it this way: Epaphroditus is a model for all of us to follow. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. So, Paul calls him a brother, a fellow worker, and then he calls him: "My fellow solider" -- solider is from the Greek word sustratiotes. priestly functions that were performed in that system. Yes: Paul clearly had the gift of healing yet his friend almost died and he didn't heal him. God heals when it's in His will to heal; the difference is that the gift of healing (a man laying on of hands with instant healing) has ceased, and 2) so has the gift of tongues (it's no longer needed, but if it is used, I believe that God will allow it to occur, only when the church is edified, and only when there is an interpreter amidst the assembly! In Philippians 2 we read of a healing that God did after the gift of healing had ceased to operate: 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; since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 14:18)! Paul uses the word sunergos here of himself and Apollos. 8 Responses And in the Acts Epistles we read of the gifts operating in the churches that Paul founded. Miracles by definition are not normative The summary of the whole thing I have written here is that if you believe in the word of God all things are possible. I do not see Jesus telling His disciples that this is referring to the "Gifts of the Spirit" or this will not be pertinent after you guys die or the early church is established. He is mentioned nowhere else in the WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY TEACH ABOUT ________? Why does the Apostle Paul use the verb twice in Philippians 4:2? When God spared his In fact, in 1 Timothy 5:23, look what Paul recommended: Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake we are all from the same womb, we're family. They labor in setting up the Which apostles did Paul see while he was in Jerusalem after his conversion? Although many people have concerns about the cost of healthcare, the vast majority of people in our culture still have access to antibiotics and other medications that can cure ailments that were almost certainly death sentences only a few decades ago. Since then till now I have not allowed the healing scriptures to depart from me. Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. They sent him money to meet his physical needs. This word is also used in: This "business" is chreia, it refers to taking care of their physical needs. For many this is a great relief. I equally agree that it's always according to God's will. 'The cup of cold water' given 'in the name of a disciple' is grateful to the lips of the Master. were no longer in operation by the time Paul wrote the pastoral epistles. Today God no longer gives the gift of healing, and there are no healers. But we should not think that God Himself no longer heals! others. It was used as a sign gift to unbelievers at those times when it was necessary to make Did Paul's handkerchief heal sick people (Acts 19:11-12)? I weighed the facts and found it a necessity to send But the multiplicity of Paul's experience with his companions regarding healing is giving me a sort of concern. I think sometimes it is wise to not isolate the Gift of Healing when we think about these questions. teacher who was used of God to minister to many churches. No wonder that men were eager to risk their lives for a leader who lavished such praise and such love upon them. Paul was saved in Acts 9 when the Lord appeared to him on the road to Damascus. 1:2) and Titus (Tit. Many in this movement even say shocking claims such as the erroneous idea that being poor is a sin, and that if you are sick, "it's your fault that you're sick." 1. 2. This illness, as we will see in tomorrows study, occurred as Epaphroditus journeyed from Philippi to Rome with the gift for Paul, and it was so severe that word of it had spread back to the Philippian Christians (v. 26). It appears my previous comment has been deleted, no explanation why. In verses 26-28, we are given the reasons for In this case, Paul did pray for healing, but his request was denied. 9 This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be [f]made well, 10 said with a loud voice, Stand upright on your feet. And he leaped up and began to walk. He risked his life as a gambler will take risks The news reached Philippi in some round-about way, and, as it appears, the news of his illness only, not of his recovery. Epaphroditus is Before the end of the Book of Acts, during the Acts period, and in the letters written during the Acts period, the Lord had only revealed part of the dispensation of grace (Eph. Epaphroditus was a godly humble servant of great courage. No one was more charismatic than Paul, yet the Lord revealed to him that those sign gifts were going to cease: whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away (1 Cor. When I was in the military I met brothers and Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.. Figuratively, it and thine often infirmities. programs. So why didn't he heal Epaphroditus? 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. We are to be working to The sign gifts were no longer operating at the time that Paul wrote the Prison Epistles. two to his relationship with the Philippian church. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. If our hearts are set to 'hallow all we find,' the most secular duties will be acts of worship. This is the depth of love and care. We'd like to help. be-shem omro)? 