I made the same mistake three times in my translation of the New Testament (FHV) in Acts 14:4, 14; 1 Thessalonians 2:6-7 in leaving the impression that Barnabas, Silas, and Timothy were among the apostles of Christ. Other translations have the same threefold error: KJV, NKJV, TLO, ASV, NASV, NWT, NIV, NNIV, RSV, NRSV, and CEV.

The word apostolos (derived from apo, "from" and stello, "send") means "one sent," and so "an apostle," or "envoy," or "messenger," or "delegate." The false impression that Barnabas, Silas, and Timothy were among the apostles of Christ is removed from Acts 14:4, 14; 1 Thessalonians 2:6-7 if the word "messengers" translates apostoloi (the plural form) instead of "apostles."

The use of the word "messenger" and "messengers" in Philippians 2:25 and 2 Corinthians 8:23 (as in all translations known to me) instead of "apostle" and "apostles" makes it clear that Epaphroditus and representatives of churches were not among the apostles of Christ.