Philippians 2:19-30: A Few Good Men
So far in chapter 2, Paul has laid out the need for humble believers who love the gospel. He’s already given his readers the supreme example of Jesus; now he gives two other great examples: Timothy and Epaphroditus.
Paul had first met Timothy during his second missionary journey (see Acts 16:1ff.). After Paul left Philippi, Timothy probably stayed for a while as a temporary preacher and pastor, before later re-joining Paul.
However, when Paul writes to the Philippians, Timothy is obviously with Paul in Rome (see chapter 1:1, chapter 2:19). The Philippians would have loved to have Timothy back to minister to them. But Paul can’t send him yet: he says inverse 20 that he has “no one like” Timothy. He was a unique blessing to Paul, a son in the Christian faith (verse 20). Unlike others who had fallen away (verse 21), Timothy had “proven” himself to Paul (verse 22) as a humble servant of Christ.
Paul also commends a man called Epaphroditus. Paul describes him as a “brother”, a “fellow worker and fellow soldier”, and a “messenger and minister”. Paul’s words inverses 26-27 suggest that Epaphroditus had set out from Philippi to Rome to visit Paul, probably with gifts for him from the Philippian church. On the way, Epaphroditus fell ill. Rather than turn back, or stop to recover, he pressed on, knowing how much it would mean to Paul to receive the gifts of the Philippians.
Epaphroditus may not have been a preacher and teacher like Timothy, but he still performed invaluable service: he encouraged Paul in prison, even risking his own life to do so.
We need more young people like Timothy and Epaphroditus in the church. What will you do with your gifts? Will you humbly learn from older Christians? Will you encourage them? Will you be content to do the “small jobs”, until, after training and maturity, you are given bigger tasks in the church of Jesus?
What can you do this week to humbly serve a member or members of your local church the way Timothy and Epaphroditus served Paul and the Philippians?
Questions
- Why do you think Timothy was such an encouragement to Paul?
- What do you think Paul means in verse 29 when he tells the Philippians to “honour” men like Epaphroditus?
- How do Timothy and Epaphroditus remind us of Jesus?
Prayer Points
- Pray for someone to encourage this week.
- Pray that you will have the opportunity either to be discipled by an older Christian, or to be an example for a younger Christian.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.