Philippians 2:19-30

Timothy and Epaphroditus are the subjects of these verses.  Both men are good examples of what it looks like to be a Christian and what faithful ministry is.

I already addressed Timothy’s role in Paul’s life (in the first post on Philippians) and how he accompanied Paul through many of his missionary trips.  As a matter of fact, Timothy, along with Silas and Luke, had been with Paul when he first went to Philippi – a city with a population of around 10,000 people.  The formation of a church there that thrived and grew was evidence of the gospel’s life changing effect deep into Roman territory.  So, the Philippians knew Timothy well.  Timothy is Paul’s protégé  – but even more significantly, Timothy is like a son to Paul, which we know from the letters he wrote to Timothy.  We also know that Timothy is currently with Paul in Rome, where this letter was written. 

From the opening address of this letter, we know that Paul and Timothy together wrote this letter.  Scholars believe that Timothy may have been the one who wrote the letter while Paul dictated it.  Letter writing back then was no easy, quick process.  It was more like writing and publishing a book! It took time, a lot of time, and involved writing a draft, reading and editing it, and finally producing the final copy to be sent.  It might be that Timothy was like an editor and publisher!

In verse 20, Paul says, “For I have no one like him [Timothy], who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.”   No one like him!  Elsewhere, especially in Paul’s pastoral letters to Timothy, you can see and feel his love for Timothy.  Verse 22, “But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.”  Timothy means a lot to Paul – in more ways than one.  But he tells the church that he hopes to send Timothy to them soon!  Why?  “…so that I too may be cheered by news of you.”  Paul is willing to “let go” of Timothy – who has been a big help to him, and especially so while he is in prison!  There is also the expectation that Timothy would return to Paul with a report of the brothers and sisters in Philippi.

But what is undergirding this? Timothy and Epaphroditus both model what it means to live and serve.  What did they model specifically?  A look back at 2: 3, 4 gives us an idea.  Here Paul lists Christian behavior: refrain from doing things with selfish motives, or with conceit – and instead put your own interests aside while helping others with humility.  Seeing Timothy and Epaphroditus would give the congregation an opportunity to see this behaviour modeled in person – and thereby be strengthened in their faith. 

Paul commends Timothy by contrasting his behavior with “they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” (verse 21) Who exactly is “they all”?  Those would likely be the other men who were him at that time, also likely connected to who Paul was speaking about in 1: 12-18. (those who preached the gospel out of envy and from rivalry and with selfish ambition).   So, some were on the same page as Paul, and others not so much.  While some of the brothers were genuinely active, unselfish Christians, others were perhaps unable to be fully committed – not able to sacrifice the comfortable life they knew.   

From Barnes Notes on the Bible: “ ‘For all seek their own’. That is, all who are with me.  Who Paul had with him at this time is not fully known, but he doubtless means that this remark should apply to the mass of Christians and Christian ministers then in Rome. Perhaps he had proposed to some of them to go and visit the church at Philippi, and they had declined it because of the distance and the dangers of the way. When the trial of Paul came before the emperor, all who were with him in Rome fled (2 Timothy 4:16), and it is possible that the same disregard of his wishes and his welfare had already begun to manifest itself among the Christians who were at Rome, so that he was constrained to say that, as a general thing, they sought their own ease and comfort, and were unwilling to deny themselves in order to promote the happiness of those who  lived in the remote parts of the world.”

There is a lesson for us here too.  How easy would it be for us to leave our lives of comfort and ease to go somewhere else if the Lord asked us too?  What excuses might we use?  Are they selfish?   Of course, not all are called – but it’s possible to not listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.  It’s important that we are able to ask ourselves if we’ve been resisting something.

Since Timothy has proven his worth – his humility, selflessness and sacrificial nature and loyalty, Paul and the Philippians can count on him.  Paul hopes to send Timothy at a great loss to himself. But then Paul says he also hopes to travel their way!  (Verse 24: “and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.” ) But isn’t Paul in a Roman jail? Yes.  Based on what we know about Paul’s life, he is likely in prison awaiting trial and a verdict. It does seem like Paul holds a small hope that just maybe he would be released and then he could go visit them.  Paul trusts in God no matter the plan, just as he wrote in 1: 21-25.

Next, Paul writes about Epaphroditus.  Who?  We don’t know a lot about him – he was a Christian convert and likely a member of the church at Philippi.  Paul calls him his brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and their messenger and minister.  Paul rather esteems him, too!

