We both received mercy. Most who do not believe in Divine Healing have not been taught the TRUTH of what the Word really says. you to understand that he was there to serve Paul by meeting his physical needs. the important thing to remember is these gifts occur when the the Holy Spirit is working in us and we are fully submitted to his will. Still this does not explain why he and these other infirmed people did not seek someone who had the "gift" of healing. Welcome to BHSE! What should they do? This word is used 13 times in the New Testament, 12 by Paul of people who work with him in He did not act on his own. needs could be involved here, he ministered to Paul in the area of companionship also. Timothy, whom we looked at last week, was a gifted preacher and Bible Query from Philippians Was it perhaps meant to ask for a clarification of my own comment ? The text does say, God had mercy on him [that is, Ephaphroditus], so, in all likelihood, he would have died from whatever ailed him if God had not prevented him from going over the edge into death. Calculating probabilities from d6 dice pool (Degenesis rules for botches and triggers), Recovering from a blunder I made while emailing a professor. who were ill with dangerous and infectious diseases. How many times was the apostle Paul in a prison in Rome? The Healing Power: of Jesus and the Apostles ~ by Angus MacKillop Consider the Book of Mark chapter 16 verses 17-20. So Paul with rare abnegation sent him away at once, though Timothy was to follow shortly, and accompanied him with this outpouring of love and praise in his long homeward journey. They were to receive him "in the Lord." But with the close of Acts, God sets aside Israel for a time, and when God gave up on the sign people for a time, the sign gifts passed out of His program. Paul's first burst of gratitude and praise does not exhaust all that he has to say about Epaphroditus. This is not to say that medicines are not good or doctors are not helpful. act to follow either. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. We simply don't know why Epaphroditus was so sick, aside from the statement in v. 30 that "he came close to death for the work of Christ." To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. 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). For indeed he was sick nigh unto death - Dr. Paley has remarked (Hor. We won't help someone in trouble because we're afraid we might get hurt or even killed. He's probably one of the greatest Christians that ever lived. For he longed after you all and was full of heaviness, because you had heard that he had been sick. "Who ministered to my need" -- The word "need" is from chreia it means: "a need or He speaks of Epaphroditus' recovery as a mercy to himself 'lest he should have the sorrow of imprisonment increased by the sorrow of his friend's death.' Chesapeake, VA 23322. Many say that Epaphroditus was homesick. self, to give of himself wholly to others. , , , , , For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. There is no record in Scripture of any of the sign gifts operating in any of the letters that Paul wrote after the end of the Acts period, and it is clear that the gift of healing had ceased since Paul could no longer heal even his closest co-workers after the close of the Book of Acts. The close of the Book of Acts was also the close of Gods dealings with the nation of Israel for now nearly 2000 years. The miracles of healing that the 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. feel bad because he is sick. serve, you can meet physical needs. We are to The ship sails across the track of the moonlight, and then vanishes ghost-like into darkness. Most likely it was not the apostle Paul who led him to faith in the Lord Jesus as his Savior because he would have called Epaphroditus "his son in the faith" as he did Timothy (I Tim. She was the goddess The purpose of the gift of healing was not to keep Christians Paul does not seem to have healed Epaphroditus. Indeed he was ill, near to death. fulfilling our mission statement: "To influence friends who are living in spiritual darkness that Hello Restlee, welcome to BHSE, so glad to have you here! But we have also seen that with the close of the Book of Acts, the gift of healing ceased to operate. That will tell you what an answer is. You find in 2nd Timothy 4:20, etc., that Paul lost the ability to heal people, and so on. One of the most celebrated goddesses of the ancient world. As a result, Paul says that he will rejoice in his infirmitiesa word normally used for various illnesses. we are all from the same womb, we're family. from death it is mercy. It is argued that Paul had the "sign" of healing but not the gift of healing. [1] Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe, When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties (Wheaton, Illinois: Victor Books, 1992). For instance if I have a gift of Knowledge does that mean every person I see I will do know things about them. priestly functions that were performed in that system. Spam, February 08 2023 So theyve learned to speak in tongues, but when they see from Scripture that this gift is not in operation from the Lord today, they can at last cease their effort to prove their salvation and start to walk by faith and not by sight. It is all the words that we say to ourselves all the time. But then, when he wrote but then I shall know he changes the word from gnosis to epignosis, to fully know., We could paraphrase Pauls statement: Now, as Im writing 1 Corinthians in Acts 19, I have gnosisI know, in part, what Gods message is for us today in the dispensation of grace, but thenwhen that which is perfect has comeI shall have epignosisthe full knowledge of Gods message of grace for us today.. 