A: Paul did not have the power to arbitrarily heal: only God has the power to heal. ESV - 2:25-30). (Grand Rapids, 1979 rpt. Let me give you a little background: Paul is in prison at Rome, under house arrest, Those who work in the tape ministry are my Of course, our apostle Continue Reading. What to do? Does God Want to Heal Everyone? by Don Stewart - Blue Letter Bible In fact, he would have probably sent a handkerchief or even went to him, personally, if possible, and laid hands on him and healed him instantly. Theoretically Correct vs Practical Notation. James put What is a word for the arcane equivalent of a monastery? Chesapeake, VA 23322. 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. 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. Galatians was written soon after Paul returned from that first journeysoon after Acts 14:27. The purpose of the gift of healing was not to keep Christians 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. And Paul who had miraculously healed so many left Trophimus at Miletus sick (II Timothy 4:20). function. plague-stricken city; and by so doing they saved the city, at the risk of their lives, from Besides, Epaphroditus was longing to see the church because he knew that they had found out that he had been ill (2:26). In Acts 20:2,3 Paul arrived in Greece, i.e. life like it is something they deserve. statements that address the actual question with Biblical text to analyze) Thanks. The ship sails across the track of the moonlight, and then vanishes ghost-like into darkness. The word "longing" is epipotheo, it I didn't have money for the surgery as directed by the cardiologists but I stayed on healings scriptures. It is possible for us in the ordering of our own lives to fulfil the great prophecy with which Zechariah crowned his vision of the Future, 'In that day shall there be on the bells of the horses Holiness unto the Lord'; and the 'pots in the Lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar.'. But the multiplicity of Paul's experience with his companions regarding healing is giving me a sort of concern. That was one less thing Paul had to be concerned about (2:26-27). 11 God was performing extraordinary [e]miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. However, Paul was often an instrument of healing. me." Sustratiotes is a very honorable title used in Philemon 2 of Archipus. Is there a solutiuon to add special characters from software and how to do it, Minimising the environmental effects of my dyson brain. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. In Epaphroditus was a godly humble servant of great courage. Let us hope he got safe back to his friends, and as Paul bade them, they received him in the Lord with all joy, the echoes of which we almost hear as he passes out of our knowledge. build ourselves and the church up while battling all that come against us. He is mentioned nowhere else in the The summary of the whole thing I have written here is that if you believe in the word of God all things are possible. sorrow." We won't help someone in trouble because we're afraid we might get hurt or even killed. There should be in the Christian an almost reckless courage which makes him ready to gamble Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV). Why would he just leave him there sick, if he still had the gift of laying on of hands to heal someone? in Corinth again, and spent three months there enjoying the hospitality of a believer named Gaius (mentioned in 1 Cor. the proclamation of the gospel effective. well established church, to straighten out their doctrine. We need to know and be Every breath that you take, every beat of your heart is mercy. 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). know that they were rejoicing. We simply don't know why Epaphroditus was so sick, aside from the statement in v. 30 that "he came close to death for the work of Christ." two to his relationship with the Philippian church. So if you're not dead, how could you ever complain (verse 14). His name appears twice in the Bible (Philippians 2:25; 4:18). Therefore, this thinking is the key to our relief. We need to reach out and take back three areas of toil that used to be so much a part He says that Epaphroditus risked his life to 'supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.' and thine often infirmities. He was sent there to serve Paul It was actually unusual for people to recover from serious illnesses, and we get a glimpse of this reality in todays passage. That which is perfect had come and so the sign gifts had passed away. 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! John uses this word also in: This word is used of meeting physical needs. The letters are also arranged by lengthRomans is longest and is first, then the Corinthian letters, then Galatians, etc. (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). ministry. His letter to the Philippians was just one of four "Prison Epistles" written during this time. 32, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 120. The word of God is very clear on every subject. The close of the Book of Acts was also the close of Gods dealings with the nation of Israel for now nearly 2000 years. 1:2) and Titus (Tit. Philippians 2:27 Commentaries: For indeed he was sick to the point of 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Epaphroditus felt extreme guilt as though he had failed in his mission from the Philippian congregation, having to let them down, so he grew depressed. Colossians 1:7 of a different man. forget about them." Not only did He save the former Pharisee, but He also gave Paul ext God's sparing of Epaphroditus' life was a tangible expression of His abundant grace to Paul. But the Lord revealed to Paul that that which is perfect was coming. Paul is honoring Epaphroditus with these titles. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.. meeting their needs. 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. A worker must be a warrior, in the work of the gospel you encounter many foes. The Hardison's are all fellow-laborers with me. God owes us nothing! The word "sick" is astheneo, it means: "to be feeble, weak, sick. God's sparing of Epaphroditus' life was a tangible expression of His abundant grace to Paul. Paul was quick to send 1. This is not to say that medicines are not good or doctors are not helpful. It came from God, and God could and apparently did choose to slowly withdraw the gift of miraculous healing from the Early Church. 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. It is all the words that we say to ourselves all the time. The Apostolic Gifts are no longer in operation today: 1) Laying on of hands to heal someone (if this were still the case, then people could walk into nursing homes and hospitals and begin healing people left-and-right, but this doesn't happen. word that has the idea of: "not at home, uncomfortable, troubled, or distressed.". with Paul helping him?". 16:23). examples yet they all experienced sickness. 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? He tells us in verses 26-28. We have no reason to suppose that Epaphroditus took part with Paul in his more properly apostolic work, and the fact that the purely material help, and pecuniary service which most probably comprised all his 'ministering,' is honoured by Paul with these lofty designations, carries with it large lessons as to the sanctity of common life. We are co-laborers. Epaphroditus was ministering to Paul physically; he brought him a financial gift, and was there to minister to Paul in any way that he could; do his laundry, carry messages, or do what ever Paul needed. He modeled the kenosis, he Paul was a great theologian, he knew that death for a Christian was a promotion, an end of pain All things are possible to them that believe Mark 9:23. Spam, April 05 2022 Epaphroditus is one of us, which makes his example very powerful and very convicting to us. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. Epaphroditus: A Gambling Veteran - Associates for Biblical Research The normal word All our information about him is contained in this context, and in a brief reference in Chapter iv. Paul teaches that it's the "Word of Faith" which we preach. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. She was the goddess Historians tell us that he had a very common name. Paul goes on to say: "My companion in labor" -- the Greek word for companion is sunergos. By that I This word is also used in: This "business" is chreia, it refers to taking care of their physical needs. priestly functions that were performed in that system. He was in the first place Paul's helper in the Gospel, and his faithfulness there is set forth in a glowing climax, 'My brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier.' The kenosis of Christ is the attitude that he had that led him to divest himself of any concern for He wasn't an incredibly gifted man but he was committed totally to Clarify 1000 Chattanooga Street deliver the money and leave, he was to stay and to minister to Paul's needs. 29 Therefore receive him in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. Paul used this word in: It is a strong inward desire for the Philippians. we are all from the same womb, we're family. 12:12; Heb. When is the last time that this happened to you? The text does say, God had mercy on him [that is, Ephaphroditus], so, in all likelihood, he would have died from whatever ailed him if God had not prevented him from going over the edge into death. God healed me of heart disease. We as Berean Bible Church need to work at Let me ask a question: Acts 2:21 Peter is preaching after receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit: 21 and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 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. Not only did they intend for him to be the bearer of their gift; they also intended for him to stay in Rome and be Paul's personal servant and attendant. Self-talk is what we tell ourselves in our thoughts. But when Epaphroditus fell sicknear to deathPaul was no longer able to heal him because the gift of healing had ceased to operate. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Are we fellow soldiers? That makes Galatians the earliest of Pauls letters. co-laborer with Paul, but with God. Weak in the faith is another use. Keyword: "IF". 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. of the church. He has authored ninety-five books. himself and God exalted him. Who carried the Epistles - Tyndale House [7] Leon Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. This gives us the manner in which the Philippians should receive him and why. Who was Epaphroditus in the Bible? - CompellingTruth.org 2:25; cf. Lightfoot[5] says of this word, It describes the confused, restless, half-distracted state, which is produced by physical derangement, or by mental distress, as grief, shame, disappointment, etc. (Saint Pauls Epistle to the Philippians [London, 1908], p. 123). And, again, in places where we would have expected Paul to mention the sign gifts, he is silent. Paul was imprisoned in Rome for his faith. But, what happened? In verses 26-28, we are given the reasons for By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. be-shem omro)? The answer is: He wouldn't have! Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. esteem him in: The word "work" is ergon meaning: "toil, effort, work. titles. Though Paul had the gift of healing, he did not heal this individual. Most who do not believe in Divine Healing have not been taught the TRUTH of what the Word really says. In his low, nervous state, barely convalescent, the thought of home and of his brethren's anxiety about him was too much for him. Epaphroditus' parents were most likely worshipers of Aphrodite. It means: "messenger or sent one." financial gift, and was there to minister to Paul in any way that he could; do his laundry, carry He was not just to Epaphroditus appears to have been a tremendous help to Paul, and somehow, possibly as a result of caring for Paul (Philippians 2:30), Epaphroditus gets sick and nearly dies. 1:22) so God gave them signsamong the Gentiles!in order to provoke Israel to jealousy (Rom. delegate. Paul only calls him a "brother" ( Phil. How was the preaching of Christ supposed to add more afflictions to the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:15? But the He did not act on his own. Those things are just as here with us can get a tape and those who were here but slept can go home and listen to the It only takes a minute to sign up. The Book of Acts is replete with 'transitional stages' that are pivotal in the understanding of why all of these changes took place, and why, later, we see different signs no longer being used, or no longer operational in the sense of "signs and wonders," etc. 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. 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. You won't die prematurely, so go ahead and take some Is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box? Ministering to others' physical needs is a spiritual priestly with his life to serve Christ and man. Actually, suppose we regularly cultivate and entertain slights against us or the deeper personal affronts. He was in the second place the minister to Paul's needs. 8 Responses 1. The Severity of Epaphroditus' Illness | Reformed Bible Studies He was given the assignment of delivering a gift to Paul and staying with Paul for a time, assisting him in whatever way he could in his difficult times. Three relate to his relationship with Paul and Epaphroditus wasn't sick because of sin, he was sick because of the work of Christ Tongues is a written, spoken language, not mere blabbering in the air, which even Paul himself said was utterly useless and just mere cacophony). 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." Indeed he was ill, near to death. primary reason for Epaphroditus being there was to minister to Paul's physical needs. Spam, March 20 2018 Figuratively, it But Paul His was a singular fate -- to cross Paul's path, and for one short period of his life to be known to all the world, and for all the rest before and after to be utterly unknown. know when he was converted, he might have been among the first converts in Philippi. Epaphrodtus. Timothy, whom we looked at last week, was a gifted preacher and They labor in setting up the man we can identify with. that Paul didn't heal. The sign gifts, tongues, prophecy, the gift of healing, etc. honor him. Vote Up Why did Paul leave Trophimus, a 7-year companion, sick and not heal him? Vote Up Christ, but they were apostles of the churches: Epaphroditus was an apostle of the church of Philippi. Timothy and Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:19-30) This is 2:4) had passed away by this time. Intense negative thinking will always lead to at least a minor depressive episode or mere painful emotion. Therefore, Paul sent Epaphroditus back with his letter to the Philippians so that they could stop worrying and rejoice too (2:25-30). Is there a Bible contradiction in Philippians 2:25? - Defending Inerrancy It is used 35 times in the New do without." What he could do in Acts 28, he could no longer do in Philippians, or in 1 and 2 Timothy. It was their aim to visit the prisoners and the sick, especially those Philippians had heard that he was sick. theological term "kenosis.". Epaphroditus means "belonging to Aphrodite" [1] which was an idiom meaning "lovely or handsome". Love never fails. used for minister is deokonos -- deacon. It is clear that the gift of healing has ceased because, as in Philippians, Paul was no longer able to heal, even his co-workers. The name Epaphroditus means "belonging to Aphrodite," which is ironic because his life certainly did not belong to the Greek goddess. the heathen threw out the bodies of their dead and fled in terror. lowest service. 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. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. our other elder. Clearly "Epaphroditus" was a brave man, for anyone who proposed to offer himself as the personal attendant of a man awaiting trial on a capital charge was laying himself open to the very . The first fact about him is, that he was one of the Philippian Christians, and sent by them to Rome, with some pecuniary or material help, such as comforts for Paul's prison-house, food, clothing, or money. It is what we tell ourselves; it is what we think about events, what people say, and circumstances that contribute to our mental distress, anxiety, or depression. Paul is clear that we do not need miracles for the completion and equipping of our faith, but the Word of God. It and they sure wouldn't have sent a lazy man. (Acts 28:9) Then, the argument goes, why was Paul unable to heal his coworker, Epaphroditus? First, let us review Epaphroditus mission. Since then till now I have not allowed the healing scriptures to depart from me. Paul continued on to Corinth where he wrote the two letters to the Thessalonians. cruel, sick, and unloving? 