In our text this morning we have three different men set before us; three different examples, you may say. You may think of them as models and motivators for the Philippian people.
It is true, Paul writes this section to inform the Philippians that he intends to send Timothy and Epaphroditus their way. But that is not the REAL intent.
It is true, Paul writes this section to inform the Philippians that he intends to send Timothy and Epaphroditus their way. But that is not the REAL intent.
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Philippians 2:17-30
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Paul typically adds these kinds of things to the end of his letters. They are usually matters of
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housekeeping that are put with the final greetings and lesser instructions. But Paul includes it here, right in the middle of the letter, because it has a greater role to play in his argument.
He has been talking about humility and the need to be unified as a congregation. That was the point of the first few verses of this chapter. They needed to be of the “same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” They were to “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” In order to gain the unity that the Christian family was to demonstrate, they were to “look not only to their own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
And that has been the apostle’s focus. That has been his goal throughout this section. After that initial exhortation, he gave them the premier example of Jesus Christ. He did not count equality with God something to be held on to, but he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant.” Jesus Christ showed that he was the very embodiment of this humility and unifying spirit. He was not arrogant or self-seeking, but put the interests of others ahead of his own.
I read somewhere this past week a quote where someone said, “Christianity is the only religion where their God humiliates himself.” That is true and that is a grand thing to press home to Christian people. We are to have that kind of attitude!
After going through that grand portrait of Christ, he said: Work out your salvation! Yes, God would be working in them to will and to do his good pleasure. But they were to be focused. They were to be diligently seeking to put on these characteristics.
And here Paul gives them more examples—examples that are of the common man.
You can easily think that someone would say, “Sure, the Son of God can be selfless and sacrificial; he is divine, after all. He was perfect. He didn’t have a sin nature like mine. He was not prone to evil and have a sinful and selfish orientation with which deal on a daily basis. Anything would be easy for him!”
Paul knows that this may be your attitude. So what he does is give three more examples of men who have been working out their salvation. These are your average, ordinary joes, you might say. It’s the man on the street.
Perhaps you can say that there is a descending order that would really speak to the people at Philippi. Paul first talks about himself, then Timothy, and then Epaphroditus. There’s the Apostle (the extra-ordinary office), the minister (the more common office), and then there is the layman.
And each of them is set forth as a man who is truly a witness to the kind of humble attitude that the Philippians should be manifesting.
Let’s get into the passage and let’s begin with the Apostle Paul.
I. Paul – The Commitment of Zeal
He is mentioned in verses 17-18. And what I want you to see is that Paul embodies the commitment to zeal. You’ll notice that Paul says he is willing to be “poured out as a drink offering” on their behalf. In sum, he is a man who is giving himself wholly to building up the people. He is an example of forsaking personal gain or glory.
Now, recognize that Paul could likely have had a lucrative career doing something else. He was a man of extraordinary powers. He could have cozied down in a little school and made a good name for himself writing books of theology. I don’t doubt that his mind and the mental acumen he had in that mind could have afforded him some good income doing something else.
At the very least, he could have had an easier life. Don’t forget that he had a trade. He was a tentmaker. He could have made tents for a living and gotten by well. Maybe not lucrative, but at least much more tranquil. He wouldn’t have had to face all the hardships and scorn that he did due to the ministry.
But his heart was not in it for personal gain, be it wealth or ease. He was living for God and for the kingdom. His life was spent pouring himself out. He was dedicated to serving the interests of the Lord and ministering to the churches.
Think of this imagery again. Paul is comparing himself to a drink offering. In this rite, what would happen is that you would offer a sacrifice. And when the sacrifice is being burned, you would then add an offering of wine. And you would take the skin of wine and pour it out on the alter. And when that liquid would hit the hot surface of the alter, it would evaporate into a puff of smoke.
Paul’s saying here that his life was like that. He was expending himself for the churches and for the service of the Lord.
Now we recognize that not all of us will have that kind of work. His job was ministry. But Paul at least shows us what it means to do nothing from selfish conceit. That’s what the beginning of Philippians 2 talks about. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit. Jesus, the great example of true humility, exemplified this in that he was willing to leave the comforts of heaven and fulfill his Father’s purpose in this world. He did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but he emptied himself and took the form of a servant.
