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Philippians 2:19-24

Paul has been encouraging his friends in Philippi to work out their salvation, in obedience to the Lord. For
the Philippians, this now involved continuing to boldly share the gospel despite increasing persecution in
their city, and sacrificially putting their fellow believers before themselves.

And what would that take, on their part? Love; love for the brethren, and love for their fellow man. And
that had been Pauls prayer for them - that their love would abound still more and more (1:9).

As Paul continues with his letter, it might seem that he is now leaving his exhortation behind, as he goes on
to relate to the believers those who will be visiting - or returning - to Philippi. But not quite. Instead, Paul
will draw upon those traveling to Philippi as living examples, who reinforce his exhortation concerning
selfless service.

Well continue in verse 19.

[Philippians 2:19-24]

So we see that the first visitor Paul mentions is Timothy; and then Paul himself hopes to come, after that.
Now, if we were to continue, we would see that the next visitor Paul mentions in his letter is Epaphroditus.
But is this the order in which these men will actually visit Philippi? No.

Paul tells the Philippians in this letter that he is sending Epaphroditus back to them - a member of their
assembly - and explains why he is sending him back. That explanation would be meaningless unless the
letter that contained the explanation accompanied Epaphroditus back. Can you see that?

So we know that Epaphroditus bore Pauls letter back to Philippi; he went back first. And Timothy
presumably followed later; then, possibly Paul.

So we might wonder why Paul would have mentioned Timothys visit first. That has to do with the flow of
the letter - and the overall purpose of the letter, an exhortation to the Philippians in their obedience, for the
sake of the gospel.

Remember that in his letter, Paul has just been encouraging the Philippians to have a stellar witness - to
shine as lights in the dark world of Philippi (2:15) - boldly, flawlessly - the radiance of Christs life, in
them. Such a witness would require the relinquishing of their own will, for themselves, in order that the
Lords will be done.

If they were willing to make that sacrifice, it would be a cause of great rejoicing, for Paul - for he knew
such a witness would draw others to Christ, and the gospel would be furthered, in Philippi. This was of
such great value to Paul that even if it turned out he was to be executed for sharing the gospel, Paul would
rejoice, knowing the gospel he shared had borne even more fruit, in Philippi (2:16, 17).

Now, we have already seen in the letter that Paul did not think it likely that he would be put to death (1:24-
26), and so as he continues in verse 19, he is immediately seeking to reassure his friends in Philippi.

First, Paul is trusting - in the Lord - that he will be able to send Timothy to Philippi - soon. This would be
encouraging, as the Philippians know Timothy well. Then further, Paul is trusting - in the Lord - that he
will be acquitted, and freed, and able to come to visit his friends in Philippi himself.
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But why not just send Timothy with Epaphroditus, who is going right away? The reason for that is twofold.
First of all, Epaphroditus will bear the letter of encouragement, which will give the Philippians time to
consider what Paul is saying, and to take it to heart - then begin to make this new progress, in their faith -
which Timothy could then convey back to Paul.

Second, by delaying, Timothy will be able to relate to the Philippians the outcome of Pauls trial -
hopefully, that Paul is going to be released. As soon as Paul sees how it goes with him - that is, at his trial -
he intends to send Timothy (2:23). This would be a further encouragement to their faith.

Now, in our day, we dont think too much of how long it would take, to get anywhere. Most destinations
we might go to are generally within reach of an airplane. Timothy could just take the red eye to Philippi,
and be there in the morning.

But in that day, most people traveled by foot, or by boat. Well, Philippi was 798 miles from Rome, and
getting there would involve travel by both land and sea. The journey from Rome to Philippi would take at
least two weeks; more likely, longer.

In verse 19, Pauls wording suggests that Timothy would go to Philippi, and then return to Rome and give
Paul a report concerning how the church is doing there - and Paul anticipates that he will be encouraged;
that they will have responded positively to his letter, and taken new strides in their faith. This would take
place at least six weeks after Paul initially sent Timothy, assuming Timothy spent at least a couple of weeks
with the believers in Philippi.

