What makes something honorable? Or maybe the more important question is, “What makes someone worthy of honor?” Adding “someone” to the question certainly makes it more personal, doesn’t it? Are there particular actions or character traits that are deemed to be honorable in the life of a person, and am I or can I become an honorable person? Since honor could be defined as dignity or respect attributed to a person or God, it follows that it is given and received based on the recipient’s distinction - he or she stands out. The Bible gives us direction and insight as to what an honorable person looks like both through precepts and examples.

When Paul concludes the second chapter of Philippians, he has already written at length about the significance of serving together with an attitude that is identical to that of the Savior’s. He has also identified familiar examples that have ministered to his readers in the likeness of Christ. First, the author identified himself, indicating that he was being “poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of [their] faith” (Phil 2:17). Next, Paul pointed to the example of his traveling companion, Timothy (Phil 2:19-24). And finally, he identified the courier of his letter, Epaphroditus (Phil 2:25-30). Here is how Paul describes this man’s character, circumstances, and importance:

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

The name Epaphroditus means “belonging to Aphrodite”, implying beauty and grace. It is plainly evident that Paul felt this way about this man! As far as we know, Epaphroditus wasn’t an apostle like Paul, nor an elder like Timothy. Unlike familiar “giants of the Christian faith”, he was not known for being a best selling author, preaching to packed arenas, or taking the gospel to unreached places. His name is mentioned only here in Paul’s epistle to the Philippians - once in the verses at the end of chapter two and a second time in the letter’s closing remarks (Phil 4:18). Yet Epaphroditus was vital to Paul and to the church. The Philippian church had sent Epaphroditus as a representative - an embodiment of their concern and love for Paul during the apostle’s imprisonment. Paul, in turn, prepares to return Epaphroditus back to his sending church; a church that had grown concerned about news of Epaphroditus’ serious illness. The apostle honors the church’s agent of care with five titles that illustrate the beautiful character and gracious comfort this man provided Paul, and in turn, that he will be to the church that had originally sent him for Paul’s benefit. The first three titles are from Paul’s perspective. He begins by affectionately describing Epaphroditus as his brother, calling to mind “a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Prov 18:24). Next, he refers to him as his fellow worker. By using this term, Paul intertwines their personal relationship with their shared spiritual effort for the gospel. Thirdly, Paul calls Epaphroditus his fellow soldier. He considers him his equal, indicating the mutual need for honest and transparent accountability in order to win the battles against a relentless spiritual enemy. The final terms Paul uses to describe Epaphroditus - messenger and minister - express the life-giving communication and the importance of a servant’s presence. These attributes deserve to be celebrated and respected! After honoring Epaphroditus through his description, Paul calls the church to do the same - celebrate the faithful servant as God’s gift of mercy and comfort. 

In the end, our greatest desire as a servant of Jesus should always be to receive honor from the LORD first and foremost. There will come a day when every believer will stand before Jesus with the hope of being honored by Him, the Rewarder of those who seek Him (Matt 25:20-23; Heb 11:6). There will be no earthly acclaim, award, or applause that will come close to the prize of hearing the Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your master.” Nevertheless, as we serve among our spiritual brothers and sisters for God’s glory and for the purpose of perfecting our love for Him, we must continue to honor one another as Paul honored Epaphroditus. As we put this into action, we will find great joy. Also, we will repeatedly be reminded of those God has sent into our life and the life of the church to function as messengers of mercy and comfort.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-18 (ESV) - “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”