Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

EPAPHRODITUS

(Gk. Epaphróditos)

A Christian sent by the Philippian church to deliver gifts to the imprisoned Paul and help him (Phil. 4:18). Epaphroditus then became ill and nearly died. Paul called him his brother, fellow worker (Gk. synergós), fellow soldier (systratiṓtēs), and the Philippians’ messenger (apóstolos) and minister (leitourgós) to him (Phil. 2:25-30). The terms signify Paul’s recognition of Epaphroditus’ exemplary sacrificial service to him on behalf of the gospel. Epaphroditus was a common personal name in the 1st century c.e., related to the name of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, and may shed light on his family background.

Paul refers to an Epaphras as his fellow prisoner (Phlm. 23) and identifies an Epaphras of Colossae as a beloved fellow servant (sýndoulos) and faithful minister (diákonos) and servant (doúlos) of Christ (Col. 1:7; 4:12). While the name Epaphras could be a shortened form of Epaphroditus, the latter was most likely a Philippian, not a Colossian.

Bibliography. R. A. Culpepper, “Co-Workers in Suffering: Philippians 2:19-30,” RevExp 77 (1980): 349-58.

Scott Nash

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

EPAPHRODITUS

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)