Paul’s saying, “I practice what I preach! My life,” says the Apostle, “is dedicated to you and to the service of God in you. And I will exhaust myself for that purpose. I will lay aside every aspect of my own inclinations so that you may be built up in the Lord.
That’s exactly the kind of example we need. That’s the kind of thing we are called to. And I think you mothers in particular can identify with the Apostle on this point. Who else in this congregation has the commitment to zeal comparable to this. I would say that the job of mothering is the closest thing to what the Apostle says. I cannot think of any other person who compares to be being poured out. Every day your energy is emptied into serving your children and your husbands. Your job is 365 days a year and your own holiday is one that is typically a holiday in name only as you still have to do the work of parenting and cleaning and cooking and comforting and consoling and serving.
And even though it is tiresome work, it is ever important that you recognize that your work as a mother is the very embodiment of the Apostolic commitment of zeal.
Young ladies, what a wonderful way to serve. Mothering is looked upon as one of the most dismal things a person can do. Most of the world finds it to be a waste. You do tons of jobs, most of which are not all that glorious, and you don’t get a dime for it. You could be out there making thousands of dollars and really “doing something great.”
And it’s true, you may be able to find a lucrative job or a job that is much more serene. But there is nothing that is more true to the great example of Christ. By taking up the call of Biblical femininity and holding true to the call to motherhood, you have the chance to show what it means to not “count worldly success and self centered interest as something to be grasped, but you have the opportunity to take the form of a servant and be poured out unto God.
To be sure, I’m not saying that you can do nothing else in life. What I’m saying is that this is a grand way to minister, and it is a way to demonstrate that same commitment of zeal that the Apostle did within your own congregation.
Let’s keep in mind the commitment of the Apostle Paul and consider how his life should be emulated by us.
But there is a second example that is put before us. It is the life service of Paul’s understudy, Timothy.
II. Timothy - The Commitment of heart / affection
What I want you to notice is that Timothy emulates the commitment of heart. Just as Paul was the selfless man who did not seek his own glory and showed that commitment of zeal, Timothy was a man of great affection.
Notice what it says of Timothy in verse 20. Paul says, “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.”
The original language is interesting here. And for two reasons. First, the word concern is the same word that the NT uses for worry. Worry is excessive concern, correct? We get anxious because our concerns are overblown or take up too much room in our heads. But here the word has the idea of deep concern. This is how much Timothy is interested in them. His concern is almost overblown.
A father should have genuine concern for his children and his wife. They should take up a great deal of thought and they should be in his prayers regularly. Timothy demonstrates that depth of interest in them.
The other item regarding the language may come out better in the KJV. It is a little difficult to translate into English. But the KJV comes the closest when it says, “I have no one like minded.” And this is similar to what Paul said earlier in Chapter 2. Paul said that the Philippians were to be of the “same mind.” The philippians were to be “like minded.” They were to look not to their own interests, but to the interests of others.
Paul is obviously drawing a connection here because he goes on to say this about timothy: He says, “for they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.”
Does not Timothy show us exactly what it means to have the same mind and look not to our own interests? Imagine the scene. When Paul asked for volunteers to go to Philippi to help minister to the church there, everyone on his ministry team kind of looked away. They didn’t want to make eye contact with Paul. But Timothy put his hand right up. He didn’t have to be nominated or have people twist his arm into doing it. He had a genuine interest in the people. He heard of the need and was willing to jump at the chance to assist.
The others with Paul, God bless them, weren’t so keen. They were thinking more about their own interests: their families, their security, their futures, their fortunes. They are focused on keeping themselves from pain or don’t want to take the risk of making the trip all the way over there to Philippi. Whatever it is, what you understand is that their hearts are not in it. They do not have the love that fills Timothy’s heart. They do not have the depth of faith in Christ that Timothy does.
