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expedient of calumniating his nation ; while those only who were favourable to him and his cause , wished to know the truth . On this side of the question we see Epaphroditus firmly
enlisted . For Josephus nearly at the close of his work thus writes : " To thee , Epaphroditus , who lovest the truth , and to those who , like thee , wish to know our laws and nation , I dedicate this book . "
The Apostle Paul , writing from Rome , Philip , i . 14 , declares that his bonds in Christ were made known in the whole palace ; and he presently mentions Epaphroditus by name , as
one who had hazarded his life in the service of Christ . And here the name , the time , the place , serve to identify the friend of the Apostle with the patron of Josephus .
The words of the Apostle , though not a studied encomium , represent Epaphroditus as distinguished by sincerity , firmnesis and magnanimity ; as having not only impaired his health , but risked his very existence , by attempting- to shield his illustrious friend
from the bigotry and malice of his imperial master ; and JosephusjafBrms that " he displayed a mind wonderfully powerful , and an inflexible adherence to virtue "—meaning " , no doubt , by virtue , that high integrity , that superiority to the world and even to the fear of death , with which the
gospel inspired its early votaries . In the first and second centuries the notion seems to have been general that a convert from Heathenism ought immediately to relinquish his station in society , especially if engaged in pursuits under the Emperor
inconsistent with the virtues of Christianity . Clement acted up to this opinion - , and his seclusion brought upon him the imputation of " the most contemptible inertness . " Epaphroditus followed an opposite course , and he thus incurred the suspicion and displeasure of the church at Philippi ,
when they " heard that he was infirm , " meaning , not that he was sick £ body , but infirm in the faith . Vide Rom . iv . 19 . The Apostle takes up the term «« infirm , " and , agreeably to his usual manner , applies it in a new and energetic sense , to set forth his Magnanimity and zeal in the cause of fcis divine Master . " For he wa * infc
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deed infirm , so as to be near death j ** his infirmity was only an impaired health , arising from fatigue and anxiety , and a noble determination to meet death in the service of Christ . But Providence interposed and averted the
fury of the Emptror ; and he was thus restored to be the comfort and support of the Apostle . Epaphroditus naturally wished to visit the Christians at Philippi , thus hoping to dissipate their
prejudices against him . With this wish the Apostle concurred ; and having delegated him , he calls upon them to receive him as a man of deeds , and not a man of mere pro essiony in Christ .
The language of our Apostle when speaking of Epaphroditus is deduced by association from his occupation under Nero ; and his object was to do away the odium attached to those names , by applying them in a secondary , metaphorical sense to his character as a believer in Christ .
From l ) eing a soldier under Nero St . Paul calls him «< my fellow-soldier . " In reference to his being a minister or attendant on the emperor , he styles him " minister of my wants . " A * the slave of Nero , " a reproach his conduct might have brought upon
him even from his mistaken friends , the Apostle in his letter to the Colossians farther designates him as " the slave of Christ ; " meaning , that while he appeared as the servant of a tyrant , he was really the servant of that divine Master whose service is
perfect freedom . As a minister of state , Epaphroditus possessed authority and wealthy and he nobly employed them in supplying the necessities and protecting the person of his illustrious friend . ' * For the work of Christ he
was near death , having hazarded his life to fill up the deficiency of your service toward me . " Some of the believers at Philippi had doubtless the means of relieving the wants , and perhaps by their influence and connexions at home , materially to aid the
Apostle . But they neglected their duty at least in part : and the Apostle delicately reminds them , that the man whom they disparaged for not holding forth his profession to the world , had the merit to supply their neglect in both these respects . JOHN JONES .
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Biblical Criticism * — -Mr . Jones on Epaphroditus . 729
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1817, page 729, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2471/page/33/
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