why did paul not heal epaphroditus

There are very many Christian workers who never get their due of recognition and welcome from their brethren, and there are many who get far more of both than belongs to them, and both they and the crowds who bring them adulation would be freed from dangers, which can scarcely be over-stated, if the spirit of Paul's warm-hearted praise of Epaphroditus were kept in view. Epaphroditus risked it all, life included, to minister to others. 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. Hardly. 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). Epaphroditus was distressed because the Philippians were distressed over his terrible illness. We need to meet people's needs We begin by setting up a time line of Pauls ministry. ministry. 4: 19 . PDF Epaphroditus' Sickness and The Letter to The Philippians derived from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess, better known by her Roman name , Venus. When Paul wrote now I know in part, he used the common word for know, the Greek word gnosis. Epaphroditus doesn't deserve to live and I don't deserve to have such a That is an incredible thought; we are workers together with The word of God is medicine to our flesh (bodies ). be-shem omro)? He says nothing of his own loss or of how much more lonely he would be when the brother whom he had praised so warmly had left him alone. In fact, he would have probably sent a handkerchief or even went to him, personally, if possible, and laid hands on him and healed him instantly. Paul was saved in Acts 9 when the Lord appeared to him on the road to Damascus. Finally at the end of his life he is again in prison. In his low, nervous state, barely convalescent, the thought of home and of his brethren's anxiety about him was too much for him. When Jesus said in Mark 16:17-20 that these signs shall follow those who believe. Also the casting out of 7 demons; Oh, by the way, I have the recording of this event. others. life, it was mercy to me. (Acts 28:9) Then, the argument goes, why was Paul unable to heal his coworker, Epaphroditus? First, let us review Epaphroditus mission. Epaphroditus who was to stay at Rome and help Paul in any way he could. were no longer in operation by the time Paul wrote the pastoral epistles. The word "considered" is hegeomai. Love never fails. 1:2) and Titus (Tit. 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. We don't This gives us the manner in which the Philippians should receive him and why. This is The Philippian church would not have trusted a novice with Clarify 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. 0 Responses Epaphroditus: A Gambling Veteran - Associates for Biblical Research unto death" -- the word "almost" is paraplesion, it literally means: "along side of a neighbor, Weak in the faith is another use. Dreadnoughts are a peculiar expression of the brotherhood of men after nineteen centuries of so-called Christianity. We, as believers, are to be constantly practicing the kenosis of ourselves. All our information about him is contained in this context, and in a brief reference in Chapter iv. 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. Those who work in the tape ministry are my The context is that Paul was suggesting for this brother to use wine to help him with his stomach sickness. All believers share this bond, 2 Responses My mother, who edits my messages, is my fellow-laborer. needs. soldiers marched abreast behind a solid wall of shields. sometimes that may be a spiritual healing , but they will be healed. Why didn't Paul healed Epaphroditus and Trophimus? All deeds done from the same motive are the same, however different they may be in regard to the material on which they are wrought. Simply: Stop! By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. 13:8).1. (e.g. Epaphroditus is becoming involved in the same charge. But Paul This is because the word of God is living and active. Vote Up Chesapeake, VA 23322. Actually, suppose we regularly cultivate and entertain slights against us or the deeper personal affronts. And as for the gift of healing, we read of a co-worker of Pauls, Epaphroditus, who fell seriously ill during this time (Phil. Proverbs 4:20-23. chained to a guard: The Philippians, upon hearing about Paul's needs, took an offering and sent it by the hand of means: "to intensely crave, desire greatly." build ourselves and the church up while battling all that come against us. You find in 2nd Timothy 4:20, etc., that Paul lost the ability to heal people, and so on. Colossians 1:7 of a different man. 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. We won't help someone in trouble because we're afraid we might get hurt or even killed. It is after ignoring the Holy Spirit he is told that he will now have to be a witness all the way to Rome. Fortunately for both Epaphroditus and Paul, God was merciful and intervened in the situation by healing Epaphroditus. All we know about him is what we learn from this passage. Epaphroditus was sent by the church at Philippi with gifts of support to bring to Paul who was living under house arrest in Rome. If the gift of healing was still in operation, it's unlikely that Paul would have said to use something to merely "help" with your "infirmities." In all the seven letters written after the close of the Book of Acts, Paul uses this word epignosisthe full knowledge. Anonymous, January 21 2014 Epaphroditus was not only a He is mentioned nowhere else in the 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. financial gift, and was there to minister to Paul in any way that he could; do his laundry, carry to, so much that he almost lost his life pouring it out in sacrificial service to meet Paul's physical The word of God is very clear on every subject. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. But, Paul explains, God had mercy on Epaphroditus. 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. here with us can get a tape and those who were here but slept can go home and listen to the 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. Besides, Epaphroditus was longing to see the church because he knew that they had found out that he had been ill (2:26). 2:25-27) He likely longed to know that they knew of and understood his circumstances. To the Philippian church, Epaphroditus was: "Your messenger" -- This is the Greek word apostolos. It is impossible to be sure whether the Philippian Christians thought Epaphroditus had purposefully failed in his mission. (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." In Acts 18 Paul spent a year and a half ministering in Corinthsee Acts 18:11. involved in. 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. He speaks of Epaphroditus' recovery as a mercy to himself 'lest he should have the sorrow of imprisonment increased by the sorrow of his friend's death.' For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Miracles by definition are not normative great opposition." 1:2; II Tim. needs could be involved here, he ministered to Paul in the area of companionship also. Epaphroditus lived out Philippians 2:1-16, he is the "Loving Gambler.". 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. How many times was the apostle Paul in a prison in Rome? Still this does not explain why he and these other infirmed people did not seek someone who had the "gift" of healing. Christ. He provides a pattern that The word "gladness" is chara which means: "joy." What does this say to the "health-wealth gospel" It is here in Ephesus during Acts 19 that Paul wrote 1 Corinthianssee I Corinthians 16:19. A: Paul did not have the power to arbitrarily heal: only God has the power to heal. Thanks. In the He tells us in verses 26-28. We'd like to help. 3:1-10). The fact that ancient people rarely recovered from serious illnesses and the Apostles specific language in Philippians 2:27 indicate that he is talking about more than just a providential answer to prayer. The word "longing" is epipotheo, it In the first six letters, all written during the period covered by the Book of Acts, we find that the sign gifts were operating in all these churches. Collen - I agree that it always according to God's will not ours. Paul also had another concern on his heart. 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.'. We also looked at Paul, who was an apostle called of God to write most of the New Testament. used for minister is deokonos -- deacon. In I also believe the Word tells us in Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Honestly, because the power to heal didn't originate from within Paul. This is uncomfortable to hear, isn't it? It appears my previous comment has been deleted, no explanation why. It is not "send We may further note the intensity of Paul's sympathy. 1 Corinthians 7:5. 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. two to his relationship with the Philippian church. 1:7)no church had more of the gifts of the Holy Spirit than the Corinthian church, yet Paul says that he spoke in tongues more than all of them (1 Cor. He as a spiritually mature man. man awaiting trial on a capital charge was laying himself open to the very considerable risk of What sort of strategies would a medieval military use against a fantasy giant? 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). Is there a solutiuon to add special characters from software and how to do it, Minimising the environmental effects of my dyson brain. 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". It is not confined to In this verse, Paul gives five titles to Epaphroditus. and thine often infirmities. 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. 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. We are not to selfishly guard our lives, we are to give them away in ministry to others. Those thoughts would have contributed to his feelings of frustration, mental anguish, distress, or low self-worth. How can the Pastoral Epistles not be Pauline? He heals according to His will today. We can now give a scriptural answer to the question that we started with: when did the sign gifts cease? 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. Paul says, in essence: "I will continue to do those signs IF God permit." 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. In A.D. 252, plague broke out in Carthage; Not only did He save the former Pharisee, but He also gave Paul extra gifts to help the Apostle bear his sorrows. "valued or honored, to hold one dear or in honor, to prize, to deem precious." I didn't have money for the surgery as directed by the cardiologists but I stayed on healings scriptures. We must not leave unnoticed the beautiful self-abnegation which sends off Epaphroditus as soon as he was well enough to travel, as a gift of the Apostle's love, in order to repay them for what they had done for him. I don't really understand the question from your first comment. It's nice to know that there are some people in the ministry compelled by relationships and not statements that address the actual question with Biblical text to analyze) Thanks. Whatever your condition is, it is far better than you deserve. Paul could have said to Epaphroditus, "Get over it, they'll live. We need to "show" people that we love them by ), Apostolic Fathers (e.g., Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp), Apologists (e.g., Justin Martyr, Clement, Tertullian), Church Fathers (e.g., Gregory, Jerome, Augustine, Ambrose), Flawed Biblical Historical Literary Criticism, PART 8-Jesus Resurrection to the Death of the Apostle John. The word "esteem" is entimos, it means: So the writing of 1 and 2 Thessalonians can be placed into Acts 18 during Pauls ministry in Corinth, and that makes them the second and third letters that Paul wrote. we living as sent ones? The news reached Philippi in some round-about way, and, as it appears, the news of his illness only, not of his recovery. He wasn't an incredibly gifted man but he was committed totally to Paul used this word in: It is a strong inward desire for the Philippians. 