Albert Barnes Commentary Philippians 2:25

"But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need;" — Philippians 2:25 (ASV)

Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25). Epaphroditus is mentioned nowhere else except in this epistle . Therefore, all that is known of him is what is mentioned here. He was from Philippi and was a member of the church there.

He had been employed by the Philippians to carry relief to Paul when he was in Rome (Philippians 4:18). While in Rome, he became dangerously sick. News of this illness was conveyed to Philippi. Subsequently, word reached Epaphroditus that the Philippians had heard of his sickness and were greatly concerned by it.

On his recovery, Paul thought it best for him to return immediately to Philippi and undoubtedly sent this epistle with him. Epaphroditus is highly commended by Paul for his faithfulness and zeal.

My brother. This means a brother in the gospel, or a fellow Christian. These expressions of affectionate regard must have been highly gratifying to the Philippians.

And companion in labour. It is not impossible that Epaphroditus may have laboured with Paul in the gospel at Philippi. However, it is more probable that the meaning is that Paul regarded him as engaged in the same great work as he himself was. It is not likely that Epaphroditus assisted Paul much in Rome, as he appears to have been sick for a considerable part of the time he was there.

And fellow-soldier. Christians and Christian ministers are compared to soldiers (Philemon 1:2; 2 Timothy 2:3–4) because of the nature of the service in which they are engaged. The Christian life is a warfare: there are many foes to be overcome, the period which they are to serve is fixed by the Great Captain of salvation, and they will soon be permitted to enjoy the triumphs of victory. Paul regarded himself as enlisted to make war on all the spiritual enemies of the Redeemer, and he esteemed Epaphroditus as one who had shown himself worthy to be engaged in so good a cause.

But your messenger. He was sent to convey supplies to Paul (Philippians 4:18).

The original Greek for "your messenger" is effectively "your apostle"—umwn de apostolon. Some have proposed to take this literally, meaning that Epaphroditus was the apostle of the church at Philippi, or that he was their bishop. Advocates for Episcopacy have been especially inclined to this view because, in Philippians 1:1, only two orders of ministers are mentioned—bishops and deacons—from which they have supposed that "the bishop" might have been absent and that this "bishop" was probably Epaphroditus. However, there are obvious objections to this supposition.

1. The word apostolon properly means one sent forth, a messenger. It is uniformly used in this sense unless there is something in the context to limit it to an apostle, in the technical sense.
2. He was not an apostle in the proper sense of the term, as the apostles were chosen to be witnesses of the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of the Saviour (also refer to the notes on 1 Corinthians 9:1).
3. If he had been an apostle, it is highly improbable that he would have been sent on such a comparatively humble errand as carrying supplies to Paul. Was there no one else who could do this, without sending their bishop? Would a diocese be likely to employ a "bishop" for such a purpose now?

And he that ministered to my wants (Philippians 4:18).