Philippians 2:25

“Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, etc.] In the mean while, before either he or Timothy could come to them. This man was sent by the Philippians to the apostle with a present, and had been detained at Rome for some time, partly through business, and partly through sickness; but now the apostle thought it proper, he being recovered, to send him to them, who was one of their ministers. One of this name lived at Rome about this time, and was one of Nero's freemen f14 , but not the same person here intended. This person has a very high character. The apostle calls him, my brother; not in a natural relation, or as being his countryman, and so according to a way of speaking…”

“I supposed--"I thought it necessary." to send--It was properly a sending Epaphroditus back (Phi 4:18). But as he had come intending to stay some time with Paul, the latter uses the word "send" (compare Phi 2:30). fellow soldier--in the "good fight" of faith (Phi 1:27, Phi 1:30; Ti2 2:3; Ti2 4:7). your messenger--literally, "apostle." The "apostles" or "messengers of the churches" (Rom 16:7; Co2 8:23), were distinct from the "apostles" specially commissioned by Christ, as the Twelve and Paul. ministered to my wants--by conveying the contributions from Philippi. The Greek "leitourgon," literally, implies ministering in the ministerial office. Probably Epaphroditus was a presbyter or else a…”

“Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus - Epaphroditus is nowhere else mentioned but in this Epistle; see Philippians 4:18. All that is known of him, therefore, is what is mentioned here. He was from Philippi, and was a member of the church there. He had been employed by the Philippians to carry relief to Paul when he was in Rome Philippians 4:18, and while in Rome he was taken dangerously sick. News of this had been conveyed to Philippi, and again intelligence had been brought to him that they had heard of his sickness and that they were much affected by it. On his recovery, Paul thought it best that he should return at once to Philippi, and doubtless sent this Epistle by…”

“To send Epaphroditus - Back immediately. Your messenger - The Philippians had sent him to St. Paul with their liberal contribution. Philippians 2:26”

“2:25-30 Paul commends Epaphroditus (see also 4:18), a messenger from the church at Philippi whom he was now sending back to them, perhaps carrying this letter. • The description fellow soldier suggests the difficulties, opposition, and dangers encountered in Christ’s work.”

“Epaphroditus: Phi 4:18 my brother: Co2 2:13, Co2 8:22; Plm 1:1 companion: Phi 4:3; Co1 3:9; Co2 8:23; Col 1:7, Col 4:11; Th1 3:2; Plm 1:1, Plm 1:24 fellowsoldier: Ti2 2:3, Ti2 2:4; Plm 1:2 but: Pro 25:13; Joh 17:18; Co2 8:23; Heb 3:1 \*Gr. and he: Phi 4:18; Co2 11:7-9 Philippians 2:26”