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. looked at it as "spiritual worship." feel bad because he is sick. Is it suspicious or odd to stand by the gate of a GA airport watching the planes? The next letters Paul wrote are the two letters to the Thessalonians. So the writing of 1 and 2 Thessalonians can be placed into Acts 18 during Pauls ministry in Corinth, and that makes them the second and third letters that Paul wrote. Does ZnSO4 + H2 at high pressure reverses to Zn + H2SO4? However, God, who can do things as He chooses, chose not to immediately heal Epaphroditus. But when we turn to the letters written after the Book of Actsthe 4 Prison Epistles, and the 3 Pastoral Epistles, we find that the sign gifts either arent mentioned at all or we seeas with the gift of healingthat they were no longer operating in Pauls life. Gods sparing of Epaphroditus life was a tangible expression of His abundant grace to Paul. It comes from two It was actually unusual for people to recover from serious illnesses, and we get a glimpse of this reality in todays passage. Do you have questions about the Bible? It does not contain doubt, but refers to a decision arrived He modeled the kenosis, he The Greek word finds its origin in a Please make sure you take our Tour. 3:3,4,9 and Col. 1:26,27, etc.). primary reason for Epaphroditus being there was to minister to Paul's physical needs. He labored on Paul's behalf until his own health broke, and, even when he was sick, Epaphroditus took no thought of himself; rather, he was distressed because his church had heard of his illness, and he didn't want them to worry. him to the Philippians so they would rejoice to see that he was okay. There is no record in Scripture of any of the sign gifts operating in any of the letters that Paul wrote after the end of the Acts period, and it is clear that the gift of healing had ceased since Paul could no longer heal even his closest co-workers after the close of the Book of Acts. means: "to throw down a stake, to roll the dice." Paul might have no longer had the use of it, but even if he did, it was not intended for believers. See Peter and John's comments in Acts 3:12. The Lord does not deny that they had done these things. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. derived from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess, better known by her Roman name , Venus. It has an interesting Why? Philippians had heard that he was sick. In the days of the Early Church there was an association of men and women called the Of note: Reference Hebrews 6:2-3 which says: "Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Paul could not heal Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-27) "Yet I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger and he who ministered to my wants. Look at the rest of the verse: "was hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/tour Thanks! Epaphroditus becomes ill and almost dies. The answer: The sign gifts ceased at the end of the Book of Acts. In the We do read of prophecies that had been made about Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:18 and 4:14 and 2 Timothy 1:6, but these were given years before. In all the seven letters written after the close of the Book of Acts, Paul uses this word epignosisthe full knowledge. At any rate he worked till he made himself ill. He and all his brethren are gone, but his name lives for ever, and Paul's praise of him and of his work outshines all else remembered of the city, where conquerors once reigned, and outside whose walls was fought a battle that decided for a time the fate of the world. Why do small African island nations perform better than African continental nations, considering democracy and human development? When would these gifts cease? from death it is mercy. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. He was an apostolic delegate. Why are you Clarify man awaiting trial on a capital charge was laying himself open to the very considerable risk of Why was he distressed Was he just homesick? We need to labor to reach the lost: Paul was willing to suffer to reach the elect with the gospel. forget about them." Maybe you can't preach or teach, maybe you're not a leader or an administrator, but you can The reason that I'm stressing this is because I want ESV - Pauls gift of healing (Acts 28:9) was no longer operating in Philippians 2:27, 1 Timothy 5:23 and 2 Timothy 4:20. So, to sum up what we have seen so far, from Acts 9 through Acts 28 we read of the earlier ministry of the Apostle Paul and find that during these years he wrote 6 of his 13 letters. Anonymous, January 21 2014 13:1-2) and states that the Lord Jesus had revealed to him (1 Cor. Timothys return from Macedonia mentioned in Acts 18:5 is also reported in 1 Thessalonians 3:6. There is healing today, but there is no gift of healing, there are no divine healers. There is no gift of healing today but God still heals sometimes. Have you ever watched In that he had heard about the seeds of division that had been planted in the church at Philippi. Simply: Stop! Epaphroditus was distressed because the Philippians were distressed over his terrible illness. Originally published in Tabletalk, our daily Bible study magazine. In Acts 18 Paul spent a year and a half ministering in Corinthsee Acts 18:11. Too often our attitude is, "I can't help, I could catch it and He as a spiritually mature man. Actually, suppose we regularly cultivate and entertain slights against us or the deeper personal affronts. emptied himself. Those who work in the tape ministry are my The word "esteem" is entimos, it means: same meaning10-as Epaphroditus is the leitourgos of Paul's chreia, which word also refers to a monetary lack in 4: 16 (and cf. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. This is uncomfortable to hear, isn't it? Spam, April 05 2022 3:1-10). A place where magic is studied and practiced? By that I 'The cup of cold water' given 'in the name of a disciple' is grateful to the lips of the Master. When we are having an experience that we learn from the Scriptures is not from the Lord, it is time to keep silent, and remember that our spirits are to be under our own controlthe spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.. chained to a guard: The Philippians, upon hearing about Paul's needs, took an offering and sent it by the hand of This study focuses on that questionwhen did the sign gifts cease? 14 On this reconstruction the question why Paul refrained from healing Epaphroditus miraculously does not arise-he did not even know he had been ill until he had recovered and completed his journey. Are I don't really understand the question from your first comment. distressed because you had heard that he was sick." on Phil no. He heals according to His will today. Many Christians today have had an experience that they think is the scriptural gift of tongues. No one was more charismatic than the Apostle Paul. The Lord warned that experiences can be deceiving: Many will say to Me in that day, `Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! Are we fellow soldiers? Asked January 21 2014 Colossians 1:7 of a different man. In believing the word of God, you have to. here with us can get a tape and those who were here but slept can go home and listen to the No! Epaphroditus had nearly died in bringing the Philippians' gift to Paul in Rome, but God spared the apostle from great sorrow by healing him. We can make some deductions about Epaphroditus from what we see in this passage. This is the last letter written during the Book of Acts. (Acts 28:9) Then, the argument goes, why was Paul unable to heal his coworker, Epaphroditus? First, let us review Epaphroditus mission. Vote Up God healed me of heart disease. Faithful service is most surely bought by hearty praise. For those people, he believed it was best to get married and satisfy their urges legally. This is Heresy 101 at its best!). Paul was released from this imprisonment and continued his ministry for a few years, perhaps 3 years. Here is Epaphroditus, the loving gambler, risking it all to minister to Paul's needs. accounted for the success of Rome's armies, they were the terror of the ancient world. But Paul been painful. He re-introduces Epaphroditus to them as someone who had risked his own life for the sake of others, even "to the point of death". Vote Up What evidence is there the writer of Revelation was aware of the apostle Paul? And Paul was rejoicing to Events, what people say, and circumstances do not cause mental distress, anxiety, or depression. He was not just to 2:13) and that is where he wrote the second letter to the Corinthians. It is used 35 times in the New The word "gladness" is chara which means: "joy." . Epaphroditus was a plugger and they all would have missed him and it was no accident that he had left his congregation to take thousands of dollars to the apostle Paul. Work done for Paul was done for Jesus, and that, not because of any special apostolic closeness of relation of Paul to Jesus, but because, like all other Christians, he was one with his Lord. But then He tells them that even while they were doing these things, He had never ever known them. He has no hesitation in describing the work done for himself as 'the work of Christ,' nor in using, as the name for it, the word ('service'), which properly refers to the service rendered by priestly hands. Paul says, No. We need to reach out and take back three areas of toil that used to be so much a part View all posts by Christian Publishing House, UASV DAILY DEVOTIONAL, TUESDAY, MARCH 01, 2022. He was highly regarded by the church there. If the Apostle Paul still had the power to heal why would he leave Trophimus sick, while Epaphroditus was also sick to the point of death in Philippians 2:27 and encouraged Timothy to use a little wine for his stomach and frequent ailments (1 Timothy 5:23)? know that they were rejoicing. There are very many Christian workers who never get their due of recognition and welcome from their brethren, and there are many who get far more of both than belongs to them, and both they and the crowds who bring them adulation would be freed from dangers, which can scarcely be over-stated, if the spirit of Paul's warm-hearted praise of Epaphroditus were kept in view. Epaphroditus was a Christian who lived in Philippi. The order of these first six books is: In Acts 21 Paul was arrested and remained a prisoner through to Acts 28, and beyond. 1:2; II Tim. In each of these letters he writes of his chainssee Ephesians 6:20, Colossians 4:18, Philemon 13 and Philippians 1:13. He says nothing of his own loss or of how much more lonely he would be when the brother whom he had praised so warmly had left him alone. My mother, who edits my messages, is my fellow-laborer. The apostle Paul had a variety of Gifts including tongues, prophecy and teaching. Of all the inhabitants of Philippi at that time we know the names of but three, Euodias, Syntiche, and Epaphroditus, and we owe them all to Paul. To summarise, Paul was a servant of God; Paul's spiritual gifts did not make God a servant of Paul. But with the close of Acts, God sets aside Israel for a time, and when God gave up on the sign people for a time, the sign gifts passed out of His program. 