Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
Paul was a prisoner at Rome when the church at Philippi sent supplies to him through Epaphroditus as their messenger to care for his needs. Epaphroditus is presented as a brother and a co-laborer and a fellow soldier in service to Paul. While in Rome he fell seriously ill and almost died, but God mercifully spared his life and thereby spared Paul further grief on top of his troubles. Because the Philippians had heard of the illness and were worried, while Epaphroditus longed for them and was troubled, Paul sent him back at once so they could be glad to see him again and Paul's own sorrow would be lightened.
The verse commands the believers to welcome Epaphroditus back with complete joy in the Lord and to hold faithful workers like him in high esteem. Such joyful welcome and esteem are owed because he nearly died in Christ's work, risking his life to provide the personal help that the Philippians themselves could not give to Paul.
It requires a thorough transformation of character, order in the church, possession of Jesus' mindset for right conduct in God's church, and faithful Sabbath observance, as the condition for being acknowledged as God's children. Responding to it brings deep repentance with shame before God for unjust treatment of fellow believers, confession of wrongs, and a positive witness.
Paul was a prisoner at Rome when the church at Philippi sent supplies to him through Epaphroditus as their messenger to care for his needs. Epaphroditus is presented as a brother and a co-laborer and a fellow soldier in service to Paul. While in Rome he fell seriously ill and almost died, but God mercifully spared his life and thereby spared Paul further grief on top of his troubles. Because the Philippians had heard of the illness and were worried, while Epaphroditus longed for them and was troubled, Paul sent him back at once so they could be glad to see him again and Paul's own sorrow would be lightened.
The verse commands the believers to welcome Epaphroditus back with complete joy in the Lord and to hold faithful workers like him in high esteem. Such joyful welcome and esteem are owed because he nearly died in Christ's work, risking his life to provide the personal help that the Philippians themselves could not give to Paul.
It requires a thorough transformation of character, order in the church, possession of Jesus' mindset for right conduct in God's church, and faithful Sabbath observance, as the condition for being acknowledged as God's children. Responding to it brings deep repentance with shame before God for unjust treatment of fellow believers, confession of wrongs, and a positive witness.