Verse by Verse Devotional on Philippians by Pastor Jack #122

Fellow Soldier

2:25 But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;

What draws people together is having things in common. The more connections two people have the more they are going to feel close to each other. And so Paul multiplies the designations of his friend Epaphroditus:

1- my brother

2- my fellow worker

3- my fellow soldier

4- your messenger

5- your minister to my need

The third label that Paul applies to Epaphroditus is "my fellow soldier." What is Paul saying by this designation? What does this add to "fellow worker"?

One thing that is clear is that in Paul’s eyes ministry is a battle. There is a real war going on. This is a major theme in his writings. Those who set out to minister in the name of Christ are tangling with the forces of the devil. It is an intense struggle for the souls of men, and Satan will not yield territory without a fight:

Eph.6:12 " Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."

2Cor.10:3-5 "We do not war according to the flesh, f or the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."

Because we are in the midst of a spiritual battle, we must be always on the alert. We must have a wartime mentality. All things must be sacrificed for the sake of victory. We must be ready to take risks.

Epaphroditus has "risked his life" for the sake of the battle (v.30). He has been wounded in battle (" he came close to death for the work of Christ"). And now Paul is sending a wounded soldier back home for some R&R. And he sends him back with a hero’s honor: "Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me." (29 -30 ) Soldiers have to stick up for one another - like the police when one of their comrades falls.

Father in heaven, thank You for all the valiant soldiers You have raised up to fight Your battles down through the ages. Thank You for all the benefits we enjoy today because of their heroic efforts. Forgive me for how I gravitate to a vacation mentality when I should have a wartime mentality. Wake me up to the reality of the battle raging all around me (and within me). Help me to put on Your armor and be strong in Jesus Christ. Help me to take up the divinely powerful weapons You’ve given, especially the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Help me wield it with courage and compassion. Help me never to attack my fellow soldiers, but to love, encourage and honor them. Help me to remember who my real enemy is.