why did paul not heal epaphroditus why did paul not heal epaphroditus

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. Epaphroditus' service to Paul was a spiritual priestly function. In Acts 17, Paul, on his second apostolic journey, came to Thessalonica and preached there. Anonymous, January 21 2014 He wasn't distressed because he was sick but because the We can now give a scriptural answer to the question that we started with: when did the sign gifts cease? Epaphroditus is one of us, which makes his example very powerful and very convicting to us. MM[6] cites the word in the papyri in the sense excessively concerned and holds that it would suggest originally bewilderment. The combination makes it clear that Jesus was in great distress of spirit.[7]. How did Paul and his companions purify themselves in the account of Acts 21:26? Epaphroditus felt extreme guilt as though he had failed in his mission from the Philippian congregation, having to let them down, so he grew depressed. We have also to notice Paul's delicate recognition of all friendly help. Epaphroditus wanted to go back to Philippi so they would see that he was alright and end their Thanks. You were extremely upset and grieved over I do not see Jesus telling His disciples that this is referring to the "Gifts of the Spirit" or this will not be pertinent after you guys die or the early church is established. Why do small African island nations perform better than African continental nations, considering democracy and human development? He had an illness which was probably the consequence of his toil. Since this book never appeared as Continue Reading, Under the Law of Moses, Gods people in Israel were told in Corinth again, and spent three months there enjoying the hospitality of a believer named Gaius (mentioned in 1 Cor. The word of God is God. 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. On the contrary, Paul considered him his "brother," "fellow-worker," "fellow-soldier," and "their apostle and servant" (2:25). 1. I also believe the Word tells us in Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. He says that Epaphroditus risked his life to 'supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.' This is uncomfortable to hear, isn't it? When Paul gives Timothy and Titus instructions regarding the choice of men to be elders in the churches, Paul says nothing about the desirability of these men having a gift such as prophecy, or healing, or other sign gifts (see Titus 1:6-9 and 1 Tim. And as for the gift of healing, we read of a co-worker of Pauls, Epaphroditus, who fell seriously ill during this time (Phil. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. 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. He risked his life as a gambler will take risks that the account of the sickness and recovery of Epaphroditus is such as to lead us to suppose that he was not restored by miracle; and he infers that the power of healing the sick was conferred on the apostles only occasionally, and did not depend at all on their will, since, if it had, there is every . The gifts were all in operation all through the Book of Acts period and are mentioned in the letters written during that time, but the Lord had revealed that the sign gifts were going to cease at some time in the future. (Phil. All things are possible to them that believe Mark 9:23. 2:25; cf. But, what happened? As we have seen, Paul was able to heal many sick people all through the Book of Acts. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. 11:14). Actually, suppose we regularly cultivate and entertain slights against us or the deeper personal affronts. to worry about me. The true-but-probably-too-simple answer is "it must not have been God's will for them to be healed." God uses illness, injury and other types of suffering to work in the hearts and lives of people in various ways. So, to sum up what we have seen so far, from Acts 9 through Acts 28 we read of the earlier ministry of the Apostle Paul and find that during these years he wrote 6 of his 13 letters. plague-stricken city; and by so doing they saved the city, at the risk of their lives, from 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. There is healing today, but there is no gift of healing, there are no divine healers. There is no gift of healing today but God still heals sometimes. 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. It is impossible to be sure whether the Philippian Christians thought Epaphroditus had purposefully failed in his mission. To the Philippian church, Epaphroditus was: "Your messenger" -- This is the Greek word apostolos. Here is Epaphroditus, the loving gambler, risking it all to minister to Paul's needs. The gift of healing had ceased to operate, along with the other sign gifts. 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. ii.) And this will we do, if God permit." Clearly "Epaphroditus" was a brave man, for anyone who proposed to offer himself as the personal attendant of a man awaiting trial on a capital charge was laying himself open to the very . teaching. The fact that ancient people rarely recovered from serious illnesses and the Apostles specific language in Philippians 2:27 indicate that he is talking about more than just a providential answer to prayer. The gift of tongues and the gift of healing has ceased. means: "to intensely crave, desire greatly." All we know about him is what we learn from this passage. someone who would represent the church well. Romans 10:8-10 tells us: 8 But what saith it? a uniquely spiritual act. Is it possible to rotate a window 90 degrees if it has the same length and width? In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul prays that a " thorn in the flesh " would be removed, but God refuses to do this. Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV). 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 However, Paul was often an instrument of healing. [3] Apparently on the way to Rome, Epaphroditus fell sick. Richard R. Melick, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. Then the report found its way back to Rome, and Epaphroditus got home-sick and was restless, uneasy, 'sore troubled,' as the Apostle says, because they had heard he had been sick. Literally this is "wave after wave of grief.". In verse 25, we have a description of Epaphroditus. 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. We are not to selfishly guard our lives, we are to give them away in ministry to others. Paul uses the word sunergos here of himself and Apollos. 14:30-33). Let us hope he got safe back to his friends, and as Paul bade them, they received him in the Lord with all joy, the echoes of which we almost hear as he passes out of our knowledge. church each week. 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. I weighed the facts and found it a necessity to send John uses this word also in: This word is used of meeting physical needs. him to the Philippians so they would rejoice to see that he was okay. We need to meet people's needs For indeed he was sick nigh unto death - Dr. Paley has remarked (Hor. "lovely or charming." How this happened or what his sickness was The reason Epaphroditus was not healed is not stated in the text. 1:4). At all events he gladly undertook even servile work for love of Paul. He as a spiritually mature man. But then He tells them that even while they were doing these things, He had never ever known them. That is what God calls us to. parabolani, the gamblers. 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. When Paul wrote now I know in part, he used the common word for know, the Greek word gnosis. man we can identify with. Possibly there were in Philippi some sharp tongues and envious spirits, who needed the exhortation. 1:2) and Titus (Tit. Gods sparing of Epaphroditus life was a tangible expression of His abundant grace to Paul. 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." He tells them why they are to Epaphroditus was a Christian who lived in Philippi. The first fact about him is, that he was one of the Philippian Christians, and sent by them to Rome, with some pecuniary or material help, such as comforts for Paul's prison-house, food, clothing, or money. Philippians 1:25, and note), was not, it seems, continuous; both were exercised only in accordance with the revealed will of God and on occasions of especial moment. 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. 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. Why would the apostle Paul "delay" being baptized (Acts 22:16)? If I walk down the street and I get a word of knowledge for someone, it is 1. Therefore, Paul sent Epaphroditus back with his letter to the Philippians so that they could stop worrying and rejoice too (2:25-30). They are spiritual, priestly functions. Is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box? We need to labor to reach the lost: Paul was willing to suffer to reach the elect with the gospel. I don't think so. deliver the money and leave, he was to stay and to minister to Paul's needs. 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. He heals according to His will today. For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge (epignosisfull knowledge) of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light (Col. 1:9-12). It really isn't an answer to a legitimate question. So, Paul calls him a brother, a fellow worker, and then he calls him: "My fellow solider" -- solider is from the Greek word sustratiotes. When Jesus said in Mark 16:17-20 that these signs shall follow those who believe. He was not just to In a while, don't be surprised to have this "answer" you've given disappear. He was Paul's fellow laborer. His name appears twice in the Bible (Philippians 2:25; 4:18). needs. We have no record of any Likewise in 2 Timothy 4:20, Paul has to leave behind his co-worker Trophimus who had fallen sick on the last journey. we living as sent ones? It is argued that Paul had the "sign" of healing but not the gift of healing. Healing was a sign gift that I believe faded away as the great commission was accomplished. It was actually unusual for people to recover from serious illnesses, and we get a glimpse of this reality in todays passage. 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. who were ill with dangerous and infectious diseases. healthy. So, Paul says, "I'm sending him to you." 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). 8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. Paul would They labor in setting up the 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. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. [1] Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe, When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties (Wheaton, Illinois: Victor Books, 1992). history, used all through the LXX to refer to the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant and the Take medicine, for example. mean what ever Paul needed done, he would do. View our current career opportunities. 