Philippians 2:25

Yet. Verses 25-30 deal with Epaphroditus, another friend of Paul’s and one well known to the Philippian congregation. Epaphroditus had brought a gift from the church to Paul, and had served Paul well during his stay with the apostle. His return had been delayed by illness.

Supposed. Rather, “deemed,” “counted,” in view of possible delay in sending Timothy. From the use of the past tense it would at first appear that Paul had already sent Epaphroditus on his way to Philippi, and that this letter followed his departure. But the verbs “supposed” (v. 25) and “sent” (v. 28) doubtless represent the Greek epistolary aorist, which is used when the writer places himself in the readers’ position and times his statements from their point of view. When the letter reached its destination the action represented by the verbs would be past. Hence Paul is using the past tense, although the event is actually future to him at the time of writing. From this it may be taken that Epaphroditus had not yet left for Philippi, and that he was the bearer of this epistle to the believers (see AA 479).

Epaphroditus. A common Greek and Latin name meaning “lovely,” “fascinating,” “charming,” from the name of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. The name appears only in this epistle in the NT. Some have identified the man here mentioned with the Epaphras of Col. 1:7; 4:12; Philemon 23. But although Epaphras is only a contracted form of the longer name, it appears unlikely that it refers to the same person. Epaphroditus came from Philippi in Macedonia, whereas Epaphras was a minister in Colossae in Asia Minor, and probably a native of that region.

My brother. The adjective “my” belongs to all three nouns, “brother,” “companion,” and “fellowsoldier.” The first designates him as the partner of Paul’s faith, the second as his partner in office or labor, the third as sharer of his conflicts and dangers — a climax proceeding from a general to a more definite relationship. From Paul’s glowing description it is clear that Epaphroditus had joined in missionary work such as the apostle had been doing. Since he was free, he would be active in ways that were not possible to Paul. He may have thus incurred danger, and so have merited the description of “soldier” (cf. 1 Tim. 1:18; 2 Tim. 2:3,4).

Your. This adjective stands in contrast with the previous “my,” and stresses the twofold relationship of Epaphroditus — to Paul and to the Philippians.

Messenger. Gr. apostolos (see on Rom. 1:1). Here the word simply means “messenger,” or “delegate.” Epaphroditus had originally been sent from Philippi with a special commission — that of carrying gifts to Paul (see on Phil. 4:18).

He that ministered. Gr. leitourgos (see on Rom. 13:6).