why did paul not heal epaphroditus

Why? That was one less thing Paul had to be concerned about (2:26-27). Therefore, if the Holy Spirit did not want someone healed or raised from the dead, no amount of effort by Paul could do so. That implies that all which the Philippians' ministration lacked was their personal presence, and that Epaphroditus, in supplying that, made his work in a real sense theirs. But when Epaphroditus fell sicknear to deathPaul was no longer able to heal him because the gift of healing had ceased to operate. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. speaks of a common origin. Christ. The reason why Paul didn't heal Trophimus is because he no longer had the 'gift' of healing. Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. Timothy, whom we looked at last week, was a gifted preacher and Paul sent Timothy to the church of Ephesus, which was a 1. What have you risked to meet someone's needs? words, soon means: "with" and ergos means: "work, toil or labor." The close of the Book of Acts was also the close of Gods dealings with the nation of Israel for now nearly 2000 years. The Hardison's are all fellow-laborers with me. fellow laborers, they send out what I teach to others around the country. Paul sees Epaphroditus' ministry to him as It wasn't Paul's lack of compassion for his friend. However, by that time, those gifts had ceased, because the "signs and wonders" were to the Jews; the laying on of hands for healing and the gift of tongues had become unnecessary. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. He labored on Paul's behalf until his own health broke, and, even when he was sick, Epaphroditus took no thought of himself; rather, he was distressed because his church had heard of his illness, and he didn't want them to worry. 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. The name Epaphroditus means "belonging to Aphrodite," which is ironic because his life certainly did not belong to the Greek goddess. In fact, in 1 Timothy 5:23, look what Paul recommended: Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake He heals according to His will today. Was it because he had lost his faith, as some would tell us? You won't die prematurely, so go ahead and take some Events, what people say, and circumstances do not cause mental distress, anxiety, or depression. Lightfoot[5] says of this word, It describes the confused, restless, half-distracted state, which is produced by physical derangement, or by mental distress, as grief, shame, disappointment, etc. (Saint Pauls Epistle to the Philippians [London, 1908], p. 123). But we read that Epaphroditus was healeddirectly by the Lord: He was sick unto death but the Lord had mercy on him.. The answer: The sign gifts ceased at the end of the Book of Acts. ii.) Christ, but they were apostles of the churches: Epaphroditus was an apostle of the church of Philippi. 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. Paul teaches that it's the "Word of Faith" which we preach. involved in. The name later came to mean: Many say that Epaphroditus was homesick. The words "not regarding" are from the Greek word parabouleuomai. 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. 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. 2. programs. "Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus" -- Why? Following Christ's example, we should be willing to lay down our lives to meet the needs of And in 2 Thessalonians 2:5 Paul reminds the Thessalonians of his teaching, as if it had not been very long since he had been with them. The answer is: He wouldn't have! The first one suggested is the very familiar one of the great uniting principle which a common faith in Christ brought into action. him to the Philippians so they would rejoice to see that he was okay. Actually, suppose we regularly cultivate and entertain slights against us or the deeper personal affronts. [3] After dealing with his sickness, which caused him to delay his efforts to help Paul, he traveled on to Rome. 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. we are to pray for the sick that they may be healed. Fortunately for both Epaphroditus and Paul, God was merciful and intervened in the situation by healing Epaphroditus. (Acts 28:9) Then, the argument goes, why was Paul unable to heal his coworker, Epaphroditus? First, let us review Epaphroditus mission. We won't help someone in trouble because we're afraid we might get hurt or even killed. Is it possible to rotate a window 90 degrees if it has the same length and width? That which is perfect was finally revealed in all its fullness to the Apostle Paul and at that moment, those things which were only in part passed away from Gods program. Vote Up And Paul who had miraculously healed so many left Trophimus at Miletus sick (II Timothy 4:20). He never allows us to suffer something that He doesnt give us the strength to live through. MM[6] cites the word in the papyri in the sense excessively concerned and holds that it would suggest originally bewilderment. The combination makes it clear that Jesus was in great distress of spirit.[7]. When he recovers, Paul sends him back to Philippi He as a spiritually mature man. How was the preaching of Christ supposed to add more afflictions to the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:15? in Corinth again, and spent three months there enjoying the hospitality of a believer named Gaius (mentioned in 1 Cor. He is a co-worker, it's speaking of common effort, diligence. The sign gifts were no longer operating at the time that Paul wrote the Prison Epistles. We need to reach out and take back three areas of toil that used to be so much a part adherents? What he could do in Acts 28, he could no longer do in Philippians, or in 1 and 2 Timothy. 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. It Here is Epaphroditus, the loving gambler, risking it all to minister to Paul's needs. He and all his brethren are gone, but his name lives for ever, and Paul's praise of him and of his work outshines all else remembered of the city, where conquerors once reigned, and outside whose walls was fought a battle that decided for a time the fate of the world. There should be in the Christian an almost reckless courage which makes him ready to gamble How this happened or what his sickness was 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 congregation in Philippi loved this man so much, they did not want him to die. He was a man of courage-- anyone who would offer himself as the personal attendant of a Those who work in the tape ministry are my And, again, in places where we would have expected Paul to mention the sign gifts, he is silent. 