by Lt. Colonel Dan Jennings
Territorial Secretary for Personnel
There is a fascinating portion of Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi. After commending this church and its parishioners for being lights in the world, he speaks about his hope to send a young minister, Timothy, to them. Then Paul adds a brief postscript: “I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus” (Philippians 2:25).
Apparently, there is some history here between Epaphroditus (you will know who I mean if I reference him as E for the balance of this article right?), and the church in Philippi. It appears that he has been away on a mission of mercy to care for Paul, and now Paul is sending him back. It is reasonable to think they may know E well; he is a local. However, Paul has determined that he needs to provide a bio as a way of reintroduction as he sends this person back to Philippi.
Paul provides five key points to this bio to reintroduce E to his home church. Here is what Paul has to say about E.
He is my brother. This is to say that a kinship formed while he was away, ministering to Paul. Paul now considers E as a brother.
E is a fellow worker. Not only did he come to provide some comfort and ministry to Paul, but E got involved in the local work while away.
E is a fellow soldier. Not only did he engage in work, but he was named as a fellow soldier. One can interpret this to mean that the work was, at times, difficult and perhaps dangerous.
E is called Philippi’s messenger. He represents his home church well. He remembered where he came from.
Finally, E was credited as being a minister to my needs. He accomplished that, which he was sent to do. He became a minister to Paul in a challenging time in his journey. Paul was in prison in what scholars believe to be one of three places: Caesarea, Ephesus or Rome.
Paul concludes E’s biography with a desire for the church to receive him with joy and honor in the Lord.
As I reread this letter, I thought of our new lieutenants heading back out to corps across this territory. They are our brothers and sisters who were called away for a few years. They received training but also got involved in local ministry while away. The Army has thought it reasonable to send them to you. Receive them with joy and honor in the Lord as they come.
