Paul, in this epistle, speaks only of two orders in the
church at Philippi; to me, it is evident, that he
speaks of three. It is affirmed by some early writers,
that Epaphroditus was the apostle or ruling bishop



11

at Philippi, and that, at the time of writing this epis*
tie, he was with Paul. And this, the epistle itself
con&ms. You may see in the latter part of the
fourth chapter, that several times the Philippians had
sent presents to Paul, which, with much thankful-
ness, he acknowledges. It appears that they made
a liberal collection for the apostle, and sent it by
their chief minister. "I have all," says St. Paul,
" and abound ; I am full, having received of Epaph-
roditus the things which were sent from you; an
odor of a sweet smell; a sacrifice acceptable, well
pleasing to God." It was customary then to send
such charitable collections by an apostle or presiding
bishop. That this messenger was of that grade, we
have in the second chapter direct proof: " I supposed
it necessary," says the apostle, "to send to you
Epaphroditus, my brother and compamon in labors
and fellow-soldier, but t/otir apostle J^ So it is in the
Greek. In our English Testament it is rendered
" messenger," but it ought to be apostle, according
to the scriptural use of the word. And, therefore,
with much fitness St. Paul acknowledges him as his
brother, his compamon in labor, amd felUnv-soldier,
evidently implying that he was a minister of Christ,
of the same grade as himself; a messenger sent from
God. And what still further confirms this, in the
last chapter the apostle apostrophizes him in these
words : " I entreat thee, also, true yoke-fellow, help
those women who labored widi me in the gospel."
Now had there not been one in that church eminent-
ly distinguished above the bishops and deacons, by
some dignity or ofiice, there could have been no pro-
priety in this apostrophe, nor could the church have
known who was meant. 