Love Exemplified: Part 2

THE GOSPEL-SHAPED LIFE:

LOVE EXEMPLIFIED–PART 2

An Exposition of Philippians 2:25-30

By Pastor Brian Wilbur

Date:   August 5, 2018

Series: Philippians: Gospel Partnership on Mission in the World

Note:   Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

INTRODUCTION

On Sunday April 8 we began what has become a four-month, sixteen-sermon study of Philippians 1:27–2:30. These thirty-four verses hang together as a unit within Paul’s letter to the Philippians. The theme was set forth at the beginning of Philippians 1:27 – “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.” This “gospel of Christ” is proclaimed in Philippians 2:

“[Christ Jesus], though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:6-11) 

The gospel – the good news – is that the Son of God offered Himself to the Father as a humble and obedient servant who gave Himself as an atoning sacrifice for our sins upon the cross. In doing this, our Lord Jesus Christ is the embodiment of perfect love: He came to seek and save those who were lost, looked out for the true interests of guilty sinners, and laid down His life for His wayward sheep, so that those wayward sheep would be redeemed and find rest in the lush pastures of His wonderful grace. The Father looked with great pleasure upon the perfections of His Son, raised Him from the dead, and exalted this God-Man Jesus Christ to the place of highest honor in the universe, so that everyone would stand in awe of His glory and worth.

If you have come to share in this great salvation through saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, then God calls you to live in a way that befits the beauties of the gospel. Since Christ lived as a humble servant who walked in heartfelt obedience to the Father and sacrificial love for others, then we should pursue the same kind of obedience and love (Philippians 2:1-4, 12). Since Christ sought the good of others at profound cost to Himself, then we should seek the good of others even when it is costly to do so. Since Christ came to rescue sinners from the peril of divine judgment, then we should proclaim His gospel to our perishing world, so that others might be rescued before it is too late. Since Christ pours out grace, mercy, and peace upon His people, then we should extend this same kind of grace, mercy, and peace to one another (Philippians 2:1-4). Since Christ is the Light of the world, then our character and conduct should reflect His light – that we also might shine as God-appointed lights in our dark world (Philippians 2:15). Since Christ is the risen Lord who is seated at the Father’s right hand and who reigns over heaven and earth, then we should glorify our Lord, obey His instruction, and follow His example (Philippians 2:1-12). Since Christ did what He did in order to create for Himself a holy community of faithful believers who have fellowship with one another in Him by the power of His Spirit, then we should follow Him together as one body in Him, “standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27). Since Christ has pioneered the path – the path of obedience, love, and mission – that leads to final glory, and since God is empowering us to walk this path as He “works in [us], both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13) – we should be full of hope and joy as we follow Jesus on this glory-bound path, “not frightened in anything by [our] opponents” (Philippians 1:28), not holding on to selfish ambitions or selfish interests (Philippians 2:3-4), not “grumbling or disputing” (Philippians 2:14) along the way. Instead, we ought to be glad that we have the privilege to follow Jesus together and be “children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation” (Philippians 2:15), always “holding fast to the word of life” (Philippians 2:16), always seeking to grow in our walk with the Lord, always serving and supporting our fellow Christians as we sojourn through the wilderness of this present life to the Promised Land of resurrection glory. This is what it means to “let [our] manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

PAUL, TIMOTHY, AND EPAPHRODITUS EMBODY THIS MANNER OF LIFE

Essential to this “manner of life” is a set of characteristics that Paul mentions at the beginning of Philippians: “affection and sympathy” for one another (Philippians 2:1), a heartfelt bond of unity with each other in mind, heart, and soul (Philippians 2:2), and humility and love toward our Christians brothers and sisters (Philippians 2:3-4). If we are at odds with each other, if we regard each other with disinterest or contempt, if we each live in our own spiritual bubble and refuse to share in the life, fellowship, and mission of God’s household, then we will not grow as God intends and we will not be effective in our service to Christ. So, as we have come to Philippians 2:19-30, we see faithful examples of Christian love. Jesus, of course, is the ultimate example. But God graciously also gives us other faithful examples to study and imitate. Last week we looked at verses 19-24 and beheld Paul’s and Timothy’s faithful examples of gospel-shaped love. This Lord’s Day we look at verses 25-30, wherein we will continue to behold Paul’s faithful example and also behold Epaphroditus’ faithful example of gospel-shaped love, followed by an important word of instruction that Paul gives to the Philippian congregation.

