I read the verse, and then I read it again. I hover over Paul’s description of a brother highly esteemed by Paul and highly regarded by the brother’s church family. And as I read the verse repeatedly, I think to myself, “Self, that dude’s gonna need a bigger business card!”

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 . . .

(Philippians 2:25-27 ESV)

Imagine that business card . . .

Epaphroditus
(aka “Lovely”)
Brother, Laborer, Soldier, Messenger, Servant

Ready for the Work of Christ
Will Risk Life If Necessary

Only mentioned here in this letter, Paul (led by the Spirit) shines a spotlight on this lesser-known, faithful servant. Paul expresses deep appreciation for this one who undertook the delivery of a care package from the church, “risking his life” in order to make it happen (Php. 2:30). And look at all the “hats” this guy is wearing.

More than just some random guy, Epaphroditus, like Paul, was also an adopted son of the Most High, thus a brother in the Lord. Redeemed through the finished work of the cross. Made a new creation in Christ. There was, quite literally, a blood bond between these two.

But beyond their relationship, there was a partnership. More than just being some delivery man, Epaphroditus was a fellow worker and a fellow soldier. He was a laborer and a combatant. You sense that not only could this guy UPS a gift to Paul, but he could also stand with Paul and declare the beauty of the gift revealed in the gospel. And not only stand to preach, but willing to stand and defend, contending for the faith, ready to enter the fray for the sake of the kingdom.

Powerful guy. Capable of taking a place next to Paul, shoulder-to-shoulder on the front lines of making Christ known. Yet, willing to be a bit-player (in the estimation of some), just a messenger and a minister. Ready to humbly carry out the desires of a small church at Philippi to serve the needs of an imprisoned evangelist in Rome.

Honor such . . .

(Philippians 2:29 ESV)

That’s what Paul writes.

Hold in high regard this kind. That’s what the Spirit is declaring.

While some of us might be called to be “specialists” for the kingdom, I’m wondering if it isn’t more normative that we’re all to have the heart of a “generalist” when it comes to serving the King and his people. While we each have our unique gifting (1Cor. 7:7, 1Peter 4:10), I’m wondering if those gifts aren’t meant to be deployed in the context of assuming the nature of a “jack-of-all-trades” — doing what we can, for who we can, with what we have, for the good of others, for the sake of Christ.

Shouldn’t we all need a bigger business card?

I’m thinkin’ . . .

Only by His grace. Always for His glory.