So we might then wonder, if Paul found out he was being released, why send Timothy with the news?
Since Paul is planning to go to Philippi anyway, why not just accompany him?

First of all, Paul might not be released immediately, but he wanted his friends to know as soon as possible
what the outcome was. This gives us a measure of the love between Paul and the believers in Philippi -
their loving concern for him, his loving tenderness in wishing to relieve it.

But in addition to that, we can be certain that Timothy had to go ahead because once Paul was released, he
would first take the opportunity to spend some time with the assemblies in Rome.

Although some members of the Roman assemblies would have come to visit Paul during his imprisonment
there, most of them would still never have met him. Here was the opportunity that the Lord had shown
Paul, so long ago, which caused him to write his letter to the Romans, in the first place.

Turn to Romans chapter 1. Before coming as a prisoner, Paul had never been to Rome. During his third
missionary journey, the Holy Spirit had revealed to Paul that he would be going to Rome, after Jerusalem
(Acts 19:21) - Paul just didnt know under what circumstances. He wrote this letter to the Roman
assemblies from Corinth before returning to Jerusalem, and in it, he discussed his plans to visit.

Paul begins the letter by telling the Roman believers about finally being permitted to visit the imperial city.

[Romans 1:8-15]

v. 8-10 Others had established the church in Rome, not Paul.

v. 11-12 Paul is saying he wishes to impart his spiritual gifts - such as teaching and prophecy - to benefit
the Roman assemblies.
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v. 13 It was God who hindered Paul, for the time wasnt right, until now.

v. 14-15 What does Paul mean in saying he is a debtor to them? What is it that Paul owes them? He owes
them the gospel; thats his debt of love, to them. Paul was ready to preach it to them, even as he wrote this
letter - as much as was in him.

But the Lord had more to work into Paul, first. After Paul had been arrested in Jerusalem, the Lord had
come to him and assured Paul that he would bear witness for the Lord in Rome (Acts 23:11). And once
released from his imprisonment there, Paul would then finally be able to fulfill his debt of love, to the
Roman believers.

[Return to Philippians 2]

So in order to relieve the concern of his friends in Philippi, and also to fulfill the Lords will to bear witness
in Rome, Paul would send Timothy ahead of him, presumably with good news concerning the outcome of
the trial. And once Timothy returned with his report, and Paul completed his preaching and teaching in
Rome, Paul would then be free to go to Philippi - Lord willing - as soon as it was possible.

So we can see that Paul mentions Timothy next in the letter because Paul wishes to reassure the believers in
Philippi. In part, this certainly has to do with the good news that Timothy is likely to bring them,
concerning Paul; but the believers would also be reassured just to hear that Timothy himself was coming to
see them.

Timothy was well known, to the church in Philippi. You may remember that Timothy had accompanied
Paul when he first came to Philippi, and preached the gospel there - down by the river, where God-fearing
Gentiles gathered to worship and pray.

Lydia would have known Timothy - and the demon-possessed slave girl - and the jailer and his family - all
who came to believe in the Lord, at that time, who were the beginning of the church, in Philippi.

Timothy would have revisited the assembly in Philippi many times, over the last ten years - most likely,
whenever Paul sent him back to the province of Macedonia (eg, Acts 18:5, 19:22) - and sometimes, in the
company of Paul himself (eg, Acts 20:1-2, 2 Cor 7:5, 2 Cor 8:1-50).

But Timothy wasnt merely Pauls envoy. And he wasnt just a familiar figure to the believers in Philippi.
Timothy clearly had a significant relationship with the believers in Philippi - the kind of relationship that
Paul had - they were dear to him, as well as to Paul.

Timothy genuinely cared for them; not just as people, but as brothers, fellow Christ Ones - he loved them,
as family. Like Paul, Timothy cared about their welfare; and he was concerned for them in their current
circumstances.

Now, Paul could have just mentioned that Timothy was coming, for the Philippians know who he is. But
instead, Paul digresses for a moment, to commend Timothy to them - which is unusual, since they already
know Timothy very well.