27 For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. We have no record of any Is it suspicious or odd to stand by the gate of a GA airport watching the planes? the most complete healing is when we are taken home. In Gaiuss home, in Corinth, Paul wrote the letter to the Romans (see Rom. Vote Up We need to meet people's needs The problem with the death of a believer is that the separation hurts. He had the heart of a servant-- he was most likely a deacon. Vote Up 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. In This is the only other New In this case, Paul did pray for healing, but his request was denied. It has an interesting Back to Romans 10: 9 that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. We are not to fear people, they can't hurt you. The keyword here is "gift." 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. It is clear that the gift of healing has ceased because, as in Philippians, Paul was no longer able to heal, even his co-workers. empty ourselves to make ourselves of no reputation. Who carried the Epistles - Tyndale House Of course, our apostle Continue Reading. Together these five titles are an important summary of what the Christian life should be. Why wasn't Pauls companion healed that day, I have no clue. Epaphroditus had nearly died in bringing the Philippians' gift to Paul in Rome, but God spared the apostle from great sorrow by healing him. Keyword: "IF". the proclamation of the gospel effective. Proverbs 4:20-23. our other elder. Maybe you can't preach or teach, maybe you're not a leader or an administrator, but you can Bulk update symbol size units from mm to map units in rule-based symbology. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. At all events he gladly undertook even servile work for love of Paul. What sort of strategies would a medieval military use against a fantasy giant? Paul's own "thorn in the flesh" is a prime example: https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-is-a-thorn-in-the-flesh.html Our thoughts based on a good mood will be entirely different from those based on our being upset. His letter to the Philippians was just one of four "Prison Epistles" written during this time. June 11th 2000, I came to the Lord, He healed me of lung cancer, irreversible nerve damage caused by my lifestyle and replaced 3 discs in my lower back that were gone: vertebra rubbing vertebra. My legs were swollen and my body was a mass of pain. honor him. He risked his life as a gambler will take risks the average person can relate to. children so you can listen to the Word of God. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints (1 Cor. No, the answer is that God's program had changed. Instead, God graciously healed him in this instance. All things are possible to them that believe Mark 9:23. 11:23; 15:3; Gal. We need to reach out and take back three areas of toil that used to be so much a part This is no fleshly or "secular" work in ministering to Paul's physical needs, it was spiritual. a uniquely spiritual act. (Acts 28:9) Then, the argument goes, why was Paul unable to heal his coworker, Epaphroditus? First, let us review Epaphroditus mission. The word "gladness" is chara which means: "joy." Miracles by definition are not normative These Bible scholars[1] present the argument that Paul had healed the sick, even raising the dead. During this time he wrote the three letters known as the Pastoral Epistles, because these letters were written to Pauls co-workersPastor Timothy and Titus. Answer (1 of 9): EPAPHRODITUS [handsome, charming]. We are to follow the example of Christ who "emptied programs. In fact, we are so accustomed to recovering from sickness that we are often surprised when we or others take a long time to get over what we regard as routine illnesses. him to the Philippians so they would rejoice to see that he was okay. 2. The words "not regarding" are from the Greek word parabouleuomai. And this will we do, if God permit." We selfishly clutch life and guard our own interests when the mind of Christ is to be selfless and This is the depth of love and care. It was used as a sign gift to unbelievers at those times when it was necessary to make Not only did He save the former Pharisee, but He also gave Paul ext It means: "messenger or sent one." 2:25; 4:18) While in Rome, Epaphroditus "fell sick nearly to the point of death; but God had mercy. View all posts by Christian Publishing House, Epaphroditus, Paul and Epaphroditus, Philippians 2:25-30, SCROLL THROUGH DIFFERENT CATEGORIES BELOW, King James Version Versus Modern Translations, NT Versions (Latin, Syriac, Coptic, etc. Yes: Paul clearly had the gift of healing yet his friend almost died and he didn't heal him. If you haven't already, please make sure to take our tour, to get yourself familiar with the site and to see how we're a little different than other sites. teacher who was used of God to minister to many churches. Have you ever watched The church, however, was not to think of Epaphroditus as second best. Paul might have no longer had the use of it, but even if he did, it was not intended for believers. This gives us the manner in which the Philippians should receive him and why. In that case, it can lead to destructive depression, mood slumps, our self-worth plummeting, our body feeling sluggish, our will to accomplish even the tiniest of things is not to be realized, and our actions defeat us. 