Who Was Epaphroditus in the Bible and How Did He Help Paul?

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In the book of Philippians, the apostle Paul mentions a man named Epaphroditus, who ministered to Paul while he was under house arrest in Rome and later returned with Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. It is evident from Paul’s writing that the apostle held Epaphroditus in high regard, going so far as to refer to him as a “brother," “fellow worker," and “fellow soldier” in Christ (Philippians 2:25). But who was Epaphroditus and what can we learn from his character and ministry as a faithful and courageous soldier for Christ? 

Where is Epaphroditus Introduced in the Bible?

Epaphroditus is first introduced briefly in the book of Philippians, which was written by the apostle Paul. 

We read in the book of Acts that Paul had visited the city of Philippi on his second missionary journey. Named after Philip of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great, who had conquered the region in the 4^th century B.C., the city of Philippi would eventually become part of the Roman province of Macedonia in the second century B.C. 

It wasn’t until 42 B.C., however, when the forces of Antony and Octavian defeated Brutus and Cassius at the Battle of Philippi, that Philippi rose to prominence, since this battle marked the official end of the Roman republic and beginning of the Roman Empire as we know it. 

When the apostle Paul arrived in Philippi during his second missionary journey, he helped oversee the conversion of Lydia, a prosperous businesswoman from the city of Thyatira and merchant of expensive purple dyes and linens (Acts 16:14-15). After hearing Paul preach the gospel in Philippi, Lydia became one of the first Christian converts in Macedonia, and later opened her own home as a meeting place for the emerging church Paul would help found in Philippi.

Understandably, as the first church Paul planted in the region, the church at Philippi held a special place in his heart for the rest of his life. In fact, Paul would enjoy a warm and tender relationship with the believers in Philippi, who were diligent in providing him with financial support for the rest of his ministry. Paul would visit Philippi twice during his third missionary trip to Macedonia (Acts 20:1-6; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5). 

It is there, during one of his many visits, that Paul probably first encountered Epaphroditus, a member of the Philippian church. 

Why Did the Philippian Church Send Epaphroditus to Rome?

In A.D. 60, however, roughly four to five years after Paul last visited Philippi, the apostle was arrested in Jerusalem and eventually placed under house arrest in Rome, where he waited and prepared to appeal his case to Caesar. Upon learning that Paul had been imprisoned, the church in Philippi again gathered resources to send financial aid to Paul in Rome. 

For the task, the church in Philippi selected one of their own, Epaphroditus, to deliver aid and remain to minister to Paul while in Rome (see Philippians 2:25-30; 4:17-18). This was not the first time they had provided financial assistance to Paul during his ministry. But why send Epaphroditus, and who was this chosen representative of Philippi?

Outside of Philippians, not much is known about Philippi’s trusted messenger and apostle (one sent).

His name, a common Greek name meaning “a favorite of Aphrodite” (the Greek goddess of love), later came to mean “lovely,” “handsome,” “graceful,” or “agreeable.” Epaphroditus was also commonly contracted to Epaphras, not to be confused with the Epaphras mentioned in Colossians 1:7 and 4:12. By itself, his name tells us that Epaphroditus was likely a non-Jewish convert. This was not surprising considering the relatively small Jewish population living in Philippi at the time of Paul’s ministry. 

Given the fact that Paul does not refer to Epaphroditus as “his son in the faith," as he does with Timothy (1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2) and Titus (Titus 1:4), but instead calls him a “brother” (Philippians 2:15), there is also reason to believe that Epaphroditus came to salvation prior to his encounter with Paul at Philippi. 

Another interesting theory from the Associates for Biblical Research suggests that Epaphroditus may have been one of many Roman soldiers who had settled in the Roman colony of Philippi at the end of his service to the Empire. Historically, this was not uncommon, as many veterans of the Roman Legion and Praetorian Guard were known to retire in Philippi after their tour of duty had ended. 

If Epaphroditus was a veteran of the Roman Legion, perhaps even the elite Praetorian Guard, it might explain why he was uniquely chosen (and suited) to visit Paul in Rome, where he was kept under house arrest near the camp of the Praetorian Guard. Paul was not alone in his imprisonment, as Luke and some of the other brethren were there to minister to him as he awaited trial (Colossians 4:7-14; Philemon 23-24). Epaphroditus, however, if truly a veteran and retired soldier, may have been able to provide another element of assistance to Paul through his former connections to the Roman army. It may also explain why Paul referred to Epaphroditus as a “fellow soldier” (Philippians 2:25), a term he only uses on one other occasion to describe Archippus, a Christian at Colossae (Philemon 1:2).  

In any case, Epaphroditus must have been a trusted and esteemed member of the Philippian church to be chosen for such an important mission.

Why Did the Apostle Paul Send Epaphroditus Back to Philippi?

After making the two-month trip, covering nearly 730 miles from Philippi to Rome, Epaphroditus finally arrived in Rome with aid for Paul, which Paul received as a “fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18).

Unfortunately, shortly after arriving in Rome to minister to Paul, Epaphroditus became “sick to the point of death” (Philippians 2:27). Once again, we don’t know how he became so ill, whether as a result of the journey or some other ailment. In any case, Paul writes that Epaphroditus soon “longed” for his brothers and sisters in Philippi and became “distressed,” knowing they were probably worried about his health and well-being (Philippians 2:26). 

