Fellow Worker and Soldier

In the Epistle to the Philippians, Epaphroditus is sent by the church in Philippi to give aids to Paul while he is in prison. During this short-term mission trip, Epaphroditus gets sick, “near to death” (2:27). In this case, he may become a burden to Paul. And the sending church in Philippi may consider Epaphroditus as weak. However, Paul does not consider him as weak. Rather, he views Epaphroditus as “my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier.” (to.n avdelfo.n kai. sunergo.n kai. sustratiw,thn mou) The su,n prefix means “being with” or “together with” (see Phil. 1:1, 23; 2:22; 4:21). Here it is translated as “fellow.” In front of “worker” and “soldier,” su,n is added to it. For Paul, Epaphroditus is more than a worker or soldier in the mission field.

This is a partnership/fellowship (koinwni,a|) in the gospel (Phil. 1:5). The work of the gospel is the work of fellowship. Vertically, we have fellowship with God. Horizontally, we have fellowship with others. Paul looks at this guy being sent by the church in Philippi as one of his gospel partners in his life. Being with someone denotes the essence of fellowship.

Before sending Epaphroditus back to the Philippians, Paul confirms Epaphroditus’ faithfulness in the gospel “He nearly died for the work of Christ, risking for his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me” (2:30). The sending church of Epaphroditus, which is the church in Philippi, should welcome him with gladness and joy (2:28-29). Paul says that not only is Epaphroditus my brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier, but also “your messenger and minister to my need” (2:25). This is a triangle-missional relationship.

Paul does not look at the defect of Epaphroditus and treat him as if he were useless. Rather, Paul measures Epaphroditus with his intrinsic value, which is his faithfulness. This is Paul’s pastoral and missiological sensitivity toward the sending church and the sent one.