Philip Dampier's Blog

Chapter 2, Verse 29 “So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men,” The church had sent Epaphroditus to help Paul in his imprisonment. The church loved Epaphroditus and they loved Paul. No doubt they were upset that their gift to Paul had to be returned. Not…

Chapter 2, Verse 28 “I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.” Paul has made it obvious that Epaphroditus has performed a valuable role in Paul’s care and work. He also is aware of the…

Chapter 2, Verse 27 “Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” The Philippians were certainly right to have been worried over their brother and fellow servant. Paul affirms that…

Chapter 2, Verse 26 “…for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.” The journey from Philippi to Rome took around 40 days. Round trip news took at least twice as long. This time lapse has greatly affected Epaphroditus since he…

Chapter 2, Verse 25 “I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,” Epaphroditus had come to Paul from the Philippi church as the church’s messenger and gift bringer. He was sent as a…

Chapter 2, Verse 24 “…and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.” Don’t you love the optimism of Paul? We’ve been back and forth with him but evidently he has an idea of what God plans to do. Paul knows why he was called out of…

Chapter 2, Verse 23 “I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me,” The “therefore” takes us back to verse 19 where Paul had hopes of sending Timothy soon. This verse introduces a possible caveat. Evidently, Timothy is not with Epaphroditus but…