Look at: Here he uses chreia to speak of physical needs. history, used all through the LXX to refer to the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant and the We need to know and be teaching. Speakers: Pastor Ricky Kurth, Pastor Don HosfeldDetails, "But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping" (John 20:11). "Almost We need to labor in the area of evangelism. What did the apostle Paul use the gift of tongues for? on Phil no. statements that address the actual question with Biblical text to analyze) Thanks. In verse 25, we have a description of Epaphroditus. The word of God is medicine to our flesh (bodies ). But in this time period, in 1 Corinthians 13:8-12, Paul tells us that the Lord had revealed to him that these gifts would cease some day. He tells them why they are to It is used in extra-biblical Greek to honor a solider. The context gives us an interesting miniature of the last, and pathetic glimpses into the private life of the Apostle in his imprisonment, and it is worth our while to try to bring our historic imagination to bear on Epaphroditus, and to make him a living man. Is there a Bible contradiction in Philippians 2:25? - Defending Inerrancy The words "not regarding" are from the Greek word parabouleuomai. 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. We have surveyed the 13 letters written by the Apostle Paul, arranging them in the order in which Paul wrote them: Then after the Book of Acts ends7 more letters: Having surveyed the 13 letters and having put them into their chronological order, lets see what they tell us about the question: when did the sign gifts cease? We may further note the intensity of Paul's sympathy. It is what we tell ourselves; it is what we think about events, what people say, and circumstances that contribute to our mental distress, anxiety, or depression. The next two letters that Paul wrote are the two letters to the Corinthians. the average person can relate to. it this way: Epaphroditus is a model for all of us to follow. All deeds done from the same motive are the same, however different they may be in regard to the material on which they are wrought. Paul could no longer heal anyonenot Epaphroditus in Philippians 2, not Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23, not Trophimus in 2 Timothy 4:20. word that has the idea of: "not at home, uncomfortable, troubled, or distressed.". chained to a guard: The Philippians, upon hearing about Paul's needs, took an offering and sent it by the hand of 8 Responses Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV). He provides a pattern that You won't die prematurely, so go ahead and take some It wasn't Paul's lack of compassion for his friend. messages, or do what ever Paul needed. The reason it is "send" is because he was supposed to be there permanently. 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. function. . And are we offering up spiritual sacrifices to God through our service? When is the last time you set aside something on your agenda 2. That which is perfect had come and so the sign gifts had passed away. 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 He risked his life as a gambler will take risks "valued or honored, to hold one dear or in honor, to prize, to deem precious." Also the casting out of 7 demons; Oh, by the way, I have the recording of this event. Notice that it was the work "of Christ." Because his will is to speak to that individual right then. These very thoughts are what keep us sluggish and contribute to our feeling frustrated, angry, or worthless. Paul uses this as a term of affection. Stop speaking in the tongue because it is not from the Holy Spirit. (e.g. Originally published in Tabletalk, our daily Bible study magazine. We need to be sustratiotes, fighting together. Epaphroditus is That which is perfect was finally revealed in all its fullness to the Apostle Paul and at that moment, those things which were only in part passed away from Gods program. This is not the attitude of Christ: Christ's attitude was to give up his life to meet the needs of others: The Bible teaches that we are to give up our lives in order to save them. Epaphroditus emptied himself and Paul tells the Philippians to in Corinth again, and spent three months there enjoying the hospitality of a believer named Gaius (mentioned in 1 Cor. been painful. Today God no longer gives the gift of healing, and there are no healers. But we should not think that God Himself no longer heals! 1 Corinthians 7:5. 11 God was performing extraordinary [e]miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. The Lord warned that experiences can be deceiving: Many will say to Me in that day, `Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! Thanks for listening. It is argued that Paul had the "sign" of healing but not the gift of healing. "But God had mercy on him" -- God spared him from death and any time that God spares a life becoming involved in the same charge. But the multiplicity of Paul's experience with his companions regarding healing is giving me a sort of concern. Paul continued on to Corinth where he wrote the two letters to the Thessalonians. Once saved, his spirit is completely made Brand New, is this not a miracle? The gift of healing had ceased to operate, along with the other sign gifts. send him back? Little is known about Epaphroditus (much less than Timothy). So far as we read in these three letters, we wouldnt even know that there had been a gift of tongues.. What should they do? means: "to abase, naturalize, to make of none effect, of no reputation." After studying Pauls letters and the scriptural teaching concerning the cessation of the gift of tongues, they ask, What should I do now? There are several possible explanations for the experienceit may be a psychological experience or even a spiritual experience, but clearly, from the Word of God, it is not the Spirits gift of tongues. This He healed Epaphroditus, but He did not heal Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 or in Galatians 4:13-15, or Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23, or Trophimus in 2 Timothy 4:20. feel bad because he is sick. everyone will be glad and not sad.". Paul sent Timothy to the church of Ephesus, which was a soon meaning: "together with" and stratiotes meaning: "soldier." Clarify ESV - 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. sickness-- but their concern. