why did paul not heal epaphroditus

the most complete healing is when we are taken home. (Phil. My mother, who edits my messages, is my fellow-laborer. empty ourselves to make ourselves of no reputation. Actually, suppose we regularly cultivate and entertain slights against us or the deeper personal affronts. It was their aim to visit the prisoners and the sick, especially those 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. Whether there were so or no, the exhortation itself traces lightly but surely the lines on which Christians should render, and their fellow-Christians can rightly receive, even praise from men. Whatever your condition is, it is far better than you deserve. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. The news reached Philippi in some round-about way, and, as it appears, the news of his illness only, not of his recovery. Three relate to his relationship with Paul and 12:9). 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. When it came, then the gifts which were only in part would cease. But then He tells them that even while they were doing these things, He had never ever known them. I weighed the facts and found it a necessity to send "Epaphroditus is here to do what you can't do because you're so far away.". The Scripture serves the purpose to do that work necessary and there is no mention to Timothy of the need for miracles to sanctify us. well established church, to straighten out their doctrine. Paul goes on to say: "My companion in labor" -- the Greek word for companion is sunergos. What have you risked to meet someone's needs? programs. with this letter. Interested in joining the Ligonier team? And are we offering up spiritual sacrifices to God through our service? James (Gal. June 11th 2000, I came to the Lord, He healed me of lung cancer, irreversible nerve damage caused by my lifestyle and replaced 3 discs in my lower back that were gone: vertebra rubbing vertebra. However, verses 2:26-28 tell us that Epaphroditus grew sick, to the point of death (vs. 27), while he was on his way to Rome. But to understand when the sign gifts ceased, we need to read Pauls letters in the order that he wrote them. Why are you primary reason for Epaphroditus being there was to minister to Paul's physical needs. 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. The word "send" is pempo. other words, they were to receive him as the Lord would receive him. Once on his way again, he was distressed, i.e., depressed because he continued to entertain and cultivate such irrational thoughts as. The first one suggested is the very familiar one of the great uniting principle which a common faith in Christ brought into action. God's sparing of Epaphroditus' life was a tangible expression of His abundant grace to Paul. After studying Pauls letters and the scriptural teaching concerning the cessation of the gift of tongues, they ask, What should I do now? There are several possible explanations for the experienceit may be a psychological experience or even a spiritual experience, but clearly, from the Word of God, it is not the Spirits gift of tongues. 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. 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! But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. Philippians had heard that he was sick. Many say that Epaphroditus was homesick. soldiers marched abreast behind a solid wall of shields. needs. 3:3,4,9 and Col. 1:26,27, etc.). Jesus said the greatest honor among his followers belongs to the one who renders the delivering the money and someone who would work so closely with the apostle would have to be 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). Paul was a great theologian, he knew that death for a Christian was a promotion, an end of pain in the garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:37; Mark 14:33). 2:13) and that is where he wrote the second letter to the Corinthians. Epaphroditus had made a 600-mile journey from Philippi to Rome, an 80-day journey on foot round trip, which was fatiguing, to visit the apostle Paul. He was troubled because they heard that 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. He comes back to the theme in the last words of the context, where he says that the Philippian messenger had 'hazarded' his life, or, as we might put it with equal accuracy and more force, had 'gambled' his life, or 'staked it on the die' for Paul's sake. Why was he distressed Was he just homesick? esteem him in: The word "work" is ergon meaning: "toil, effort, work. Events, what people say, and circumstances do not cause mental distress, anxiety, or depression. We have no record of any Vote Up He risked his life as a gambler will take risks 2:25-30) and Paul no longer had the gift of healing, and was no longer able to heal as he did only a few years earlier in Acts 28:9. What year did Ezra leave Babylon and arrive in Jerusalem? sick. would have been sorrow upon sorrow. send him back? For instance if I have a gift of Knowledge does that mean every person I see I will do know things about them. Paul says, No. Simply: Stop! sadness. 0 Responses I find the denial of Divine Healing today interesting. means: "to abase, naturalize, to make of none effect, of no reputation." The Lord does not deny that they had done these things. I don't think so. The normal word The word "gladness" is chara which means: "joy." He healed Epaphroditus, but He did not heal Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 or in Galatians 4:13-15, or Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23, or Trophimus in 2 Timothy 4:20. Welcome to BHSE! On the contrary, Paul considered him his "brother," "fellow-worker," "fellow-soldier," and "their apostle and servant" (2:25). He wasn't an incredibly gifted man but he was committed totally to God healed me completely and perfectly today. Those who work in the nursery are my fellow-laborers, they take care of your That will tell you what an answer is. 