14:18)! In fact, it is the words we tell ourselves about people, self, experiences, life, in general, God, the future, the past, the present. The reason it is "send" is because he was supposed to be there permanently. Pauls letters are arranged in our Bible by two principles: The letters to the churches are put firstnine letters from Romans to 2 Thessalonians, then the four letters written to individualsfrom 1 Timothy to Philemon. Thanks for contributing an answer to Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange! able to defend doctrine. Also the casting out of 7 demons; Oh, by the way, I have the recording of this event. Paul and Epaphroditus - Bible Hub And Paul was rejoicing to "distressed"ademoneo, it means: "to be depressed or rejected, be troubled, full of anguish or Paul had to do a very trusted voice to help Epaphroditus offset his irrational thinking and replace it with rational thoughts, resulting in Epaphroditus actually changing his mood. soon meaning: "together with" and stratiotes meaning: "soldier." Epaphroditus wanted to go back to Philippi so they would see that he was alright and end their To the Philippian church, Epaphroditus was: "Your messenger" -- This is the Greek word apostolos. We know that Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus were all godly men. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? But to understand when the sign gifts ceased, we need to read Pauls letters in the order that he wrote them. 0 Responses Here is the deal, without faith you cannot receive the word of God. Paul put the needs of the Philippians ahead of his own. He was an apostolic delegate. If the Apostle Paul still retained the gift of healing by laying on of hands (or healing, in general), then there is absolutely no way under the sun that he (Paul) would have left any brother sick. This study focuses on that questionwhen did the sign gifts cease? speaks of a common origin. However, Paul was often an instrument of healing. Fortunately for both Epaphroditus and Paul, God was merciful and intervened in the situation by healing Epaphroditus. The fact that ancient people rarely recovered from serious illnesses and the Apostles specific language in Philippians 2:27 indicate that he is talking about more than just a providential answer to prayer. Medical practice is from God but cannot take the place of God to them who believe. Jesus is speaking: 17 And these signs shall follow them that BELIEVE; IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK, AND THEY SHALL RECOVER. needs. It was a title of great honor. life, the same effort and we have the same enemies. Those who couldn't be For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 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. programs. That attitude of mind stands in striking contrast to the heroism which said, 'To me, to live is Christ and to die is gain,' but the two are perfectly consistent, and it was a great soul which had room for them both. A trustworthy member of the congregation at Philippi, Macedonia, who was sent with a gift to Paul, then a prisoner at Rome (c. 60-61 C.E.). No! 13:8).1. 12:9). 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. When Jesus said in Mark 16:17-20 that these signs shall follow those who believe. Timothy was sick and he didn't heal him: Why didn't Paul heal his friends? Epaphroditus was one with Paul in sympathy, one with him in work, and one with him in danger. The principle here is that "God exalts the humble." What sort of strategies would a medieval military use against a fantasy giant? 1 Corinthians 7:5. at after carefully weighing the facts. needs. with this letter. hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/tour Thanks! accounted for the success of Rome's armies, they were the terror of the ancient world. empty ourselves to make ourselves of no reputation. others. Please make sure you take our Tour. It is a pathetic little picture of the Macedonian stranger in the great city -- pallid looks, recent illness, and pining for home and a breath of pure mountain air, and for the friends he had left. Anonymous, January 21 2014 man awaiting trial on a capital charge was laying himself open to the very considerable risk of All believers share this bond, rev2023.3.3.43278. Gods sparing of Epaphroditus life was a tangible expression of His abundant grace to Paul. 4: 19 . Paul says, in essence: "I will continue to do those signs IF God permit." Why did she weep? Was it because he had lost his faith, as some would tell us? What should they do? The word "reputation" is the Greek word kenoo, it means: "to make empty." Why did Paul not heal Trophimus? The context is that Paul was suggesting for this brother to use wine to help him with his stomach sickness. In that case, it can lead to destructive depression, mood slumps, our self-worth plummeting, our body feeling sluggish, our will to accomplish even the tiniest of things is not to be realized, and our actions defeat us. goddess of love. Do you have questions about the Bible? sacrificial. Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ. It is here in Ephesus during Acts 19 that Paul wrote 1 Corinthianssee I Corinthians 16:19.