04 MINISTRY Philippians 2:19-30

All written materials for this series will be posted on this website, http://servingandsharing.com/, under the category, “Philippians and Colossians – Joyful Living in Christ.” Here is my video presentation introducing this series – https://youtu.be/VBg_Wdyu104. The video of this specific class presentation, as well as all the others in this series, will be posted to this YouTube playlist as they are recorded – Faith Builders Class: Philippians, Colossians: Joyful Living in Christ – YouTube. Please use the “Contact” button to request corresponding handouts and outlines.

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It’s been said that there are three ways to get something done. Either do it yourself, hire someone else to do it, or tell your children NOT to do it! Seriously, when you are confronted by an important task, are you more likely to [1] do it all yourself alone, [2] expect your spouse, co-worker, or friend to do it all, or [3] involve others who will work with you? Which approach accomplishes more and why? Which was Paul’s philosophy?

Do you know anyone who is so independent that he or she will not ask for or accept help from anyone? What would you like to say to that person?

There was only one Paul! However, in this text, Paul commends two Christian men without whom he could not have been the person he was or accomplished what he accomplished. To say that their ministries made a huge impact on his life is an understatement.

So, instead of saying, “I could never be a Paul!” let’s say, “With God’s help I can become the kind of person that Paul commended for their service and assistance!”

Timothy

Using a good Bible dictionary, answer the following questions about Timothy.

What does his name mean?

Where in Scripture is he introduced?

What part does he play in Paul’s journeys in Acts?

Timothy is with Paul when Paul writes which New Testament letters?

Read the following passages and note what they reveal about Timothy:

Acts 19:22

1 Cor 4:16-17

1 Cor 16:10-11

1 Thess 3:2

1 Thess 3:6

1 Tim 1:3-4

2 Tim 1:5-7

2 Tim 2:2

Heb 13:23

What else did you find interesting in your study?

From Phil 2:19-24, name Timothy’s positive strengths and rank yourself on each.

Epaphroditus

Not on the top-ten list of heroes in Scripture. Probably never preached to thousands, hundreds, or even scores of people. Not famous throughout the brotherhood.

What did he look like? His age? Background? Family? Wealth? Education? Size of his house? We don’t know! Yet …

When you opened Philippians, you opened a gift that came from the Holy Spirit, that was written by Paul, and that was delivered by Epaphroditus.

His name is related to “Aphrodite” and means charming, comely, lovely, or fascinating. It’s possible, though not certain, that he was named after Aphrodite.

Epaphroditus was always giving something to someone. He brought the Philippians’ gift to Paul in prison in Rome, and he brought Paul’s letter with him back to the Philippian church.

Epaphroditus traveled from Philippi to Rome, a distance of about 800 miles, to bring Paul a gift from the Philippians (Phil 4:18). It was 350 miles by land to the coast, then 80 miles by water across the Adriatic Sea, and then 350 more miles by land along the Appian Way and into Rome. The trip would take from 6 weeks up to 3 months each way.

Then Epaphroditus became ill, and the news of his sickness went from Rome to Philippi and back. So, he was sick for at least 3 months. His recovery was an act of God’s mercy, not only to him, but to Paul. Paul sent him back to Philippi as a courier to deliver this letter.

Read Phil 2:25-30 and 4:18, and then write in your own words what you think made Epaphroditus great.

How did Paul describe him?

Php 2:25 But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger (apostolos) and minister (leitourgos) to my need; 26 because he was longing for you all (homesick) and HE was distressed because you had heard (news traveled slowly!) that he was sick (He was worried that they would be worried about him!). 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 Paul’s humanity, tenderness, loneliness, and grief). 28 Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you (Best way to get the news of his recovery back to them – send HIM!). 29 Receive him then 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 deficient in your service (leitourgia) to me.

“If you cannot be a Paul, be an Epaphroditus.” List specific ways in which you can imitate him:

• Delivering gifts and encouragement:
• Carrying the gospel to others:
• Risking yourself for the sake of Christ:
• Other:

Paul also writes, “Honor men like him.” Who do you know who resembles Epaphroditus today, and what will you do to honor that person in a fitting way?

Word study: “Having risked,” “having gambled with his life.” παραβολεύομαι, (paraboleuômai, to place beside, to expose oneself to danger) (a gambling term) –  to chance everything on the fall of the dice. “To throw down a stake, to make a venture.” Epaphroditus risked his life for the gospel, even just by making this treacherous journey. In the post-apostolic church, some Christians modeled their service after Epaphroditus. They called themselves “The Gamblers” (or “The Risk-Takers”). They visited prisons, cared for the sick (even those with contagious diseases), buried victims of the plague, etc.

How do both Timothy and Epaphroditus illustrate “the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:1-11)?”

What title, theme, or purpose would you assign to Philippians 2:19-30?

Ministers of God’s service (leitourgoi theou). Late word for public servant (leitos from Attic Greek leôs, people, and ergô, to work). Often used of military servants, servants of the king, and temple servants. Derivative: “liturgy.”

Ministering (hierourgounta). Present active participle of hierourgeô, late verb from hierourgos (hieros, ergô), in LXX, Philo, and Josephus, only here in N.T. It means to work in sacred things, to minister as a priest. Paul had as high a conception of his work as a preacher of the gospel as any priest did.

Ro 13:6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.

Ro 15:16 [Paul] … to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Heb 8:2 [Jesus] … a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.

Written by Cory Collins