EPAFRODITO. — Disciple and collaborator of s. Paul, known only from the Letter to the Philippians, if he is considered, as is almost certain, Epafra (v.). The vivid portrait that Phil. 2:25–30 gives us of him has the affectionate tone of the entire letter. Paul calls him his “brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier” (v. 25), in an ascending gradation that expresses well their common sentiment, common labor, and common risk and suffering. He is also called “messenger” (ἀπόστολος, in the profane sense of the word), because he was sent by the Philippians, with gifts of various kinds, to provide for Paul’s needs; hence Paul also calls him “minister (λειτουργός; cf. λειτουργία at V. 30) of my needs.”
At Rome E. had fallen into a mortal illness, which had caused serious anxiety both to Paul and to the faithful of Philippi. The Lord, however, had taken pity on him, and also on Paul, so that the latter might not have sorrow upon sorrow (v. 27). Paul was now hastening to send him back to the Philippians, so that their joy might become common. It seems that E.’s illness was a consequence of the exertions of the journey to Rome, because Paul, after saying that E. had come close to death for the work (δίο τό έργον) of Christ (v. 30), immediately adds, specifying that he had risked his own life for the completion of that λειτουργία which the Philippians had wished to perform toward their Apostle. The Roman Martyrology commemorates him on 22 March as bishop and martyr at Terracina (or Tarragona?), where s. Peter is said to have sent him. Cf. Acta SS. Martii, 3rd ed., Paris–Rome 1865, p. 367 ff.