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Apparently, the church in Philippi was in trouble, possibly in danger of division. As a consequence, Paul is sending Timothy 2000 miles to handle the problem. Bandits along the way and difficulty traveling were just some of the hazards that would face Timothy during his trip to Philippi. Whenever there was an issue, which needed handling, and Paul could not travel, he sent Timothy.

I Cor. 4:17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church

I Thess. 3:1-2 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought is good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith

Cf. 2:24 Abut I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly@ - I care also

Timothy - 2:19-23

He was a faithful servant of the gospel

He could be trusted - Timothy honored Paul=s reasoning, doctrine, and attitude. He cared for the people as much as Paul.

Phil. 2:19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, (isoyucon) who will naturally care for your state.

The word "like-minded" means literally, “twin-souled.” Paul could trust Timothy with the church at Philippi because his soul was so close to his own. Paul had led Timothy to Christ years before. He called him, "my son in the faith" and "my dearly beloved son."

He was a leader in the church and for the cause of Christ.

The word "sincerely" means genuinely, or truly. Timothy had a genuine sense of responsibility. He was a straight shooter. He was a person you could count upon to get at the truth of the matter. The church at Philippi was not in a good "state." Timothy could help to resolve the schism.

Timothy had a spiritual mind set for Christ, Phil. 2:21

He honored Christ, not man. Years before his Roman imprisonment Paul wrote,

Rom. 1:8 "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” Timothy was the logical person to chose for the arduous trip.

Timothy was faithful to his calling, and it was evident to Paul and the others in Philippi.

Epaphroditus: 2:25-30

Longed for them
He was faithful
He was a companion in labor
He was a soldier

Ephaphroditus: is only mentioned twice in the Bible, here and 4:18. From verse 25 to 30 Paul presents one of the least known yet spiritually powerful men in the Bible. The apostle Paul held him in high regard.

His name means "belonging to Venus." Venus was a goddess. He may have been a polytheist (worshiper of many gods) before he became a Christian. After he became a Christian he emerged into a leading member of the Philippian church.

He was charged to deliver a love gift to Paul (4:18) and to stay and help him (2:25,30). On his trip and stay in Rome he became dangerously ill for the work of Christ. He almost died (v.27). After his recovery Paul sent him back home. Upon his return he delivered the epistle to the Philippians. Paul "sent" Timothy. Now Paul sees it necessary to "send" Epaphroditus. Paul was in the habit of sending people. He utilized people, multiplied people for ministry.

He was called brother - 2:25 - Paul saw Epaphroditus as a spiritual brother. There is a commonality among believers not found outside Christ. They are family. Paul viewed Epaphroditus primarily as a brother. Church connection was not what made this affinity. Christ was the bond, which united them in the same spiritual league.

He was a companion in labor for Jesus Christ. People who serve the Lord together have a special fellowship:

I Cor. 3:9 "For we are God's fellow workers"

Gal. 3:26 "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus"

Epaphroditus was a man who was not afraid of work. Someone has said that there are two kinds of work among Christians. Those who are willing to work and those who are willing to let them work!

Acts 13:2 When God called Paul into ministry he challenged him with "work," "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them"

Acts 14:26 "From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed"

At the commencement of the second missionary journey Paul did not take John Mark to "the work,"

Acts 15:38 "But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work"

John Mark did not take the work of Christ seriously. Paul did not put up with half committed team members.

I Cor. 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord"

He was a fellowsoldier@ - In the same spiritual Aoutfit.@ We sloshed through the spiritual mud together; we slugged it out with the enemy together; we were in sick bay together; we went through the war together." Many Christians do not even engage the enemy. The battle is raging and they are sitting off in the hills where there is little danger. They care little for the consequence of who will win.

Not everyone is fitted for the front line. Some should be in the supply lines, others support for those who are flying the jets. But everyone should be a soldier.

The Christian life is a war. We have a great enemy. He is powerful and his troops are many and well trained. To hold no defense against that force is foolishness. There are many metaphors of soldiering in the Bible.

I Tim. 1:18 "This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare"

I Tim. 6:12 "Fight the good fight of faith"

2 Tim. 2:3 "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ"

We operate on three fronts: the world, the flesh and the devil. We need to know both ourselves, and the enemy. In the book The Art of War makes that point, "If you know yourself and your enemy, you need not fear the results of a 100 battles. If you know yourself but not your enemy for every victory gained you will suffer one defeat."

He was a messenger - apostoloV - He was a representative of the church at Philippi to find the apostle Paul and help him.

Phil. 4:18 is the only other place where Epaphroditus' name occurs. This man was an ambassador of the local church to help a missionary in a difficult situation.

He took it upon himself to care for Paul. His ministry was to care. Paul in effect says, He cared for me here in prison. The word "wants" means service, advantage and use. It came to mean that which is needed for use or service: want or need. Whether physical or spiritual needs, Epaphroditus met them all. He was a giving person. He brought an offering from the Philippian church but his ministry was more than that. He stayed in Rome to meet whatever need Paul may have.

He conveyed messages to believers in Rome and made contact with Roman authorities for Paul. Paul sent him on evangelistic missions. Finally, he carried the book of Philippians back to Philippi in Greece. His ministry was to take care of little things. While little is written about Epaphroditus he was of immense support to the greatest missionary of the first century. While he never swayed multitudes, he could carry a briefcase.

He cared for people. He could not wait to see his congregation again. He was homesick. The Philippian church must have been some church. Paul wanted to go back and Epaphroditus longed to see them again. When a church is what God designed it to be people love to be there.

Epaphroditus was grieving over the church back home. Notice that his grief was for them, not himself, because he had been sick. He did not want to worry the Philippians. His care anticipated their hurt for him. He did not want to cause any undue anxiety for them.

He toiled without appreciation. He was unsung yet faithful in his sphere of service.

He was sick, but God spared him
He was sent to bring joy
He was to be received with gladness
He was to held in high reputation

Why? Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.