why did paul not heal epaphroditus

In English, as in Greek, this is a neuter pronounthat thing which is perfect. Paul was not writing about the coming of He who is perfect but of the coming of a thing which is perfect. Paul. Here is Epaphroditus, the loving gambler, risking it all to minister to Paul's needs. This word is used 13 times in the New Testament, 12 by Paul of people who work with him in When he recovers, Paul sends him back to Philippi This morning we are going to look at the kenois of Epaphroditus who is much like us, he is a May we not further draw from Paul's words here a lesson as to the honour due to Christian workers? Thanks for contributing an answer to Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange! 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. EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. Paul sent Timothy to the church of Ephesus, which was a We are to follow the example of Christ who "emptied In this case, Paul did pray for healing, but his request was denied. serve, you can meet physical needs. Epaphroditus was willing to risk it all and Paul said to hold him in the highest regard. Paul teaches that it's the "Word of Faith" which we preach. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. In the first six letters, all written during the period covered by the Book of Acts, we find that the sign gifts were operating in all these churches. The difficulty of communication would sufficiently account for the partial intelligence. But then He tells them that even while they were doing these things, He had never ever known them. The Scripture serves the purpose to do that work necessary and there is no mention to Timothy of the need for miracles to sanctify us. 2:25-30) and Paul no longer had the gift of healing, and was no longer able to heal as he did only a few years earlier in Acts 28:9. where it ends for many, they are brothers, but not for Epaphroditus. Miracles by definition are not normative In other words, he is suggesting to use "medicine." The principle here is that "God exalts the humble." He wrote to the Corinthian church that they came behind no other church when it came to the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. This is Heresy 101 at its best!). The answer: The sign gifts ceased at the end of the Book of Acts. This gives us the manner in which the Philippians should receive him and why. Why would the apostle Paul "delay" being baptized (Acts 22:16)? send him back? 2:4) had passed away by this time. He had an illness which was probably the consequence of his toil. We are to They had prophesied in Jesus name, they had cast out demons and done miracles in His name. The word believe means to accept, to receive, to take and also to agree. Besides, Epaphroditus was longing to see the church because he knew that they had found out that he had been ill (2:26). Remember that God is not a man that He should lie. 7:22-23). They were to receive him "in the Lord." The gift of healing by the laying on of hands, etc., was no longer needed, because that particular gift was a gift for a sign to the Jews! 0 Responses That wonder-workering saints are not miracle-mills? 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." 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. Historians tell us that he had a very common name. We need to work hard in intellectual areas; we need to toil in study. and suffering, and given a choice, Paul preferred death: But if Epaphroditus would have died, Paul would have lost a good friend and this would have Why wasn't Pauls companion healed that day, I have no clue. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. It was a title of great honor. Pauls gift of healing (Acts 28:9) was no longer operating in Philippians 2:27, 1 Timothy 5:23 and 2 Timothy 4:20. The Philippians would want to know, "what are you doing back? Though Paul had the gift of healing, he did not heal this individual. He says that Epaphroditus risked his life to 'supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.' I find the denial of Divine Healing today interesting. He's probably one of the greatest Christians that ever lived. 5:23) and Paul cant heal him, doesnt recommend that he go to a healer in the church, doesnt send a prayer cloth or a bottle of anointing oil (remember the miracles of some 8 years earlier in Acts 19:11-12). This is the last letter written during the Book of Acts. The word "send" is pempo. Paul also had another concern on his heart. The word "gladness" is chara which means: "joy." We have no record of any However, by that time, those gifts had ceased, because the "signs and wonders" were to the Jews; the laying on of hands for healing and the gift of tongues had become unnecessary. gathered his congregation together and set them to burying the dead and nursing the sick in that Epaphroditus was distressed because the Philippians were distressed over his terrible illness. God owes us nothing! Paul was a great theologian, he knew that death for a Christian was a promotion, an end of pain I waited several days until I began to get better before I let her know I was forget about them." Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. (e.g. God's sparing of Epaphroditus' life was a tangible expression of His abundant grace to Paul. The normal word Living in the modern world, we enjoy the benefits of centuries of technological and scientific progress. Epaphroditus had made a 600-mile journey from Philippi to Rome, an 80-day journey on foot round trip, which was fatiguing, to visit the apostle Paul. be grieved over his sickness. What does this say to the "health-wealth gospel" She had a very famous son, Eros, better known by his Roman name, Cupid. 1:2; II Tim. destruction and desolation. 'The cup of cold water' given 'in the name of a disciple' is grateful to the lips of the Master. We're a little different than other sites. But to understand when the sign gifts ceased, we need to read Pauls letters in the order that he wrote them. In fact, it is the words we tell ourselves about people, self, experiences, life, in general, God, the future, the past, the present. 3:2) to the Apostle Paul, but He had not yet revealed the entire message to him. This is because the word of God is living and active. 7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. Again, we have no indication whatsoever that healing was his "right" or something which he could "claim." . Perhaps over-exertion in travel, or perhaps his Macedonian constitution could not bear the enervating air of Rome, or perhaps Paul's prison was unhealthy. 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.. Why is there a need for healing leaves from the tree in Revelations? Because a wonder-workering saints are not miracle-mills. A caressing hand on a horse's neck is better than a whip. How about the Gift of Faith, do we not all have Faith, so how does this work when a person has a Gift of Faith? He was not just to sorrow." He was highly regarded by the church there. feel bad because he is sick. The Philippian church would not have trusted a novice with So, in short, Epaphroditus grew sick on his 600-mile journey to Rome, to the point of death, which delayed him from fulfilling his mission of helping Paul. function. All deeds done from the same motive are the same, however different they may be in regard to the material on which they are wrought. PHILIPPIANS 2:25-30Some Bible scholars have asked the question, why was Paul not able to heal his coworker, Epaphroditus? Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. good friend. Vote Up Calculating probabilities from d6 dice pool (Degenesis rules for botches and triggers), Recovering from a blunder I made while emailing a professor. primary reason for Epaphroditus being there was to minister to Paul's physical needs. The words "more eagerly" have the idea of: "with haste or diligence." distressed because you had heard that he was sick." The Hardison's are all fellow-laborers with me. Why do small African island nations perform better than African continental nations, considering democracy and human development? No one was more charismatic than Paul, yet the Lord revealed to him that those sign gifts were going to cease: whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away (1 Cor. Asked January 21 2014 We are not to fear people, they can't hurt you. So why didn't he heal Epaphroditus? We don't like risks. We'd like to help. He was sent there to serve Paul with his life to serve Christ and man. If our hearts are set to 'hallow all we find,' the most secular duties will be acts of worship. Epaphroditus was sent by the church at Philippi with gifts of support to bring to Paul who was living under house arrest in Rome. rev2023.3.3.43278. of the church. We but feebly echo Paul's rapture when he thought that there was 'neither Barbarian or Scythian, bond or free, but all were one in Christ Jesus,' and for all our talk about the unity of humanity and the like, we permit the old gulfs of separation to gape as deeply as ever. Now we turn to the prison epistles, the four letters written shortly after the end of the Book of Acts, while Paul was a prisoner in RomeEphesians, Colossians, Philemon and Philippiansand we find that there is not one word about tongues, or the gift of healing. What Is the Difference Between 'Man' And 'Son of Man' in Num 23:19? soldiers marched abreast behind a solid wall of shields. sisters in Christ in other countries. 