Philippians 2:25-30 — Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. “… Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me. 

Paul’s comments about Epaphroditus (“Handsome”) don’t get as much coverage as the more famous passage about Jesus in the same chapter:
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)

What had never struck me before is that Epaphroditus is a perfect example of what Paul was talking about. To make my point I want to look at just two words in the original Greek text. 

The first word is “leitourgon“. It’s translated in the King James Version as “He that ministered”. It’s an odd word, not much used in Classical Greek — in or out of the Bible. It has a variety of shades of meaning, all around the idea of serving — often as a representative, and often without compensation. Epaphroditus was Paul’s assistant, at his own expense, representing the Philippians — just as Jesus made Himself a servant.

The second word is fascinating. It’s “parabouleusamenos“. It’s translated in the King James Version as “not regarding” — but it’s the word used for the gambler hazarding everything on a sing?e throw of the dice. Epaphroditus was all-in — he was putting his life on the 

line to look after Paul. It was risky enough to associate himself with a prisoner in chains, but also Rome was a notoriously unhealthy place — which Epaphroditus found out!

Not only did Epaphroditus take on the form of a servant, but he was prepared to be obedient “unto death”.

Paul, of course, didn’t regard Epaphroditus as a servant — Paul too was a servant, and willing to risk his life for the sake of the gospel. Epaphroditus was his fellow-worker and companion. 

Paul and Epaphroditus both illustrate perfectly the humility and crazy courage that should be the hallmark of every Christian. Those are building blocks for the Kingdom!