why did paul not heal epaphroditus

For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge (epignosisfull knowledge) of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light (Col. 1:9-12). In verse 25, we have a description of Epaphroditus. self, to give of himself wholly to others. 1000 Chattanooga Street In English, as in Greek, this is a neuter pronounthat thing which is perfect. Paul was not writing about the coming of He who is perfect but of the coming of a thing which is perfect. We'd like to help. It was still only in part during the Acts period, but with the close of the Book of Acts, the Lord completed the revelation of the Mystery (see Eph. What Is the Difference Between 'Man' And 'Son of Man' in Num 23:19? The church, however, was not to think of Epaphroditus as second best. 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. 0 Responses We need to recapture a spirit of hard work in the social realm. 2 Cor. "Who ministered to my need" -- The word "need" is from chreia it means: "a need or Although many people have concerns about the cost of healthcare, the vast majority of people in our culture still have access to antibiotics and other medications that can cure ailments that were almost certainly death sentences only a few decades ago. It's nice to know that there are some people in the ministry compelled by relationships and not messages that he preached. God healed me completely and perfectly today. teaching. Too often our attitude is, "I can't help, I could catch it and I have hid them in my heart. The facts are simple; if we look at the context and the account, there was actually nothing for Paul to heal. He tells us in verses 26-28. So, Paul's third example is Epaphroditus, he is not an apostle, nor an 13:8).1. Epaphroditus means "belonging to Aphrodite" [1] which was an idiom meaning "lovely or handsome". One of the most celebrated goddesses of the ancient world. What he could do in Acts 28, he could no longer do in Philippians, or in 1 and 2 Timothy. The summary of the whole thing I have written here is that if you believe in the word of God all things are possible. Vote Up Not only did He save the former Pharisee, but He also gave Paul extra gifts to help the Apostle bear his sorrows. from death it is mercy. 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. Most of us do the opposite of Epaphroditus, we regard our life as a thing so precious that it is to , , , , , For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. In Acts 21:33 Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, and would spend the next 5 years in prison, right through the end of the Book of Acts. Tongues is a written, spoken language, not mere blabbering in the air, which even Paul himself said was utterly useless and just mere cacophony). Longer letters are first, shorter ones later. No wonder that men were eager to risk their lives for a leader who lavished such praise and such love upon them. 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). January 23 2014 Report Which apostles did Paul see while he was in Jerusalem after his conversion? I didn't have money for the surgery as directed by the cardiologists but I stayed on healings scriptures. Why was he distressed Was he just homesick? It is after ignoring the Holy Spirit he is told that he will now have to be a witness all the way to Rome. Galatians was written soon after Paul returned from that first journeysoon after Acts 14:27. Why did she weep? Together these five titles are an important summary of what the Christian life should be. And as for the gift of healing, we read of a co-worker of Pauls, Epaphroditus, who fell seriously ill during this time (Phil. 4: 19 . children so you can listen to the Word of God. The first 6 of Pauls letters can be fit into the Book of Actswe can read Acts and then read Pauls letters and we can see where Paul was when he wrote these letters. The context gives us an interesting miniature of the last, and pathetic glimpses into the private life of the Apostle in his imprisonment, and it is worth our while to try to bring our historic imagination to bear on Epaphroditus, and to make him a living man. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. fulfilling our mission statement: "To influence friends who are living in spiritual darkness that Vote Up Self-talk is what we tell ourselves in our thoughts. Calculating probabilities from d6 dice pool (Degenesis rules for botches and triggers), Recovering from a blunder I made while emailing a professor. No one was more charismatic than the Apostle Paul. It means for any gift that you and I will receive from Him by the Holy Spirit is premised on your ability to accept,take, agree or receive without doubt His word which comes as a command, law, or instruction. Dreadnoughts are a peculiar expression of the brotherhood of men after nineteen centuries of so-called Christianity. 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. fellow laborers, they send out what I teach to others around the country. were no longer in operation by the time Paul wrote the pastoral epistles. We are He also raised Eutychus from the dead, he also was immune to snake bite etc. Romans 10:8-10 tells us: 8 But what saith it? During the transition period, while Israel was still on the scene, all the signs were in evidence, "for the Jews require a sign" ( I Corinthians 1:22 ). parabolani, the gamblers. He healed every sick person on the Island of Malta in Acts 28. The power of working miracles, like that of foreseeing the future (comp. The terms in which the work of Epaphroditus is spoken of by Paul are very significant. The ship sails across the track of the moonlight, and then vanishes ghost-like into darkness. In verses 26-28, we are given the reasons for And in the Acts Epistles we read of the gifts operating in the churches that Paul founded. apostolic delegate. Epaphroditus. man awaiting trial on a capital charge was laying himself open to the very considerable risk of 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. 32, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 120. teacher who was used of God to minister to many churches. 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. 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. Paul had the gift of healing didn't he? is not an official title. He didn't want them to Epaphroditus wanted to go back to Philippi so they would see that he was alright and end their Why would the apostle Paul "delay" being baptized (Acts 22:16)? Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992). who were ill with dangerous and infectious diseases. We but feebly echo Paul's rapture when he thought that there was 'neither Barbarian or Scythian, bond or free, but all were one in Christ Jesus,' and for all our talk about the unity of humanity and the like, we permit the old gulfs of separation to gape as deeply as ever. 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)? Events, what people say, and circumstances do not cause mental distress, anxiety, or depression. Paul also had another concern on his heart. (Many of these 'teachers' are a part of the 'Word of Faith' movement, the Properity Gospel crowd, et al, that teach that positive confession is necessary for having what you want or "claim," and they teach that if you do not get healed, or if you get sick or have any sort of malady, this means that you don't "have enough faith." What is a word for the arcane equivalent of a monastery? And Paul was rejoicing to 3. He could not merely raise anyone from the dead he chose to, nor could he heal anyone he chose to because he only exercise divine power under the direction of the divine will (1 Cor 12:6, 11). So, in short, Epaphroditus grew sick on his 600-mile journey to Rome, to the point of death, which delayed him from fulfilling his mission of helping Paul. Therefore, if the Holy Spirit did not want someone healed or raised from the dead, no amount of effort by Paul could do so. 1:1, 15-19). 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. We won't help someone in trouble because we're afraid we might get hurt or even killed. and stand against the social evils of our day. That is what God calls us to. Epaphroditus was willing to risk it all and Paul said to hold him in the highest regard. everyone will be glad and not sad.". God's sparing of Epaphroditus' life was a tangible expression of His abundant grace to Paul. We have no record of any For indeed he was sick nigh unto death - Dr. Paley has remarked (Hor. Are we fellow soldiers? 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. The sign gifts, tongues, prophecy, the gift of healing, 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. Epaphroditus' service to Paul was a spiritual priestly function. Work done for Paul was done for Jesus, and that, not because of any special apostolic closeness of relation of Paul to Jesus, but because, like all other Christians, he was one with his Lord. What he had not yet received in 1 Corinthians 13, he now has. Epaphroditus was a Christian who lived in Philippi. The word of God is medicine to our flesh (bodies ). co-laborer with Paul, but with God. For many this is a great relief. 11:23; 15:3; Gal. Chesapeake, VA 23322. means: "to abase, naturalize, to make of none effect, of no reputation." He says that Epaphroditus risked his life to 'supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.' The word "longing" is epipotheo, it Theyve been taught that a person has to speak in tongues to prove that he is really saved, or that he really has the Holy Spirit dwelling within. Philippians 2:25-30 Updated American Standard Version (UASV). We never want to diminish the pain of our suffering, but, during times of trouble, we should also remember the ways God is sustaining us. be-shem omro)? Paul's first burst of gratitude and praise does not exhaust all that he has to say about Epaphroditus. But to understand when the sign gifts ceased, we need to read Pauls letters in the order that he wrote them. Have you taken the tour of our site yet? His letter to the Philippians was just one of four "Prison Epistles" written during this time. It really isn't an answer to a legitimate question. All believers share this bond, The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? "lovely or charming." Paul is clear that we do not need miracles for the completion and equipping of our faith, but the Word of God. Paul's physical needs, it was spiritual. Does ZnSO4 + H2 at high pressure reverses to Zn + H2SO4? Is there a solutiuon to add special characters from software and how to do it, Minimising the environmental effects of my dyson brain. our other elder. Many Christians today have had an experience that they think is the scriptural gift of tongues. I also believe the Word tells us in Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. 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. ministry. That which is perfect had come and so the sign gifts had passed away. What can a lawyer do if the client wants him to be acquitted of everything despite serious evidence? As Paul sends a letter to the church in Philippi he acknowledges Epaphroditus's close connection with himself, as "my brother and co-worker and fellow soldier" (Philippians 2:25). Because I am submitted and 2. 16:23). I don't really understand the question from your first comment. But he suns himself in the thought of the Philippians' joy, and in the hope that some reflection of it will travel across the seas to him, and make him, if not wholly glad, at any rate 'the less sorrowful.'. Did Paul's handkerchief heal sick people (Acts 19:11-12)? These men and women of God where normal people of God, who made mistakes just like us and didnt do everything perfect. 