BACKGROUND TO PHILIPPIANS 2:25-30

But first, a little background to verses 25-30. Last week I said that it is the nature of love to show up, but since you’re not always able to show up, sometimes you might send a high-quality, like-minded representative to go on your behalf. Thus Paul intended to send Timothy to Philippi (Philippians 2:19-23). Paul also wrote a letter to the Philippians, and letters are also a way of communicating love when you are hindered from going yourself. In addition to a personal representative and a thoughtful letter, there is a third thing that a loving heart might send, namely, a meaningful gift. In the background to verses 25-30, the Philippians had done two of these three: with steadfast love for Paul and a desire to support Paul and his missionary labors, the Philippians sent a financial gift to Paul and they sent it by means of a high-quality representative named Epaphroditus. Love sends. Paul refers to these things in Philippians 4:18. He writes,

“I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.” (Philippians 4:18)

This is the background to our passage in Philippians 2. The Philippians, as faithful worshipers of God, sent Epaphroditus to Paul with financial gifts in hand, and once he arrived at Paul’s living quarters in a Roman prison, Epaphroditus stayed a while. Epaphroditus served the Lord by serving Paul. Somewhere along the way Epaphroditus got severely ill, and his illness set the stage for the remarkable situation that is described in Philippians 2:25-30.

THE SCRIPTURAL TEXT

Holy Scripture says:

“I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.” (Philippians 2:25-30)

FOUR ADDITIONAL THINGS THAT GODLY LOVE DOES

Last week’s sermon was titled “Love Exemplified–Part 1” and in it we reflected on seven things that godly love does, as seen in Philippians 2:19-24. Today’s sermon is titled “Love Exemplified–Part 2” and in it we will reflect on four additional things that godly love does, as seen in Philippians 2:25-30. Since these two sermons belong together, the numbering of the main points will pick up where we left off in the last sermon. By way of brief review:   

First, godly loves operates within the relational framework of knowing Jesus.

Second, godly love sends high-quality, like-minded representatives – or a personal letter, or a meaningful gift.

Third, godly love wants to be delighted in the knowledge that the beloved is well.

Fourth, godly love is genuinely concerned for the welfare of others.

Fifth, godly love cares for others with the priorities of Jesus’ kingdom.

Sixth, godly love honors others through public commendation.

Seventh, godly love goes – in other words, you gladly make a personal visit when opportunity allows.

LOVE HOLDS FAITHFUL BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN HIGH REGARD

As we move into Philippians 2:25-30, we come to an eighth thing that godly love does: godly love holds faithful brothers and sisters in high regard (v. 25). As I say this, I hope you hear echoes of a sermon preached long ago (that is, on May 6) in which we pondered Philippians 2:3 and its instruction that we humbly hold others in high regard. Paul wrote, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). Paul wrote it, and he lived it. We don’t know much about Epaphroditus, except that he carried the gift from the Philippian congregation to Paul. Maybe he was one of the elders or deacons. Maybe he was some kind of ministerial assistant. Maybe he was simply a faithful member of the church in Philippi. We don’t know. What we do know is that Epaphroditus’ resume wasn’t as impressive as Paul’s. Paul was an apostle who planted and taught churches all over the Mediterranean world, oversaw an extensive missionary network, and wrote authoritative God-ordained Scripture under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. If you have a business mentality, Paul is at the top. And you might argue that men like Silas and Timothy and Titus were near the top, part of Paul’s inner circle. Then, perhaps further down the organizational chart, was Epaphroditus. But this isn’t how Paul saw things. This isn’t how Christians are to see things. This isn’t how godly love sees things.