But of course, Paul is making a point. In verse 20, Paul indicates he is sending Timothy because no one is
like-minded with him - with Paul - in genuinely caring for their state - their situation, the circumstances and
well-being of the believers in Philippi.
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Now, what does Paul mean by that? Do you think hes saying that he and Timothy are the only two
believers in the world who care about the Philippians? Well, that cant be true. Certainly Luke cares about
them; he spent years, establishing that assembly after Paul left. And Silas certainly cares about them - he
was beaten and imprisoned with Paul, for the sake of bringing the gospel to Philippi.

So Paul is not intending no one to reflect literal exclusivity, here. He intends it as a means of esteeming
Timothy - theres no one quite like him. Timothy is so like-minded with Paul, that Paul knows the measure
of his care and concern is equal only to his own.

This commendation is intended as a contrast to what Paul says next, in verse 21: For all seek their own,
not the things which are of Christ Jesus. All seek their own - what? Their own things - whatever that may
be. Things which serve themselves.

And these things are set in contrast to the things of Christ Jesus - suggesting that they are mutually
exclusive - which, they are. Paul is making a contrast, then, between having ones own will - motivated by
self-love; and doing the will of the Lord - which is motivated by love for God.

In addition to that, Paul is equating Timothys love for others, from verse 20 - his genuine concern for the
Philippians - with seeking the things which are of Christ Jesus, in verse 21.

The reason Paul does this is because as we earnestly seek the things which are of Christ Jesus, what we find
is love - the love of God, that gives and gives - in order to meet the needs of others - for their good.

Paul had found that love, and then made it his own. Timothy had done so, as well. But in contrast to Paul
and Timothy, Paul sets the all - who seek their own.

Who did Paul have in mind, here? Did he literally mean every other believer, in the world? No; just as he
didnt literally mean that no one was like-minded with him, except Timothy. But he likely had in his mind
most; most believers that he knew of; most, that he had encountered.

Most believers are selfish. They do not have the mind of Christ Jesus, to humble themselves in service to
God and man, out of their love for others; instead, they have themselves, front and center; they serve
themselves.

They are occupied with their lives; with their own wants and needs, as they see them - their interests; what
they enjoy; what they perceive to be good for them; and whatever advances their own cause - and of
course, that cause is - themselves.

Perhaps Paul had in mind the believers in Rome, the ones who saw Paul as their rival, and preached Christ
out of selfish ambition (1:15-16) - hoping to gain a following. For Christ? No; they were using the gospel
of Christ to gain a following for themselves. They sought their own; not the things which are of Christ
Jesus.

But some of the believers in Philippi could find themselves in their company, couldnt they? Those who
thought they knew best what the interests of the church were, in Philippi - things that actually best served
their own interests - not the interests of others (2:3-4). Complaining and arguing are natural byproducts of
seeking ones own interests (2:14) - instead of seeking the things which are of Christ Jesus.
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In contrast to this is Pauls commendation of Timothy. This would bring to the mind of the Philippians his
character, which had been proven to them, time and again - the character of a bondservant - who served the
Lord Jesus Christ with whole-hearted devotion and love.

In fact, both Paul and Timothy followed in the footsteps of their Master - for so Jesus had served His Father
- the Servant of Jehovah, who humbled Himself in obedience to serve both God and man.

Paul stated that the Philippians had always obeyed the Lord (2:12); would they choose to continue in their
obedience, and follow Him along this path of sacrifice in the service of others?

We can sense the affection and regard of Paul for Timothy in his description of him - as a son with his
father he served with me in the gospel. The word translated son is actually teknon, usually translated
child, but here, son is implied. Teknon emphasizes the relationship involved.

In Pauls day, a son would learn the family trade from his father, by working alongside of him. And so
Timothy had done with Paul - beginning, not long after the time that he was born into the family - the
family of God.

Since Timothy was converted through the preaching of Paul, Paul came to refer to Timothy as his true son
in the faith (1Tim 1:2). Were going to look just briefly at what can be seen of Timothys course, in the
Scriptures - so that we, too, can see his proven character.

