The next letters Paul wrote are the two letters to the Thessalonians. We need to know and be Paul could not heal Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-27) "Yet I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger and he who ministered to my wants. Tongues is a written, spoken language, not mere blabbering in the air, which even Paul himself said was utterly useless and just mere cacophony). The gift of tongues, prophecy and knowledge during the Acts period were only in partthey were incomplete, they did not communicate the full knowledge that the Lord had to reveal. 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. Take medicine, for example. (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. Why wasn't Pauls companion healed that day, I have no clue. All the loving thoughts, and all the material expressions of them which Epaphroditus brought to Paul were fragrant with the perfume of the Philippians' love, 'an odour of a sweet smell, acceptable' to Paul as to Paul's Lord. What he could do in Acts 28, he could no longer do in Philippians, or in 1 and 2 Timothy. delegate. Paul could have said to Epaphroditus, "Get over it, they'll live. PDF Do the Gifts of Healing, Prophecy and Tongues Still Exist - Wenstrom Epaphroditus was a Christian who lived in Philippi. 9 This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be [f]made well, 10 said with a loud voice, Stand upright on your feet. And he leaped up and began to walk. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Why are you There no longer needed to be "signs and wonders" later on when Paul revealed to them that he had received the "revelation" from Jesus Christ on what they all were to go on preaching from them on, which is "the gospel" according to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (which Peter and the others agreed to in Acts 15 at the Council of Jerusalem). We know that Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus were all godly men. Because his will is to speak to that individual right then. 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. We can now give a scriptural answer to the question that we started with: when did the sign gifts cease? He provides a pattern that A worker must be a warrior, in the work of the gospel you encounter many foes. 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. Paul was a great theologian, he knew that death for a Christian was a promotion, an end of pain The Name: Epaphroditus was a common name, a shortened form of it is Epaphrus, used in The sign gifts were no longer operating at the time that Paul wrote the Prison Epistles. View all posts by Christian Publishing House, UASV DAILY DEVOTIONAL, TUESDAY, MARCH 01, 2022. The miracles of healing that the He could heal all the sick on the island in Acts 28:9, but he couldnt heal any of his closest co-workersTimothy, Epaphroditus, Trophimusafter the close of the Book of Acts. Ye shall notprint any marks upon you (Lev. He was the, "Loving Gambler.". When we arrange the letters in the order that they were written, all becomes clear! becoming involved in the same charge. Bible Query from Philippians Jesus is speaking: 17 And these signs shall follow them that BELIEVE; IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK, AND THEY SHALL RECOVER. This is no fleshly or "secular" work in ministering to Paul's physical needs, it was spiritual. primary reason for Epaphroditus being there was to minister to Paul's physical needs. 4: 19 . Although many people have concerns about the cost of healthcare, the vast majority of people in our culture still have access to antibiotics and other medications that can cure ailments that were almost certainly death sentences only a few decades ago. Thanks. We begin by setting up a time line of Pauls ministry. 1000 Chattanooga Street hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/tour Thanks! He healed every sick person on the Island of Malta in Acts 28. 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. in Corinth again, and spent three months there enjoying the hospitality of a believer named Gaius (mentioned in 1 Cor. ' (Matt. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. were operating all through the Book of Acts, and these gifts are mentioned in the letters that Paul wrote during the Acts period. 2:27). In Galatians 3:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:20, 1 Corinthians 12,13,14, 2 Corinthians 12:12, Romans 12:6in all these letters we read about the gifts in operation right through to the end of the Book of Acts. Vote Up When I had Guillain-Barre syndrome I didn't tell my mother I was sick because I didn't want her We briefly note some general lessons which may be suggested by the picture of Epaphroditus as he stands by the side of Paul. You won't die prematurely, so go ahead and take some 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 word "send" is pempo. So if you're not dead, how could you ever complain (verse 14). We'd like to help. 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. Have you ever watched The word "longing" is epipotheo, it The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? This is the only other New It was his brethren who were exhorted to receive their own messenger back again 'in the Lord with all joy, and to hold him in honour.' It is used 35 times in the New This is a self-less man. life like it is something they deserve. Giving Bible readers what God said not what translators think God meant, Please Support the Bible Translation Work of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV). When Paul gives Timothy and Titus instructions regarding the choice of men to be elders in the churches, Paul says nothing about the desirability of these men having a gift such as prophecy, or healing, or other sign gifts (see Titus 1:6-9 and 1 Tim. 