The early church
Epaphroditus' Illness and Recovery
Paul tells about Epaphroditus, his fellow worker and fellow soldier, who became seriously ill and nearly died while serving Paul on behalf of the church in Philippi. God showed him mercy and healed him, and Paul sends him back to the Philippians so that they may rejoice and welcome him with honor Philippians 2:25-30.
Philippians 2,25-30
25Still, I thought it necessary to send you Epaphroditus—my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need—
Ἀναγκαῖον δὲ ἡγησάμην Ἐπαφρόδιτον τὸν ἀδελφὸν καὶ συνεργὸν καὶ συστρατιώτην μου, ὑμῶν δὲ ἀπόστολον καὶ λειτουργὸν τῆς χρείας μου, πέμψαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς,
26since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was ill.
ἐπειδὴ ἐπιποθῶν ἦν πάντας ⸀ὑμᾶς, καὶ ἀδημονῶν διότι ἠκούσατε ὅτι ἠσθένησεν.
27Indeed he was ill, close to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.
καὶ γὰρ ἠσθένησεν παραπλήσιον ⸀θανάτῳ· ἀλλὰ ὁ θεὸς ⸂ἠλέησεν αὐτόν⸃, οὐκ αὐτὸν δὲ μόνον ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐμέ, ἵνα μὴ λύπην ἐπὶ λύπην σχῶ.
28So I am all the more eager to send him, that you may rejoice at seeing him again and my own sorrow may be eased.
σπουδαιοτέρως οὖν ἔπεμψα αὐτὸν ἵνα ἰδόντες αὐτὸν πάλιν χαρῆτε κἀγὼ ἀλυπότερος ὦ.
29Welcome him in the Lord with all joy, and hold such people in honor,
προσδέχεσθε οὖν αὐτὸν ἐν κυρίῳ μετὰ πάσης χαρᾶς, καὶ τοὺς τοιούτους ἐντίμους ἔχετε,
30because he came near to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.
ὅτι διὰ τὸ ἔργον ⸀Χριστοῦ μέχρι θανάτου ἤγγισεν, ⸀παραβολευσάμενος τῇ ψυχῇ ἵνα ἀναπληρώσῃ τὸ ὑμῶν ὑστέρημα τῆς πρός με λειτουργίας.