Jesus critiqued the proud religious leaders who “[loved] the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others” (Matthew 23:6-7). Then Jesus taught us the better way of humility: “But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:8-12).

Paul understood that his calling was to be a humble servant of others, which leads to humble self-regard. The same Paul understood that Epaphroditus was great precisely because Epaphroditus was a humble servant of Jesus, a humble servant of the church, a man who humbly ministered to Paul’s need. When Paul saw Epaphroditus, he saw an equal – I don’t mean he saw an equal in terms of apostolic authority, but that he saw an equal in terms of gospel brotherhood and service.[1] Forget about business leadership models and organizational charts and formal titles: Epaphroditus stood on the same ground as Paul did, and that ground is glad servanthood under King Jesus. It is worth noting that humbly honoring others doesn’t mean denigrating one’s own self. Paul knew who he was – he knew that he was clothed in the dignity that belongs to any person who has been claimed, cleansed, and called by Jesus. Humble Christians are glad to see fellow believers clothed in that same grace-generated dignity. So with a humble heart and gracious eyes, Paul refers to Epaphroditus as “my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need” (v. 25). “My brother” – same family. “My… fellow worker” – same team, same gospel ministry team. “My… fellow soldier” – same army, the Lord’s army; a co-combatant in the same battle. “Your messenger” – a representative of the church that Jesus bought with His own blood. “Minister to my need” – a faithful minister who offers a spiritual sacrifice to God by doing good to a brother. Godly love holds faithful brothers in high regard.

LOVE FEELS DEEP AFFECTION AND SYMPATHY FOR YOUR CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS

Ninth, godly love feels deep affection and sympathy for your Christian brothers and sisters (v. 26-28). This inward capacity for brotherly affection and heartfelt sympathy expresses itself in a number of ways. The Bible calls the community of believers to be unified in mind, heart, and soul (Philippians 2:2). “If one member suffers, all suffer together” (1 Corinthians 12:26). “[Weep] with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). “[If] one member is honored, all rejoice together” (1 Corinthians 12:26). “Rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15).

This mutual affection and sympathy is meant to get expressed in the midst of real life, where people face all kinds of difficulties and troubles. Do not say that our love for each other would be so much better if only our circumstances were perfect. It doesn’t work that way, not yet, because in this present time sufferings crash upon our lives like waves upon the sea. In point of fact, our love for each other would be so much better if our hearts were all the more purified from the pollution of self-love and worldly entrapments. Always remember: real life, with sorrow a-plenty, is exactly the place where God wants the real love of His people to shine forth.

To begin with, Epaphroditus had deep love and longing for his brothers and sisters in Philippi: “he has been longing for you all” (v. 26). He had affection for them, His heart went out to them. Such affectionate longing is “worthy of the gospel.” Jesus has great affection for His people. When Jesus revealed Himself to the unconverted Paul on the Damascus Road, He didn’t say, Why are you persecuting My people? but “Why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4) In other words, Jesus is not detached from His people, but identifies closely with them. Indeed, “Christ loved us and gave himself up for us” (Ephesians 5:2), and He continues His love toward us. As Paul’s heart was transformed by his encounter and growing relation with Jesus, Paul began to love Jesus’ people with the affection that Jesus has for His people. As Paul wrote in Philippians 1, “For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:8). In a similar manner, Epaphroditus longed for his dear friends back in Philippi. As G. Walter Hansen says, “[Paul] was passionately expressing the “strong desire” that he and Epaphroditus had for reunion with friends.”[2] If you have an attitude of emotional indifference to your fellow Christians, if you take a ‘take it or leave it’ approach to Christian fellowship, if your brothers and sisters don’t have a compelling claim upon the strings of your heart, then the way forward is clear: confess your sin and turn away from it, and pray to God for His grace to renew you. 