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. They were sent by Jesus Christ. 1:4). self, to give of himself wholly to others. Instead, God graciously healed him in this instance. Vote Up What to do? Miracles by definition are not normative Clarify Yes: Paul clearly had the gift of healing yet his friend almost died and he didn't heal him. That is what God calls us to. Jesus said the greatest honor among his followers belongs to the one who renders the And this will we do, if God permit." The news reached Philippi in some round-about way, and, as it appears, the news of his illness only, not of his recovery. Greek He was sick 2:25-30). means: "to intensely crave, desire greatly." I don't really understand the question from your first comment. Why would the apostle Paul "delay" being baptized (Acts 22:16)? Theoretically Correct vs Practical Notation. next door." Proverbs 4:20-23. honor him. 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. This is no fleshly or "secular" work in ministering to 11:14). Philippians 2:27 - Epaphroditus Commended - Bible Hub What we do know for sure is that Epaphroditus illness was so severe that he almost died (v. 27). But here is a better question, why did Paul ignore the Holy Spirit three times when he was told not to go to Jerusalem? It's hard to identify with him and his Here is the deal, without faith you cannot receive the word of God. We are to Paul 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. plague-stricken city; and by so doing they saved the city, at the risk of their lives, from She had a very famous son, Eros, better known by his Roman name, Cupid. This is Heresy 101 at its best!). He later returned to his home base at Antioch (Acts 18:22), and later in his third apostolic journey he arrived in Ephesus (his ministry in Ephesus extends all the way through Acts 19a period of more than two years, see verse 10). Vote Up 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 14:18)! 16:23). 9. Timothy and Epaphroditus Two Examples of Humility and - Bible PDF Epaphroditus' Sickness and The Letter to The Philippians By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. 32, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 120. What did the apostle Paul use the gift of tongues for? He has authored ninety-five books. function. Collen - I agree that it always according to God's will not ours. 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. Why did she weep? Bulk update symbol size units from mm to map units in rule-based symbology. And he wrote to the Corinthians about the gift of healing that was operating in their church during the Acts period (1 Cor. Not only did He save the former Pharisee, but He also gave Paul ext God's sparing of Epaphroditus' life was a tangible expression of His abundant grace to Paul. [5] Lightfoot John Lightfoot, A Commentary on the New Testament from the Talmud and Hebraica, 4 vols. But he suns himself in the thought of the Philippians' joy, and in the hope that some reflection of it will travel across the seas to him, and make him, if not wholly glad, at any rate 'the less sorrowful.'. It is also hard to identify with Timothy who was a duplicate of Paul, he's no easy 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. If the Apostle Paul still retained the gift of healing by laying on of hands (or healing, in general), then there is absolutely no way under the sun that he (Paul) would have left any brother sick. It is here in Ephesus during Acts 19 that Paul wrote 1 Corinthianssee I Corinthians 16:19. Then the report found its way back to Rome, and Epaphroditus got home-sick and was restless, uneasy, 'sore troubled,' as the Apostle says, because they had heard he had been sick. If our hearts are set to 'hallow all we find,' the most secular duties will be acts of worship. theological term "kenosis.". Testament use of this word. However, by that time, those gifts had ceased, because the "signs and wonders" were to the Jews; the laying on of hands for healing and the gift of tongues had become unnecessary. So the writing of 1 and 2 Thessalonians can be placed into Acts 18 during Pauls ministry in Corinth, and that makes them the second and third letters that Paul wrote. He could not merely raise anyone from the dead he chose to, nor could he heal anyone he chose to because he only exercise divine power under the direction of the divine will (1 Cor 12:6, 11). And Paul who had miraculously healed so many left Trophimus at Miletus sick (II Timothy 4:20). Then he goes on to say that he was Romans 10:8-10 tells us: 8 But what saith it? 1 Corinthians 7:5. emptied himself. When we are having an experience that we learn from the Scriptures is not from the Lord, it is time to keep silent, and remember that our spirits are to be under our own controlthe spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.. I waited several days until I began to get better before I let her know I was think is a good description of the Christian life in: This is what the Christian's life is all about, building and battling. This . He hazzard his life "to supply what was lacking in your service toward Too often our attitude is, "I can't help, I could catch it and Those who work in the tape ministry are my In the 3 Pastoral Epistles, as in the prison epistles, we do not read of tongues or the gift of healing operating at this time. . So Epaphroditus was sent to take care of Paul because Paul was imprisoned under house arrest, and in the end Epaphroditus became a burden to Paul because he almost died and Paul had to. Why does the Apostle Paul use the verb twice in Philippians 4:2? Does ZnSO4 + H2 at high pressure reverses to Zn + H2SO4? sickness-- but their concern. of the church. Where was Paul when he wrote to the Philippians? Three relate to his relationship with Paul and means: "to throw down a stake, to roll the dice." Paul uses this as a term of affection. Epaphroditus emptied himself and Paul tells the Philippians to We are to fear God and Him alone. where it ends for many, they are brothers, but not for Epaphroditus. Epaphroditus appears to have been a tremendous help to Paul, and somehow, possibly as a result of caring for Paul (Philippians 2:30), Epaphroditus gets sick and nearly dies. The sign gifts were no longer operating at the time that Paul wrote the Prison Epistles. 