Here’s a bit of church history I came across that lit my fuse…

There was an early church society that called themselves “The Parabalani”.  In order to understand their interesting name you have to go back to Paul’s letter to the Philippians where he writes:

Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.

So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. Welcome him with Christian love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away. (Phil. 2:25-30, NLT)

Epaphroditus

Apparently the Philippian church had sent Epaphroditus with a gift for Paul and then to stay on as a member of his missionary team. However he became very sick. The church heard about it and was concerned. On top of that, Epaphroditus had grown homesick. So Paul senses that it’s time for Epaphroditus to return to Philippi. And since Paul wasn’t free to travel, he used Epaphroditus to deliver his letter to the church there.

So in this passage Paul assures the Philippians that he hasn’t deserted his post but is being sent back home with his highest praise. He should be applauded because he “risked his life” in the service of Christ.

A casino term

The phrase “risked his life” that Paul uses here is very interesting. He uses the Greek verb, “periballa” which is connected to the noun meaning, “dice”. It’s a casino term. It can be translated, “he rolled the dice”. It means to gamble or to be a gambler. It carries the idea of betting it all, laying it all on the line, exposing oneself to the danger of losing it all, risking it all.  That’s what Paul says Epaphroditus did. He risked his life and almost died in the serving alongside Paul. He put it all on the line for the sake of Christ and his cause.

After that, the word paraballa came to be used in an interesting way. In the early church there was an association of men and women who got together and took the name “The Parabalani”, “The Gamblers.” They took as their hero, Epaphroditus. It was their mission to visit the prisoners, care for the sick, even those with contagious diseases, and buried victims of the plague. It was their mission to unhesitatingly, unflinchingly and boldly proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ in every environment without any hesitation, laying it all on the line, even risking their lives, earning their chosen name “The Parabalani” – The Gamblers.”

A challenge

I find this challenging. Have I grown comfortable and complacent as a follower of Christ? Am I giving him my all, my very best? Am I willing to put it all on the line and take fresh risks for Christ and his kingdom? Could I be counted among those who have taken the name, The Gamblers? What about you?

See you Sunday
Mike T