An Unsung Hero

This article appeared in the March 1973 edition of the "Christian Courier", published by the East Main Street Church of Christ in Stockton, California and edited by Wayne Jackson.

Most Christians are aware of the notable events in the lives of such great saints as Peter, James, Paul, Timothy, etc. There are other great worthies however, who have for the most part exaped our attention, due to the sparseness of divine information concerning them. One such unsung hero is Epaphroditus. This remarkable man in mentioned but twice in the entire New Testament (Philippians 2:25; 4:18) but these two instances paint a fantastic portrait of this ancient Christian.

BACKGROUND - Epaphroditus was obviously born into a pagan family, for his name signifies "favored by Aphrodite." Aphrodite was the goddess of sexual love among the Greeks (corresponding to Venus among the Romans) who was worshipped in a most perverse way. Fornication, as an act of religious devotion was actually practiced in her honor. And such was a scandal even in that ancient pagan world. Thus, from this sordid background came Paul's companion in the gospel.

RELATIONSHIP TO PAUL - Paul identifies Epaphroditus as "my brother" and thus acknowledges him as a kinsman in Christ. Exactly when Epaphroditus submitted to the requirements of the "new birth", becoming Paul's "brother" is unknown. It is likely that he was converted to Christ by some of those early disciples of the Lord in Philipp. In that city Paul had led Lydia, the Jailer, and their respective households into a knowledge of the truth. When the apostle departed Philippi, he left Luke with them (contrast the "us" of Acts 16:15 with the "them" of Acts 16:40). From the beginning, the congregation grew. The Philippian church was very faithful in their support of the apostle Paul. They cared for him while he was with them (Acts 16:15) and they supported him in Thessalonica (Philippians 4:15) and in Corinth (Acts 18:5; II Corinthians 11:7-10) and they continued to minister to him even while he was imprisoned in rome (Philippians 1:5; 4:18). And in this final connection, it was Epaphroditus who had borne their contribution to Paul's side in Rome (Philippians 4:18).

Epaphroditus stayed in Rome to further serve the great apostle, and in Paul's letter to the Philippians, he pay sthis man high tribute by characterizing him as "my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier..." (2:25). This brother was a WORKER; not all brethren are. Actually, it is shocking to note the number of professed Christians who feel religion consists in simply refraining from certain sinful deeds; apparently they refuse to believe that serving Jehovah has a positive, active side. So zealous was Epaphroditus however, that "for the work of Christ he came nigh unto death, hazarding his life." The term "hazarding" is from the Greek verb meaning to "expose to danger, risk." In the early post-apostolic age, a form of this word was used to describe Christians who visited prisoners and those sick with infectious diseases. Our Lord Himself had taught that to be a true disciple a man must not think highly of his own life (Luke 14:26) and Epaphroditus had grasped this great truth.

But additionally, Epaphroditus was Paul's fellow soldier. He was a comrade in arms. Some brethren who are workers will not be WARRIORS for Christ. They shrink from conflict with the enemy. And their number is legion in our brotherhood today! In grave times such as these, when liberalism slithers like an insidious serpent through the church, there are numerous brthren who will not so much as lift a finger to stop the mouths of false teachers; and thus, by their compromising silence, they actually facilitate the spread of error. Epaphroditus was not cut form such a pattern. He knew that he would never be carried to the skies on beds of flowery ease while others fought to win the prize.