Don’t get me wrong. The things I just mentioned are all good things. They are godly things. As Christians we should be concerned for our families and our futures. We should be concerned for our personal safety to some degree. But Timothy recognizes that God’s will and God’s people trump these things. He’s doing what Christ himself did and saying, “My own desires, goals, and glory are not to be grasped. I’m willing to lay all my aspirations and comforts aside to become a servant. I’ll not look after my own interests, but I will travel across land and sea in order to promote the interests of Christ and of others.”
I couldn’t think of a better example of this than John G. Patton. I mentioned a few weeks ago that I’ve been reading this riveting autobiography. Patton was a Scottish Presbyterian missionary to the New Hebrides in the late 1800’s. The people to whom he ministered were completely uncivilized. They were a cannibals who gave no thought to killing you and roasting you for dinner. Patton wanted to see these poor wretches converted so terribly, and he gave his life to that purpose. He faced all sorts of danger at many different points. At some points he was urged by Westerners to leave the island because of the tempestuous nature of the environment. Eventually he was forced to leave. Nothing short of a war broke out and the different tribesmen were hunting him down.
But he remained through much of the troubles. He did not flee easily. And there was only one reason, it was his genuine interest in them and care for them. If memory serves me right, he called them “My heathens.” Yes they were heathen, but they were his heathens. They were people for whom he had a genuine concern, and he was willing to sacrifice for them.
I would encourage you to think and pray about this idea of having genuine concern for the welfare of others; really study what it means to look not to your own interests, but the interests of others. Think about how that may play out with your brother and sister. Think like John G. Patton. They may be heathens, but they are my heathens. That’s what you can say about your brothers and sisters. Lord give me a genuine interest in the welfare of my younger siblings. Let me not seek my own interests only—my own fun, my own friends, my own peace, but let me set their interests ahead of mine.
I’m going to be willing to share my toys with them. I’m going to not just tolerate their presence, but try to enjoy time with them. I’m going to invest in them.
I do think that this is the key to marriage as well. I do not have the time to develop it. I think you could easily see how it fits together. But the key to marriage is not a “feeling of love” that goes up and down your spine and makes you all warm and fuzzy. It is genuine interest and the aim to be like minded.
Unity and joy in the home will be found when we try to emulate the spirit of Timothy and his commitment of heart.
There is yet one more example that Paul speaks of though. And that is this fellow by the name of Epaphroditus.
III. Epaphroditus – The Commitment of risk.
In this fellow we find what I call the “commitment of risk.” Paul demonstrated the commitment of zeal—he poured himself out and was ready to exhaust all his energy into the service of others.
Timothy showed the commitment of heart in that he cared deeply for the Philippians.
Epaphroditus adds another nuance, and that is his willingness to go above and beyond. He was willing to set it all on the line to do the work of God.
He is willing to I’ve been alluding to this idea of risk taking throughout this message. Paul, in pouring himself out as a drink offering, was willing to take risks for Christ. He was in jail, after all. He had already risked his freedom.
Timothy obviously took a risk. It is always risky to leave the comforts of you home and go somewhere else.
But Epaphraditus is specifically recognized as a risk taker. We don’t know anything about Epap. Except what is said here in the book of Philippians. He is only mentioned twice in all of Scripture. Here and in chapter 4. And what we learn is that Epaph. was responsible to go and help Paul and relieve some of Paul’s personal burdens. The Philippians wanted to support Paul’s temporal needs, so they may have sent money or clothing or food. And Epaph was the one who was to deliver it. And you see that in verse 25. Paul calls him their messenger and the minister to his need.
Now, you already see one risk. If he is a layman and he takes this kind of trip, he’s leaving his work and occupation to do it. His whole means of living is going to be on the line here.
What’s more, Epaph ended up getting sick. He was so sick that he was near death and became something of an extra burden to Paul. Paul had to take care of him while he was ill. Some of the commentators, though, say that his sickness was likely due to his work. He was working so hard—pouring himself out, that he became ill. Supposedly, it was an illness brought on by exhaustion.
We don’t know exactly what his illness was, nor what really caused it. But we know that he exposed himself to the danger and he took the risk. As a matter of fact, that’s the way the ESV states it in verse 30. It says he “nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.” (Some of the other versions will say something like “not regarding his life.”)