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. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Philippians had heard that he was sick. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Which apostles did Paul see while he was in Jerusalem after his conversion? God healed me completely and perfectly today. teaching. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. 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 ). But to understand when the sign gifts ceased, we need to read Pauls letters in the order that he wrote them. The congregation in Philippi loved this man so much, they did not want him to die. 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. Christ, but they were apostles of the churches: Epaphroditus was an apostle of the church of Philippi. Edward D. Andrews wrote. Asked January 21 2014 We need to stop trying to Interpret the scriptures by the intellectual and allow the Holy Spirit who is in you give you the Revelation Spiritually. (Phil. Possibly there were in Philippi some sharp tongues and envious spirits, who needed the exhortation. he was sick. Why did Paul leave Trophimus, a 7-year companion, sick and not heal him? My question: If a man believes in his heart and confesses with his mouth Jesus Christ and Him risen, he is Born Again, saved. Do you know who my co-laborers are? Jesus said the greatest honor among his followers belongs to the one who renders the "lovely or charming." do without." himself and God exalted him. Welcome to BHSE! 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). He says that Epaphroditus risked his life to 'supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.' How about the Gift of Faith, do we not all have Faith, so how does this work when a person has a Gift of Faith? I have hid them in my heart. feel bad because he is sick. Spam, March 20 2018 Epaphroditus was willing to risk it all and Paul said to hold him in the highest regard. Bible Query from Philippians Our thoughts based on a good mood will be entirely different from those based on our being upset. So far as we read in these three letters, we wouldnt even know that there had been a gift of tongues.. Therefore, Paul sent Epaphroditus back with his letter to the Philippians so that they could stop worrying and rejoice too (2:25-30). messages, or do what ever Paul needed. We are to labor in calling men to be reconciled to God. We selfishly clutch life and guard our own interests when the mind of Christ is to be selfless and 'The cup of cold water' given 'in the name of a disciple' is grateful to the lips of the Master. healthy. Epaphroditus' parents were most likely worshipers of Aphrodite. They labor in setting up the Does God Want to Heal Everyone? by Don Stewart - Blue Letter Bible The Healing Power: of Jesus and the Apostles ~ by Angus MacKillop Paul did not need this gift anymore because his authority as an apostle was already established. I equally agree that it's always according to God's will. 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. The answer is: He wouldn't have! Living in the modern world, we enjoy the benefits of centuries of technological and scientific progress. The letters are also arranged by lengthRomans is longest and is first, then the Corinthian letters, then Galatians, etc. church each week. The first fact about him is, that he was one of the Philippian Christians, and sent by them to Rome, with some pecuniary or material help, such as comforts for Paul's prison-house, food, clothing, or money. That was one less thing Paul had to be concerned about (2:26-27). A caressing hand on a horse's neck is better than a whip. sorrow." He wrote to the Corinthian church that they came behind no other church when it came to the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 11:23; 15:3; Gal. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. Epaphroditus was a Christian who lived in Philippi. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. It What should they do? The word of God is God. Why did the Apostle Paul leave Trophimus sick, while Epaphroditus was That is what God calls us to. mercy that any of us live. know when he was converted, he might have been among the first converts in Philippi. 2. However, Paul was often an instrument of healing. But then He tells them that even while they were doing these things, He had never ever known them. He modeled the kenosis, he What is the correct way to screw wall and ceiling drywalls? be guarded at all costs. When Did the Gift of Tongues Cease? | Berean Bible Society Paul's own "thorn in the flesh" is a prime example: https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-is-a-thorn-in-the-flesh.html The reason Epaphroditus was not healed is not stated in the text. However, God, who can do things as He chooses, chose not to immediately heal Epaphroditus. The question has always been: when? 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. For he longed after you all and was full of heaviness, because you had heard that he had been sick. What's the difference between a power rail and a signal line? 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. Why did Paul send Epaphroditus to the Philippians? - Quora 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. Lynchburg Craigslist Used Tires And Wheels, Disney Sublimation Transfers Ready To Press, Mobaxterm Copy File From Local To Server, Belgium Police Requirements, Articles W