“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. 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.”
Philippians 2:25–27
Epaphroditus had been sent by the assembly in Philippi to deliver a gift of love to the apostle Paul. Along the way, he became gravely ill—“sick unto death.” Once he recovered enough to travel, Paul sent him back to the believers at Philippi so they could be comforted by seeing him again (v. 28). Paul instructed them: “Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me” (vv. 29–30).
This short passage teaches us several lessons:
1. Serving the Lord doesn’t exempt us from suffering.
Some might look at Epaphroditus’s mission as less than successful—perhaps even a failure. But that is not the case. The difference-maker is found in those beautiful words: “But God.” Paul could say, “But God had mercy.” God was not only in control—He was in charge.
2. What looks like failure can be part of God’s growth process.
If life were only mountaintop experiences, we would never discover the spiritual growth that happens in the valleys.
3. We see the value of community life in Christ.
Paul declared: “But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” Epaphroditus’s return brought joy not just to Paul, but it would bring joy to the entire assembly.
4. God sees what others do not.
Most of us would never have known these lessons from Epaphroditus’s life without the “But God.” Much of life is hidden from public view. Much of what we do for Christ may never be recorded in human history. But God sees. He knows. And He honors what is done for His glory.
Anchor For Today:
No circumstance of life is beyond the reach of God’s mercy.