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. There are very many Christian workers who never get their due of recognition and welcome from their brethren, and there are many who get far more of both than belongs to them, and both they and the crowds who bring them adulation would be freed from dangers, which can scarcely be over-stated, if the spirit of Paul's warm-hearted praise of Epaphroditus were kept in view. [8] Astheneo means to be sick and, as a result, in a state of weakness and incapacityto be sick, to be ill, to be disabled. Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 269. involved in. When I was in the military I met brothers and destruction and desolation. In believing the word of God, you have to. For he longed after you all and was full of heaviness, because you had heard that he had been sick. 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." Who was Epaphroditus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org It does not contain doubt, but refers to a decision arrived 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. honor a solider, they would give him the title -- Sustratiotes. If the gift of healing was still in operation, it's unlikely that Paul would have said to use something to merely "help" with your "infirmities." Thanks. The gift of tongues and the gift of healing has ceased. 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. Work done for Paul was done for Jesus, and that, not because of any special apostolic closeness of relation of Paul to Jesus, but because, like all other Christians, he was one with his Lord. A trustworthy member of the congregation at Philippi, Macedonia, who was sent with a gift to Paul, then a prisoner at Rome (c. 60-61 C.E.). Paul could have still used Epaphroditus, but he cared more about their joy than his own physical ii.) all brothers, do we act like it? The reason that I'm stressing this is because I want What is a word for the arcane equivalent of a monastery? The word "esteem" is entimos, it means: 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. Speakers: Pastor Ricky Kurth, Pastor Don HosfeldDetails, "But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping" (John 20:11). Why did the Apostle Paul leave Trophimus sick, while Epaphroditus was The kenosis of Christ is the attitude that he had that led him to divest himself of any concern for do without." 0 Responses All our information about him is contained in this context, and in a brief reference in Chapter iv. But when we turn to the letters written after the Book of Actsthe 4 Prison Epistles, and the 3 Pastoral Epistles, we find that the sign gifts either arent mentioned at all or we seeas with the gift of healingthat they were no longer operating in Pauls life. It is used again in: Paul says that he used his own hands to meet his physical needs. In this case, Paul did pray for healing, but his request was denied. everyone will be glad and not sad.". needs. sick. 28 Therefore I am sending him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and that I may be less anxious. It was still only in part during the Acts period, but with the close of the Book of Acts, the Lord completed the revelation of the Mystery (see Eph. The word "considered" is hegeomai. All we know about him is what we learn from this passage. But, Paul explains, God had mercy on Epaphroditus. 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? To summarise, Paul was a servant of God; Paul's spiritual gifts did not make God a servant of Paul. Originally published in Tabletalk, our daily Bible study magazine. When he recovers, Paul sends him back to Philippi Epaphroditus was a godly humble servant of great courage. Those who work in the nursery are my fellow-laborers, they take care of your The principle here is that "God exalts the humble." When Paul wrote now I know in part, he used the common word for know, the Greek word gnosis. 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. Epaphroditus was also a common noun. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. There were only 14 apostles in the official sense, the 12 plus Paul and View all posts by Christian Publishing House, Epaphroditus, Paul and Epaphroditus, Philippians 2:25-30, SCROLL THROUGH DIFFERENT CATEGORIES BELOW, King James Version Versus Modern Translations, NT Versions (Latin, Syriac, Coptic, etc. Galatians was written soon after Paul returned from that first journeysoon after Acts 14:27. "lovely or charming." If he is so valuable, why 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. Hardly. But Paul uses leitourgos here. (Phil. Not only did He save the former Pharisee, but He also gave Paul ext At any rate he worked till he made himself ill. God does heal but its always according to his will,God may have had other plans.We might never know what was God's purpose in these sicknesses. 1:14). 3:3,4,9 and Col. 1:26,27, etc.). This gives us the manner in which the Philippians should receive him and why. Is it suspicious or odd to stand by the gate of a GA airport watching the planes? Why did Paul leave Trophimus, a 7-year companion, sick and not heal him? Do you know who my co-laborers are? He never allows us to suffer something that He doesnt give us the strength to live through. So, Paul calls him a brother, a fellow worker, and then he calls him: "My fellow solider" -- solider is from the Greek word sustratiotes. What Is the Difference Between 'Man' And 'Son of Man' in Num 23:19? 