11:14). Shortly after the end of the Book of Acts, while he was still a prisoner, now in Rome, Paul wrote four lettersthe prison epistles: Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon and Philippians. This is not the attitude of Christ: Christ's attitude was to give up his life to meet the needs of others: The Bible teaches that we are to give up our lives in order to save them. It really isn't an answer to a legitimate question. risks. The words "not regarding" are from the Greek word parabouleuomai. It is all the words that we say to ourselves all the time. What does this say to the "health-wealth gospel" He healed every sick person on the Island of Malta in Acts 28. Spam, November 06 2014 Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV). What is the purpose of this D-shaped ring at the base of the tongue on my hiking boots? Epaphroditus was one with Paul in sympathy, one with him in work, and one with him in danger. The gifts were all in operation all through the Book of Acts period and are mentioned in the letters written during that time, but the Lord had revealed that the sign gifts were going to cease at some time in the future. All this was done in a church in Austin, Texas with an Evangelist from Virginia working through the Gifts of the Spirit, ie, Word of Knowledge, working of miracles, gifts of healing. "Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus" -- Why? Is it possible to rotate a window 90 degrees if it has the same length and width? This gives us the manner in which the Philippians should receive him and why. Literally this is "wave after wave of grief.". When it came, then the gifts which were only in part would cease. send him back? Galatians was written soon after Paul returned from that first journeysoon after Acts 14:27. In Acts 17, Paul, on his second apostolic journey, came to Thessalonica and preached there. cruel, sick, and unloving? The sign gifts were no longer operating at the time that Paul wrote the Prison Epistles. All our information about him is contained in this context, and in a brief reference in Chapter iv. She was the goddess 61 ( Acts 28:8 ), it may be that the special apostolic gift of healing (cf. We selfishly clutch life and guard our own interests when the mind of Christ is to be selfless and This is not to say that medicines are not good or doctors are not helpful. Vote Up 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. In his low, nervous state, barely convalescent, the thought of home and of his brethren's anxiety about him was too much for him. Weak in the faith is another use. The facts are simple; if we look at the context and the account, there was actually nothing for Paul to heal. This morning we are going to look at the kenois of Epaphroditus who is much like us, he is a We're a little different than other sites. It is used again in: Paul says that he used his own hands to meet his physical needs. (II Corinthians 12:7-9) Epaphroditus came to Paul at Rome and became gravely ill, but Paul who had miraculously healed so many did not miraculously heal him (Philippians 2:25-30). It is used in extra-biblical Greek to honor a solider. He was troubled because they heard that That is what God calls us to. means: "to abase, naturalize, to make of none effect, of no reputation." The normal word Answer (1 of 9): EPAPHRODITUS [handsome, charming]. 5:23) and Paul cant heal him, doesnt recommend that he go to a healer in the church, doesnt send a prayer cloth or a bottle of anointing oil (remember the miracles of some 8 years earlier in Acts 19:11-12). unto death" -- the word "almost" is paraplesion, it literally means: "along side of a neighbor, For we know in part and we prophesy in part. Why wasn't Pauls companion healed that day, I have no clue. Take medicine, for example. What needless sorrows follow in the Continue Reading, (The following is the first of a series of articles drawn from Pastor Stam's book, Our Great Commission, What Is It? It's only of God's sovereign All believers share this bond, Paul says, in essence: "I will continue to do those signs IF God permit." Ministering to others' physical needs is a spiritual priestly Gospels mercy is connected with healing, because we deserve death. He never allows us to suffer something that He doesnt give us the strength to live through. So, Jesus got distressed, anguished to the point of sweating blood, and he could not heal himself, or the Father did not heal him from experiencing his distress? It is important that our faith be based on the Word of God and not on experiences because experiences can deceive us. good friend. Thanks. necessity, that which is lacking." Why would the Apostle Paul insist that married couples have regular sex "except [for one reason only] by mutual consent and for a time (of prayer)" when there may be other factors such as sickness, busyness, or fatigue? He could heal all the sick on the island in Acts 28:9, but he couldnt heal any of his closest co-workersTimothy, Epaphroditus, Trophimusafter the close of the Book of Acts. Amen. Paul only calls him a "brother" ( Phil. Paul's physical needs, it was spiritual. Look at: Here he uses chreia to speak of physical needs. Stop speaking in the tongue because it is not from the Holy Spirit. We are to fear God and Him alone. 