Philippians 2:19-30
Timothy and Epaphroditus
Read the passage
19Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I learn how you are doing.
20I have nobody else like him who will genuinely care for your needs.
21For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
22But you know Timothy’s proven worth, that as a child with his father he has served with me to advance the gospel.
23So I hope to send him as soon as I see what happens with me.
24And I trust in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
25But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs.
26For he has been longing for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.
27He was sick indeed, nearly unto death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.
28Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less anxious.
29Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,
30because he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for your deficit of service to me.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Paul hopes in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to Philippi soon. He wants reliable news of the church, and Timothy will sincerely care for their needs. The Philippians already know his proven character: he has served alongside Paul in advancing the gospel, as a child works with his father.
Paul contrasts Timothy with others who seek their own interests rather than Christ's. He plans to send Timothy when he knows how his own circumstances will turn out, and he also trusts in the Lord that he himself will come soon.
For now, he sends Epaphroditus back. The church had sent this man to minister to Paul's needs. Paul calls him a brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier. His service is part of the work of Christ.
Epaphroditus had been so ill that he nearly died. He longed for the Philippians and was distressed because they had heard about his illness. God had mercy on him, Paul says, and also on Paul, sparing him sorrow upon sorrow.
Sending their messenger home will let the Philippians rejoice at seeing him and make Paul less anxious. They are to welcome him with joy and honor people like him. He risked his life to provide the service they could not personally give from a distance. His return deserves gratitude for costly faithfulness.
Questions
1 Why does Paul trust Timothy to care for the Philippians?
AnswerTimothy sincerely seeks their good, and they know his proven service with Paul in advancing the gospel. His concern is for Christ's interests.
2 How does Paul describe Epaphroditus?
AnswerHe calls him a brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, as well as the church's messenger and minister to his needs.
3 How did God's mercy affect both Epaphroditus and Paul?
AnswerGod spared Epaphroditus from death and spared Paul the additional sorrow of losing him. Paul gratefully acknowledges mercy to them both.
4 How should the Philippians receive Epaphroditus?
AnswerThey should welcome him joyfully and honor him because he nearly died in Christ's work while serving Paul on their behalf.
What This Means for Us
Who serves faithfully without drawing much attention? A visitor to the sick, someone who delivers a meal or a person who travels to help may give more than we see. Thank them for the particular good they have done.
Paul's affection also gives us room to acknowledge worry about someone we love. Pray for that person and receive help from others. When recovery comes, give thanks to God for mercy to the sick person and to those who care for them.
Prayer
Father, have mercy on those who are ill and those who love them. Thank You for faithful servants. Help us recognize their work, care for their needs and welcome them with joy. Amen.