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." When is the last time you set aside something on your agenda The gifts of tongues, prophecy, etc. know that they were rejoicing. God healed me of heart disease. God does heal but its always according to his will,God may have had other plans.We might never know what was God's purpose in these sicknesses. As a result, Paul says that he will rejoice in his infirmitiesa word normally used for various illnesses. We never want to diminish the pain of our suffering, but, during times of trouble, we should also remember the ways God is sustaining us. Therefore, Paul sent Epaphroditus back with his letter to the Philippians so that they could stop worrying and rejoice too (2:25-30). Love never fails. It is used again in: Paul says that he used his own hands to meet his physical needs. we living as sent ones? Ministering to others' physical needs is a spiritual priestly 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.). Bible. 2:25-30). 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. I have hid them in my heart. 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.' 12:12; Heb. And Paul was rejoicing to delegate. [3] Apparently on the way to Rome, Epaphroditus fell sick. Richard R. Melick, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. church each week. they also may know the joy of loving the Lord Jesus Christ." Paul could have still used Epaphroditus, but he cared more about their joy than his own physical 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. There were only 14 apostles in the official sense, the 12 plus Paul and And in verses 29-30, we are given the exaltation and kenosis of All through the Book of Acts we read of tongues, the gift of prophecy, the gift of healing, etc.for example, tongues and prophecy in Acts 19:6, the gift of prophecy in Acts 21:10-14, the gift of healing in Acts 19:11-12 and 28:8,9, etc. messages, or do what ever Paul needed. ), Apostolic Fathers (e.g., Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp), Apologists (e.g., Justin Martyr, Clement, Tertullian), Church Fathers (e.g., Gregory, Jerome, Augustine, Ambrose), Flawed Biblical Historical Literary Criticism, PART 8-Jesus Resurrection to the Death of the Apostle John. This is a self-less man. Hardly. Speakers: Pastor Ricky Kurth, Pastor Don HosfeldDetails, "But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping" (John 20:11). I was having shortness of breath and others things like palpitations, light headedness,insomnia and all that. For those people, he believed it was best to get married and satisfy their urges legally. He was troubled because they heard that Christ emptied Paul sees Epaphroditus' ministry to him as There was no reliable way of getting these to Paul but to take them, and so Epaphroditus faced the long journey across Greece to Brindisi and Rome, and when arrived there threw himself with ardour into serving Paul. teacher who was used of God to minister to many churches. (Phil. Consider the Book of Mark chapter 16 verses 17-20. 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. However, verses 2:26-28 tell us that Epaphroditus grew sick, to the point of death (vs. 27), while he was on his way to Rome. The next two letters that Paul wrote are the two letters to the Corinthians. This is why he and these others were not healed by him. I believe it is used here primarily of physical needs. Jesus is speaking: 17 And these signs shall follow them that BELIEVE; IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK, AND THEY SHALL RECOVER. Once saved, his spirit is completely made Brand New, is this not a miracle? The answer is: He wouldn't have! the proclamation of the gospel effective. This is not a rebuke, it literally means: "to complete your service to me." Paul was the prisoner and enemy of Rome. Whether we are well or sick, whether we are like Epaphroditus or like Timothy, we can always claim this promise from the Lord that His grace and strength are sufficient for us. We know that Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus were all godly men. What have you risked to meet someone's needs? Paul is saying,"God gave Epaphroditus mercy and he gave me mercy also. Stop speaking in the tongue because it is not from the Holy Spirit. Galatians was written soon after Paul returned from that first journeysoon after Acts 14:27. It appears my previous comment has been deleted, no explanation why. the heathen threw out the bodies of their dead and fled in terror. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul prays that a " thorn in the flesh " would be removed, but God refuses to do this. All the loving thoughts, and all the material expressions of them which Epaphroditus brought to Paul were fragrant with the perfume of the Philippians' love, 'an odour of a sweet smell, acceptable' to Paul as to Paul's Lord. "Almost Not only did He save the former Pharisee, but He also gave Paul ext Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ. Of course, our apostle Continue Reading. The word "esteem" is entimos, it means: For some, Pauls instructions to the prophets at Corinth will be pertinent: If anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints (1 Cor. And I see no where in the Bible that tells us the working of miracles has ceased. Epaphroditus wanted to go back to Philippi so they would see that he was alright and end their But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. The