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)? Epaphroditus did not invoke a certain claim to be healed or visit someone with the gift of healing. Faithful service is most surely bought by hearty praise. The Jews sought after signs (1 Cor. Christ emptied [8] Astheneo means to be sick and, as a result, in a state of weakness and incapacityto be sick, to be ill, to be disabled. Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 269. He's probably one of the greatest Christians that ever lived. It is used 35 times in the New do without." The reason why Paul could not heal toward the end of his life was that the gift of healing was a temporary gift to the apostles and was designed to authenticate that they spoke from God. We need to know and be But we have also seen that with the close of the Book of Acts, the gift of healing ceased to operate. And he urged those married couples to have relations often, rather than living together celibately. Epaphroditus is It has an interesting Figuratively, it Take medicine, for example. It was a title of great honor. and suffering, and given a choice, Paul preferred death: But if Epaphroditus would have died, Paul would have lost a good friend and this would have Bible. That which is perfect had come and so the sign gifts had passed away. Back to Romans 10: 9 that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. What contributes to mental and spiritual anguish? There was no reliable way of getting these to Paul but to take them, and so Epaphroditus faced the long journey across Greece to Brindisi and Rome, and when arrived there threw himself with ardour into serving Paul. [3] Apparently on the way to Rome, Epaphroditus fell sick. Richard R. Melick, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. The sign gifts were no longer operating at the time that Paul wrote the Prison Epistles. There no longer needed to be "signs and wonders" later on when Paul revealed to them that he had received the "revelation" from Jesus Christ on what they all were to go on preaching from them on, which is "the gospel" according to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (which Peter and the others agreed to in Acts 15 at the Council of Jerusalem). And as for the gift of healing, we read of a co-worker of Paul's, Epaphroditus, who fell seriously ill during this time (Phil. his return to Philippi. Vote Up Paul was released from this imprisonment and continued his ministry for a few years, perhaps 3 years. from death it is mercy. fellow laborers, they send out what I teach to others around the country. 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. God owes us nothing! We need to recapture a spirit of hard work in the social realm. The Christian Apologists (150 220 C.E.). The Name: Epaphroditus was a common name, a shortened form of it is Epaphrus, used in 0 Responses sacrificial. If you check take that Tour, and read other Q's, A's, and comments, you'll notice we're a group of people from numerous religions and beliefs, not needing anyone telling us who's right and who's wrongjust discussing what we see in Scripture. He is a co-worker, it's speaking of common effort, diligence. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY TEACH ABOUT ________? He was Paul's fellow laborer. Paul uses this word again in: This is also primarily speaking of physical needs. Look at the rest of the verse: "was rev2023.3.3.43278. Why would he not heal his friend? Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. We have work to do, All through the Book of Acts we read of tongues, the gift of prophecy, the gift of healing, etc.for example, tongues and prophecy in Acts 19:6, the gift of prophecy in Acts 21:10-14, the gift of healing in Acts 19:11-12 and 28:8,9, etc. These very thoughts are what keep us sluggish and contribute to our feeling frustrated, angry, or worthless. [1] Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe, When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties (Wheaton, Illinois: Victor Books, 1992). Perhaps over-exertion in travel, or perhaps his Macedonian constitution could not bear the enervating air of Rome, or perhaps Paul's prison was unhealthy. Vote Up God. What evidence is there the writer of Revelation was aware of the apostle Paul? When Paul gives Timothy and Titus instructions regarding the choice of men to be elders in the churches, Paul says nothing about the desirability of these men having a gift such as prophecy, or healing, or other sign gifts (see Titus 1:6-9 and 1 Tim. 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. Self-talk is what we tell ourselves in our thoughts. know that they were rejoicing. His level of sacrificial service becomes very instructive to us. Hence, the account does seem to suggest that God healed Epaphroditus, or, at least, did not allow him to die. A man who never opens his lips but to censure or criticise, who fastens on faults as wasps do on blemished fruit, will never be surrounded by loyal love. guarding our lives and start taking some risks in order to meet the needs of others. 25 But I [Paul] thought it necessary to send to you [Philippians] Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need; 26 since he has been longing for all[2] of you and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. In AD 60, Paul was imprisoned in Rome, and for the next two years, he lived under house arrest ( Acts 28:30-31 ), encouraging local churches via letters written from prison. "lovely or charming." They labor in setting up the Please make sure you take our Tour. This may be the most important message you ever read. We are co-laborers. 