Epaphroditus-Servant

“Epaphroditus:  A Comical Name, but a Serious Servant”

I have thoroughly enjoyed studying and presenting lessons in the book of Philippians, and I will encourage anyone who is interested in teaching a Bible class to go for it; you soak up so much!  I won’t be covering Philippians 2:19-30 with you, so I’d like to briefly talk about a man we don’t often study or talk much about:  “Epaphroditus”.  If you want a good laugh, search on YouTube the pronunciation of “Epaphroditus”.   Maybe ask Siri to read aloud my last name:  “Okolichany” while you’re at it!  What you hear might be comical to say the least.  In all seriousness, we don’t know much about    Epaphroditus, so he will be the subject this morning.  I think it is important to note that despite having few details about him in scripture, he is still worth studying about because he is mentioned here in inspired writings.  All we know allegedly about him is what we read about in Philippians 2:25-30.

 According to Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, Epaphroditus is described as a man willing to go to great lengths for the Gospel.  He nearly died while serving with Paul in Rome, as he was delivering a financial gift from the Philippians (Philippians 2:30).  His willingness to risk his life shows his deep commitment to the cause of Christ and his love for the Philippian church.  Secondly, Paul calls Epaphroditus his “brother”, “fellow worker”, and “fellow soldier” (Philippians 2:25), indicating that he is not just a messenger, but an active participant in the Gospel.  His work alongside Paul and his   dedication to the mission of Christ is significant.  Thirdly, he is described as a “Messenger of the Philippians”.  Epaphroditus was sent by the Philippians to deliver their gift to Paul, acting as both a messenger and a servant.  His role reflects the deep bond between the Philippians and Paul, and his willingness to serve others (Philippians 2:25).  Fourthly, he showed devotion to his mission.  Despite falling ill during his journey (Philippians 2:26), Epaphroditus remained focused on his mission, not wanting to let down the Philippian church or Paul.  His devotion to his task, even in the face of  personal hardship, shows a high level of dedication and selflessness.  Last but not least, he was dearly loved by the Philippians.  Paul speaks with great  affection for Epaphroditus, recognizing how much the Philippians care for him, especially after his illness.  His return would bring them joy, and Paul encourages the church to honor him for his service (Philippians 2:29).

 Despite only being mentioned in 5 verses in the Bible, the character of Epaphroditus is a great character for us to study and emulate.  His drive and devotion to the Gospel should steadily encourage us to “reach forward to what lies ahead (Philippians 3:14).

Onward towards the goal,

Matthew Okolichany