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. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow (v. 27). 1:22) so God gave them signsamong the Gentiles!in order to provoke Israel to jealousy (Rom. I subscribe to the view that the reason is because the gifts that he was performing in the early days was a "sign to the Jews"; not all spiritual gifts are still in operation today; or, they aren't necessarily "needed." All this was done in a church in Austin, Texas with an Evangelist from Virginia working through the Gifts of the Spirit, ie, Word of Knowledge, working of miracles, gifts of healing. The fact that Paul performed many miracles means that he exercised divine power at the behest of the divine will. A trustworthy member of the congregation at Philippi, Macedonia, who was sent with a gift to Paul, then a prisoner at Rome (c. 60-61 C.E.). 2 Corinthians 5:17 Paul teaches us: 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things are become new. We may note the generous heartiness of his praise in his associating Epaphroditus with himself as on full terms of equality, as worker and soldier, and the warm generosity of the recognition of all that he had done for the Apostle's comfort. That was one less thing Paul had to be concerned about (2:26-27). How this happened or what his sickness was 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. If they wanted to Do you know who my co-laborers are? In his letter thanking the Philippians, Paul makes a point of telling the church that Epaphroditus recovered (Philippians 2:27), and that he would return to them soon. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. Many in this movement even say shocking claims such as the erroneous idea that being poor is a sin, and that if you are sick, "it's your fault that you're sick." Spam, January 22 2014 We must not leave unnoticed the beautiful self-abnegation which sends off Epaphroditus as soon as he was well enough to travel, as a gift of the Apostle's love, in order to repay them for what they had done for him. Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ. Epaphroditus was at the door of death. distressed because you had heard that he was sick." What's the difference between a power rail and a signal line? Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.. The sign gifts were no longer operating at the time that Paul wrote the Prison Epistles. In the been painful. No matter where you go you can find God's family. 4:18), fell ill around the time Paul wrote to the Philippians (2:2526). It is a gambling term. Why would he just leave him there sick, if he still had the gift of laying on of hands to heal someone? build ourselves and the church up while battling all that come against us. Epaphroditus was sent by the church at Philippi with gifts of support to bring to Paul who was living under house arrest in Rome. 9. Timothy and Epaphroditus Two Examples of Humility and - Bible The name later came to mean: The Greek word finds its origin in a I let me congregation of brothers and sisters down, The brothers in Philippi must think that I am incompetent. But then He tells them that even while they were doing these things, He had never ever known them. But, during this time in the Book of Acts, the Lord revealed to Paul that the sign gifts were going to cease1 Corinthians 13:8-12. It's nice to know that there are some people in the ministry compelled by relationships and not Greek He was sick man awaiting trial on a capital charge was laying himself open to the very considerable risk of Hence, the account does seem to suggest that God healed Epaphroditus, or, at least, did not allow him to die. His level of sacrificial service becomes very instructive to us. It is a pathetic little picture of the Macedonian stranger in the great city -- pallid looks, recent illness, and pining for home and a breath of pure mountain air, and for the friends he had left. When it came, then the gifts which were only in part would cease. This . 13:8).1. they also may know the joy of loving the Lord Jesus Christ." life, it was mercy to me. jesus also was moved with compassion many times.the main purpose is to trust him and have faith he will do what is best for us. While at Rome They were sent by Jesus Christ. He is saying, Medical practice is from God but cannot take the place of God to them who believe. What is the purpose of this D-shaped ring at the base of the tongue on my hiking boots? ministry. 