0 Responses Doctors (Cardiologists ) gave me two weeks to go for surgery due to a leak in my valve which caused my heart to dilate and other things. 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. Please don't tell me that Miracles have ceased because Salvation is the Greatest MIRACLE that can happen in any persons life. The close of the Book of Acts was also the close of Gods dealings with the nation of Israel for now nearly 2000 years. He hazzard his life "to supply what was lacking in your service toward the heathen threw out the bodies of their dead and fled in terror. The word "reputation" is the Greek word kenoo, it means: "to make empty." But, during this time in the Book of Acts, the Lord revealed to Paul that the sign gifts were going to cease1 Corinthians 13:8-12. We never want to diminish the pain of our suffering, but, during times of trouble, we should also remember the ways God is sustaining us. All references have been taken from the New King James Version. No matter where you go you can find God's family. This is not a rebuke, it literally means: "to complete your service to me." Then he goes on to say that he was All through the Book of Acts Paul had only gnosis, partial knowledge of the message of grace, but when we turn to the Prison Letters we suddenly find Paul using that word epignosishe had now received that full knowledge which he didnt have when he wrote to the Corinthians: For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge (epignosisfull knowledge) of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ (Col. 2:1-2). 16:23). Consider the Book of Mark chapter 16 verses 17-20. lowest service. [7] Leon Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. 2 Cor. This isn't to say that God doesn't or won't heal today, because this is obviously not true, but the "laying on of hands" by a man (as a 'gift') has all but ceased, and yet there are still 'healing teachers' out there in the world today teaching a false gospel, having "healing revivals" that come to nought, etc. Fortunately for both Epaphroditus and Paul, God was merciful and intervened in the situation by healing Epaphroditus. Spam, January 22 2014 I mean, I was a 1% biker, I did many many bad things which I will not glorify. That was one less thing Paul had to be concerned about (2:26-27). Now we turn to the prison epistles, the four letters written shortly after the end of the Book of Acts, while Paul was a prisoner in RomeEphesians, Colossians, Philemon and Philippiansand we find that there is not one word about tongues, or the gift of healing. 0 Responses How was the preaching of Christ supposed to add more afflictions to the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:15? In If the gift of healing was still in operation, it's unlikely that Paul would have said to use something to merely "help" with your "infirmities." For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints (1 Cor. healthy. But we read that Epaphroditus was healeddirectly by the Lord: He was sick unto death but the Lord had mercy on him.. Those who couldn't be (Acts 20:9-10) In fact, on one occasion, Paul had healed all of the sick people, even those with diseases, on Malta, an island in the Mediterranean. Epaphroditus is one of us, which makes his example very powerful and very convicting to us. But the Lord revealed to Paul that that which is perfect was coming. 3:2) to the Apostle Paul, but He had not yet revealed the entire message to him. 2 Responses 7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. Since no exercise of the gift of healing is recorded past about ?._. (See below left). What have you risked to meet someone's needs? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preachI'm sorry, but there is no "Word of Faith Movement." "Who ministered to my need" -- The word "need" is from chreia it means: "a need or Here Paul writes of the gift of tongues, the gift of prophecy and the gift of knowledge (see 1 Cor. The word "stand fast" is the Greek word steko which means: "stand your ground in the midst of We need to be sustratiotes, fighting together. This . Likewise in 2 Timothy 4:20, Paul has to leave behind his co-worker Trophimus who had fallen sick on the last journey. Vote Up If I walk down the street and I get a word of knowledge for someone, it is 1. Healing was a sign gift that I believe faded away as the great commission was accomplished. of beauty, mother of love, queen of laughter, mistress of the graces and pleasures and also the Thanks. He wasn't a teacher nor preacher that we know of. 0 Responses Paul would go on to write 13 letters in the New Testamentfrom the Letter to the Romans to the Letter to Philemon. 2:4) had passed away by this time. If he is so valuable, why "Epaphroditus is here to do what you can't do because you're so far away.". at after carefully weighing the facts. all brothers, do we act like it? This is a self-less man. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Have you taken the tour of our site yet? Paul could have said to Epaphroditus, "Get over it, they'll live. Philippians 1:25, and note), was not, it seems, continuous; both were exercised only in accordance with the revealed will of God and on occasions of especial moment. you to understand that he was there to serve Paul by meeting his physical needs.
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