As the church in Philippi had sent Epaphroditus to Paul, at some point the messenger fell gravely ill – perhaps, as Moisés Silva suggests, he fell ill during the journey to Paul and “pressed on” despite his sickness.[3] Paul says in verse 27: “Indeed he was ill, near to death.” Epaphroditus’ near-to-death-illness facilitated a sequence of reactions that gave significant opportunity for the expression of sympathy. News of Epaphroditus’ sickness traveled back to Philippi. We don’t know who delivered the news, but Epaphroditus knew that the Philippian congregation knew that he had a serious illness. We know this from verse 26 in which Paul speaks to the Philippians: “he… has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.” Epaphroditus’ knowledge that the Philippian congregation knew that he had been sick, filled him with distress. Paul writes, “I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus…, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.” (Philippians 2:25-26)

Christian affection and sympathy ought to be in full gear in the midst of the trials that we share. Notice what verse 26 doesn’t say. Verse 26 doesn’t say that Epaphroditus was distressed because he was ill. Verse 26 doesn’t say that Epaphroditus was relieved because you heard that he was ill. Instead, verse 26 says that Epaphroditus was “distressed because you heard that he was ill.” Think about this. Epaphroditus understood that when the Philippian congregation “heard that he was ill,” they would be distressed. When they heard that their faithful brother Epaphroditus, the messenger they had sent to Paul, had a serious sickness, they would be sorrowful and troubled and burdened. They would be concerned for Epaphroditus as well as for Paul. As Epaphroditus contemplated this situation, he was distressed because they would be distressed on his account. Furthermore, this situation had a significant wrinkle: the Philippians apparently knew only half the story![4] As far as the Philippians knew, Epaphroditus was still sick. But he wasn’t sick anymore! Now he was healed, but they didn’t know it. Who knows what they would continue to feel, or who knows what action they would take, if they continued to operate on the assumption that Epaphroditus was still sick?[5] 

So, what you see here in Epaphroditus is a heart that is really sensitive to the troubles of his fellow Christians. He had compassion on them in view of how his situation was affecting them. If they were burdened by his troubles, then he was burdened on account of the burdens they had on his account. If their burdens continued because they didn’t know about the joyous outcome of his healing, then he was distressed because they didn’t have the whole story. He was thinking about them with depth of feeling, he was looking to their interests, he was genuinely concerned for their welfare. He wanted them to be encouraged, to have joy in their hearts and rest in their souls. If he suffered, then it is profoundly right that the Philippians suffer with him; but then, if they suffer on his account, then it is profoundly right that he suffer with them. This is what mutual compassions and sympathies are all about. My hardship becomes your hardship; and your hardship – even if your hardship is sympathetic sharing in my hardship – your hardship becomes my hardship. Oh for this miracle of brotherly affection and tender sympathy and mutual compassion to be increased among us at South Paris Baptist Church!    

This mutual sorrowing is evident not only in the relationship between Epaphroditus and the Philippian congregation, but also in Paul’s relationship to all these dear brothers and sisters. Verses 27-28 indicate that Paul himself had sorrow and anxiety on account of the distress that the others were feeling:

“Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but one me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.” (Philippians 2:27-28)

When Paul says that God’s mercy in preserving Epaphroditus’ life kept him from “[having] sorrow upon sorrow,” he implies that he had a measure of heartache as he sat with Epaphroditus at the latter’s potential deathbed. The apostle’s heart was ready to break! When Paul says that he will “be less anxious” after Epaphroditus returns to Philippi, he is indicating that the situation has indeed brought him a measure of anxious concern. Here again, Paul’s sorrow and anxious concern is not owing to a preoccupation with himself. Paul is not stuck on what is most immediately comfortable or convenient for himself personally. Paul’s attitude is not that Epaphroditus and the Philippian congregation should just ‘get over it’ so that Epaphroditus can get on with his service to Paul. Instead, Paul cares deeply about the hearts and relationships of the brothers and sisters in Philippi – he cares about their welfare, he cares about their joy, he cares about their having “the same mind” and “the same love” (Philippians 2:2), he cares about their “being in full accord” (Philippians 2:2) and honoring one another (Philippians 2:3) and looking out for one another (Philippians 2:4). How can he instruct them to be a congregation unified in mind, heart, and soul, and then pass lightly over their mutual distress on account of a faithful brother’s severe illness? He can’t, and He won't!

