Young People's Group

The Example of Epaphroditus as a Fellow Servant

by Mitchell Tan
November 15, 2018

THE CHARACTER OF EPAPHRODITUS

What makes a person a good example to follow after? It has to do with his character. If a person has cultivated a good character, it will not only affect everything that he does, it will also stand him in good stead in all things. This was something that Epaphroditus had cultivated for himself. He had learnt to have a godly character that was commended by Paul.

“Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need”
Philippians 2:25

Epaphroditus had a proven character in terms of how he had sought to serve the Lord and Paul. He was considered by Paul as a dear brother. He was recognised as a fellow worker and soldier in the Lord. Epaphroditus was probably a leading pastor at the Philippian Church. He was their messenger of the word. And yet, he was sent to personally minister to Paul in his time of need. This fellow servant of God had a proven character. How did Epaphroditus come to be the kind of person that he was?

1. HE HAD GROWN IN FAITH

Epaphroditus had taken the time to develop his faith in the Lord. He was able to serve with Paul as a brother, a fellow worker and a fellow soldier because he had grown in faith. There was the development of a faith in the Lord that was strong and true. The Lord God had worked in the life of Epaphroditus. His faith was expressed in his consistency in service and his special sense of love for Paul. Young people, if we want to develop our character further, we need to grow in faith.

2. HE HAD COME TO A GOOD LEVEL OF MATURITY OF FAITH

Epaphroditus also had demonstrated a good level of spiritual maturity as he sought to care for Paul. He had developed his faith till it was mature. His faith was strong and faithful to the Lord and in service. Even thought he was a minister at the Philippian Church, there was a special sense of humility in how he served the Lord, Paul and the brethren. Let’s also learn to cultivate our faith till it is one that is mature and strong.

3. HE HAD CULTIVATED GOOD CHARACTER

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Romans 5:3

With a strong faith, Epaphroditus sought to cultivate a good character. He had gone through his own fair share of tribulation. Paul wrote of how it is through tribulation that character is developed. It is tribulation that produces perseverance within a person. Even though a person is under pressure on all sides, he can still patiently endure. With perseverance, there comes character (Romans 5:1-5). This is character that is tested and proven true. And with character, there can be a strong sense of hope. Epaphroditus had this proven character.

4. HE WAS GENUINE AND SINCERE

Epaphroditus was genuine in all that he sought to do. He had a sincere love for Paul and his brethren at Philippi. There were those who did things for selfish reasons. They were not sincere in their approach (Philippians 1:16) and did not have pure motives. Epaphroditus was not like them. He sought to serve the Lord and the brethren with sincerity of faith and love (Philippians 1:10). The word “sincere” in Greek has the idea of being “transparent in full light”. Epaphroditus was most sincere in all that he did. Paul was deeply moved by how Epaphroditus cared for him. He cared so much for Paul that he went way beyond the call of duty. He was willing to go to the extent of being very sick, to the point of even coming close to death in order to minister to Paul. He really had a heart of love and care for this leading apostle. Let’s also cultivate our faith and life that we may be genuine in faith and be able to show much care towards others.

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