Christian Publishing House Blog
Apologetic Defense of the faith, the Bible, and Christianity
Paul found it necessary to dispatch Epaphroditus with this letter to the believers due to the circumstances. It was necessary on three fronts – Paul’s concern for the Philippian believers (v.28); Epaphroditus’ desire to see the Philippian church (v.26); and for the concern that the Philippian believers had for Epaphroditus (v.26).
Depression has been called the common cold of mental illnesses. Current estimates from the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) suggest that each year more than 11,000,000 people in the United States suffer from this illness.
God is very much aware of his servants that suffer from depression. Isaiah 57:15 says, “The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: ‘I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.’”
Epaphroditus’ deep distress shows faithful Christians can become emotionally heavy, and Paul’s response teaches tender, biblical care.