Turn first to Acts chapter 16. Paul was on his first missionary journey, with Barnabas. They had come to
the Roman province of Galatia, where they preached the gospel in Pisidian Antioch, several Sabbaths -
before the unbelieving Jews drove them out of their city. Then they came to Iconium and preached the
gospel there for quite some time despite opposition, before they had to flee for their lives.

This brought the missionaries to Lystra - that was the home town of Timothy. Do you remember what
happened in Lystra? Well, of course Paul and Barnabas began as they always did - preaching the gospel -
although they probably did so in the marketplace, as it seems there was no synagogue there.

Paul healed a man who was lame from birth - and based on this, the multitudes decided that Paul and
Barnabas must be gods - pagan gods - and attempted to offer sacrifices to them.

Once Paul and Barnabas figured out what the people were up to, they were horrified, and attempted to
clarify that they were just ordinary men. They tried to talk to the people about the living God, who had
healed the man - but they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from offering their sacrifices.

Meanwhile, the unbelieving Jews from the other cities Paul and Barnabas had visited caught up with them
in Lystra, and they managed to persuade these same multitudes against the missionaries. The people did a
complete 180, and now decided the missionaries must be imposters - and they stoned Paul, dragged him
out of the city, and left him for dead - which, thanks to the Lord, he was not!

And when Paul was resuscitated, do you remember where he went? Back into the city. No doubt by that
time the unbelieving Jews had left, thinking Paul dead. But Paul was determined to show the fickle
residents of Lystra that the Lord whom he preached had overruled their decision, and had preserved him
alive.
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Now, despite what seemed to be a catastrophe for the gospel in Lystra, some there did believe the message.
We know this because Paul and Barnabas returned to every city where they had preached in Galatia. They
taught the new believers to further establish them in the faith, and they appointed elders in each of the
fledgling churches - including Lystra.

Among those in Lystra who believed were Timothy and his family - including his mother and his
grandmother (2 Tim 1:5), who were Jewish. Timothys father was a Gentile, and had died, by this time.

About two years later, on his second missionary journey, this time with Silas, Paul revisited the assemblies
in Galatia, including the church in Lystra.

[Acts 16:1-3]

v. 1 Although religious Jews considered it a horrible sin to be married to a Gentile, Hellenist Jews, who
were scattered among the Gentile nations, often could not afford to be so pious concerning marriage
partners; and such mixed marriages came to be accepted.

So Timothy was born with a foot in each world - Jewish, and Gentile. Timothys name means honoring
God - no doubt expressing the desire of his mothers heart, for her sons life.

v. 2 It would seem that Timothy was being commended to Paul, by these churches. Even as a very young
man - perhaps in his teens or early twenties - Timothy had gained a reputation for himself, not only in his
own church, but another nearby.

Now, it had been only two years since Paul had preached the gospel in Lystra. How had Timothy taken
such great strides of faith? Well, we learn in Pauls second retained letter to Timothy that from his
childhood, Timothy had known the Holy Scriptures (2 Tim 3:15).

Clearly his mother and grandmother had carefully and comprehensively taught him, so that he learned the
truth of the OT Scriptures. All of their hearts were fully prepared when they heard the gospel to recognize
in it that their Messiah and Savior was Jesus. Imagine the conversations they had over that two-year
period, as they considered the fulfillment of their Scriptures!

But there was more to it, than Timothys knowledge and understanding. It would seem the brethren in the
churches were aware that Timothy was graced by the Holy Spirit as an evangelist, and a teacher (1 Tim
4:14); and Paul could see it, as well. Timothy was well-suited for ministry, with Paul. There was just one
problem.

v. 3 The problem was with Timothys mixed heritage. By Jewish law, Timothy was considered a Jew,
because he was the son of a Jewish mother. But because Timothy like his father was uncircumcised, he
would technically have been considered an apostate Jew. This would have hindered Pauls ministry among
the Jews, in that region - and perhaps elsewhere.

So Paul circumcised Timothy, so as not to cause any of the Jews to stumble. Clearly this was not a matter
of legalism on Pauls part, but liberty - in order that the gospel might be proclaimed, freely.