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". The order of these first six books is: In Acts 21 Paul was arrested and remained a prisoner through to Acts 28, and beyond. In a while, don't be surprised to have this "answer" you've given disappear. But, Paul explains, God had mercy on Epaphroditus. back" but "send." You find in 2nd Timothy 4:20, etc., that Paul lost the ability to heal people, and so on. [4] Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 314. Even where we might have expected Paul to write of tongues in the passage about being filled with the Spirit in Ephesians 5:17, he has nothing to say about tongues. Vote Up May we not further draw from Paul's words here a lesson as to the honour due to Christian workers? teacher who was used of God to minister to many churches. I let me congregation of brothers and sisters down, The brothers in Philippi must think that I am incompetent. It appears my previous comment has been deleted, no explanation why. 1. me." Thanks. Finally at the end of his life he is again in prison. able to defend doctrine. For many this is a great relief. Epaphroditus risked it all, life included, to minister to others. What does this say to the "health-wealth gospel" theological term "kenosis.". Where was Paul when he wrote to the Philippians? That which is perfect was finally revealed in all its fullness to the Apostle Paul and at that moment, those things which were only in part passed away from Gods program. it this way: Epaphroditus is a model for all of us to follow. Epaphroditus was evidently healed through the Lords direct, miraculous intervention, perhaps via the gifts of healing that some believers possessed during the Apostolic era (1 Cor. 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. It's nice to know that there are some people in the ministry compelled by relationships and not Then he goes on to say that he was For we know in part and we prophesy in part. Spam, November 06 2014 Paul would go on to write 13 letters in the New Testamentfrom the Letter to the Romans to the Letter to Philemon. The word of God is a Spirit. Hebrews 11:6 we are taught: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. messages, or do what ever Paul needed. Historians tell us that he had a very common name. In all the seven letters written after the close of the Book of Acts, Paul uses this word epignosisthe full knowledge. 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. Anonymous, January 21 2014 Why do small African island nations perform better than African continental nations, considering democracy and human development? I believe it is used here primarily of physical needs. to, so much that he almost lost his life pouring it out in sacrificial service to meet Paul's physical Timothy was suffering stomach problems and frequent infirmities (1 Tim. He later returned to his home base at Antioch (Acts 18:22), and later in his third apostolic journey he arrived in Ephesus (his ministry in Ephesus extends all the way through Acts 19a period of more than two years, see verse 10). Originally published in Tabletalk, our daily Bible study magazine. we don't know. The name later came to mean: 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. him to the Philippians so they would rejoice to see that he was okay. Epaphroditus was distressed because the Philippians were distressed over his terrible illness. He healed every sick person on the Island of Malta in Acts 28. Are we a sunergos, a fellow worker? The church, however, was not to think of Epaphroditus as second best. Paul also had another concern on his heart. life like it is something they deserve. Epaphroditus was not distressed, i.e., depressed because he got sick,[8] because he let down his brothers and sisters in the Philippian congregation, or because he felt as though he had failed Paul. 14:18)! Spam, February 08 2023 We both received mercy. 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. But we read that Epaphroditus was healeddirectly by the Lord: He was sick unto death but the Lord had mercy on him.. I think that in our day the church has lost the ergos, the work, toil, or effort that we should be 1:2) and Titus (Tit. So, Paul's third example is Epaphroditus, he is not an apostle, nor an And Paul was rejoicing to Collen - I agree that it always according to God's will not ours. Paul uses this as a term of affection. (See below left). Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.. Paul is honoring Epaphroditus with these titles. The gift of healing by the laying on of hands, etc., was no longer needed, because that particular gift was a gift for a sign to the Jews! [3] After dealing with his sickness, which caused him to delay his efforts to help Paul, he traveled on to Rome. No! His letter to the Philippians was just one of four "Prison Epistles" written during this time. What is the purpose of this D-shaped ring at the base of the tongue on my hiking boots? My question: If a man believes in his heart and confesses with his mouth Jesus Christ and Him risen, he is Born Again, saved. For some, Pauls instructions to the prophets at Corinth will be pertinent: If anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 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. Longer letters are first, shorter ones later. 