The old Greek expert Lightfoot says that we could translate it this way, “He gambled with his life.” You get the picture he’s at the slot machine or the table with the dice. He’s put it all on the line and now we’ll see if he wins or loses.
Gambling isn’t a good thing. It is downright stupid to throw away your money on card games and “games of luck” as they are so called. God wants us to use and gain money in honest, God glorifying ways.
But the image or idea that is embedded is what we’re talking about. Epaphroditus was willing to place his bets on Christ. He has so much trust in the Lord that he’s willing to put his life on the line doing something for God.
It’s no wonder that Paul says, “Honor such men.”
In reflecting on Epaph I remembered the story about John Calvin. Calvin served in Geneva for a number of years, helping to move the reformation forward in that city. Through the duration of that ministry though, he had many problems—specifically with the city’s counsel. Things came to a head and Calvin was essentially banished from the city. It wasn’t long, however, that the city began to fall into disrepair. The leaders of the city sent word to Calvin and sought to summon him back. And you know what Calvin said? These are his exact words:
“Rather would I submit to death a hundred times than to that cross on which I had to perish daily a thousand times over.”
The thought of returning to that ungrateful city and deal with all the angst made him sick. He’d rather die 100 times over. That would be more preferable than working in those conditions again.
As a matter of fact, Calvin had moved to the city of Strasbourg and enjoyed a pretty good time there. He married his wife, Iddelette, labored under and studied with the famed Reformer, Martin Bucer, and enjoyed a rather prosperous ministry in Strasbourg.
But you know what? He took the call. He returned to the city and he commenced his work, picking up right where he left off.
All that is to say, he was willing to risk it all for Jesus. He did not consider the benefits of Strasbourg a thing to be grasped, but took the risk by becoming a servant to the people of Geneva—and was willing to die a thousand times over each day on their behalf.
That’s the attitude you must have. You must be willing to die a hundred times over. You must risk it all for Christ by seeking to set aside your own interests, ambitions, and pleasures and dedicate yourself to serving those in the seats around you.
Conclusion
Hopefully you see now why Paul could not wait to the end of his letter to mention that these men would be coming to Philippi. We likely understand now that this is not just a little note to inform the congregation that they should expect some visitors. These words are meant to be stimulants to their faith. They were models and motivators. And we too should take it to heart. What commitments should we have as a church body? We should have the commitments to zeal, to genuine affection/concern, and to the selfless gamble of our lives.
He has been talking about humility and the need to be unified as a congregation. That was the point of the first few verses of this chapter. They needed to be of the “same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” They were to “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” In order to gain the unity that the Christian family was to demonstrate, they were to “look not only to their own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
And that has been the apostle’s focus. That has been his goal throughout this section. After that initial exhortation, he gave them the premier example of Jesus Christ. He did not count equality with God something to be held on to, but he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant.” Jesus Christ showed that he was the very embodiment of this humility and unifying spirit. He was not arrogant or self-seeking, but put the interests of others ahead of his own.
I read somewhere this past week a quote where someone said, “Christianity is the only religion where their God humiliates himself.” That is true and that is a grand thing to press home to Christian people. We are to have that kind of attitude!
After going through that grand portrait of Christ, he said: Work out your salvation! Yes, God would be working in them to will and to do his good pleasure. But they were to be focused. They were to be diligently seeking to put on these characteristics.
And here Paul gives them more examples—examples that are of the common man.
You can easily think that someone would say, “Sure, the Son of God can be selfless and sacrificial; he is divine, after all. He was perfect. He didn’t have a sin nature like mine. He was not prone to evil and have a sinful and selfish orientation with which deal on a daily basis. Anything would be easy for him!”
Paul knows that this may be your attitude. So what he does is give three more examples of men who have been working out their salvation. These are your average, ordinary joes, you might say. It’s the man on the street.
Perhaps you can say that there is a descending order that would really speak to the people at Philippi. Paul first talks about himself, then Timothy, and then Epaphroditus. There’s the Apostle (the extra-ordinary office), the minister (the more common office), and then there is the layman.
And each of them is set forth as a man who is truly a witness to the kind of humble attitude that the Philippians should be manifesting.
