Philippians 2:25

He sends this one too with praise, just like Timothy, and for the very same reason we mentioned above. "Fellow soldier" is greater than "fellow worker," because in safe undertakings anyone might cooperate, but a "fellow soldier" cooperates in dangers. "But your messenger and minister …

Then when he says, I have thought it necessary, he proposes another disciple as an example, namely, Epaphroditus. First, he describes him; secondly, he suggests how he should be received (2:29). In regard to the first he does three things: first, he praises him; secondly, …

He seems to be the same who is called Epaphras, Col. iv. He had an earnest desire to come to them, and Paul was willing he should. Epaphroditus had been sick: They had heard that he had been sick,

He presses them largely to like-mindedness and lowly-mindedness, in conformity to the example of the Lord Jesus, the great pattern of humility and love. The great gospel precept passed upon us; that is, to love one another. This is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of his school, the livery of his family.

Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus - Epaphroditus is nowhere else mentioned but in this Epistle; see Php 4:18. All that is known of him, therefore, is what is mentioned here. He was from Philippi, and was a member of the church there. He had been employed by the Philippians to carry relief to Paul when he was in Rome Php 4:18, and while in Rome he was taken dangerously sick.

2Co 8:23), were distinct from the "apostles" specially commissioned by Christ, as the Twelve and Paul. ministered to my wants--by conveying the contributions from Philippi. The Greek "leitourgon," literally, implies ministering in the ministerial office. Probably Epaphroditus was a presbyter or else a deacon.

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens

Epaphroditus, my brother, etc - Here is a very high character of this minister of Christ; he was, 1. A brother - one of the Christian family; a thorough convert to God, without which he could not have been a preacher of the Gospel. 2. He was a companion in labor; he labored, and labored in union with the apostle in this great work. 3. He was a fellow soldier; the work was a work of difficulty and danger, they were obliged to maintain a continual warfare, fighting against the world, the devil, and the flesh. 4. He was their apostle - a man whom God had honored with apostolical gifts, apostolical graces, and apostolical fruits; and, 5. He was an affectionate friend to the apostle; knew his soul in adversity, acknowledged him in prison, and contributed to his comfort and support.