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.). Vote Up This is because the word of God is living and active. Although many people have concerns about the cost of healthcare, the vast majority of people in our culture still have access to antibiotics and other medications that can cure ailments that were almost certainly death sentences only a few decades ago. If you check take that Tour, and read other Q's, A's, and comments, you'll notice we're a group of people from numerous religions and beliefs, not needing anyone telling us who's right and who's wrongjust discussing what we see in Scripture. There are very many Christian workers who never get their due of recognition and welcome from their brethren, and there are many who get far more of both than belongs to them, and both they and the crowds who bring them adulation would be freed from dangers, which can scarcely be over-stated, if the spirit of Paul's warm-hearted praise of Epaphroditus were kept in view. looked at it as "spiritual worship." 2:27). All others were not apostles of Jesus We need to recapture a spirit of hard work in the social realm. It is impossible to be sure whether the Philippian Christians thought Epaphroditus had purposefully failed in his mission. But the Lord revealed to Paul that that which is perfect was coming. Therefore, if the Holy Spirit did not want someone healed or raised from the dead, no amount of effort by Paul could do so. Timothy was sick and he didn't heal him: Why didn't Paul heal his friends? The gift of tongues and the gift of healing has ceased. And are we offering up spiritual sacrifices to God through our service? that Paul didn't heal. Epaphroditus who was to stay at Rome and help Paul in any way he could. The word "stand fast" is the Greek word steko which means: "stand your ground in the midst of Did Paul's handkerchief heal sick people (Acts 19:11-12)? That makes Galatians the earliest of Pauls letters. He was a man of courage-- anyone who would offer himself as the personal attendant of a 11:14). Why did the Apostle Paul leave Trophimus sick, while Epaphroditus was "Almost Why are you Those things are just as The letters are also arranged by lengthRomans is longest and is first, then the Corinthian letters, then Galatians, etc. In the days of the Early Church there was an association of men and women called the statements that address the actual question with Biblical text to analyze) Thanks. Does God Want to Heal Everyone? by Don Stewart - Blue Letter Bible What he could do in Acts 28, he could no longer do in Philippians, or in 1 and 2 Timothy. Epaphroditus. No wonder that men were eager to risk their lives for a leader who lavished such praise and such love upon them. All we can do is guess. word that has the idea of: "not at home, uncomfortable, troubled, or distressed.". It was his brethren who were exhorted to receive their own messenger back again 'in the Lord with all joy, and to hold him in honour.' I don't really understand the question from your first comment. He heals according to His will today. He says, "We have the same What does this say to the "health-wealth gospel" The name Epaphroditus means "belonging to Aphrodite," which is ironic because his life certainly did not belong to the Greek goddess. When we arrange the letters in the order that they were written, all becomes clear! It appears my previous comment has been deleted, no explanation why. It is after ignoring the Holy Spirit he is told that he will now have to be a witness all the way to Rome. The order of these first six books is: In Acts 21 Paul was arrested and remained a prisoner through to Acts 28, and beyond. The Yes, they really had had these experiences. We're a little different than other sites. And, again, in places where we would have expected Paul to mention the sign gifts, he is silent. The context gives us an interesting miniature of the last, and pathetic glimpses into the private life of the Apostle in his imprisonment, and it is worth our while to try to bring our historic imagination to bear on Epaphroditus, and to make him a living man. 0 Responses Hardly. What evidence is there the writer of Revelation was aware of the apostle Paul? Spam, April 05 2022 send him back? Are Thanks. Paul thought that chastity was best, but realized that most people have natural sexual desires. Why is there a need for healing leaves from the tree in Revelations? So if you're not dead, how could you ever complain (verse 14). Think of the profound clefts of separation between the Macedonian and the Jew, the antipathies of race, the differences of language, the dissimilarities of manner, and then think of what an unheard-of new thing it must have been that a Macedonian should 'serve' a Jew! In all the seven letters written after the close of the Book of Acts, Paul uses this word epignosisthe full knowledge. In Acts 17, Paul, on his second apostolic journey, came to Thessalonica and preached there. The reason Epaphroditus was not healed is not stated in the text. Why would the apostle Paul "delay" being baptized (Acts 22:16)? (Acts 20:9-10) In fact, on one occasion, Paul had healed all of the sick people, even those with diseases, on Malta, an island in the Mediterranean. Once saved, his spirit is completely made Brand New, is this not a miracle? Even where we might have expected Paul to write of tongues in the passage about being filled with the Spirit in Ephesians 5:17, he has nothing to say about tongues. The context is that Paul was suggesting for this brother to use wine to help him with his stomach sickness. He says nothing of his own loss or of how much more lonely he would be when the brother whom he had praised so warmly had left him alone. Simply: Stop! All through the Book of Acts Paul had only gnosis, partial knowledge of the