Fellow Worker

2:25 But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need.

In this verse, Paul refers to Epaphroditus with five designations:

1- my brother

2- my fellow worker

3- my fellow soldier

4- your messenger

5- your minister to my need

We covered the first one already. Let’s talk about the second today.

Paul’s favorite way to designate those who have labored with him in the ministry of the gospel is as "co-workers." This label is ascribed no less than 17 times in his epistles to those who participated with him in the spread of the gospel. As "my brother" expressed unity resulting from a common relationship to God, "my fellow worker" expresses unity resulting from a common cause, a common effort: the advancement of the kingdom of Christ.

When people are working on something together, when they are engaged in a common cause, it tends to draw them together. Remember how opposing Jesus was the common cause that drew Herod and Pilate together (Luke 23:12). People who are working toward the same goal develop a sense of identity with each other.

In any relationship, whether it is marriage or friendship or whatever, if the two people are both dedicated to the common goal of building the kingdom of Christ, they are going to enjoy a certain comradery with one another. But if they are pursuing their own personal goals, they will experience continual conflicts.

"What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members. You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel." (James 4:1-2)

Virtually every time there is a conflict, there is an idol, there is something someone wants and someone else is standing in the way. I am convinced this is one of the major reasons the church is so disunified today. I am also convinced this is why so many Christian marriages are in trouble today. We are thinking of ourselves; we are pursuing our own personal agendas. And when your goal is your own personal ambitions and my goal is my own advancement and enjoyment, we are going to be constantly at cross purposes. One of the unifying factors of a married couple or any other relationship is working on the same project. We must all be dedicated to the cause of Christ like Paul and Epaphroditus were. Then we will be fellow workers instead of working in opposition to one another.

Dear Father, forgive me for how I have pursued my own goals instead of Yours. Thank You for the deep unity that exists between those who are truly devoted in their hearts to the work of Your kingdom. Thank You for the brothers and sisters in Christ that I have enjoyed close fellowship and unity with as my fellow workers over the years. Purify my motives and the motives of those around me that we might always work together in harmony as members of the same team. Where there are idols in my heart, may they be exposed and eliminated. Help me to strive after Christ alone.