Anonymous · Epaproditus - a Devoted Servant

Paul recognised the exceptional devotion of this man and records it imperishably in this epistle for the emulation of saints of all time. The apostle describes him in terms which are most striking: ‘Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants’ (2:25). He was the apostle’s co-worker and co-fighter, but first of all and above all the rest, Paul calls him ‘my brother’. He was not merely a brother, as all ‘in Christ’ were, but he was a ‘brother indeed’ to the apostle. Hence in deep affection and appreciation, he speaks of Epaphroditus as ‘my brother’, as he also had spoken of Titus (2 Cor. 2:13). Evidently the apostle regarded him as a brother true to his name, who loved Paul and his fellow-saints, not ‘in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth’ (1 John 3:18); as a ‘brother … born for adversity’ (Prov. 17:17).