Philippians 2:19-24

Timothy

Paul was able to broaden his service to the various churches by sending faithful messengers to them. He hoped it would be the Lord's will that Timothy could soon be sent to check on the welfare of the church at Philippi. When he had delivered word from Paul to them, he could report back to the apostle the things he had seen in the church. It is obvious Paul expected the report to be good, as he said it would comfort him (1 Peter 2:19).

Of those available to him, Timothy was the one Paul could depend upon to be concerned only for the welfare of the church (1 Peter 2:20). He told the Corinthian brethren, "Now if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do" (1 Corinthians 16:10). Paul's confidence in this young preacher can be seen in the descriptive words he uses in several letters. He called him a fellow worker, "true son in the faith" and a brother who had preached among the Corinthians (Romans 16:21; 1 Timothy 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:19).

When Paul's concern for the church at Thessalonica could no longer be contained, he said, "we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith" (1 Thessalonians 3:1-2).

Others sought only their own personal gain. But Timothy, like a coin or precious metal which had been proven genuine, was known as one who loved the church as dearly as Paul, his father in the faith. As soon as Paul knew how his trial would go, Timothy would be sent. Perhaps all other helpers had been sent on missions by Paul. Paul believed in God's providence and felt sure he would soon be released so he could visit Philippi firsthand (1 Peter 2:21-24).