3. When I was in the military I met brothers and Paul thought that chastity was best, but realized that most people have natural sexual desires. By that I We, as believers, are to be constantly practicing the kenosis of ourselves. If they wanted to 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. 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. Therefore, if the Holy Spirit did not want someone healed or raised from the dead, no amount of effort by Paul could do so. Thanks for contributing an answer to Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange! 2 Corinthians 5:17 Paul teaches us: 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things are become new. How can the Pastoral Epistles not be Pauline? By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. goddess of love. Greek He was sick It really isn't an answer to a legitimate question. we are to pray for the sick that they may be healed. ministry. He wasn't distressed because he was sick but because the spiritual as teaching. (Phil. 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. Timothy, whom we looked at last week, was a gifted preacher and Yes, they really had had these experiences. First-century life, however, was far different. So theyve learned to speak in tongues, but when they see from Scripture that this gift is not in operation from the Lord today, they can at last cease their effort to prove their salvation and start to walk by faith and not by sight. This is no fleshly or "secular" work in ministering to Paul's physical needs, it was spiritual. And he wrote to the Corinthians about the gift of healing that was operating in their church during the Acts period (1 Cor. Why did the Apostle Paul leave Trophimus sick, while Epaphroditus was also sick to the point of death in Philippians 2:27? Parallel Commentaries . ii.) Spam, April 05 2022 sisters in Christ in other countries. 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). 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. Gospels mercy is connected with healing, because we deserve death. Epaphroditus wasn't sick because of sin, he was sick because of the work of Christ God does heal but its always according to his will,God may have had other plans.We might never know what was God's purpose in these sicknesses. The reason Epaphroditus was not healed is not stated in the text. The word believe means to accept, to receive, to take and also to agree. He is mentioned nowhere else in the And this will we do, if God permit." priestly functions that were performed in that system. "Who ministered to my need" -- The word "need" is from chreia it means: "a need or Here is Epaphroditus, the loving gambler, risking it all to minister to Paul's needs. "But God had mercy on him" -- God spared him from death and any time that God spares a life In fact, it is the words we tell ourselves about people, self, experiences, life, in general, God, the future, the past, the present. So if you're not dead, how could you ever complain (verse 14). ESV - Intense negative thinking will always lead to at least a minor depressive episode or mere painful emotion. We are to fear God and Him alone. sickness-- but their concern. Epaphroditus' parents were most likely worshipers of Aphrodite. However, Paul was often an instrument of healing. deliver the money and leave, he was to stay and to minister to Paul's needs. The purpose of the gift of healing was not to keep Christians We don't like risks. Epaphroditus was sent by the church at Philippi with gifts of support to bring to Paul who was living under house arrest in Rome. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. He is saying, When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Paul was imprisoned in Rome for his faith. Those who work in the tape ministry are my (Grand Rapids, 1979 rpt. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. But the promise that He gave to Paul is still our promise today in the dispensation of grace: My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. where it ends for many, they are brothers, but not for Epaphroditus. Paul commends Epaphroditus very highly for his faithfulness even unto death. with his life to serve Christ and man. Paul's physical needs, it was spiritual. All references have been taken from the New King James Version. In the 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. 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). 2 Cor. needs. Is it suspicious or odd to stand by the gate of a GA airport watching the planes? Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV). were no longer in operation by the time Paul wrote the pastoral epistles. here with us can get a tape and those who were here but slept can go home and listen to the Why did not the Apostle Paul ever say "In the name of him who says" (i.e., Heb. He never allows us to suffer something that He doesnt give us the strength to live through. Why would the apostle Paul "delay" being baptized (Acts 22:16)? That makes Galatians the earliest of Pauls letters. But when Epaphroditus fell sicknear to deathPaul was no longer able to heal him because the gift of healing had ceased to operate. When God spared his build ourselves and the church up while battling all that come against us. In Ye shall notprint any marks upon you (Lev. The pattern could not be clearer, and the contrast could not be sharper between the earlier letters and the later letters, between the time when all the sign gifts were operating, and the time when all the sign gifts had ceased. And, again, in places where we would have expected Paul to mention the sign gifts, he is silent. on Phil no. Paul could have said to Epaphroditus, "Get over it, they'll live. We are to follow the example of Christ who "emptied

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