True love is beautifully down to earth. To be sure, godly love is a spiritual reality centered on Christ, sustained by His Spirit, and experienced in the heart. And yet, this godly love must be expressed in the thick and thin of daily life, in the midst of everyday relationships and responsibilities. We must not over-spiritualize love to the point that we pass lightly over people’s difficulties and distresses. It matters that Epaphroditus was physically sick. It matters that the Philippians were troubled by their brother’s sickness and what that meant for his mission on their behalf. It matters that the Philippians only had half the story and didn’t know the joyous outcome of healing. It matters that Epaphroditus proved faithful in love by being distressed in their distress over him. It matters that Epaphroditus longed for his brothers and sisters back in Philippi and wanted to return home for their benefit. It matters that the Philippians’ sorrow would turn to joy if Epaphroditus did, in fact, return home, and then they would “rejoice at seeing him again.” As for Paul, he was anxiously concerned precisely because the others were distressed. Paul felt deep affection and sympathy for his Christian brothers and sisters – and if they had more joy, then he would have less anxiety. Question: Are you Holy-Spirit-wired – I am not talking about personality or temperament here – are you Holy-Spirit-wired to be less anxious when your brothers and sisters have more joy, precisely because your anxious concerns are bound up with their welfare to begin with?

LOVE ENDEAVORS TO RELIEVE THE GODLY SORROWS OF YOUR FELLOW CHRISTIANS

Tenth, godly love endeavors to relieve the godly sorrows of your fellow Christians (v. 25-26, 27-28). Do you see that here? Paul, looking to the interests of Epaphroditus and the Philippian congregation, “thought it necessary to send… Ephaphroditus” (v. 25) back to Philippi and he was “the more eager to” (v. 28) do so, for the express purpose of relieving their godly sorrows and renewing their joy. We ought to do likewise: if we share sympathetically in the godly sorrows of others, then we ought to consider how we can relieve their sorrows and renew their joy.

The heart that endeavors to relieve the godly sorrows of others is, in fact, a merciful heart that is eager to extend God’s mercies to others. It is merciful, in the first instance, because it shares gratefully in the mercy that God shows to others. When our hearts and lives are linked together in close-knit fellowship, then we share in each other’s burdens and blessings. Epaphroditus was “near to death. But God had mercy on him.” But if one member receives mercy, then everyone receives mercy, because although we are many members we are one body. God’s life-sustaining, body-healing mercy to Epaphroditus was, at the very same time, a mercy to Paul. “God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow” (v. 27). If Epaphroditus had died while he was away from his home in Philippi, then Paul’s sorrow would have multiplied. Sometimes we do receive “sorrow upon sorrow,” and when that happens, we trust the Lord, we rely on Christ who strengthens us, for through Him we can endure all things (Philippians 4:11-13). At the same time, we are grateful for the mercies and reliefs that God graciously gives us. And get this: as Paul received mercy from God on account of Epaphroditus’ healing, so Paul was eager to pass on this mercy to the whole Philippian congregation. In other words, the mercy to Epaphroditus was mercy to Paul, and as far as Paul was concerned this same mercy would also be mercy to the Philippians. In view of God’s gracious, life-preserving, sorrow-reducing, gratitude-enhancing mercy, Paul was “the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again.” In the body of Christ, mercy to one is mercy to all.