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. It only takes a minute to sign up. Epaphroditus emptied himself and Paul tells the Philippians to Epaphroditus was sent by the church at Philippi with gifts of support to bring to Paul who was living under house arrest in Rome. It comes from two He provides a pattern that He wasn't an incredibly gifted man but he was committed totally to His name appears twice in the Bible (Philippians 2:25; 4:18). He was troubled because they heard that The words "more eagerly" have the idea of: "with haste or diligence." 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. But neither does it say Paul attempted to heal him and failed. He's probably one of the greatest Christians that ever lived. Do you know who my co-laborers are? Which apostles did Paul see while he was in Jerusalem after his conversion? apostolic delegate. Jesus said the greatest honor among his followers belongs to the one who renders the In the 3 Pastoral Epistles, as in the prison epistles, we do not read of tongues or the gift of healing operating at this time. His letter to the Philippians was just one of four "Prison Epistles" written during this time. For those people, he believed it was best to get married and satisfy their urges legally. Why would he just leave him there sick, if he still had the gift of laying on of hands to heal someone? For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. How can the Pastoral Epistles not be Pauline? He uses this word in verses 25 and 28. It really isn't an answer to a legitimate question. honor him. In Calculating probabilities from d6 dice pool (Degenesis rules for botches and triggers), Recovering from a blunder I made while emailing a professor. We are co-laborers. 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. Paul was imprisoned in Rome for his faith. delivering the money and someone who would work so closely with the apostle would have to be Please make sure you take our Tour. the average person can relate to. He was sent by them, he was their Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.. It does not contain doubt, but refers to a decision arrived If so, then what I meant was that God working a certain miracle through a particular individual in a specific situation, is not quite the same as God hinting that He will, from that moment forward, constantly perform miracles for anyone, and at any given time, through that person. 8 Responses We are to follow the example of Christ who "emptied man awaiting trial on a capital charge was laying himself open to the very considerable risk of The question has always been: when? Think of the profound clefts of separation between the Macedonian and the Jew, the antipathies of race, the differences of language, the dissimilarities of manner, and then think of what an unheard-of new thing it must have been that a Macedonian should 'serve' a Jew! plague-stricken city; and by so doing they saved the city, at the risk of their lives, from were no longer in operation by the time Paul wrote the pastoral epistles. 2:25-30) and Paul no longer had the gift of healing, and was no longer able to heal as he did only a few years earlier in Acts 28:9. I have stayed beyond two weeks, this is the third year and half after the diagnosis. Paul uses this as a term of affection. 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. "My brother" -- this is the Greek word adelphos, which means: "from the same womb." jesus also was moved with compassion many times.the main purpose is to trust him and have faith he will do what is best for us. It means: "messenger or sent one." For many this is a great relief. 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.' someone's concern for your condition? with Paul helping him?". good friend. I waited several days until I began to get better before I let her know I was By that I This word is also used in: This "business" is chreia, it refers to taking care of their physical needs. This word is only used two other times in the New Testament, both of them of Christ This is the last letter written during the Book of Acts. We begin by setting up a time line of Pauls ministry. Paul put the needs of the Philippians ahead of his own. On the contrary, Paul considered him his "brother," "fellow-worker," "fellow-soldier," and "their apostle and servant" (2:25). It is after ignoring the Holy Spirit he is told that he will now have to be a witness all the way to Rome. It is not confined to Vote Up 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. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Once on his way again, he was distressed, i.e., depressed because he continued to entertain and cultivate such irrational thoughts as. Welcome to BHSE! If you haven't already, please make sure to take our tour, to get yourself familiar with the site and to see how we're a little different than other sites. you to understand that he was there to serve Paul by meeting his physical needs. It is argued that Paul had the "sign" of healing but not the gift of healing. 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. Paul was the prisoner and enemy of Rome. Self-talk is what we tell ourselves in our thoughts. know when he was converted, he might have been among the first converts in Philippi. We are not to selfishly guard our lives, we are to give them away in ministry to others. They were to receive him "in the Lord." Vote Up children so you can listen to the Word of God. How many times was the apostle Paul in a prison in Rome? 11:14). sick. The reason why Paul could not heal toward the end of his life was that the gift of healing was a temporary gift to the apostles and was designed to authenticate that they spoke from God. messages, or do what ever Paul needed. Epaphroditus did not invoke a certain claim to be healed or visit someone with the gift of healing. No matter where you go you can find God's family. Finally at the end of his life he is again in prison. They were sent by Jesus Christ. So why didn't he heal Epaphroditus? It was their aim to visit the prisoners and the sick, especially those Why would the apostle Paul "delay" being baptized (Acts 22:16)? Why was he distressed Was he just homesick? We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. No wonder that men were eager to risk their lives for a leader who lavished such praise and such love upon them. The pattern could not be clearer, and the contrast could not be sharper between the earlier letters and the later letters, between the time when all the sign gifts were operating, and the time when all the sign gifts had ceased. Shortly after the end of the Book of Acts, while he was still a prisoner, now in Rome, Paul wrote four lettersthe prison epistles: Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon and Philippians. But here is a better question, why did Paul ignore the Holy Spirit three times when he was told not to go to Jerusalem? Epaphroditus means: "belonging to or devoted to Aphrodite." He tells them why they are to cruel, sick, and unloving? Simply: Stop! The word "receive" means: "to receive to one's self. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul prays that a " thorn in the flesh " would be removed, but God refuses to do this. ESV - He has no hesitation in describing the work done for himself as 'the work of Christ,' nor in using, as the name for it, the word ('service'), which properly refers to the service rendered by priestly hands. The sign gifts were no longer operating at the time that Paul wrote the Prison Epistles. 3:2) to the Apostle Paul, but He had not yet revealed the entire message to him. Vote Up ", "Lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow" -- his sickness brought Paul sorrow and his death looked at it as "spiritual worship." [1] Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe, When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties (Wheaton, Illinois: Victor Books, 1992). Why wasn't Pauls companion healed that day, I have no clue. 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. The letters are also arranged by lengthRomans is longest and is first, then the Corinthian letters, then Galatians, etc. Bulk update symbol size units from mm to map units in rule-based symbology. Instead, God graciously healed him in this instance. It is possible for us in the ordering of our own lives to fulfil the great prophecy with which Zechariah crowned his vision of the Future, 'In that day shall there be on the bells of the horses Holiness unto the Lord'; and the 'pots in the Lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar.'. "valued or honored, to hold one dear or in honor, to prize, to deem precious." 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 . What Is the Difference Between 'Man' And 'Son of Man' in Num 23:19? All believers share this bond, Keyword: "IF". May we not further draw from Paul's words here a lesson as to the honour due to Christian workers? used for minister is deokonos -- deacon. 2:25; cf. Though Paul had the gift of healing, he did not heal this individual. Let me give you a little background: Paul is in prison at Rome, under house arrest, It came from God, and God could and apparently did choose to slowly withdraw the gift of miraculous healing from the Early Church. However, Paul was often an instrument of healing. Of course, our apostle Continue Reading. 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. Take medicine, for example. James (Gal. all brothers, do we act like it? God. 3:3,4,9 and Col. 1:26,27, etc.). We don't He was in the second place the minister to Paul's needs. Epaphroditus wasn't sick because of sin, he was sick because of the work of Christ I was having shortness of breath and others things like palpitations, light headedness,insomnia and all that. Paul uses the word sunergos here of himself and Apollos. In verse 25, we have a description of Epaphroditus. But the Lord revealed to Paul that that which is perfect was coming. In that case, it can lead to destructive depression, mood slumps, our self-worth plummeting, our body feeling sluggish, our will to accomplish even the tiniest of things is not to be realized, and our actions defeat us. 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. Theoretically Correct vs Practical Notation. Paul could not heal Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-27) "Yet I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger and he who ministered to my wants. The context is that Paul was suggesting for this brother to use wine to help him with his stomach sickness. means: "to intensely crave, desire greatly." Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. This is no fleshly or "secular" work in ministering to Paul's physical needs, it was spiritual. somebody around an AIDS patient? In the Not only did He save the former Pharisee, but He also gave Paul ext esteem him in: The word "work" is ergon meaning: "toil, effort, work. In verse 26, Paul used the Greek word ( admone), to define/explain Epaphroditus situation/condition, which means to be distressed and troubled [i.e., depressed], with the probable implication of anguish, to be troubled, to be upset, to be distressed.[4] In other words, Epaphroditus had become subject to extreme mental and spiritual distress, to the point of being depressed. They had prophesied in Jesus name, they had cast out demons and done miracles in His name. here with us can get a tape and those who were here but slept can go home and listen to the commissioned and sent out Timothy. There is no record in Scripture of any of the sign gifts operating in any of the letters that Paul wrote after the end of the Acts period, and it is clear that the gift of healing had ceased since Paul could no longer heal even his closest co-workers after the close 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). Sustratiotes is a very honorable title used in Philemon 2 of Archipus. 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. All this was done in a church in Austin, Texas with an Evangelist from Virginia working through the Gifts of the Spirit, ie, Word of Knowledge, working of miracles, gifts of healing. God heals when it's in His will to heal; the difference is that the gift of healing (a man laying on of hands with instant healing) has ceased, and 2) so has the gift of tongues (it's no longer needed, but if it is used, I believe that God will allow it to occur, only when the church is edified, and only when there is an interpreter amidst the assembly! In Acts 13,14 Paul and Barnabas went on their first apostolic journey which took them into Galatiacities like Antioch, Lystra, Derbe, etc. teacher who was used of God to minister to many churches. Too often our attitude is, "I can't help, I could catch it and He modeled the kenosis, he Answer (1 of 9): EPAPHRODITUS [handsome, charming]. He is saying, Epaphroditus was serving as a representative of the Philippian congregation and the apostle Paul.

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