Let’s get into the passage and let’s begin with the Apostle Paul.
I. Paul – The Commitment of Zeal
He is mentioned in verses 17-18. And what I want you to see is that Paul embodies the commitment to zeal. You’ll notice that Paul says he is willing to be “poured out as a drink offering” on their behalf. In sum, he is a man who is giving himself wholly to building up the people. He is an example of forsaking personal gain or glory.
Now, recognize that Paul could likely have had a lucrative career doing something else. He was a man of extraordinary powers. He could have cozied down in a little school and made a good name for himself writing books of theology. I don’t doubt that his mind and the mental acumen he had in that mind could have afforded him some good income doing something else.
At the very least, he could have had an easier life. Don’t forget that he had a trade. He was a tentmaker. He could have made tents for a living and gotten by well. Maybe not lucrative, but at least much more tranquil. He wouldn’t have had to face all the hardships and scorn that he did due to the ministry.
But his heart was not in it for personal gain, be it wealth or ease. He was living for God and for the kingdom. His life was spent pouring himself out. He was dedicated to serving the interests of the Lord and ministering to the churches.
Think of this imagery again. Paul is comparing himself to a drink offering. In this rite, what would happen is that you would offer a sacrifice. And when the sacrifice is being burned, you would then add an offering of wine. And you would take the skin of wine and pour it out on the alter. And when that liquid would hit the hot surface of the alter, it would evaporate into a puff of smoke.
Paul’s saying here that his life was like that. He was expending himself for the churches and for the service of the Lord.
Now we recognize that not all of us will have that kind of work. His job was ministry. But Paul at least shows us what it means to do nothing from selfish conceit. That’s what the beginning of Philippians 2 talks about. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit. Jesus, the great example of true humility, exemplified this in that he was willing to leave the comforts of heaven and fulfill his Father’s purpose in this world. He did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but he emptied himself and took the form of a servant.
Paul’s saying, “I practice what I preach! My life,” says the Apostle, “is dedicated to you and to the service of God in you. And I will exhaust myself for that purpose. I will lay aside every aspect of my own inclinations so that you may be built up in the Lord.
That’s exactly the kind of example we need. That’s the kind of thing we are called to. And I think you mothers in particular can identify with the Apostle on this point. Who else in this congregation has the commitment to zeal comparable to this. I would say that the job of mothering is the closest thing to what the Apostle says. I cannot think of any other person who compares to be being poured out. Every day your energy is emptied into serving your children and your husbands. Your job is 365 days a year and your own holiday is one that is typically a holiday in name only as you still have to do the work of parenting and cleaning and cooking and comforting and consoling and serving.
And even though it is tiresome work, it is ever important that you recognize that your work as a mother is the very embodiment of the Apostolic commitment of zeal.
Young ladies, what a wonderful way to serve. Mothering is looked upon as one of the most dismal things a person can do. Most of the world finds it to be a waste. You do tons of jobs, most of which are not all that glorious, and you don’t get a dime for it. You could be out there making thousands of dollars and really “doing something great.”
And it’s true, you may be able to find a lucrative job or a job that is much more serene. But there is nothing that is more true to the great example of Christ. By taking up the call of Biblical femininity and holding true to the call to motherhood, you have the chance to show what it means to not “count worldly success and self centered interest as something to be grasped, but you have the opportunity to take the form of a servant and be poured out unto God.
To be sure, I’m not saying that you can do nothing else in life. What I’m saying is that this is a grand way to minister, and it is a way to demonstrate that same commitment of zeal that the Apostle did within your own congregation.
Let’s keep in mind the commitment of the Apostle Paul and consider how his life should be emulated by us.
But there is a second example that is put before us. It is the life service of Paul’s understudy, Timothy.
II. Timothy - The Commitment of heart / affection
What I want you to notice is that Timothy emulates the commitment of heart. Just as Paul was the selfless man who did not seek his own glory and showed that commitment of zeal, Timothy was a man of great affection.
Notice what it says of Timothy in verse 20. Paul says, “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.”
The original language is interesting here. And for two reasons. First, the word concern is the same word that the NT uses for worry. Worry is excessive concern, correct? We get anxious because our concerns are overblown or take up too much room in our heads. But here the word has the idea of deep concern. This is how much Timothy is interested in them. His concern is almost overblown.
A father should have genuine concern for his children and his wife. They should take up a great deal of thought and they should be in his prayers regularly. Timothy demonstrates that depth of interest in them.
The other item regarding the language may come out better in the KJV. It is a little difficult to translate into English. But the KJV comes the closest when it says, “I have no one like minded.” And this is similar to what Paul said earlier in Chapter 2. Paul said that the Philippians were to be of the “same mind.” The philippians were to be “like minded.” They were to look not to their own interests, but to the interests of others.
Paul is obviously drawing a connection here because he goes on to say this about timothy: He says, “for they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.”
Does not Timothy show us exactly what it means to have the same mind and look not to our own interests? Imagine the scene. When Paul asked for volunteers to go to Philippi to help minister to the church there, everyone on his ministry team kind of looked away. They didn’t want to make eye contact with Paul. But Timothy put his hand right up. He didn’t have to be nominated or have people twist his arm into doing it. He had a genuine interest in the people. He heard of the need and was willing to jump at the chance to assist.
The others with Paul, God bless them, weren’t so keen. They were thinking more about their own interests: their families, their security, their futures, their fortunes. They are focused on keeping themselves from pain or don’t want to take the risk of making the trip all the way over there to Philippi. Whatever it is, what you understand is that their hearts are not in it. They do not have the love that fills Timothy’s heart. They do not have the depth of faith in Christ that Timothy does.
Don’t get me wrong. The things I just mentioned are all good things. They are godly things. As Christians we should be concerned for our families and our futures. We should be concerned for our personal safety to some degree. But Timothy recognizes that God’s will and God’s people trump these things. He’s doing what Christ himself did and saying, “My own desires, goals, and glory are not to be grasped. I’m willing to lay all my aspirations and comforts aside to become a servant. I’ll not look after my own interests, but I will travel across land and sea in order to promote the interests of Christ and of others.”
I couldn’t think of a better example of this than John G. Patton. I mentioned a few weeks ago that I’ve been reading this riveting autobiography. Patton was a Scottish Presbyterian missionary to the New Hebrides in the late 1800’s. The people to whom he ministered were completely uncivilized. They were a cannibals who gave no thought to killing you and roasting you for dinner. Patton wanted to see these poor wretches converted so terribly, and he gave his life to that purpose. He faced all sorts of danger at many different points. At some points he was urged by Westerners to leave the island because of the tempestuous nature of the environment. Eventually he was forced to leave. Nothing short of a war broke out and the different tribesmen were hunting him down.
But he remained through much of the troubles. He did not flee easily. And there was only one reason, it was his genuine interest in them and care for them. If memory serves me right, he called them “My heathens.” Yes they were heathen, but they were his heathens. They were people for whom he had a genuine concern, and he was willing to sacrifice for them.
I would encourage you to think and pray about this idea of having genuine concern for the welfare of others; really study what it means to look not to your own interests, but the interests of others. Think about how that may play out with your brother and sister. Think like John G. Patton. They may be heathens, but they are my heathens. That’s what you can say about your brothers and sisters. Lord give me a genuine interest in the welfare of my younger siblings. Let me not seek my own interests only—my own fun, my own friends, my own peace, but let me set their interests ahead of mine.
I’m going to be willing to share my toys with them. I’m going to not just tolerate their presence, but try to enjoy time with them. I’m going to invest in them.
I do think that this is the key to marriage as well. I do not have the time to develop it. I think you could easily see how it fits together. But the key to marriage is not a “feeling of love” that goes up and down your spine and makes you all warm and fuzzy. It is genuine interest and the aim to be like minded.
Unity and joy in the home will be found when we try to emulate the spirit of Timothy and his commitment of heart.
There is yet one more example that Paul speaks of though. And that is this fellow by the name of Epaphroditus.
III. Epaphroditus – The Commitment of risk.
In this fellow we find what I call the “commitment of risk.” Paul demonstrated the commitment of zeal—he poured himself out and was ready to exhaust all his energy into the service of others.
