A No Answer Question

Philippians 2:25-30 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-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. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.

The Bible is full of characters, whom we call Bible characters; of which some have an outstanding role whereas some aren’t prominent, but surely influential. Epaphroditus is an example of an influential character and the Holy Spirit presents him to us so that we may follow the good qualities mentioned about him.

Epaphroditus was a brother delegated by the church of Philippi to visit Paul in prison. It is understood that he was a public servant and a fairly rich man. He was sent by the Philippians to deliver the financial gift from the church for  Paul’s rent and other needs. Epaphroditus himself must have put in a good amount to the collection. Also, he must have taken his and his companions’, if there were any travelling expenses. In those days, people travelled in groups as they had to travel long distances across mountains and rivers, and that too, by foot. He was chosen by the church also because of the legal aspects, as he was in a position they could deny him to see or stay with Paul. Philippians sent financial gifts five or six times like this. He was sent to Paul to be his personal servant and attendant. In fact, he was risking his life with a prisoner. Paul had been waiting for trial and on a captive charge.

Paul describes Epaphroditus as his brother in Christ, his fellow-worker, his fellow-soldier, the messenger of Philippians and the servant of Paul who was beaten and shattered for the sake of the gospel. God entrusts big missions to reliable hearts.

Epaphroditus fell ill and almost died. Paul was a great healing minister and God had done mighty healing miracles through him. Paul had even raised the dead, but he could not do instant healing here, for which we just don’t have any satisfactory answer.
While going through uncertain situations in life, live by faith and not by sight. 

Philippi was 1300 kms away from Rome and it may have taken at least a month for Epaphroditus to get to Paul. The route possibilities - Greece→ Albania→ Adriatic sea→ Italy → Rome. If a ferry facility wasn't available, he had to travel around and approach through the land route that comes to Croatia, Slovenia and approach Italy.

The strength of any organisation is the presence of like-minded and sacrificial partners. God gave two such disciples to Paul - Timothy and Epaphroditus.