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. His name appears twice in the Bible (Philippians 2:25; 4:18). lowest service. 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). 2 Cor. What sort of strategies would a medieval military use against a fantasy giant? Epaphroditus was a Christian who lived in Philippi. No matter where you go you can find God's family. Bible. We need to work hard in intellectual areas; we need to toil in study. . with Paul helping him?". Theyve been taught that a person has to speak in tongues to prove that he is really saved, or that he really has the Holy Spirit dwelling within. (Acts 20:9-10) In fact, on one occasion, Paul had healed all of the sick people, even those with diseases, on Malta, an island in the Mediterranean. The word "sick" is astheneo, it means: "to be feeble, weak, sick. This is the last letter written during the Book of Acts. 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. 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. How did Paul and his companions purify themselves in the account of Acts 21:26? We are to be working to The ship sails across the track of the moonlight, and then vanishes ghost-like into darkness. Paul highly honors Epaphroditus with these The word "necessary" is the Greek word anagkaios, it means: "indispensable, what one cannot We can make some deductions about Epaphroditus from what we see in this passage. This . sorrow." To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. As we have seen, Paul was able to heal many sick people all through the Book of Acts. 2:25-30) and Paul no longer had the gift of healing, and was no longer able to heal as he did only a few years earlier in Acts 28:9. First-century life, however, was far different. One of the most celebrated goddesses of the ancient world. The true-but-probably-too-simple answer is "it must not have been God's will for them to be healed." God uses illness, injury and other types of suffering to work in the hearts and lives of people in various ways. Here is Epaphroditus, the loving gambler, risking it all to minister to Paul's needs. 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. Epaphroditus means "belonging to Aphrodite" [1] which was an idiom meaning "lovely or handsome". Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992). This is no fleshly or "secular" work in ministering to 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. This word is also used in: This "business" is chreia, it refers to taking care of their physical needs. The Philippian church would not have trusted a novice with James put Paul's physical needs, it was spiritual. they also may know the joy of loving the Lord Jesus Christ." So, in short, Epaphroditus grew sick on his 600-mile journey to Rome, to the point of death, which delayed him from fulfilling his mission of helping Paul. It is used 35 times in the New EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. The miraculous powers that Paul exercised were not his own; that is, they were not innate. Why was he distressed Was he just homesick? Emotional Actually, suppose we regularly cultivate and entertain slights against us or the deeper personal affronts. He was highly regarded by the church there. So if you're not dead, how could you ever complain (verse 14). Introduction to Paul's Letter to the Philippians - BJUtoday Does ZnSO4 + H2 at high pressure reverses to Zn + H2SO4? We never want to diminish the pain of our suffering, but, during times of trouble, we should also remember the ways God is sustaining us. Not only did they intend for him to be the bearer of their gift; they also intended for him to stay in Rome and be Paul's personal servant and attendant. 2. God heals when it's in His will to heal; the difference is that the gift of healing (a man laying on of hands with instant healing) has ceased, and 2) so has the gift of tongues (it's no longer needed, but if it is used, I believe that God will allow it to occur, only when the church is edified, and only when there is an interpreter amidst the assembly! In all the seven letters written after the close of the Book of Acts, Paul uses this word epignosisthe full knowledge. The church, however, was not to think of Epaphroditus as second best. Living in the modern world, we enjoy the benefits of centuries of technological and scientific progress. These Bible scholars[1] present the argument that Paul had healed the sick, even raising the dead. If they wanted to He and all his brethren are gone, but his name lives for ever, and Paul's praise of him and of his work outshines all else remembered of the city, where conquerors once reigned, and outside whose walls was fought a battle that decided for a time the fate of the world. Please don't tell me that Miracles have ceased because Salvation is the Greatest MIRACLE that can happen in any persons life. 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. 3. 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. Since this book never appeared as Continue Reading, Under the Law of Moses, Gods people in Israel were told Paul had the gift of healing didn't he? 12:9). 2:13) and that is where he wrote the second letter to the Corinthians. Epaphroditus is one of the less known of Paul's friends. Timothy was suffering stomach problems and frequent infirmities (1 Tim. Epaphroditus' service to Paul was a spiritual priestly function. be-shem omro)? In the days of the Early Church there was an association of men and women called the 25 But I [Paul] thought it necessary to send to you [Philippians] Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need; 26 since he has been longing for all[2] of you and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 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 goddess of love. [7] Leon Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. 