Philippians 2:25

Yet I supposed Better, But I have counted, or, I count. "Yet" is too strong a word of contrast or exception.

"I have counted":the Greek verb is an aorist, but an "epistolary" aorist, in which the writer of a letter puts himself mentally at the time of its reception. And this we often express in English by the perfect or the present. Epaphroditus was probably the bearer of the Epistle.

necessary as against the less obligatory conditions of Timothy'sintended mission. Thatconcerned St Paul's comfort, this, the Philippians"; and in his view, on Christian principles, the latter was of course more urgent. For the phrase cp. 2 Corinthians 9:5.

Epaphroditus We know him only from this Epistle, indeed only from this passage, for the mention Philippians 4:18 merely adds the fact that he was the conveyer to St Paul of the Philippians" present. But the few lines now before us are enough to shew us a Christian full of spiritual love and practical devotion to Christ and the flock. Epaphroditus has been identified with Epaphras (Colossians 1:7; Colossians 4:12; Philemon 1:23). But this is improbable. The shorter name is indeed only an abbreviation of the longer; but "Epaphras" always denotes the convert and missionary of Colossæ, "Epaphroditus" the messenger from Philippi, two widely separated mission-stations. And the man in each case appears to be a native of, or resident in, the station. Both names were very common at the time. It is observable that this Christian's name embodies the name of the goddess Aphrodité. No scruple appears to have been felt among the primitive Christians about the retention of such pre-baptismal names. See note on Romans 16:1 in this Series.

my brother, &c. The loving commendation is most emphatic. Epaphroditus had evidently at some time toiled and striven "in the Gospel," along with St Paul, in no common way. This may have been in past days at Philippi, or, as Lightfoot suggests, just recently at Rome, since his arrival from Philippi. "Fellow-soldier":cp. Philemon 1:2, and see 2Co 10:3; 1 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 2:3-4. The Christian "worker" is a "soldier" as having to deal with "all the power of the enemy" (Luke 10:19) in his work.

your messenger In the Greek, "your apostolos." Some have explained this to mean "your chief pastor," in fact "your bishop," leader of the "episcopi" and "diaconi" of Philippians 1:1. But there is no real Scripture parallel for such a meaning; and meanwhile 2 Corinthians 8:23 gives a clear parallel for the meaning "your delegated messenger (to me)." The Greek wording of the clause fully confirms this; it may be paraphrased, "messenger, and minister of need, sent by you to me." R.V. your messenger and minister to my need. Meanwhile the word apostolosseems to have had from the very first a certain sacredness and speciality about it. Even when not used of the Lord's Apostles, it has borrowed something of greatness from His use of it (Luke 6:13) for them; it is not merely(as by derivation) "one sent," a messenger; it is a sacred and authoritative messenger. We may perhaps reverently trace here a slight play upon the word, as if the Philippians were the superior party ana Paul the inferior. As if he said, "One whom you have sent as your missionary to me."

he that ministered to my wants Lit. and better (see above) [your] minister of [to] my need. The Greek word is leitourgos, which again is a word of dignified and often sacred connexion, exactly represented by our "minister." See Romans 13:6 for its use of magistrates; Hebrews 8:2 for its use of priests. We see here again a certain affectionate play upon the word: Epaphroditus bore an office and authoritygiven by the Philippians" love.