1. All things are possible to them that believe Mark 9:23. However, Paul was often an instrument of healing. But the multiplicity of Paul's experience with his companions regarding healing is giving me a sort of concern. Paul holds them up as Why wasn't Pauls companion healed that day, I have no clue. ESV - 0 Responses [3] Apparently on the way to Rome, Epaphroditus fell sick. Richard R. Melick, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. The Lord does not deny that they had done these things. Actually, suppose we regularly cultivate and entertain slights against us or the deeper personal affronts. Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. two to his relationship with the Philippian church. Because his will is to speak to that individual right then. Epaphroditus lived out Philippians 2:1-16, he is the "Loving Gambler.". good friend. 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. In this verse, Paul gives five titles to Epaphroditus. 1:22) so God gave them signsamong the Gentiles!in order to provoke Israel to jealousy (Rom. he was sick. 7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. Epaphroditus had nearly died in bringing the Philippians' gift to Paul in Rome, but God spared the apostle from great sorrow by healing him. Answer (1 of 9): EPAPHRODITUS [handsome, charming]. [1] Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe, When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties (Wheaton, Illinois: Victor Books, 1992). But, what happened? they also may know the joy of loving the Lord Jesus Christ." That was one less thing Paul had to be concerned about (2:26-27). 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.' (Acts 28:9) Then, the argument goes, why was Paul unable to heal his coworker, Epaphroditus? First, let us review Epaphroditus mission. This gives us the manner in which the Philippians should receive him and why. 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). And I see no where in the Bible that tells us the working of miracles has ceased. Three relate to his relationship with Paul and a uniquely spiritual act. All the loving thoughts, and all the material expressions of them which Epaphroditus brought to Paul were fragrant with the perfume of the Philippians' love, 'an odour of a sweet smell, acceptable' to Paul as to Paul's Lord. 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. It means: "messenger or sent one." The context is that Paul was suggesting for this brother to use wine to help him with his stomach sickness. These very thoughts are what keep us sluggish and contribute to our feeling frustrated, angry, or worthless. How was the preaching of Christ supposed to add more afflictions to the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:15? God owes us nothing! Paul. It appears my previous comment has been deleted, no explanation why. Paul teaches that it's the "Word of Faith" which we preach. What to do? The gift of tongues, prophecy and knowledge during the Acts period were only in partthey were incomplete, they did not communicate the full knowledge that the Lord had to reveal. ), [6] MM J. H. Moulton and G. Milligan, The Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (London, 191429). Hardly. 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. Colossians 1:7 of a different man. 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 . history, used all through the LXX to refer to the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant and the In A.D. 252, plague broke out in Carthage; How can the Pastoral Epistles not be Pauline? View all posts by Christian Publishing House, Epaphroditus, Paul and Epaphroditus, Philippians 2:25-30, SCROLL THROUGH DIFFERENT CATEGORIES BELOW, King James Version Versus Modern Translations, NT Versions (Latin, Syriac, Coptic, etc. He as a spiritually mature man. sorrow." healthy. Once on his way again, he was distressed, i.e., depressed because he continued to entertain and cultivate such irrational thoughts as. You can help further this work by your prayer and by contributing online or by mailing to: Berean Bible Church Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Our thoughts based on a good mood will be entirely different from those based on our being upset. and they sure wouldn't have sent a lazy man. 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. We don't like risks. Again, we have no indication whatsoever that healing was his "right" or something which he could "claim." . involved in. The word "considered" is hegeomai. spiritual as teaching. Let me give you a little background: Paul is in prison at Rome, under house arrest, delivering the money and someone who would work so closely with the apostle would have to be 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! Honestly, because the power to heal didn't originate from within Paul. John uses this word also in: This word is used of meeting physical needs. It is important that our faith be based on the Word of God and not on experiences because experiences can deceive us. of beauty, mother of love, queen of laughter, mistress of the graces and pleasures and also the Epaphroditus was not only a Epaphroditus was distressed because the Philippians were distressed over his terrible illness. The word "esteem" is entimos, it means: I equally agree that it's always according to God's will. at after carefully weighing the facts. And this will we do, if God permit." There would be many ways of serving the captive, looking after his comfort, doing his errands, procuring daily necessaries, managing affairs, perhaps writing his letters, easing his chain, chafing his aching wrists, and ministering in a thousand ways which we cannot and need not specify. life like it is something they deserve. hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/tour Thanks! sick. ' (Matt. Every breath that you take, every beat of your heart is mercy. Gospels mercy is connected with healing, because we deserve death. great opposition." The word of God is a Spirit. James (Gal. 1:14). Most who do not believe in Divine Healing have not been taught the TRUTH of what the Word really says. Love never fails. I have stayed beyond two weeks, this is the third year and half after the diagnosis. It has an interesting This may be the most important message you ever read. Paul is saying,"God gave Epaphroditus mercy and he gave me mercy also. The principle here is that "God exalts the humble." This is the only other New means: "to throw down a stake, to roll the dice." 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. EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. The reason why Paul didn't heal Trophimus is because he no longer had the 'gift' of healing. Yes: Paul clearly had the gift of healing yet his friend almost died and he didn't heal him. This Please make sure you take our Tour. The Christian Apologists (150 220 C.E.). life, it was mercy to me. Living in the modern world, we enjoy the benefits of centuries of technological and scientific progress. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. Edward D. Andrews wrote. "My brother" -- this is the Greek word adelphos, which means: "from the same womb." So why didn't he heal Epaphroditus? For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints (1 Cor. Epaphroditus emptied himself and Paul tells the Philippians to necessity, that which is lacking." 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. As a result, Paul says that he will rejoice in his infirmitiesa word normally used for various illnesses. Paul is honoring Epaphroditus with these titles. 1:11,12) that a time was coming when these sign gifts were going to cease to operate. 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. 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. Simply: Stop! That is an incredible thought; we are workers together with Figuratively, it He is saying, In the remainder of this sermon we shall simply deal with the two figures which the text sets before us, and we may look first at the glimpses of Paul's character which we get here. Please don't tell me that Miracles have ceased because Salvation is the Greatest MIRACLE that can happen in any persons life. send him back? 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. [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. 61 ( Acts 28:8 ), it may be that the special apostolic gift of healing (cf. Since then till now I have not allowed the healing scriptures to depart from me. 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 But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow (v. 27). Welcome to BHSE! "Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus" -- Why? same meaning10-as Epaphroditus is the leitourgos of Paul's chreia, which word also refers to a monetary lack in 4: 16 (and cf. have survived without him but that's not how Epaphroditus saw it. So, please don't tell me that Divine Healing ceased. He uses this word in verses 25 and 28. We're a little different than other sites. Take medicine, for example. Most likely it was not the apostle Paul who led him to faith in the Lord Jesus as his Savior because he would have called Epaphroditus "his son in the faith" as he did Timothy (I Tim. By that I 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. 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. 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. The kenosis of Christ is the attitude that he had that led him to divest himself of any concern for Timothy was suffering stomach problems and frequent infirmities (1 Tim. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY TEACH ABOUT ________? 2. 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. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. It was actually unusual for people to recover from serious illnesses, and we get a glimpse of this reality in todays passage. I find the denial of Divine Healing today interesting. And in verses 29-30, we are given the exaltation and kenosis of becoming involved in the same charge. feel bad because he is sick. View all posts by Christian Publishing House, UASV DAILY DEVOTIONAL, TUESDAY, MARCH 01, 2022. Epaphroditus doesn't deserve to live and I don't deserve to have such a Little is known about Epaphroditus (much less than Timothy). Therefore, this thinking is the key to our relief. But we read that Epaphroditus was healeddirectly by the Lord: He was sick unto death but the Lord had mercy on him.. The word "stand fast" is the Greek word steko which means: "stand your ground in the midst of Interested in joining the Ligonier team? 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. Spam, "Let a search be made in the royal archives" Ezra 5:17 NIV, Pastor of the Community Bible Church in Aguila, Arizona, One beggar leading others to where the bread is. He was troubled because they heard that me." that the account of the sickness and recovery of Epaphroditus is such as to lead us to suppose that he was not restored by miracle; and he infers that the power of healing the sick was conferred on the apostles only occasionally, and did not depend at all on their will, since, if it had, there is every . Yes, they really had had these experiences. The next two letters that Paul wrote are the two letters to the Corinthians. 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. The word that has the idea of: "not at home, uncomfortable, troubled, or distressed.". 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. That makes Galatians the earliest of Pauls letters. When Jesus said in Mark 16:17-20 that these signs shall follow those who believe. However, Paul was often an instrument of healing. 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. (Phil. It was used as a sign gift to unbelievers at those times when it was necessary to make

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