Philippians 2:25-30: a reflection

25But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need, 26since he longed for you all, and was very troubled because you had heard that he was sick. 27For indeed he was sick nearly to death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow. 28I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. 29Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and hold such people in honor, 30because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.

Paul writes warmly about Epaphroditus, whom the Philippians had sent to help him, and who had fallen gravely ill in the process, nearly to death. And what stands out is the man's selflessness. Even while dangerously sick himself, Epaphroditus was distressed, not for his own sake, but because the Philippians had heard he was ill and would be worried about him. He risked his life for the work of Christ, Paul says, to supply what was lacking in their service to Paul. And Paul's charge is clear: receive him with joy, and honor such people.

Notice what Paul asks the church to honor. Not the impressive or the prominent, but a man who spent himself, risked his life, in humble service, and who, even in his own suffering, was more concerned for others than for himself. Honor such people, Paul says. The self-forgetful servant who pours himself out for the work and for others, who is troubled by others' worry more than his own danger, is exactly the kind of person the church is to hold in honor.

There is both a call and a challenge here. The call is to honor the Epaphrodituses among us, the ones who quietly spend and risk themselves in service, who are more concerned for others than themselves; to notice them, receive them with joy, and hold them in honor rather than taking them for granted. And the challenge is to be such a person: self-forgetful in service, willing to spend ourselves for the work of Christ and the good of others. Honor those who pour themselves out, and ask God to make you one of them.

Lord, Epaphroditus risked his life for the work of Christ and, even while gravely ill, worried more for others than for himself, and Paul said to honor such people. Help me notice and honor those who quietly spend and risk themselves in service, rather than taking them for granted. And make me such a person, self-forgetful, willing to pour myself out for your work and the good of others. Give me the heart of a servant.