Partners in the Gospel
February 15, 2021
I love the book of Philippians. It is a book I’ve turned to multiple times in my life when I needed encouragement. The perspective of Paul as he is in chains for the gospel but remaining steadfast in his purpose is one that has spoken to me in times of hardship and doubt. The exposition of Jesus’ example of humility and how he “emptied himself” for our sake is a passage that makes me emotional.
Even after all this time that I’ve read and thought about the words of this book, I just recently saw something new about the character of the book. Within the context and encouragement of Philippians, I understood this book as a new thing; a thank-you note from a missionary.
If we look at the context of the book, Paul is in prison (most scholars believe in Ephesus) and has had a hard time. The Philippians know and love Paul deeply as he began the local church movement there (see Acts 16) and they know of Paul’s recurring situation of being put in prison for preaching the Gospel. We know from what he writes in the letter that the Christians in Philippi have been connected to and supporting his missionary work from when they “first heard” (1:5b) the Gospel. Paul even thanks them for their continued support as he has gone to other new places in the past to share the Gospel (4:15-16). Through the letter Paul updates them on what he is going through, shares what he is learning (especially about perseverance and humility), and thanks them for their support through his hardship.
The church in Philippi heard of Paul’s struggles and sent financial support, gifts, encouragement, and even sent someone to personally be with Paul in their stead. This person’s name was Epaphroditus and he was sent to encourage Paul and tend to his needs while he was stuck in prison. How incredible is the love and support of this church for the missionary Paul?! They didn’t just send Paul an encouraging letter or some money, they sent one of their own people many miles away to care for him. We learn from Paul’s writing that the service of Epaphroditus was not easy either. While Epaphroditus was there caring for Paul, he fell ill and almost died! (2:27) Caring for Paul was costly for this church. It was a long-term commitment that they were living out and they even came close to losing one of their members to illness while caring for Paul.
After coming to this new understanding of this book of the Bible, it has made me think deeply about what it means for the local church to support a missionary. I began seeing from Philippians that the care and support of a missionary should be a sacrificial thing that the whole church is involved with and passionate about. That it costs something. I think that it is really well summed up by a phrase that Paul uses at the beginning of the letter. He writes “Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.” (1:4-5) Paul calls the people of this church his “partners” in the Gospel. Not his patrons or supporters, but rather his partners.
Partners win and lose together. They experience celebration and hardship together. Whatever happens to one partner deeply affects the other. This perspective on the church-missionary relationship encourages me to think about how I’m partnered with the missionaries I’m connected to. Do the things that affect them affect me? Do I love and support them sacrificially? Am I truly partnered with them in the mission God has jointly called us?
I would encourage you to read through the book of Philippians and look at it through the lens of a thank-you letter from a missionary to a sending church. Think about the example of Epaphroditus and his sacrificial love for a missionary. Use the example from this book and connect with those with whom you are partnered with for the sake of the Gospel and spend some time and thought to encourage them.
Sean James
Director of Church Relationships
MissioCare Collective is committed to helping missionaries stay spiritually, emotionally, relationally and physically fit for ministry. We passionately believe it begins at the inception of the Holy Spirit’s move to identify, equip, mobilize, send and keep these front-line-soldiers fit for ministry. We are committed to working with local congregations through continuing education, consultation, connection and by caring for those the Lord has called.