It’s interesting to look at some Greek here.  The word Paul uses for fellow worker is “synergos” – a companion in work, a co-laborer, and soldier is “systratiotes” – which means an associate in labor and conflicts for the cause of Christ – a co-campaigner.  The common root word for both of those words here is “syn” – a preposition denoting union; with or together.  Paul is stressing that they have worked together in union – for the same cause.   For messenger, it’s “apostolos” – a delegate, specially, an ambassador of the gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.  It’s especially applied to the 12 apostles, yet in a broader sense can be applied to other eminent Christian teachers such as Barnabas, Timothy, Silvanus etc.  For minister, it’s “leitourgos” – a public minister, a servant of the state – or a functionary in the temple or of the gospel – a worshipper of God, benefactor of man.  Perhaps like our elders and deacons.  These are no small words, no small titles he gives to Epaphroditus.  He was a trusted Christian who lived the gospel right alongside Paul come what may. A true model of Christian living. 

In chapter 4: 18-19, we read that Epaphroditus was sent to Paul by the Philippian church with gifts – which Paul calls “a fragrant offering” “a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”  We don’t know what exactly the gift was – but it supplied his needs.  Likely food and other goods necessary for survival in prison.

Somewhere along the road to Rome, he became ill – ill enough to be close to death.  News had reached the Philippians about his illness and brush with death, and they were quite concerned for him – which made him distressed because of their distress!  Perhaps they were wondering if he would die. That would be a huge loss for them.  Further, Paul says in verse 30, “for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.”  Perhaps Epaphroditus was persecuted along the way? We don’t get to know what he was ill with, nor why he went through something like this.  I’m guessing he didn’t know either!  Just like we don’t often get to know why we go through certain trials and grief.  And because we aren’t told here what it all was, it’s not important for us to know.  What is important for us to know is that his work was selfless, sacrificial, and humble. Work that he nearly died for. He was an imitator of Christ doing his work.  An example for the Philippians in particular, and for all Christians generally, including you and me.

Paul tells them that Epaphroditus was healed – and that it was God’s mercy that healed him.  Healing isn’t a given, as we know all too well, or a right. It’s a mercy.  Paul even says that God had mercy on him too – not just Epaphroditus!  To spare him sorrow upon sorrow.  God’s mercy is boundless, limitless because He Himself is boundless and limitless! And Paul was no stranger to sorrow!  I do find it a bit funny that Paul writes that Epaphroditus was healed, when in fact, Epaphroditus brings the letter to the church, so they would have seen it for themselves.  It wasn’t like the letter would be sent by snail mail ahead of Epaphroditus. However, Paul’s main point wasn’t the healing, it was the mercy of God that he wanted to impress upon the church.

Now that Epaphroditus has been able to deliver the gifts of the Philippians to Paul, and after a rest and recovery time, Paul is sending him back to them with this letter.  Epaphroditus would have needed significant time to regain strength.  Rome to Philippi is approximately 800 miles (1280 kms).  To walk this would have taken at least a month without problems and hindrances. More likely it took 6-8 weeks – a more realistic time frame.  Perhaps less if he had a donkey to ride on.  Regardless, that’s a long journey.  Talk about commitment to the gospel and to Paul!

Paul instructs the church to receive Epaphroditus – with all joy, and to honor him because of the work he had undertaken and completed.  It seems odd that Paul would write this in the letter – a letter that Epaphroditus would arrive with.  But paramount in this is the instruction to “honor such men” – men who risked their lives for the cause of Christ.  Perhaps this is the reason Paul addresses this letter specifically to the overseers and deacons – men who should be treated with honor.   Just as we are called to honor our pastors, teachers, elders and deacons.

We may wonder why Paul wrote about these two men – using a total of 11 verses.  Keep in mind that in the beginning of chapter 2, Paul is writing to provide them with the example of Christ’s humility and a blueprint of what they should be like as Christ followers.  In verse 12-18, he goes into more detail about how we are to live as lights in a dark world and exhorts and encourages them to hold fast to the Word of life.  By writing about Timothy and Epaphroditus, he offers them as examples to the Philippians of what he just instructed them in! Living models – whom they can imitate as they imitate Christ.

In chapter 3, specifically starting in verse 2, we find it is jarring given all the joy and positive and encouraging words up to this point.  Stay tuned….

‘Til next time,

Grace and Peace