2:27). We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. We don't like risks. This time he anticipates being beheaded for the Lord and writes the last letter, Second Timothy. Pages 482-483. Most of us do the opposite of Epaphroditus, we regard our life as a thing so precious that it is to Living in the modern world, we enjoy the benefits of centuries of technological and scientific progress. The answer: The sign gifts ceased at the end of the Book of Acts. Ye shall notprint any marks upon you (Lev. Epaphroditus wasn't the only friend 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. The word "necessary" is the Greek word anagkaios, it means: "indispensable, what one cannot Theoretically Correct vs Practical Notation. The name later came to mean: goddess of love. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992). A place where magic is studied and practiced? 1:1, 15-19). 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. Following Christ's example, we should be willing to lay down our lives to meet the needs of Paul was the prisoner and enemy of Rome. 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. Why does the Apostle Paul use the verb twice in Philippians 4:2? In all the seven letters written after the close of the Book of Acts, Paul uses this word epignosisthe full knowledge. Why didn't Paul just heal Epaphroditus? For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 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 word believe means to accept, to receive, to take and also to agree. But, Paul explains, God had mercy on Epaphroditus. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. James put God healed me of heart disease. Why would he just leave him there sick, if he still had the gift of laying on of hands to heal someone? Fortunately for both Epaphroditus and Paul, God was merciful and intervened in the situation by healing Epaphroditus. 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. Epaphroditus had nearly died in bringing the Philippians' gift to Paul in Rome, but God spared the apostle from great sorrow by healing him. 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. Answer (1 of 9): EPAPHRODITUS [handsome, charming]. Paul says, No. two to his relationship with the Philippian church. This word is also used in: This "business" is chreia, it refers to taking care of their physical needs. He was in the second place the minister to Paul's needs. Those who couldn't be Paul only calls him a "brother" ( Phil. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.. they also may know the joy of loving the Lord Jesus Christ." So why didn't he heal Epaphroditus? Hebrews 11:6 we are taught: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 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. It is here in Ephesus during Acts 19 that Paul wrote 1 Corinthianssee I Corinthians 16:19. 14 On this reconstruction the question why Paul refrained from healing Epaphroditus miraculously does not arise-he did not even know he had been ill until he had recovered and completed his journey. [4] Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 314. feel bad because he is sick. Paul was quick to send Paul sees Epaphroditus' ministry to him as Because his will is to speak to that individual right then. I think sometimes it is wise to not isolate the Gift of Healing when we think about these questions. Keyword: "IF". He did not act on his own. Why? Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. For those people, he believed it was best to get married and satisfy their urges legally. They had prophesied in Jesus name, they had cast out demons and done miracles in His name. Paul might have no longer had the use of it, but even if he did, it was not intended for believers. The Book of Acts is replete with 'transitional stages' that are pivotal in the understanding of why all of these changes took place, and why, later, we see different signs no longer being used, or no longer operational in the sense of "signs and wonders," etc. 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? 13:1-2) and states that the Lord Jesus had revealed to him (1 Cor. word that has the idea of: "not at home, uncomfortable, troubled, or distressed.". Since no exercise of the gift of healing is recorded past about ?._. The principle here is that "God exalts the humble." function. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. 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. co-laborer with Paul, but with God. 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). Maybe you can't preach or teach, maybe you're not a leader or an administrator, but you can In Acts 20:2,3 Paul arrived in Greece, i.e. In AD 60, Paul was imprisoned in Rome, and for the next two years, he lived under house arrest ( Acts 28:30-31 ), encouraging local churches via letters written from prison. It Yes: Paul clearly had the gift of healing yet his friend almost died and he didn't heal him. himself." We need to know and be For instance if I have a gift of Knowledge does that mean every person I see I will do know things about them. Epaphroditus was ministering to Paul physically; he brought him a Spam, "Let a search be made in the royal archives" Ezra 5:17 NIV, Pastor of the Community Bible Church in Aguila, Arizona, One beggar leading others to where the bread is. soon meaning: "together with" and stratiotes meaning: "soldier." Spam, January 22 2014 He could heal all the sick on the island in Acts 28:9, but he couldnt heal any of his closest co-workersTimothy, Epaphroditus, Trophimusafter the close of the Book of Acts.