Timothy showed the commitment of heart in that he cared deeply for the Philippians.
Epaphroditus adds another nuance, and that is his willingness to go above and beyond. He was willing to set it all on the line to do the work of God.
He is willing to I’ve been alluding to this idea of risk taking throughout this message. Paul, in pouring himself out as a drink offering, was willing to take risks for Christ. He was in jail, after all. He had already risked his freedom.
Timothy obviously took a risk. It is always risky to leave the comforts of you home and go somewhere else.
But Epaphraditus is specifically recognized as a risk taker. We don’t know anything about Epap. Except what is said here in the book of Philippians. He is only mentioned twice in all of Scripture. Here and in chapter 4. And what we learn is that Epaph. was responsible to go and help Paul and relieve some of Paul’s personal burdens. The Philippians wanted to support Paul’s temporal needs, so they may have sent money or clothing or food. And Epaph was the one who was to deliver it. And you see that in verse 25. Paul calls him their messenger and the minister to his need.
Now, you already see one risk. If he is a layman and he takes this kind of trip, he’s leaving his work and occupation to do it. His whole means of living is going to be on the line here.
What’s more, Epaph ended up getting sick. He was so sick that he was near death and became something of an extra burden to Paul. Paul had to take care of him while he was ill. Some of the commentators, though, say that his sickness was likely due to his work. He was working so hard—pouring himself out, that he became ill. Supposedly, it was an illness brought on by exhaustion.
We don’t know exactly what his illness was, nor what really caused it. But we know that he exposed himself to the danger and he took the risk. As a matter of fact, that’s the way the ESV states it in verse 30. It says he “nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.” (Some of the other versions will say something like “not regarding his life.”)
The old Greek expert Lightfoot says that we could translate it this way, “He gambled with his life.” You get the picture he’s at the slot machine or the table with the dice. He’s put it all on the line and now we’ll see if he wins or loses.
Gambling isn’t a good thing. It is downright stupid to throw away your money on card games and “games of luck” as they are so called. God wants us to use and gain money in honest, God glorifying ways.
But the image or idea that is embedded is what we’re talking about. Epaphroditus was willing to place his bets on Christ. He has so much trust in the Lord that he’s willing to put his life on the line doing something for God.
It’s no wonder that Paul says, “Honor such men.”
In reflecting on Epaph I remembered the story about John Calvin. Calvin served in Geneva for a number of years, helping to move the reformation forward in that city. Through the duration of that ministry though, he had many problems—specifically with the city’s counsel. Things came to a head and Calvin was essentially banished from the city. It wasn’t long, however, that the city began to fall into disrepair. The leaders of the city sent word to Calvin and sought to summon him back. And you know what Calvin said? These are his exact words:
“Rather would I submit to death a hundred times than to that cross on which I had to perish daily a thousand times over.”
The thought of returning to that ungrateful city and deal with all the angst made him sick. He’d rather die 100 times over. That would be more preferable than working in those conditions again.
As a matter of fact, Calvin had moved to the city of Strasbourg and enjoyed a pretty good time there. He married his wife, Iddelette, labored under and studied with the famed Reformer, Martin Bucer, and enjoyed a rather prosperous ministry in Strasbourg.
But you know what? He took the call. He returned to the city and he commenced his work, picking up right where he left off.
All that is to say, he was willing to risk it all for Jesus. He did not consider the benefits of Strasbourg a thing to be grasped, but took the risk by becoming a servant to the people of Geneva—and was willing to die a thousand times over each day on their behalf.
That’s the attitude you must have. You must be willing to die a hundred times over. You must risk it all for Christ by seeking to set aside your own interests, ambitions, and pleasures and dedicate yourself to serving those in the seats around you.
Conclusion
Hopefully you see now why Paul could not wait to the end of his letter to mention that these men would be coming to Philippi. We likely understand now that this is not just a little note to inform the congregation that they should expect some visitors. These words are meant to be stimulants to their faith. They were models and motivators. And we too should take it to heart. What commitments should we have as a church body? We should have the commitments to zeal, to genuine affection/concern, and to the selfless gamble of our lives.