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I. HIS TITLES.

1. The first of these shows his religion, and his holy union with the apostle and other believers. For the Christians in these early ages called each other "brother," a name full of sweetness and friendliness derived from the custom of the Jewish Church, and suitable, inasmuch as they all have one Father, and are all begotten by one Spirit, uniting them in one family. They are nourished by the same food, consecrated by the same sacraments, and called to the same inheritance. Every time you see a Christian, whatever his condition, he is your brother. Paul did not disdain to acknowledge Epaphroditus.

2. "Companion in labour" relates to office, viz., the ministry; and how excellent the office which renders men companions of Paul and the apostles.

3. "Fellow soldier" expresses the part he had taken in his battles against the devil, the world, false brethren, etc., for the glory of his Master and the salvation of the flock. This title is peculiarly suitable to believers in Jesus Christ, who are called to suffer persecution, carry the cross, and "wrestle not with flesh and blood," etc. (2 Timothy 2:3-5).

4. "Your messenger," in relation to his special mission to the apostle.

5. "My minister," in reference to the service rendered St. Paul: not the least of the glories of Epaphroditus.

II. HIS SICKNESS. How strange it seems that so good and useful a man should be disabled, and that Paul, who could cure diseases, could not cure his! Learn, however —

1. That the Lord wishes that His servants should be subject to these afflictions and infirmities lest the excellence of their piety and graces should raise their vanity. Thus they are kept modest (2 Corinthians 12:6).

2. That the wonders of His power may shine gloriously when, with such weak instruments, He does not fail to perform His work (2 Corinthians 4:7; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 2 Peter 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:6-7).

III. HIS CURE.

1. God often allows His own to descend to the last degree of sorrow to relieve them afterwards from it with greater eclat: as we see in the cases of Hezekiah and David. This proceeding is very suitable.

(1) For us; that our faith may be better exercised, the extremity of our danger firing our zeal and warming our desires in vows and prayers.

(2) For God; the greater our danger the more glorious His power.

2. This was not merely an exercise of God's power, but of(1) His mercy towards Epaphroditus.

(2) His goodness towards Paul. Christianity does not dehumanize us. Paul's sorrow was deep because natural.

IV. HIS RETURN. This good servant of God, knowing that the news of his malady had much grieved his friends, touched with reciprocal love, desired, as soon as he was in health, to see them again that he might change their sorrow into joy. Which shall we most admire, the affection of the flock towards the shepherd or that of the shepherd towards the flock. It is one of the miracles of love which unites and blends what distance in vain separates.

V. HIS RECOMMENDATION (ver. 29). For the love of the Lord as His faithful servant whom He has given you, receive him. This is what Christ calls receiving one in His name (Mark 9:37). Learn —

1. Not to judge of men by the accidents which befall them. Innocence is not always prosperous, and piety often falls into great calamities.

2. That it is one thing to meet with affliction in the work of the Lord, and another to meet with it as an effect of our vice, avarice, or vanity.

3. That the closest and tenderest relations should subsist between pastor and flock.

4. That personal considerations should yield to the advantage of the Church.

(J. Daille.)

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KJV: Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

WEB: But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need;