Philippians - Week 5 - Day 5

READ 

Philippians 2:25-27 

25 Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. 26 I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. 27 And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another. 

Paul had another “co-worker and fellow soldier” he wanted the Philippians to know about. Epaphroditus was one of them and had come to help Paul. While meeting Paul’s needs he became ill and was near death. Epaphroditus was saddened that the Philippians had heard he was so ill. Paul was thankful Epaphroditus did not die, which would heaped another sorrow on him.  

REFLECT 

Notice that Paul would have sorrowed had Epaphroditus died. This reveals any believer can sorrow if another believer dies even though he is confident that believer went to be with Jesus. 

RESPOND 

Look ahead at this time to read Philippians 4:17-19. This tells of the gifts Paul received as a result of Epaphroditus coming to visit him.