Philippians 2:25

But I counted it necessary to send you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need.

Paul must have regarded Epaphroditus very highly. Note the five titles given to him.

I counted it necessary to send ... This is what the scholars call an epistolary aorist and refers to something Paul was in the process of doing, not to something already done. Another instance of it is in Philippians 2:28. In all likelihood, Epaphroditus was the one who bore this letter to the Philippian church; but since, at the time of the Philippians' reading it, the sending of Epaphroditus would indeed (at that time) be spoken of in the past tense.

Epaphroditus ... This name occurs only here in the New Testament, although there are two other instances of the shortened form of it in Colossians and Phlippians. Since it was a rather common name, scholars are very reluctant to allow that there may be a connection with the man mentioned here.

Messenger ... The Greek word from which this comes is actually "Apostle" ([@apostolos]; but, as Epaphroditus was certainly not an apostle in the ordinary sense, it is supposed that Paul used the title here as complimentary. They are definitely wrong who interpret this word as meaning "that Epaphroditus was diocesan bishop of Philippi."[60] There is no evidence of any diocesan bishop having been appointed or honored during New Testament times. The nearest thing to such a thing is the honor given to James the Lord's brother; but in his case, it appears that the respect paid to him was derived from the fact of his having been a physical half-brother of the Lord Jesus Christ, and not from any office like that of a metropolitan bishop.

EPAPHRODITUS

Certainly Epaphroditus was a spiritual leader at Philippi, probably one of the elders. He had been commissioned by the church there to bring a gift of money to Paul and to remain with him for an unspecified time to look after Paul's needs and to assist in any way possible. While engaged in that service, he became dangerously possibly from attending Paul during an illness, or from over-exertion. The friends of Epaproditus in Philippi heard of his illness, and became concerned and anxious regarding his condition. God graciously restored him to health. As was quite natural, he wanted to return to Philippi as soon as he became able to travel. Paul, in complete accord, sent him back, probably as the bearer of this letter, and heaping praise and commendation upon him as in the passage before us.