LOVE HONORS THOSE WHO EXEMPIFY GODLY LOVE

Eleventh, godly love honors those who exemplify godly love (v. 29-30). Or to put it another way: godly love gladly receives and gratefully honors faithful Christian soldiers who have fought well and at great cost. I didn’t have to use the word soldier here, but doing so is justified for three reasons. First, Paul calls Epaphroditus a “fellow soldier” (v. 25). Second, Epaphroditus “nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life” (v. 29-30) – and this sort of language befits that of a soldier on the dangerous battlefield of Christian service. Third, you may recall that the English phrase “let your manner of life be” back in Philippians 1:27 is actually a translation of a Greek word that literally means live as a citizen. We are citizens of Christ’s kingdom. As Paul writes in Philippians 3:20, “our citizenship is in heaven.” What is a faithful Christian soldier but an exemplary citizen who labors diligently on behalf of the nation that he represents? All true Christians are citizens of God’s kingdom, and all true Christians are soldiers who “[strive] side by side for the sake of the gospel.” Even so, some – like Epaphroditus – are worthy of a special reception and recognition because of their distinguished and costly service.

In highlighting Epaphroditus’ role as a Christian soldier, I am seeking to capitalize on the popular sentiment that as citizens of an earthly nation we ought to give a warm welcome to the men and women of our armed forces who have worked hard to protect our nation, national interests, and political liberties. In our country, this popular sentiment is embodied in such holidays as Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. Such honor is fitting and proper, but don’t miss the point. If we as American citizens honor American soldiers for their service to our earthly nation, then how much more – how much more! – ought we as Christian citizens honor Christian soldiers for their service to Christ’s heavenly kingdom?

There is a Christian duty to honor everyone, but this does not mean that we honor everyone in the same way and to the same degree. Peter says, “Honor everyone” (1 Peter 2:17). Every human being, by virtue of being created in God’s image, is worthy of honor. That said, we must go on to say that every Christian, by virtue of being redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, is worthy of special honor. But within the body of Christ, some are worthy of special, special honor. Don’t make the mistake of flattening out honor in such a way that you make no distinctions when it comes to the conferring of honor. There are distinctions to be made. You need to know how to show honor, high honor, higher honor, and highest honor. I trust you understand that Christ alone is worthy of highest honor (Philippians 1:19-21, 2:9-11). But there is a special honor to be shown to those who are out in front in terms of gospel ministry. Paul tells the Thessalonians: “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13) Paul instructs Timothy: “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” (1 Timothy 5:17) Although we don’t know Epaphroditus’ precise ministerial role, we do know that he was a servant of the church who served the church by serving a missionary whom the church supported. He was a “fellow worker and fellow soldier” in the ministry of the gospel, and he was devoted to “the work of Christ.” On this account, Epaphroditus was worthy of special honor. But that’s not all!

Epaphroditus was worthy of special, special honor because of the costliness of his ministerial labor: “So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.” Remember Jesus: “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death” (Philippians 2:8). Now consider Epaphroditus, who walked faithfully in the footsteps of Jesus: Epaphroditus was a humble servant who walked in obedience and, in the course of that obedience and service, he “[risked] his life” and “nearly died.” Honor him! It would not be right for Epaphroditus to honor himself, and it would not be right for Epaphroditus to insist that you show him honor, but this doesn’t change the fact that he is worthy of honor – of special, special honor. So the command goes forth from the apostle to the congregation: “honor such men.” Let him feel encouraged on account of your gratitude for him and his labor! Regard him as an exemplary citizen whose example you should follow! Bless him by calling attention to God’s good work in his life!

Godly love pays special honor to those who exemplify Christian love in all its depth and devotion to the cause of Christ. This doesn’t mean that you stand in front of the mirror and pay special honor to the faithful Christian you see therein: “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth” (Proverbs 27:2). What it means is that you ought to be with and behold your brothers and sisters in Christ – not blindly but with eyes wide open – and esteem highly and express appreciation for those who have a no-nonsense, lay-down-your-life, seek-first-the-kingdom-of-God way of life. Honor them!

Here again, we learn that godly love operates within the relational framework of knowing Jesus. Paul doesn’t say to “receive him… with all joy,” but “receive him in the Lord with all joy” (italics added). And don’t honor him merely because “he nearly died” and “[risked] his life” – I mean, people given to extreme sports do that, too. Epaphroditus “nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me” (italics added). In the Lord. The work of Christ. The church’s ministry to the apostle Paul. In other words, knowing and following Jesus is the garden in which godly love grows and ripens for action.

