Philippians 2:19-24

Outline of 2:19-30

E.

News about Timothy and Epaphroditus; Philippians 2:19-30

1.

Timothy; Philippians 2:19-24

a.

Paul hoped to send Timothy to them; Philippians 2:19; Philippians 2:23

b.

Paul had no one else like Timothy; Philippians 2:20-22

c.

Paul himself trusted to come soon; Philippians 2:24

2.

Epaphroditus; Philippians 2:25-30

a.

It was necessary to send Epaphroditus back; Philippians 2:25; Philippians 2:28

b.

Experiences of Epaphroditus; Philippians 2:26-27

(1)

He longed after the Philippians.

(2)

He was sick.

(3)

He recovered.

c.

Receive him in the Lord; Philippians 2:29

d.

Honor him for his work and courage; Philippians 2:30

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19. But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know of your state. 20. For I have no man likeminded, who will care truly for your state. 21. For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. 22. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child serveth a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the gospel. 23. Him therefore I hope to send forthwith, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me; 24. but I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall come shortly.

Translation and Paraphrase

19. But I hope in the Lord Jesus (he being the basis of my hopes, his glory the goal of my hope, my association with Him being the supreme thing in my life) to send Timothy unto you speedily, so that I may be of good courage, knowing of your affairs (and not being uneasy because of uncertainty.)
20. For I have no one (with me) of like mind (with a soul like his), who will (just) naturally be concerned with (and really anxious over) your affairs.
21. For all (the others) are seeking their own affairs (their own interests and desires), not the things of Christ Jesus.
22. But you (all) know what Timothy has proved out to be, that as a child (serves) a father (so) he serves with me in the gospel (and for the sake of the gospel).
23. I hope therefore to send him (to you) soon, (as soon as) I see (how) my affairs (work out here).
24. But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall be coming (to you) soon.

Notes

1.

For a brief summary of Timothy's life see notes on Philippians 1:1-2.

2.

Paul several times sent Timothy to visit churches that needed some personal guidance when Paul himself could not go. He sent him to Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 3:1-2). He sent him on ahead to Macedonia from Ephesus (Acts 19:22). On another occasion he left Timothy at Ephesus while he himself went into Macedonia (1 Timothy 1:3). (Compare 1 Corinthians 16:10). Many great preachers like Paul owe some of their accomplishments to their second team, to those like Timothy,

3.

Although Paul faced the possibility of losing his case and losing his life (being poured out like a drink-offering; Philippians 2:17), the Philippians would not be bereft of guidance. He planned to send Timothy to them.

4.

Paul hoped in the Lord. (Philippians 2:19). As Christians we hope in the Lord, trust in the Lord (Philippians 2:24), receive one another in the Lord (Philippians 2:29), rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 3:1; Philippians 4:4), glory in the Lord (Philippians 3:3), stand fast in the Lord (Philippians 4:1), use our minds in the Lord (Philippians 4:2), labor in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). Whether we live therefore or die, we are the Lord'S. (Romans 14:8).

5.

Paul's purpose for sending Timothy was that he might be cheered (literally well-souled) when he heard the news from Timothy about their activities. Good news from faraway places is like waters to a thirsty soul. Proverbs 25:25.

6.

Paul's statement that he had no one like Timothy who would naturally care for their welfare sounds like a rather harsh judgment upon Paul's other associates. But this need not be so. Perhaps at this time none other of Paul's associates were with Paul. The others had been sent out from Paul, and only Timothy was left of the devoted ones. This is somewhat indicated by the fact that Paul does not list at the close of Philippians a number of associates who sent greetings, as he does at the end of some other epistles (See endings of Colossians and Romans.)

Also perhaps this condemnation (?), or evaluation, is only a matter of degree. Timothy had such a high degree of devotion to Christ and to his brethren that Paul could truly say, I have no man likeminded, and still not really be implying that the other co-workers were deficient in devotion. Paul's high praise of Epaphroditus in the following paragraph certainly suggests that he was not lacking in dedication to Christ.

7.

Naturally (or truly; Gr. gnesios) means as a birthright, or as an instinct derived from spiritual parentage (Thayer). A similar word is used in Philippians 4:3 to describe Paul's true yokefellow.

8.

The temptation to seek our own affairs rather than the things of Jesus Christ has always been strong. (The world says, Do your own thing.) Even some of Paul's associates were affected by it. It is quite natural to seek our own honor, our own positions of authority and prominence, our own enrichment. To naturally seek the things of Christ as Timothy did, is unnatural, that is, unnatural by human standards.

9.

The Philippians really did not need Paul's praise of Timothy. They knew Timothy quite well themselves. They knew the proof of Timothy. Proof means the test by which something is shown to be good, as gold is proved by fire. 1 Peter 1:7. Our deeds and words soon furnish a proof of our real nature to all who know us.

10.

The concerns of the man of God; Philippians 2:20-22.

(1)

Concern over the things of Christ.

(2)

Concern over the spiritual state of his fellow Christians.

11.

Paul's statement that Timothy served him as a son serves a father expresses the ideal father-son relationship. However, children frequently rebel against parents and are disobedient. Always the hearts of children should be turned to the fathers, and vice versa. Also the hearts of younger ministers should look toward older ministers with respect and assistance. Malachi 4:6.

12.

Paul closes the paragraph about Timothy's visit with the note that he himself is confident that he will get to come to them soon. This news of a proposed visit by Paul would strengthen Paul's preceding exhortations to a worthy life. (Philippians 1:27-30; Philippians 2:1-18).