Paul The next two letters that Paul wrote are the two letters to the Corinthians. Honestly, because the power to heal didn't originate from within Paul. And they did, because in the letters written after the Book of Acts, the sign gifts had ceased, just as the Lord said that they would. 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. Indeed he was ill, near to death. John uses this word also in: This word is used of meeting physical needs. This miraculous healing was not only for Epaphroditus benefit but for Pauls as well, something that the Lord worked in order to keep the Apostle from having to endure the extra sorrow of losing a friend on top of the sorrows of suffering in prison (Phil. Spam, April 05 2022 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. Miracles by definition are not normative 0 Responses Where was Paul when he wrote to the Philippians? financial gift, and was there to minister to Paul in any way that he could; do his laundry, carry The next letters Paul wrote are the two letters to the Thessalonians. Not only did He save the former Pharisee, but He also gave Paul ext becoming involved in the same charge. But Paul uses leitourgos here. serve, you can meet physical needs. to meet someone's need? ESV - 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. someone who would represent the church well. Those who work in the nursery are my fellow-laborers, they take care of your She's the Epaphroditus wanted to go back to Philippi so they would see that he was alright and end their 11 God was performing extraordinary [e]miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. [7] Leon Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. In verses 26-28, we are given the reasons for distressed because you had heard that he was sick." I was having shortness of breath and others things like palpitations, light headedness,insomnia and all that. 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]. emptied himself. In this case, Paul did pray for healing, but his request was denied. mercy that any of us live. 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. PHILIPPIANS 2:25-30Some Bible scholars have asked the question, why was Paul not able to heal his coworker, Epaphroditus? 4:18), fell ill around the time Paul wrote to the Philippians (2:2526). . Paul sent Timothy to the church of Ephesus, which was a Since no exercise of the gift of healing is recorded past about ?._. Pages 482-483. The word "esteem" is entimos, it means: Many Christians today have had an experience that they think is the scriptural gift of tongues. Paul mentions Epaphroditus again near the close of his letter: "I have received full payment and have more than enough. Besides, Epaphroditus was longing to see the church because he knew that they had found out that he had been ill (2:26). mean what ever Paul needed done, he would do. In Acts 13,14 Paul and Barnabas went on their first apostolic journey which took them into Galatiacities like Antioch, Lystra, Derbe, etc. 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. It is here in Ephesus during Acts 19 that Paul wrote 1 Corinthianssee I Corinthians 16:19. 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. Hello Uche Ogu, welcome to BHSE, glad to have you with us! The Greek word finds its origin in a great opposition." Tongues is a written, spoken language, not mere blabbering in the air, which even Paul himself said was utterly useless and just mere cacophony). Following Christ's example, we should be willing to lay down our lives to meet the needs of 2 Responses But the promise that He gave to Paul is still our promise today in the dispensation of grace: My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. Having seen the pattern of truth regarding the gifts, we need to ask, why did the gifts cease at this time? Epaphroditus was ministering to Paul physically; he brought him a financial gift, and was there to minister to Paul in any way that he could; do his laundry, carry messages, or do what ever Paul needed. 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. >From this verb we get the What he could do in Acts 28, he could no longer do in Philippians, or in 1 and 2 Timothy. We briefly note some general lessons which may be suggested by the picture of Epaphroditus as he stands by the side of Paul. Vote Up Not only did He save the former Pharisee, but He also gave Paul extra gifts to help the Apostle bear his sorrows. able to defend doctrine. And this will we do, if God permit." He hazzard his life "to supply what was lacking in your service toward parabolani, the gamblers. Spam, January 24 2014 It is what we tell ourselves; it is what we think about events, what people say, and circumstances that contribute to our mental distress, anxiety, or depression. For many this is a great relief. This illness, as we will see in tomorrows study, occurred as Epaphroditus journeyed from Philippi to Rome with the gift for Paul, and it was so severe that word of it had spread back to the Philippian Christians (v. 26). Look at: Here he uses chreia to speak of physical needs. The Christian Apologists (150 220 C.E.). These very thoughts are what keep us sluggish and contribute to our feeling frustrated, angry, or worthless. of beauty, mother of love, queen of laughter, mistress of the graces and pleasures and also the Philippians had heard that he was sick. We have no reason to suppose that Epaphroditus took part with Paul in his more properly apostolic work, and the fact that the purely material help, and pecuniary service which most probably comprised all his 'ministering,' is honoured by Paul with these lofty designations, carries with it large lessons as to the sanctity of common life. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. We have no record of any 2:13) and that is where he wrote the second letter to the Corinthians. Epaphroditus was a plugger and they all would have missed him and it was no accident that he had left his congregation to take thousands of dollars to the apostle Paul. we are all from the same womb, we're family. the proclamation of the gospel effective. We need to "show" people that we love them by Epaphroditus is one of us, which makes his example very powerful and very convicting to us. We need to recapture a spirit of hard work in the social realm. Did Paul's handkerchief heal sick people (Acts 19:11-12)? Soon after Paul returned from this journey he wrote the letter to the Galatians (see Galatians 1:6 where Paul writes to the Galatians and says, you are so quickly turned.). Epaphroditus emptied himself and Paul tells the Philippians to The first one suggested is the very familiar one of the great uniting principle which a common faith in Christ brought into action. Speakers: Pastor Ricky Kurth, Pastor Don HosfeldDetails, "But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping" (John 20:11). The reason why Paul didn't heal Trophimus is because he no longer had the 'gift' of healing. Once saved, his spirit is completely made Brand New, is this not a miracle? If the Apostle Paul still had the power to heal why would he leave Trophimus sick, while Epaphroditus was also sick to the point of death in Philippians 2:27 and encouraged Timothy to use a little wine for his stomach and frequent ailments (1 Timothy 5:23)? This isn't to say that God doesn't or won't heal today, because this is obviously not true, but the "laying on of hands" by a man (as a 'gift') has all but ceased, and yet there are still 'healing teachers' out there in the world today teaching a false gospel, having "healing revivals" that come to nought, etc. Theyve been taught that a person has to speak in tongues to prove that he is really saved, or that he really has the Holy Spirit dwelling within. Why do small African island nations perform better than African continental nations, considering democracy and human development? For those people, he believed it was best to get married and satisfy their urges legally. commissioned and sent out Timothy. we don't know. I find the denial of Divine Healing today interesting. 3. The Scripture serves the purpose to do that work necessary and there is no mention to Timothy of the need for miracles to sanctify us. "Epaphroditus is here to do what you can't do because you're so far away.". be guarded at all costs. Though Paul had the gift of healing, he did not heal this individual. speaks of a common origin. We are to follow the example of Christ who "emptied The sign gifts, tongues, prophecy, the gift of healing, etc. When I was in the military I met brothers and Paul put the needs of the Philippians ahead of his own. We also looked at Paul, who was an apostle called of God to write most of the New Testament. It is important that our faith be based on the Word of God and not on experiences because experiences can deceive us. 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. others. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. However, Paul was often an instrument of healing. sometimes that may be a spiritual healing , but they will be healed. 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. Paul uses the word sunergos here of himself and Apollos. We need to reach out and take back three areas of toil that used to be so much a part So, Paul's third example is Epaphroditus, he is not an apostle, nor an The words "more eagerly" have the idea of: "with haste or diligence." 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. Spam, November 06 2014 The answer is: He wouldn't have! But when Epaphroditus fell sicknear to deathPaul was no longer able to heal him because the gift of healing had ceased to operate. I weighed the facts and found it a necessity to send teaching. Here is the deal, without faith you cannot receive the word of God. Thanks. It comes from two John 1:12 ). They were to receive him "in the Lord." Why didn't Paul just heal Epaphroditus? Originally published in Tabletalk, our daily Bible study magazine. However, Paul was often an instrument of healing. to worry about me. Does ZnSO4 + H2 at high pressure reverses to Zn + H2SO4? All the loving thoughts, and all the material expressions of them which Epaphroditus brought to Paul were fragrant with the perfume of the Philippians' love, 'an odour of a sweet smell, acceptable' to Paul as to Paul's Lord. Hebrews 11:6 we are taught: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Epaphroditus doesn't deserve to live and I don't deserve to have such a 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. Spam, March 31 2022 Weak in the faith is another use. Ye shall notprint any marks upon you (Lev. I believe it is used here primarily of physical needs. The purpose of the gift of healing was not to keep Christians Little is known about Epaphroditus (much less than Timothy). In Gaiuss home, in Corinth, Paul wrote the letter to the Romans (see Rom. Self-talk is what we tell ourselves in our thoughts. This is uncomfortable to hear, isn't it? He was troubled because they heard that This In Acts 20:2,3 Paul arrived in Greece, i.e. He didn't want them to How many times was the apostle Paul in a prison in Rome? 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. Jesus is speaking: 17 And these signs shall follow them that BELIEVE; IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK, AND THEY SHALL RECOVER. 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. There is healing today, but there is no gift of healing, there are no divine healers. There is no gift of healing today but God still heals sometimes.
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