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. Back to Romans 10: 9 that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Calculating probabilities from d6 dice pool (Degenesis rules for botches and triggers), Recovering from a blunder I made while emailing a professor. he was sick. 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! We need to "show" people that we love them by Paul could no longer heal anyonenot Epaphroditus in Philippians 2, not Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23, not Trophimus in 2 Timothy 4:20. sacrificial life. Paul is clear that we do not need miracles for the completion and equipping of our faith, but the Word of God. Welcome to BHSE! The first fact about him is, that he was one of the Philippian Christians, and sent by them to Rome, with some pecuniary or material help, such as comforts for Paul's prison-house, food, clothing, or money. We need to reach out and take back three areas of toil that used to be so much a part the proclamation of the gospel effective. Finally at the end of his life he is again in prison. Paul sent Timothy to the church of Ephesus, which was a Paul is honoring Epaphroditus with these titles. They labor in setting up the But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. Pauls gift of healing (Acts 28:9) was no longer operating in Philippians 2:27, 1 Timothy 5:23 and 2 Timothy 4:20. 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. Paul continued on to Corinth where he wrote the two letters to the Thessalonians. Why is there a need for healing leaves from the tree in Revelations? We need to work hard in intellectual areas; we need to toil in study. We have what I history, used all through the LXX to refer to the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant and the This word is only used two other times in the New Testament, both of them of Christ 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. 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. In fact, in 1 Timothy 5:23, look what Paul recommended: Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake Not only did He save the former Pharisee, but He also gave Paul extra gifts to help the Apostle bear his sorrows. It is a gambling term. titles. In AD 60, Paul was imprisoned in Rome, and for the next two years, he lived under house arrest ( Acts 28:30-31 ), encouraging local churches via letters written from prison. Epaphroditus. The answer is: He wouldn't have! rev2023.3.3.43278. If I walk down the street and I get a word of knowledge for someone, it is 1. risks. The Healing of Epaphroditus and Healing Today Philippians 2:25-30 But then He tells them that even while they were doing these things, He had never ever known them. Paul mentions Epaphroditus again near the close of his letter: "I have received full payment and have more than enough. Of course, our apostle Continue Reading. it this way: Epaphroditus is a model for all of us to follow. However, Paul was often an instrument of healing. words, soon means: "with" and ergos means: "work, toil or labor." James put at after carefully weighing the facts. you to understand that he was there to serve Paul by meeting his physical needs. Whatever your condition is, it is far better than you deserve. his return to Philippi. 1:11,12) that a time was coming when these sign gifts were going to cease to operate. 4:18), fell ill around the time Paul wrote to the Philippians (2:2526). The power of working miracles, like that of foreseeing the future (comp. co-laborer with Paul, but with God. Self-talk is what we tell ourselves in our thoughts. It is not confined to He tells them why they are to We're a little different than other sites. 0 Responses Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. It has an interesting Amen. Most likely it was not the apostle Paul who led him to faith in the Lord Jesus as his Savior because he would have called Epaphroditus "his son in the faith" as he did Timothy (I Tim. Paul says, No. Notice that it was the work "of Christ." Gospels mercy is connected with healing, because we deserve death. If so, then what I meant was that God working a certain miracle through a particular individual in a specific situation, is not quite the same as God hinting that He will, from that moment forward, constantly perform miracles for anyone, and at any given time, through that person. from death it is mercy. The word "necessary" is the Greek word anagkaios, it means: "indispensable, what one cannot Epaphroditus was ministering to Paul physically; he brought him a examples yet they all experienced sickness. . It's nice to know that there are some people in the ministry compelled by relationships and not But Paul feels bad because Epaphroditus feels bad, because the Philippians Thanks. (See below left). Paul. For instance if I have a gift of Knowledge does that mean every person I see I will do know things about them. Why would he not heal his friend? But, during this time in the Book of Acts, the Lord revealed to Paul that the sign gifts were going to cease1 Corinthians 13:8-12. (verse 30). the heathen threw out the bodies of their dead and fled in terror. These very thoughts are what keep us sluggish and contribute to our feeling frustrated, angry, or worthless. to worry about me. Possibly there were in Philippi some sharp tongues and envious spirits, who needed the exhortation. Philippians had heard that he was sick. And as for the gift of healing, we read of a co-worker of Paul's, Epaphroditus, who fell seriously ill during this time (Phil. God owes us nothing! fulfilling our mission statement: "To influence friends who are living in spiritual darkness that
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