The Meaning of Philippians 2:25 Explained

Philippians 2:25

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.

YLT: And I thought it necessary Epaphroditus -- my brother, and fellow-workman, and fellow-soldier, and your apostle and servant to my need -- to send unto you,

Darby: but I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-workman and fellow-soldier, but your messenger and minister to my need,

ASV: But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Philippians 2:25 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Rather than waiting, Paul thought it necessary to send Epaphroditus immediately. He would explain shortly why he did this. First, he wanted to commend his messenger.
Epaphroditus" name appears nowhere else in the New Testament other than in Philippians in this form (cf. Philippians 4:18). However Epaphras, the less formal name, appears in Colossians 1:7; Colossians 4:12; and Philemon 1:23. These were probably two different individuals, however, since the Epaphroditus of Philippians was apparetly from Macedonia and the Epaphras of Colossians and Philemon was evidently from Asia Minor. Paul described Epaphroditus here in five relationships. He was Paul"s brother in the faith, a sharer in spiritual life by God"s grace. Second, he was Paul"s fellow worker, more than a brother but one who joined in the service of building the church of Jesus Christ, a partner in the gospel ministry. Third, he was Paul"s fellow soldier. He was not just a worker but a worker who had entered into spiritual warfare by standing up for Christ in a hostile environment and boldly proclaiming the gospel.
In relation to the Philippians , Epaphroditus was their messenger to Paul. He had carried their gift to him as their representative. Translators usually render the Greek word translated "messenger" as "apostle" (Gr. apostolos). This word has a general meaning and a specific meaning in the New Testament. Generally it means a messenger and describes such people as Barnabas ( Acts 14:14), James , the Lord"s brother ( Galatians 1:19; 1 Corinthians 15:7), probably Silas and Timothy ( 1 Thessalonians 2:7; cf. Philippians 1:1), and Epaphroditus here. Technically it refers to the12apostles and Paul, those whom Jesus had specially commissioned with the ministry of planting and establishing the church. This second usage is more common in the New Testament. Many men functioned as apostles in the early church, but only13were official apostles (i.e, occupied that office).
Finally, Epaphroditus was the Philippians" "minister" to Paul"s needs in prison. This word (Gr. leitourgon) sometimes describes the kind of ministry a priest performs ( Romans 15:16; Hebrews 8:2). Consequently Paul may have been thinking of Epaphroditus" ministry to him as similar to a priest"s. He presented the Philippians" offering to Paul as a sacrifice ( Philippians 4:18).
"Epaphroditus was their envoy to him, their way of telling him that they cared enough to send their very best ..." [1]

Context Summary

Philippians 2:19-30 - Honoring Christian Messengers
The Apostle nobly honored the younger men who wrought with him. He speaks of Timothy as his son, and expatiates on the genuineness of his loving interest in each of his converts. He describes Epaphroditus as his brother, fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier. How tenderly he refers to his sickness and recovery, as though God had conferred on himself special favor in giving back this beloved comrade in the great fight!
It is well worth while to ponder the remark that God does not add sorrow to sorrow, Philippians 2:27. He tempers His wind to the shorn lamb. He cautions the accuser that he must not take Job's life. With the trial He makes the way of escape. He keeps His finger on the wrist while the operation is in progress, and stays it as soon as the pulse flutters. Not sorrow upon sorrow! Note also that "hazarding" of life, Philippians 2:30, r.v. It was a common experience in those great days of Christ's suffering Church, Acts 15:26. How strange it is today to watch the sacrifices that men and women will make in times of war, when a new spirit is stirring in the world and men adventure everything for liberty, righteousness, and fatherland, and then compare this extravagant expenditure of blood and treasure with what we have done for Jesus. [source]

Chapter Summary: Philippians 2

1  Paul exhorts them to unity, and to all humbleness of mind, by the example of Christ's humility;
12  to a careful proceeding in the way of salvation, that they be as lights to a wicked world,
16  and comforts to him their apostle, who is now ready to be offered up to God
19  He hopes to send Timothy to them, and Epaphroditus also

Greek Commentary for Philippians 2:25

I counted it [ηγησαμην]
Epistolary aorist from the point of view of the readers. [source]
Epaphroditus [Επαπροδιτον]
Common name, though only in Philippians in N.T., contracted into Epaphras, though not the same man as Epaphras in Colossians 1:7. Note one article τον — ton (the) with the three epithets given in an ascending scale (Lightfoot), brother Μου — Mou (my) and υμων — humōn (your) come together in sharp contrast. Messenger (αποστολον — apostolon). See note on 2 Corinthians 8:23 for this use of αποστολος — apostolos as messenger (missionary). Minister See note on Romans 13:6; Romans 15:16 for this ritualistic term. [source]
Messenger [αποστολον]
See note on 2 Corinthians 8:23 for this use of αποστολος — apostolos as messenger (missionary). [source]
Minister [λειτουργον]
See note on Romans 13:6; Romans 15:16 for this ritualistic term. [source]
Epaphroditus []
Mentioned only in this epistle. See on Epaphras, Phlippians 1:23. The name is derived from Aphrodite (Venus), and means charming. [source]
Messenger [ἀπόστολον]
The same word as apostle, one sent with a commission. [source]
He that ministered [λειτουργὸν]
Kindred with λειτουργία servicein Phlippians 2:17. Rev., minister. [source]

What do the individual words in Philippians 2:25 mean?

Necessary now I esteemed [it] Epaphroditus the brother and fellow worker fellow soldier of me of you messenger minister of the need to send to you
Ἀναγκαῖον δὲ ἡγησάμην Ἐπαφρόδιτον τὸν ἀδελφὸν καὶ συνεργὸν συστρατιώτην μου ὑμῶν ἀπόστολον λειτουργὸν τῆς χρείας πέμψαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς

Ἀναγκαῖον  Necessary 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: ἀναγκαῖος  
Sense: necessary.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἡγησάμην  I  esteemed  [it] 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐπιτροπεύω 
Sense: to lead.
Ἐπαφρόδιτον  Epaphroditus 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἐπαφρόδιτος  
Sense: an associate with Paul in the ministry.
ἀδελφὸν  brother 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀδελφός  
Sense: a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother.
συνεργὸν  fellow  worker 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: συνεργός  
Sense: a companion in work, fellow worker.
συστρατιώτην  fellow  soldier 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: συστρατιώτης  
Sense: a fellow soldier.
μου  of  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ὑμῶν  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ἀπόστολον  messenger 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀπόστολος  
Sense: a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders.
λειτουργὸν  minister 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: λειτουργός  
Sense: a public minister, a servant of the state.
τῆς  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
χρείας  need 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: χρεία  
Sense: necessity, need.
πέμψαι  to  send 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: πέμπω  
Sense: to send.