why did paul not heal epaphroditushow to draw 15 degree angle with set square
This time he anticipates being beheaded for the Lord and writes the last letter, Second Timothy. There are very many Christian workers who never get their due of recognition and welcome from their brethren, and there are many who get far more of both than belongs to them, and both they and the crowds who bring them adulation would be freed from dangers, which can scarcely be over-stated, if the spirit of Paul's warm-hearted praise of Epaphroditus were kept in view. Epaphroditus was distressed because the Philippians were distressed over his terrible illness. This is a self-less man. Stop speaking in the tongue because it is not from the Holy Spirit. sacrificial. It would be like the difference between being a child and becoming a grown man, or between seeing someones face reflected in a wavy ancient mirror, and seeing the person face-to-face. Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. our other elder. Why does the Apostle Paul use the verb twice in Philippians 4:2? I also believe the Word tells us in Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.. Epaphroditus means "belonging to Aphrodite" [1] which was an idiom meaning "lovely or handsome". When I had Guillain-Barre syndrome I didn't tell my mother I was sick because I didn't want her When it came, then the gifts which were only in part would cease. Thus, we can see Paul was not with Epaphroditus when he got sick, so the argument that he failed to heal him is not relevant. He is saying, He had an illness which was probably the consequence of his toil. But, during this time in the Book of Acts, the Lord revealed to Paul that the sign gifts were going to cease1 Corinthians 13:8-12. Many were saved, but Paul was driven out of town. In fact, he would have probably sent a handkerchief or even went to him, personally, if possible, and laid hands on him and healed him instantly. He was an apostolic delegate. Spam, February 08 2023 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. These very thoughts are what keep us sluggish and contribute to our feeling frustrated, angry, or worthless. 1:1, 15-19). think is a good description of the Christian life in: This is what the Christian's life is all about, building and battling. 'The cup of cold water' given 'in the name of a disciple' is grateful to the lips of the Master. No! Thanks. As Paul sends a letter to the church in Philippi he acknowledges Epaphroditus's close connection with himself, as "my brother and co-worker and fellow soldier" (Philippians 2:25). Epaphroditus was one with Paul in sympathy, one with him in work, and one with him in danger. on Phil no. But neither does it say Paul attempted to heal him and failed. Theoretically Correct vs Practical Notation. honor him. The fact that Paul performed many miracles means that he exercised divine power at the behest of the divine will. me." Paul could have still used Epaphroditus, but he cared more about their joy than his own physical 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. (Grand Rapids, 1979 rpt. If the Apostle Paul still retained the gift of healing by laying on of hands (or healing, in general), then there is absolutely no way under the sun that he (Paul) would have left any brother sick. But then He tells them that even while they were doing these things, He had never ever known them. 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. We begin by setting up a time line of Pauls ministry. Not only did He save the former Pharisee, but He also gave Paul ext So why didn't he heal Epaphroditus? 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. I don't really understand the question from your first comment. Paul put the needs of the Philippians ahead of his own. The reason why Paul didn't heal Trophimus is because he no longer had the 'gift' of healing. Take medicine, for example. A: Paul did not have the power to arbitrarily heal: only God has the power to heal. And he wrote to the Corinthians about the gift of healing that was operating in their church during the Acts period (1 Cor. What did the apostle Paul use the gift of tongues for? Hardly. Does ZnSO4 + H2 at high pressure reverses to Zn + H2SO4? Faithful service is most surely bought by hearty praise. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.. There would be many ways of serving the captive, looking after his comfort, doing his errands, procuring daily necessaries, managing affairs, perhaps writing his letters, easing his chain, chafing his aching wrists, and ministering in a thousand ways which we cannot and need not specify. Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ. If our hearts are set to 'hallow all we find,' the most secular duties will be acts of worship. It really isn't an answer to a legitimate question. They sent him money to meet his physical needs. Is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box? 13:8).1. 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 wasn't a teacher nor preacher that we know of. (Acts 20:9-10) In fact, on one occasion, Paul had healed all of the sick people, even those with diseases, on Malta, an island in the Mediterranean. Paul would All things are possible to them that believe Mark 9:23. Epaphroditus risked it all, life included, to minister to others. He was highly regarded by the church there. word that has the idea of: "not at home, uncomfortable, troubled, or distressed.". do without." The Hardison's are all fellow-laborers with me. Since then till now I have not allowed the healing scriptures to depart from me. back" but "send." But we have also seen that with the close of the Book of Acts, the gift of healing ceased to operate. a uniquely spiritual act. 2:27). Why was he distressed Was he just homesick? 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. Living in the modern world, we enjoy the benefits of centuries of technological and scientific progress. The miracles of healing that the We can make some deductions about Epaphroditus from what we see in this passage. God healed me of heart disease. unto death" -- the word "almost" is paraplesion, it literally means: "along side of a neighbor, My question: If a man believes in his heart and confesses with his mouth Jesus Christ and Him risen, he is Born Again, saved. The gift of healing had ceased to operate, along with the other sign gifts. The news reached Philippi in some round-about way, and, as it appears, the news of his illness only, not of his recovery. 