But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.”  Philippians 2.25-30

‘See how he loved them!’  Paul was bold in expressing his feelings for the two men who had come to minister alongside him.  Our Lord was like that—Jesus was ‘out there’ with how he loved; I think of when Lazarus died.  He arrived on the scene to find Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, so distraught over their brother’s passing, that it moved him to tears—yea, not just tears, but his good friend said, “Jesus wept.”1   Jesus was a man of great compassion, and courageous enough to let people see his heart.  Similarly, we see Paul’s heart right here in the end of Philippians 2.  In Paul’s note about Epaphroditus, he expresses several things—compassion, validation and blessing, and also good business sense.  

The Philippian believers had sent Epaphroditus to Paul, bearing a monetary gift and the task of seeing to Paul’s needs.  Unfortunately, he got very sick, and it was best he return home.  Paul commends him as a ‘brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier,’ thereby imbuing him with significance.  ‘Messenger, care-giver, and now needing to be cared for himself,’ Paul intimates about Epaphroditus; ‘receive him and honor him,’ are Paul’s words. 

Paul honors both Timothy and Epaphroditus by commending them for their ministry.  In your life and in mine, who do we need to commend?  Who do we need to recognize and pay honor with our words?  When we commend others, we do indeed honor, but we also bless and encourage them.  In Paul’s recognition of these two men, he did what he had previously taught the church in Thessalonica, “Encourage and build up one another.”2  Let's look for ways to build others up ... what do you say?

Grace and Peace,

Christine