Pastor Tricia's Ramblings

There are some passages in Scripture that don’t get as much attention as others, but when you slow down and sit with them, they shine a bright light on what it means to follow Jesus. Philippians 2:25–30 is one of those passages.

Here Paul writes:

“But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.” (Philippians 2:25–30, NIV)

This little story tucked in the middle of Paul’s letter reminds us that Paul didn’t do ministry alone. He had faithful men and women who came alongside him, carried burdens, and even risked their lives for the sake of the gospel. Epaphroditus was one of those people. The Philippians had sent him to Paul while he was on house arrest in Rome, to be Paul’s hands and feet, to serve him in ways Paul couldn’t serve himself while chained and restricted.

Paul calls him “a fellow soldier.” That’s not just a nice title—it means something. Soldiers are mission-driven. They risk everything. They know the cost, but they step onto the battlefield anyway. Epaphroditus stepped into the mission of Paul’s life and ministry, not for his own glory, but for Christ.

And that makes me pause. Because here’s the truth: as Christians, we all need an Epaphroditus in our lives—someone willing to go with us, fight for us, and stand with us when we can’t. But we also need to be that for someone else.

The Power of Partnership

Paul was a giant in the faith, but even he couldn’t do it all alone. Sometimes we get this idea that spiritual leaders are superheroes who don’t need anyone else. But the Bible paints a different picture. Over and over again, Paul mentions his co-laborers: Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Priscilla, Aquila, Luke, and here, Epaphroditus.

In fact, Paul says in Romans 16:3–4 about Priscilla and Aquila:

“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.”

Notice the same theme? Risk. Sacrifice. Mission.

The gospel is always bigger than one person. The mission of God is a team mission. We’re the body of Christ, and every part matters (1 Corinthians 12:12–27). Epaphroditus mattered. Priscilla and Aquila mattered. Timothy mattered. Paul knew it. That’s why he goes out of his way to honor them by name in his letters.

Maybe you feel like your role in your church, in your family, or in your community is small. Maybe you’re “just” the one who shows up early to set out the chairs, or the one who runs the livestream, or the one who brings meals to the sick. Friend, do not underestimate the power of your obedience. Epaphroditus wasn’t writing letters to the churches. He wasn’t preaching to crowds. He was serving Paul—and in serving Paul, he was serving Christ.

Mission Over Comfort

Something else strikes me about this passage: Epaphroditus got sick. Really sick. So sick that he nearly died. And you don’t hear a single word of complaint.

Paul doesn’t say, “Well, Epaphroditus wasn’t careful enough.” He doesn’t blame him or question him. He simply acknowledges the reality: the man risked his life to serve.

We live in a world where comfort is king. We measure decisions based on how easy, how convenient, or how safe they are. But following Jesus has never been about convenience. Jesus Himself said:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

That doesn’t sound convenient at all. That sounds costly. That sounds risky. That sounds like Epaphroditus.

What’s more, both Paul and Epaphroditus faced the possibility of death—not for doing something wrong, but for doing exactly what God had called them to do. And yet their focus remained steady: the mission mattered more than their personal safety.

Serving in the Small Things

Let’s be honest—sometimes serving doesn’t look grand or heroic. Sometimes it looks very ordinary. Washing dishes after a fellowship meal. Watching the nursery so parents can sit in service. Taking a meal to a shut-in. Making a phone call to someone who hasn’t been around in a while.

It may not feel like “big ministry,” but it is.

Jesus said in Matthew 10:42:

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

Even a cup of cold water matters in the kingdom of God.

That means that your service, no matter how small it feels, has eternal value. When you hold open the door at church, when you pray for your pastor, when you slip a note of encouragement into someone’s hand—you are being someone’s Epaphroditus.

I think about a woman in my old church who isn’t on the stage, doesn’t have a title, and probably wouldn’t consider herself a leader. But week after week, she shows up early to brew the coffee and greet people as they walk in the door. You might think, that’s just coffee. But for the person who walks in tired, discouraged, and maybe on the verge of giving up, that warm cup and warm smile may be the very thing that opens their heart to hear the gospel that morning. She is living out Epaphroditus’ example—not in a Roman prison, but in the church foyer—faithfully serving the mission of Christ in her own way.

Serving When It’s Not “Your Thing”

Here’s the other truth: sometimes serving means stepping into something that’s not “your thing.” I’ll be honest—I’m an ordained pastor. But I’m not pastoring a church right now. That doesn’t mean I get to sit back. I still serve in my church. And sometimes that means stepping into areas that aren’t my “heartbeat ministry.”

Maybe you’ve been there. Maybe you’ve taught kids’ ministry even though you’re more comfortable with adults. Maybe you’ve joined the hospitality team even though you’re not a natural extrovert. Maybe you’ve cleaned bathrooms because that’s what was needed.

Why do we do it? Because serving isn’t about us. Serving is about Him.

Philippians 2:5 reminds us:

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

And what was Christ’s mindset? Humility. Service. Obedience.

He didn’t cling to His rights. He didn’t demand recognition. He laid down His life. And if we’re following Him, we’re called to do the same.

The Question We Need to Ask

So today, I want to ask you: are you serving?

Not “are you serving in the exact role you want?” Not “are you serving where you get recognition?” But simply: are you serving?

Because the church doesn’t run on programs or flashy leaders—it runs on servants. It runs on the Epaphrodituses of the world who say, “I’ll show up. I’ll go. I’ll risk. I’ll serve.”

If you’re not serving, why not?

• Is it fear?
• Is it inconvenience?
• Is it that you don’t think you’re needed?
• Is it that you’re waiting for the “perfect” role?

Friend, don’t wait. Step in. Start small. Say yes. You never know how God will use your obedience.

Honoring the Unsung Heroes

Paul ends this passage by saying:

“So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ.” (Philippians 2:29–30)

Paul tells the Philippians to honor Epaphroditus. Why? Because his sacrifice mattered. Because his service mattered. Because his risk mattered.

We live in a culture that honors celebrities, athletes, influencers. But Scripture says we should honor the faithful servants who give their lives for the mission of Christ. The ones who serve behind the scenes. The ones who risk without recognition. The ones who show up when no one else does.

Let’s be a people who honor them—not just with words, but with gratitude, with encouragement, with prayer, with support.

Wrapping It Up

Epaphroditus isn’t a household name. But his story challenges us in powerful ways:

• Mission first. He risked everything for the sake of Christ.
• Service matters. Even “small” acts of service are significant in God’s eyes.
• Sacrifice is part of discipleship. Following Jesus isn’t always comfortable, but it’s always worth it.
• We need each other. Paul couldn’t do it alone, and neither can we.

So the question lingers: Are you serving? And if not, what needs to change?

Because sometimes the greatest impact you’ll ever have isn’t in the spotlight—it’s in faithfully serving someone else who’s on mission for the gospel.

And that, my friend, is kingdom work.