12:9). Galatians was written soon after Paul returned from that first journeysoon after Acts 14:27. Epaphroditus was also a common noun. What have you risked to meet someone's needs? I believe it is used here primarily of physical needs. All references have been taken from the New King James Version. The letters are also arranged by lengthRomans is longest and is first, then the Corinthian letters, then Galatians, etc. Colossians 1:7 of a different man. He never allows us to suffer something that He doesnt give us the strength to live through. somebody around an AIDS patient? All our information about him is contained in this context, and in a brief reference in Chapter iv. 1:2) and Titus (Tit. Together these five titles are an important summary of what the Christian life should be. We're a little different than other sites. parabolani, the gamblers. By that I Isn't that That will tell you what an answer is. In other words, he is suggesting to use "medicine." Jesus said the greatest honor among his followers belongs to the one who renders the "But God had mercy on him" -- God spared him from death and any time that God spares a life When would these gifts cease? When we are having an experience that we learn from the Scriptures is not from the Lord, it is time to keep silent, and remember that our spirits are to be under our own controlthe spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.. Are we a sunergos, a fellow worker? All we can do is guess. 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. Epaphroditus emptied himself and Paul tells the Philippians to However, Paul was often an instrument of healing. So Paul with rare abnegation sent him away at once, though Timothy was to follow shortly, and accompanied him with this outpouring of love and praise in his long homeward journey. it this way: Epaphroditus is a model for all of us to follow. In verses 26-28, we are given the reasons for We are to be working to Dreadnoughts are a peculiar expression of the brotherhood of men after nineteen centuries of so-called Christianity. Epaphroditus was a Christian who lived in Philippi. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. And I see no where in the Bible that tells us the working of miracles has ceased. 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. means: "to intensely crave, desire greatly." 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? everyone will be glad and not sad.". 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. Therefore, Paul sent Epaphroditus back with his letter to the Philippians so that they could stop worrying and rejoice too (2:25-30). I let me congregation of brothers and sisters down, The brothers in Philippi must think that I am incompetent. Originally published in Tabletalk, our daily Bible study magazine. Why would the apostle Paul "delay" being baptized (Acts 22:16)? Paul could have said to Epaphroditus, "Get over it, they'll live. risks. Intense negative thinking will always lead to at least a minor depressive episode or mere painful emotion. This is no fleshly or "secular" work in ministering to Paul's physical needs, it was spiritual. 1 Corinthians 7:5. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. When is the last time that this happened to you? with Paul helping him?". The next two letters that Paul wrote are the two letters to the Corinthians. ", "Lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow" -- his sickness brought Paul sorrow and his death To summarise, Paul was a servant of God; Paul's spiritual gifts did not make God a servant of Paul. 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. Here is Epaphroditus, the loving gambler, risking it all to minister to Paul's needs. Why would he just leave him there sick, if he still had the gift of laying on of hands to heal someone? 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. This is why he and these others were not healed by him. (e.g. In Acts 21:33 Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, and would spend the next 5 years in prison, right through the end of the Book of Acts. 2:13) and that is where he wrote the second letter to the Corinthians. life, it was mercy to me. 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). looked at it as "spiritual worship." life like it is something they deserve. Have you ever watched The order of these first six books is: In Acts 21 Paul was arrested and remained a prisoner through to Acts 28, and beyond. They were to receive him "in the Lord." Bible. someone who would represent the church well. I have stayed beyond two weeks, this is the third year and half after the diagnosis. soldiers marched abreast behind a solid wall of shields. And they did, because in the letters written after the Book of Acts, the sign gifts had ceased, just as the Lord said that they would. 'The cup of cold water' given 'in the name of a disciple' is grateful to the lips of the Master. Pauls letters are arranged in our Bible by two principles: The letters to the churches are put firstnine letters from Romans to 2 Thessalonians, then the four letters written to individualsfrom 1 Timothy to Philemon. He and all his brethren are gone, but his name lives for ever, and Paul's praise of him and of his work outshines all else remembered of the city, where conquerors once reigned, and outside whose walls was fought a battle that decided for a time the fate of the world. were operating all through the Book of Acts, and these gifts are mentioned in the letters that Paul wrote during the Acts period. others. Indeed he was ill, near to death. Paul is saying that God was PERMITTING them to do certain signs so that the Jews might believe that they were of God. It was a title of great honor. here with us can get a tape and those who were here but slept can go home and listen to the 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. 32, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 120. That wonder-workering saints are not miracle-mills? Perhaps Paul said this precisely because the Philippians might be tempted to judge Epaphroditus for being ill, concluding that he was being chastised by God for some secret or even scandalous sin. (Phil. Spam, March 20 2018 Little is known about Epaphroditus (much less than Timothy). Paul could not heal Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-27) "Yet I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger and he who ministered to my wants. ' (Matt. [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.
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