Meanwhile He Is Sending His Letter With Epaphroditus Their Fellow-Countrymen Who Has Been Close To Death ‘For The Work Of Christ' (Philippians 2:25-30).
Epaphroditus is pictured as having the mind of Christ Jesus in that having served Paul faithfully in his imprisonment for Jesus Christ, he followed in the way of the cross by hazarding his life for the work of Christ. He was another example of the true followers of the Servant King in accordance with what was depicted in Philippians 2:6-11.
He had been sent to Paul with a gift from the Philippians (see Philippians 4:18), probably with the intention that he remain with Paul as his helper, but he had eventually become seriously ill, and news of his illness appears to have reached Philippi, something which troubled Epaphroditus greatly when he heard about it, because of his love for them. Indeed his illness turned out to be so serious that it was nearly fatal, and appears to have been caused because of his service for Paul. But Paul expresses his gratitude that God had mercy on him so that Epaphroditus did not die, thus sparing Paul from great distress. He appears to have served Paul faithfully. Now, however, Paul intended to send him back to the Philippians and took the opportunity to write them this letter, seemingly partly in order to vindicate Epaphroditus' return. This would appear to have been one of the main reasons for the letter. We do not know the nature of Epaphroditus' illness, but it would appear to have been directly connected with his service for Paul, for Paul speaks of him as suffering ‘for the work of Christ'. Analysis.
a But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need (Philippians 2:25).
b Since he longed after you all, and was sorely troubled, because you had heard that he was sick (Philippians 2:26).
c For indeed he was sick, nigh to death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow (Philippians 2:27).
b I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful (Philippians 2:28).
a Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and hold such in honour, because for the work of Christ he came nigh to death, hazarding his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me. And so my brothers, rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 2:29 to Philippians 3:1 a).
Note that in ‘a' he intended to send Epaphroditus, a fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, who had been their messenger and minister for his need, and in the parallel called on them to receive him because he had served Paul (fellow-servant) at the risk of his life (fellow-soldier) supplying their lack of service towards him. In ‘b' he expresses their concern for Epaphroditus, and in the parallel he pictures them as rejoicing at the sight of him. Centrally in ‘c' he expresses his gratitude at God's mercy in sparing Epaphroditus.