By the grace and mercy of God, Epaphroditus recovered (Philippians 2:27). However, Paul would eventually decide to send Epaphroditus back to Philippi to put the minds of the Philippian believers regarding his health at ease. Furthermore, as this was a church that had gone out of its way to take care of him throughout his ministry, Paul wanted to write and thank them for their continued support. Epaphroditus would be entrusted to carry Paul’s letter back to Philippi.

Unlike many of his other letters, Paul’s letter to the Philippians does not address any major behavioral or theological concerns. It is much more personal, practical, and tender. However, the church in Philippi had been facing opposition from the outside as well as strife, false teaching, and division from within. This is why Paul devotes portions of his letter to unity within the body of Christ and finding joy and contentment in Christ.

Regarding Epaphroditus, Paul did not want the church in Philippi to think he had failed in his mission or given up along the way. “Receive him then in the Lord with all joy,” Paul would write, “and hold people like him in high regard, because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to compensate for your absence in your service to me” (Philippians 2:29-30). This is high praise for one Paul clearly loved. 

What Can We Learn from Epaphroditus?

Though his story is brief, and little is known about his ministry before or after his time in Rome, there are few things Christians can learn from Epaphroditus. 

 1. Those Born Again are Given a New Name in Jesus Christ

Even though Epaphroditus had been given a Greek name that paid homage to a pagan deity, having been born again in Christ, he, like all Christians, was given a new name and new identity. At the moment of salvation, Epaphroditus had become a “new creation” in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). His new name and new life, therefore, supplanted and exceeded his birth name and former self. In the name of Jesus Christ, Epaphroditus was sealed for eternity (Revelation 14:1). This was reason to rejoice. 

2. The Redeemed in Christ are Members of the Same Spiritual Family 

In referring to Epaphroditus as a “brother," Paul affectionately affirmed that he (a Jew) and Epaphroditus (a Gentile) were now members of the same spiritual family. Their bond had been forged of something far stronger than any human barrier, obstacle, or divide. They were now one in Christ (Galatians 3:28-29; Colossians 3:11; 1 Corinthians 12:13). To those who love God, He gives the right to become sons and children of God (Ephesians 1:5; John 1:12; 1 John 3:1-2) and members of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19-22; Galatians 6:2; 1 Timothy 3:15). Accordingly, as brothers in Christ, both Paul and Epaphroditus held a familial view of each other: “if one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together” (1 Corinthians 12:26).

3. Christ’s Followers Should Serve Each Other and Labor Together in Unity 

The small but growing band of believers in Philippi had helped finance Paul’s ministry for many years. When they learned that he was in prison, the church again moved to provide for his needs, sending Epaphroditus to care for him. The support of the Philippian church meant everything to Paul, and he considered Epaphroditus and the Philippian believers his “fellow workers” in ministry (Philippians 2:25). Likewise, Paul urged the believers in Philippi to “make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose,” (Philippian 2:2), laboring together for the sake of the gospel. This is how Paul saw Epaphroditus; and this should be the heart of all of Christ’s followers towards each other. In the words of the Psalmist, “how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” (Psalms 133:1)

4. Christians Should be Marked by Courage and Perseverance

There was nothing cowardly or weak about Epaphroditus, even in his sickness. Rather, Paul referred to his “brother” and “fellow worker” also as a “fellow soldier” in Christ (Philippians 2:30). These two were united in familial bond, in faith, and in the fight. They were committed to winning the same battles and reaching the same end goal as brothers in arms (Ephesians 6:12). They were committed to victory in Christ Jesus. For this reason, both Paul and Epaphroditus persevered through all trial and temptation, “fighting the good fight” and “keeping the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Epaphroditus even risked his life to the point of death to serve a brother in need. Oh, that the church would be filled with such courageous, committed, and resilient soldiers as Paul and Epaphroditus. 

5. Serving Others is Sweet and Pleasing to God

According to Paul, the Philippian church had given him a gift that he regarded as, “a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). So too are all gifts given in love, faithfulness, and service to Christ and others. Accordingly, before mentioning Epaphroditus in his letter to the Philippians, Paul also wrote for the believers in Philippi to “do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3-5). Epaphroditus served as a model of Christ-like selfishness and faithfulness as he had helped carry another’s burdens, thereby fulfilling the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). Shortly after, Paul urged the Philippians to “hold people like him [Epaphroditus] in high regard” (Philippians 2:29). With such noted praise, the character of Epaphroditus should serve as an example to the church for all generations. 

Further Reading

Who Was Epaphroditus in the Bible and What Can We Learn from Him?
What are the Prison Epistles?
Who Wrote Philippians and What Lessons Does it Have for Us?

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Joel Ryan is an author, writing professor, and contributing writer for Salem Web Network and Lifeway. When he’s not writing stories and defending biblical truth, Joel is committed to helping young men find purpose in Christ and become fearless disciples and bold leaders in their homes, in the church, and in the world.

This article originally appeared on Christianity.com. For more faith-building resources, visit Christianity.com.