Two Examples Of Faithful Service, Part 2

In the immediate preceding context, the apostle refers to his protégé Timothy as an example of caring and selfless service. In a second example, "Paul informs the Philippians that he is sending (back) to them the man who was probably the bearer of the letter, namely, Epaphroditus. The latter had been sent to Rome as a gift and with a gift from the church of Philippi. While busily engaged in gospel-work and as Paul's personal attendant he had become grievously ill, having been brought to death's very door, but by God's marvelous mercy he had been completely restored…The apostle, who could surely have made good use of the continued services of Epaphroditus in Rome, gladly makes this sacrifice, and, to offset possible criticism on the part of some, emphasizes that this faithful servant of Christ must be given a hearty welcome and that he and others like him should receive the honor which they so richly deserve." – William HendricksenIn the immediate preceding context, the apostle refers to his protégé Timothy as an example of caring and selfless service. In a second example, "Paul informs the Philippians that he is sending (back) to them the man who was probably the bearer of the letter, namely, Epaphroditus. The latter had been sent to Rome as a gift and with a gift from the church of Philippi. While busily engaged in gospel-work and as Paul's personal attendant he had become grievously ill, having been brought to death's very door, but by God's marvelous mercy he had been completely restored…The apostle, who could surely have made good use of the continued services of Epaphroditus in Rome, gladly makes this sacrifice, and, to offset possible criticism on the part of