So Timothy had not even entered the ministry, before being called to suffer, for Christs sake. Apparently,
he was willing for that - from the beginning. And because Timothy was willing, the Lord was able to turn
what would have been a hindrance to the ministry into an asset - for Timothy could now move easily
between the Jewish and the Gentile worlds.
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Timothy first had the opportunity to visit the assemblies that Paul had established on his original
missionary journey, in Galatia. He witnessed how Paul and Silas further strengthened those churches in the
truth through the teaching of the Word, and then accompanied them to their new mission field in Europe -
Philippi, in Macedonia.

A few stops later, Paul had to flee Berea, leaving Silas and Timothy behind on their own to strengthen the
new converts in the faith (Acts 17:13-14). By the time that Paul began his ministry in Corinth, he was
sending Timothy out to minister to other new assemblies (1 Th 3:1-7). Truly the son was learning the
family trade from his father!

And Timothy continued to learn it. From Ephesus, Paul sent Timothy with his letter of correction, back to
Corinth - and Paul charged the young Timothy with reminding the straying, arrogant Corinthians of Pauls
ways, in Christ (1 Cor 4:17).

After Paul is released from his first imprisonment in Rome, he will send Timothy to shepherd the church in
Ephesus for some time - which was in need of some discipline of its members, as well as requiring
correction, concerning false teachings.

In just ten years, Timothy had essentially become as Paul was, to the assemblies - exhorting, correcting,
teaching, encouraging - sincerely caring for their state. Timothy was indeed living up to his name -
honoring God.

But lest we think that Timothy was not such a one as us, we have in Scripture the second letter that Paul
wrote to him, personally.

Turn to Second Timothy chapter 1. This letter was written during Pauls second imprisonment in Rome -
when Nero had chosen the Christians to be his scapegoat, for the great fire that consumed much of the
imperial city.

Paul is in the general prison - with its miserable conditions. He recognizes that the time is at hand for him
to make his departure from this world - that is, he knows he will be executed.

By this time, it is likely that Timothy himself has already been imprisoned - perhaps in Ephesus - but
according to the author to the Hebrews, Timothy was released (Heb 13:23).

As with Pauls first letter, he writes to instruct and to encourage his son in the faith. But this letter conveys
to us the sense that Timothy is now afraid. Perhaps it was being in prison, himself. But more likely, it is
the fury of the persecution under Nero - and particularly, the prospect of Pauls death. With his letter, Paul
seeks to strengthen Timothy - to persevere, to the end.

Were just going to read a few selections, from the letter.

[Second Timothy]

1:1-6 When you stir up a fire, it burns more brightly, emitting heat and light. In the same way, Paul is
exhorting Timothy to stir up the graces that the Spirit has given him - to preach the gospel, to teach the
word, to shepherd the flock of God. Timothy is not to let those graces lay dormant in him, unused - out of
fear.
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1:7 Where does the spirit of fear come from? From within ourselves - and our natural tendency toward
self-preservation. Timothy must trust God to keep him - and that fear will be reined in. Then the life and
the love of God can flow through him, again.

1:8 Fear was causing Timothy to hold back; Paul is encouraging him to press on, to embrace these new
sufferings for the gospel - as he himself was.

2:1-2 Why would Paul be telling Timothy to commit what he has learned to others? In case the
persecution results in Timothys imprisonment again - or his death.

2:3 Paul is calling Timothy to persevere.

4:1-6 The sense is that Paul is passing the mantle of his ministry to Timothy. He has confidence that his
beloved son in the faith will persevere to the end.

I personally believe Timothy did. He wasnt perfect, was he? But having diligently sought the things
which are of Christ Jesus throughout his life as a Christ One, Timothys way had become the way of the
bondservant - who serves others, out of love. And in the end, Love always has the victory.

The question is, are we allowing Love to have that victory in us? That depends greatly upon what we seek,
in this life - whether our own, or the things which are of Christ Jesus.

Reading : Eph 6:10-20, 2 Cor 10:1-6.