Philippians 2:28
[28] I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. (ESV)
A few years ago, I was getting ready to start a worship service when a man walked into the church whom I had not seen in almost twenty years. He was one of my closest friends in college. I was beyond thrilled to see him. Friendship is like that. Paul is eager to send Epaphroditus so that they may rejoice. He wants them to be thrilled to see him.
Paul says that the other benefit of sending Epaphroditus is that he will have less anxiety. It is interesting to see this vulnerable side of the Apostle Paul. We tend to idolize some of our biblical heroes. Paul is one of my heroes. Yet, here we see him as a man who is so stressed about the Philippians worrying over Epaphroditus that he is anxious over it.
The fact is, Paul had a great burden for all the people in the churches. Consider what he says in 2 Corinthians 11:2:
2 Corinthians 11:2
[2] For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. (ESV)
Paul's anxiety over all of the church is because he feels an obligation to present them to Christ as pure. This is why Paul is so concerned about teaching proper doctrine and holding believers accountable. He wants the church to be that perfect representation of Jesus Christ in the world. Paul's anxiety is a holy one. Every spiritual leader should feel the same way.
To whom are you accountable in your spiritual walk? Do you have an accountability partner? You would do well to have one. Ask the Lord today to provide one for you. You won't find an Apostle Paul, but God will provide someone to help you in your walk.
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