Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

The second of Paul’s messengers to Philippi, and the one whose forthcoming trip was the immediate occasion for this letter, was Epaphroditus, mentioned only in this letter (2:25; 4:18). He had brought the Philippians’ gift to Paul. He is identified by the apostle in a series of glowing terms.

He was (1) “my brother,” a sharer of spiritual life with Paul and so his brother in Christ; (2) a “fellow worker,” a participant with Paul in the labors of the Gospel; (3) a “fellow soldier,” a sharer of the dangers involved in standing firm for Christ and in proclaiming the Gospel. (4) With respect to the Philippians, he had acted as their “messenger” (lit., “apostle”; GK 693), the duly appointed and commissioned delegate to convey the Philippians’ gift to Paul.

This Greek word has a broader use than the twelve apostles and is applied to Barnabas (Acts 14:14), Silas and Timothy (1 Thessalonians 2:7; cf. 1:1), Andronicus and Junias (Romans 16:7), and James the Lord’s brother (Galatians 1:19; 1 Corinthians 15:7). (5) In this capacity Epaphroditus had served as their representative “to take care of” (GK 3313) Paul’s needs, functioning officially in performing a sacred service to Paul.

This word (a noun in Greek) often connotes a priestly sort of ministry. It is used of Christ’s priestly ministry in the heavenly tabernacle (Hebrews 8:2) and of Paul’s sacred service in evangelizing Gentiles and presenting them to God (Romans 15:16). Hence, its use here also has overtones of a priestly act, that of Epaphroditus’s presenting to Paul the Philippians’ offering, “an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (4:18).