gift of tongues, prophecy and knowledge during the Acts period were only in partthey were incomplete, they did not communicate the full knowledge that the Lord had to reveal. Fortunately for both Epaphroditus and Paul, God was merciful and intervened in the situation by healing Epaphroditus. Work done for Paul was done for Jesus, and that, not because of any special apostolic closeness of relation of Paul to Jesus, but because, like all other Christians, he was one with his Lord. Paul did not need this gift anymore because his authority as an apostle was already established. Acts 28:25-28 stands as Gods last words to the nation of Israel for nearly two millennia. God. He tells us in verses 26-28. This . Does ZnSO4 + H2 at high pressure reverses to Zn + H2SO4? He healed Epaphroditus, but He did not heal Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 or in Galatians 4:13-15, or Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23, or Trophimus in 2 Timothy 4:20. Vote Up What he had not yet received in 1 Corinthians 13, he now has. Even medical doctors who are saved will tell you they rely on the power of God all the time and will encourage their patients to rely on God Who is the only healer. He didn't want them to Keyword: "IF". The gift of healing had ceased to operate, along with the other sign gifts. able to defend doctrine. Paul was released from this imprisonment and continued his ministry for a few years, perhaps 3 years. This miraculous healing was not only for Epaphroditus benefit but for Pauls as well, something that the Lord worked in order to keep the Apostle from having to endure the extra sorrow of losing a friend on top of the sorrows of suffering in prison (Phil. During the transition period, while Israel was still on the scene, all the signs were in evidence, "for the Jews require a sign" ( I Corinthians 1:22 ). By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. In verse 25, we have a description of Epaphroditus. >From this verb we get the Epaphroditus appears to have been a tremendous help to Paul, and somehow, possibly as a result of caring for Paul (Philippians 2:30), Epaphroditus gets sick and nearly dies. Finally at the end of his life he is again in prison. we are all from the same womb, we're family. Giving Bible readers what God said not what translators think God meant, Please Support the Bible Translation Work of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV). In the 3 Pastoral Epistles, as in the prison epistles, we do not read of tongues or the gift of healing operating at this time. the average person can relate to. Why did Paul not heal Trophimus? 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. 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). Did Paul's handkerchief heal sick people (Acts 19:11-12)? Bulk update symbol size units from mm to map units in rule-based symbology. Paul had the gift of healing didn't he? Vote Up All references have been taken from the New King James Version. What year did Ezra leave Babylon and arrive in Jerusalem? Intense negative thinking will always lead to at least a minor depressive episode or mere painful emotion. his return to Philippi. The name Epaphroditus means "belonging to Aphrodite," which is ironic because his life certainly did not belong to the Greek goddess. 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. A shoulder-to-shoulder fighting Having seen the pattern of truth regarding the gifts, we need to ask, why did the gifts cease at this time? 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. They were sent by Jesus Christ. But we read that Epaphroditus was healeddirectly by the Lord: He was sick unto death but the Lord had mercy on him.. Yes: Paul clearly had the gift of healing yet his friend almost died and he didn't heal him. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. In A.D. 252, plague broke out in Carthage; do without." Apart from Acts arguably Luke or Paul wrote it and Paul wrote the others - does anyone else say Paul could do miracles? 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. The pattern could not be clearer, and the contrast could not be sharper between the earlier letters and the later letters, between the time when all the sign gifts were operating, and the time when all the sign gifts had ceased. Clarify himself and God exalted him. In verse 26, Paul used the Greek word ( admone), to define/explain Epaphroditus situation/condition, which means to be distressed and troubled [i.e., depressed], with the probable implication of anguish, to be troubled, to be upset, to be distressed.[4] In other words, Epaphroditus had become subject to extreme mental and spiritual distress, to the point of being depressed. The answer is: He wouldn't have! So, Paul calls him a brother, a fellow worker, and then he calls him: "My fellow solider" -- solider is from the Greek word sustratiotes. All we can do is guess. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus.