Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

Epaphroditusa character study by Jeff S. SmithIntroductionEpaphroditus may not seem like a lovely name, but it really is. Modern parents might never again make itone of the top 10 most popular baby monikers, but the man who wore it exclusively in the Bible certainlywore it well.Epaphroditus appears very briefly on the Bible stage but there is something to be learned from his nearobscurity and large character.DiscussionI. About EpaphroditusA. His Name1. the name Epaphroditus is lovely because that is its meaning in the Greek (cf. Epafro/ditov)–“lovely” or “handsome,” 22 and it corresponds in some way to the mythological goddess of beautyAphrodite or Venus 232. the name is obsolete today but was common in Greek and Latin inscriptions of the era, either inthis complete form or as the contraction, Epaphras3. and that brings up another interesting tidbit; there is another Bible character who appears in theseprison epistles, but whom Paul calls Epaphras instead of Epaphroditusa. Epaphras was evidently a Colossian preacher who was imprisoned with Paul in Rome as hewrote letters bound for the churches in Ephesus, Philippi, Colossi and to his friend there, Philemon (cf.Philemon 23)b. it seems unlikely, however, that these two could be one in the same, since Epaphras isdescribed as a fellows prisoner with Paul and Epaphroditus is called a messenger at the same time (cf.Philippians 2:25)c. if Epaphroditus was even as common a name then as Jeff is today, it is not hard to imaginethat that there are two of them stirring around Rome at the same time Paul is thereB. His Appellation1. what we therefore learn about Epaphroditus comes from Paul’s letters to others that contain shortmentions of him, especially one such reference in the prison letter to the Philippian saints (Philippians2:19-30)2. Timothy is a much more well-known minister in the New Testament, mostly because Paul senttwo letters to him as he labored in Ephesus3. but as much as Paul loved Timothy as a son in the faith, he likewise appreciated the sacrificesmade by Epaphroditus; Paul calls him his “brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier”4. Epaphroditus had been two kinds of sick–some physical ailment nearly killed him, had in notbeen for God’s timely mercy, but in addition, Epaphroditus was a little homesick for Philippi and itschurch5. as Epaphroditus returns to Philippi, probably carrying this very letter, Paul exhorts the brethrenthere to receive him with joy and hold him and men like him in high esteem because they risk their livesfor the cause of Christ and to supply what is lacking to far-flung and sometimes poor brethrenC. His Work1. to the Philippians, he was all that and more–their messenger to carry monetary fellowship to Paulin the field (Philippians 4:14-20)2. today, we can transfer money using banks, the Internet, Western Union, Paypal and, if you havetime, the Post Office, but in those days, a trustworthy courier was indispensable; the Philippian had acourageous and reliable courier in Epaphroditus3. don’t underestimate the importance of his work; we might think the poorly-paid boy riding on abicycle downtown with packages and letters holds a rather low place in the economy, but to men likePaul, couriers like Epaphroditus were lifelines that made the difference between hunger and being filled,even life and death4. without the interfering oversight of any denominational hierarchy, missionary society orsponsoring church, the brethren in Philippi autonomously gathered their gift and selected Epaphroditus toCharacter Studies! 143