To “receive [Epaphroditus] in the Lord with all joy” means to receive Epaphroditus as a servant of the Lord and in a manner that would please the Lord. Receive him warmly, with a gracious spirit, with great affection and sympathy for him, with appreciation for his service, with genuine concern for his interests – and all this, not with a sprinkling of joy, but with a saturation of joy, “with all joy”! And just as godly love holds faithful brothers in high regard, as instructed by Paul in Philippians 2:3 and illustrated by Paul in Philippians 2:25-26, so the Philippians also ought to hold this dear brother in high regard, and they ought to be diligent to honor him along with all those who make significant sacrifices on the pathway of faithful Christian service.

LET US WALK IN ACCORDANCE WITH GODLY LOVE

One of our missionaries will be with us in late August. Multiple present or former missionaries will be with us for our Fall Missions Conference in late October. Receive them in the Lord with all joy, and honor such faithful Christian soldiers and their families. In order to receive them in this manner, you need to first of all show up! But you must show up in a certain kind of way, with a heart that is eager to hear about how it goes with them and their work, with a heart that is glad to see them, and with a heart that is deeply appreciative of their service.

As you go into another week of following the Lord as a community of believers, let mutual affections and sympathies run deep among us. Hold each other in high regard. Don’t think about each other in terms of a person’s worst qualities and weaknesses. See your brothers or your sisters, see your fellow workers in the Lord, see your fellow soldiers beside you “for the faith of the gospel.” Share sympathetically in the godly sorrows of one another. Don’t pass lightly over the difficulties and distresses, but share in them sincerely and feelingly, with affectionate longing in your hearts one for another. When God applies the balm of mercy to any difficulty or distress, remember that mercy to one is mercy to all, and be eager to pass it on. And, as opportunity allows, do what you can to relieve each other’s sorrows and renew each other’s joys. Who knows, maybe a non-Christian will see in us a community of love and wonder at this light that shines forth in the darkness? 

Let us pray.

ENDNOTES

[1] Hansen helpfully communicates that Paul’s high regard for Epaphroditus doesn’t mean that Epaphroditus was Paul’s equal in terms of apostolic authority. See Hansen, G. Walter. The Letter to the Philippians (Pillar New Testament Commentary). Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009: p. 201-203.

[2] Hansen, G. Walter. The Letter to the Philippians (Pillar New Testament Commentary). Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009: p. 203.

[3] Silva, Moisés. Philippians: Second Edition (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament). Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005: p. 139.

[4] I am indebted to the commentaries by Moisés Silva and G. Walter Hansen for the insight that the Philippians ignorance concerning Epaphroditus’ healing was likely a (significant?) part of Epaphroditus’ distress – i.e., the Philippians would have been rightly distressed over Epaphroditus’ illness, but they were not yet able to rejoice and be comforted over Epaphroditus’ healing. Silva and Hansen don’t explicitly argue for this point of view, but certain comments opened my eyes to the likelihood of it. For example, Silva summarizes another commentator’s viewpoint: “Buchanan (1964: 160) supposes that Epaphroditus was grieving because he had sent a false alarm to the Philippians and feared that they would try to send him relief.” Silva also says, “One can hardly avoid the impression that Paul needed to prevent a possible misunderstanding when the Philippians saw, not Timothy (whom they had expected?), but Epaphroditus, safe and sound.” See Silva, Moisés. Philippians: Second Edition (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament). Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005: p. 139. Hansen ponders, “Was he distressed because his illness had distressed his friends and he was unable to communicate with them to clarify his situation (no cell phones or email!)?” See Hansen, G. Walter. The Letter to the Philippians (Pillar New Testament Commentary). Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009: p. 204.

[5] See footnote [4] above for Silva’s summary of Buchanan’s viewpoint.