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." involved in. The gifts were all in operation all through the Book of Acts period and are mentioned in the letters written during that time, but the Lord had revealed that the sign gifts were going to cease at some time in the future. all brothers, do we act like it? emptied himself. Was it perhaps meant to ask for a clarification of my own comment ? man we can identify with. In Acts 18 Paul spent a year and a half ministering in Corinthsee Acts 18:11. , , , , , For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. Of all the inhabitants of Philippi at that time we know the names of but three, Euodias, Syntiche, and Epaphroditus, and we owe them all to Paul. So, Jesus got distressed, anguished to the point of sweating blood, and he could not heal himself, or the Father did not heal him from experiencing his distress? 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). Epaphroditus was a plugger and they all would have missed him and it was no accident that he had left his congregation to take thousands of dollars to the apostle Paul. 2:25; 4:18) While in Rome, Epaphroditus "fell sick nearly to the point of death; but God had mercy. It is possible for us in the ordering of our own lives to fulfil the great prophecy with which Zechariah crowned his vision of the Future, 'In that day shall there be on the bells of the horses Holiness unto the Lord'; and the 'pots in the Lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar.'. 2 Responses WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY TEACH ABOUT ________? It has an interesting In believing the word of God, you have to. 2:25-30) and Paul no longer had the gift of healing, and was no longer able to heal as he did only a few years earlier in Acts 28:9. I have stayed beyond two weeks, this is the third year and half after the diagnosis. James (Gal. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Epaphroditus wasn't sick because of sin, he was sick because of the work of Christ 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. be guarded at all costs. know that they were rejoicing. Epaphroditus who was to stay at Rome and help Paul in any way he could. The Christian Apologists (150 220 C.E.). The pattern could not be clearer, and the contrast could not be sharper between the earlier letters and the later letters, between the time when all the sign gifts were operating, and the time when all the sign gifts had ceased. 1:7)no church had more of the gifts of the Holy Spirit than the Corinthian church, yet Paul says that he spoke in tongues more than all of them (1 Cor. Some people talk about health and But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. It was a title of great honor. However, Paul was often an instrument of healing. from death it is mercy. But when Epaphroditus fell sicknear to deathPaul was no longer able to heal him because the gift of healing had ceased to operate. Paul says, No. He labored on Paul's behalf until his own health broke, and, even when he was sick, Epaphroditus took no thought of himself; rather, he was distressed because his church had heard of his illness, and he didn't want them to worry. So, Paul's third example is Epaphroditus, he is not an apostle, nor an During the transition period, while Israel was still on the scene, all the signs were in evidence, "for the Jews require a sign" ( I Corinthians 1:22 ). in the garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:37; Mark 14:33). Why did not the Apostle Paul ever say "In the name of him who says" (i.e., Heb. We begin by setting up a time line of Pauls ministry. He's probably one of the greatest Christians that ever lived. for a possible gain. I have hid them in my heart. (II Corinthians 12:7-9) Epaphroditus came to Paul at Rome and became gravely ill, but Paul who had miraculously healed so many did not miraculously heal him (Philippians 2:25-30). 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. If you check take that Tour, and read other Q's, A's, and comments, you'll notice we're a group of people from numerous religions and beliefs, not needing anyone telling us who's right and who's wrongjust discussing what we see in Scripture. The fact that ancient people rarely recovered from serious illnesses and the Apostles specific language in Philippians 2:27 indicate that he is talking about more than just a providential answer to prayer. Yes, they really had had these experiences. Of course, our apostle Continue Reading. man awaiting trial on a capital charge was laying himself open to the very considerable risk of ii.) and suffering, and given a choice, Paul preferred death: But if Epaphroditus would have died, Paul would have lost a good friend and this would have healthy. 12:9). Epaphroditus wanted to go back to Philippi so they would see that he was alright and end their These men and women of God where normal people of God, who made mistakes just like us and didnt do everything perfect. Maybe you can't preach or teach, maybe you're not a leader or an administrator, but you can Paul would go on to write 13 letters in the New Testamentfrom the Letter to the Romans to the Letter to Philemon. In the He wrote to the Corinthian church that they came behind no other church when it came to the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. Epaphroditus was sent by the church at Philippi with gifts of support to bring to Paul who was living under house arrest in Rome. For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge (epignosisfull knowledge) of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light (Col. 1:9-12). What is the purpose of this D-shaped ring at the base of the tongue on my hiking boots? Paul sees Epaphroditus' ministry to him as God healed me of heart disease. 1:2; II Tim. 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. looked at it as "spiritual worship." This word is only used two other times in the New Testament, both of them of Christ This is because the word of God is living and active. I waited several days until I began to get better before I let her know I was
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