message of grace, but when we turn to the Prison Letters we suddenly find Paul using that word epignosishe had now received that full knowledge which he didnt have when he wrote to the Corinthians: For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge (epignosisfull knowledge) of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ (Col. 2:1-2). adherents? [5] Lightfoot John Lightfoot, A Commentary on the New Testament from the Talmud and Hebraica, 4 vols. He healed every sick person on the Island of Malta in Acts 28. becoming involved in the same charge. Those who work in the nursery are my fellow-laborers, they take care of your For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. But, what happened? Epaphroditus becomes ill and almost dies. When Did the Gift of Tongues Cease? | Berean Bible Society 1:14). accounted for the success of Rome's armies, they were the terror of the ancient world. So, please don't tell me that Divine Healing ceased. Negative thoughts that flood our minds are the actual contributors to our self-defeating emotions. He re-introduces Epaphroditus to them as someone who had risked his own life for the sake of others, even "to the point of death". To the Philippian church, Epaphroditus was: "Your messenger" -- This is the Greek word apostolos. The next letters Paul wrote are the two letters to the Thessalonians. Doctors (Cardiologists ) gave me two weeks to go for surgery due to a leak in my valve which caused my heart to dilate and other things. Whether there were so or no, the exhortation itself traces lightly but surely the lines on which Christians should render, and their fellow-Christians can rightly receive, even praise from men. Timothy was suffering stomach problems and frequent infirmities (1 Tim. healthy. words, soon means: "with" and ergos means: "work, toil or labor." Edward D. Andrews wrote. In fact, he would have probably sent a handkerchief or even went to him, personally, if possible, and laid hands on him and healed him instantly. It is used 35 times in the New Paul is saying,"God gave Epaphroditus mercy and he gave me mercy also. sickness-- but their concern. The word "send" is pempo. God healed me of heart disease. The terms in which the work of Epaphroditus is spoken of by Paul are very significant. What contributes to mental and spiritual anguish? 13:1-2) and states that the Lord Jesus had revealed to him (1 Cor. A man who never opens his lips but to censure or criticise, who fastens on faults as wasps do on blemished fruit, will never be surrounded by loyal love. However, God, who can do things as He chooses, chose not to immediately heal Epaphroditus. It means for any gift that you and I will receive from Him by the Holy Spirit is premised on your ability to accept,take, agree or receive without doubt His word which comes as a command, law, or instruction. Because the tomb was empty! It was their aim to visit the prisoners and the sick, especially those Parallel Commentaries . and they sure wouldn't have sent a lazy man. The power of working miracles, like that of foreseeing the future (comp. 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. unto death" -- the word "almost" is paraplesion, it literally means: "along side of a neighbor, He comes back to the theme in the last words of the context, where he says that the Philippian messenger had 'hazarded' his life, or, as we might put it with equal accuracy and more force, had 'gambled' his life, or 'staked it on the die' for Paul's sake. He modeled the kenosis, he commissioned and sent out Timothy. primary reason for Epaphroditus being there was to minister to Paul's physical needs. rev2023.3.3.43278. ", "Lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow" -- his sickness brought Paul sorrow and his death Speakers: Pastor Ricky Kurth, Pastor Don HosfeldDetails, "But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping" (John 20:11). Asked January 21 2014 Most of us do the opposite of Epaphroditus, we regard our life as a thing so precious that it is to He hazzard his life "to supply what was lacking in your service toward Is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box? But when Epaphroditus fell sicknear to deathPaul was no longer able to heal him because the gift of healing had ceased to operate. I have stayed beyond two weeks, this is the third year and half after the diagnosis. Paul could have said to Epaphroditus, "Get over it, they'll live. able to defend doctrine. Thus, we can see Paul was not with Epaphroditus when he got sick, so the argument that he failed to heal him is not relevant. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. In fact, in 1 Timothy 5:23, look what Paul recommended: Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake 8 Responses forget about them." at after carefully weighing the facts. The difficulty of communication would sufficiently account for the partial intelligence. Sustratiotes is a very honorable title used in Philemon 2 of Archipus. Today God no longer gives the gift of healing, and there are no healers. But we should not think that God Himself no longer heals! But when we turn to the letters written after the Book of Actsthe 4 Prison Epistles, and the 3 Pastoral Epistles, we find that the sign gifts either arent mentioned at all or we seeas with the gift of healingthat they were no longer operating in Pauls life.