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Therefore receive him in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; (Philippians 2:29)

Epaphroditus may have felt he had failed Paul and the church.^[1] But Paul is gracious and wants the Philippian brothers to understand the great importance of what Epaphroditus has accomplished. He had given his best for the work of Christ.

Paul says that men like Epaphroditus deserve to be held in high honor and esteem (Greek ἔντιμος entimos)^[2] in the local church. Too often we take for granted the work of those who minister (lay and clergy alike) and do not show the esteem that they deserve.

Therefore receive him in the Lord with all joy. Epaphroditus, a servant of the Lord, who is now fully restored to good health, needs to be viewed as a gift from God. He has been restored to the Philippians after a long, arduous journey filled with hazardous events and a near-death experience; he is undoubtedly a gift from God and more evidence that He is a merciful God.

And hold men like him in high regard. Not many persons in the Scripture have been so highly commended as Epaphroditus. This also sets out a model of how we are to treat persons of such character. It is a Christian obligation to hold in high regard those who should be honored, to recognize the righteousness and the godly devotion, and specifically to respect those who demonstrate faithfulness in the work of the Lord.

Paul is cutting off any potential criticism of Epaphroditus’ coming back to Philippi early and leaving Paul, the person he was supposed to be comforting, that is, seeming to have failed his mission. So, Paul commanded them to appreciate and honor him for his sacrificial work on behalf of the Lord. Epaphroditus had followed in the footsteps of Christ, humbly offering himself in service. Therefore, contrary to what the Christians in Philippi might be thinking at this moment, Epaphroditus has set an example for all Christians who would follow.

[1] Holman Bible Editorial Staff, ed., HCSB Study Bible (Kindle Locations 147153-147159), ed. Holman Bible Editorial Staff (B&H Publishing Group Kindle Edition, 2010).

[2] Wesley J. Perschbacher, ed., The New Analytical Greek Lexicon, ed. Wesley J. Perschbacher (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1990). Page 145.