Philippians 2:26-30

For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.

(v26-27, NIV)

Epaphroditus is spoken well of by Paul. He was sent by the church of Philippi to administer to Paul's needs and to act as a messenger between the church of Philippi and Paul. Unfortunately, he got sick during his mission as a messenger to Paul. He longs for them back at the church in Philippi and is worried because they heard he was ill. So they heard that he became sick. Instead of mentioning of worry he may have had for himself, Paul mentions Epaphroditus' worry for their distress over him. He probably wasn't too worried about his own health but instead worried about his fellow brothers at sisters in Christ.

Epaphroditus was sick and almost died. However, he was healed. God had mercy on him and saved him from death. Paul takes the opportunity to let his readers know of his worry. Paul was worried for Epaphroditus' health. He explains it as sparing him sorrow upon sorrow. Paul would have been extremely sorrowful if Epaphroditus had died. The church sent Epaphroditus to minister to Paul's needs. However, it would have been terrible if the messenger and aid to Paul had died in the process of helping Paul. Fortunately, God had mercy on Epaphroditus and also spared Paul the sorrow he would have had if Epaphroditus passed away.

Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.

(v28-30, NIV)

Now Epaphroditus has gotten better. As a result, Paul can send him back home. In seeing him, they may be glad and not worry anymore for his safety after hearing that he was sick. They should be joyful for him in seeing him. In addition, he should receive honor for his work. He almost died for the work of Christ. Christ was obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Similarly, Epaphroditus was obedient in carrying out his mission to the point of death. Traveling was not a simply easy thing back then. It's not simple nowadays, but it's definitely a lot better than back then. Travelling would take a lot longer than it does nowadays. In addition, there were robbers and bandits who would prey on travelers. In Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan, the man in the story was a victim of thieves. It was simply a story Jesus told, but it was based upon a real even that occurred back in those days. Thieves exist nowadays too, so it's not hard to imagine that happening back then. Regardless, travelling was more dangerous than it is nowadays. Epaphroditus was a victim of his illness and almost died as a result. However, he was obedient to work of Christ set before him.