Philippians 2:19-30 - Paul’s Beloved Co-workers

Philippians 2:19-30 - Paul’s Beloved Co-workers

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may be cheered by news of you. 20 I have no one like him who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 All of them are seeking their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But Timothy’s worth you know, how like a son with a father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him as soon as I see how things go with me; 24 and I trust in the Lord that I will also come soon. 25 Still, I think it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus—my brother and co-worker and fellow soldier, your messenger and minister to my need; 26 for he has been longing for all of you, and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 He was indeed so ill that he nearly died. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, so that I would not have one sorrow after another. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, in order that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 Welcome him then in the Lord with all joy, and honor such people, 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for those services that you could not give me.

Two Co-laborers with Paul

Vs. 19-24 is about Timothy

Vs. 25-30 is about Epaphroditus

Before we get into what Paul says about these two men let’s consider why does he put travel plans in the middle of his letter when he usually puts them at the end of his letter?

Some scholars believe this is where Paul originally was going to end his letter, but decided to continue with things he felt needed to be addressed.

Others believe that Paul was using them as an illustration of what he just shared. Vs 9-18 - The Hymn.

Now lets look at what Paul writes and you can decide which is a better understanding.

First Paul talks about Timothy:

Vs. 19 - I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may be cheered by news of you

What’s the first word in your Bibles for vs 19?

Most versions have “But” as the first word in this verse and it is translated from the greek word ”de” This word can be translated many different ways

But - 1237

and - 934

now - 166

then - 132

also - 18

yet - 16

yea - 13

so - 13

moreover - 13

nevertheless - 11

for - 4

even - 3

10x - misc.

300 - it is not translated, it is left out, it is unneeded.

The NASB chooses to leave it out. which I think is the better handling.

When you use the word but it is in contrast and I do not think this is what Paul is doing here, I think is there is something deeper.

He wanted to send Timothy to receive word of how they were doing and so be encouraged, but this is not in contrast to what he has said earlier it is in addition to.

Vs. 20 - I have no one like him who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.

non of Paul’s companions/friends have the same genuine concern for them as Timothy

Vs. 21-22 - All of them are seeking their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But Timothy’s worth you know, how like a son with a father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.

Paul seems to be saying that everyone around him except Timothy is self-centered, but is that what he is saying?

This is again where translations can mislead.

The Greek literally says “all - for - their won - seek” so where did “of them” in “all of them” come from?

Paul is not saying that no one around him cares for the interest of Jesus Christ. Paul is trying to show how Timothy compares to those others around him. see the word “but” here, it is a contrast.

Jesus does the same thing in Luke 14:26

Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.

Vs. 23-24 - I hope therefore to send him as soon as I see how things go with me; 24 and I trust in the Lord that I will also come soon.

Paul’s desire to send Timothy is only surpassed by his on need for Timothy in his time of need in prison.

This brings up two questions

Are you the type of person to someone to where they can say you are their “Timothy?”

Do you have a “Timothy” in your life?

The Second person Paul talks about is Epaphroditus.

Vs. 25 - Still, I think it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus—my brother and co-worker and fellow soldier, your messenger and minister to my need.

Epaphroditus is only mentioned in this book but is an important person to Paul and the Philippians.

In this one vs Paul describes him as:

a brother

a co-worker

a fellow soldier

their messenger

a minister to his needs

Even though he was of value to Paul, he decide to send him back to the Philippians.

Vs. 26-27 - 26 for he has been longing for all of you, and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 He was indeed so ill that he nearly died. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.

We see here that Epaphroditus was sick and was concerned that they heard he was ill which is one reason Paul sends him back.

God’s mercy is what kept Epaphroditus alive, and God’s mercy was also what kept sorrow from consuming Paul.

Vs. 28-30 - 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, in order that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.

Vs. 29-30 - 29 Welcome him then in the Lord with all joy, and honor such people, 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for those services that you could not give me.

There is honor to be given to those who choose to risk for the service of Christ.

This is not just those who are called into ministry, but those who risk anything for the gospel of Christ.

The greater you are willing to risk the greater the honor!

The less you are willing to risk, the less the honor.

So was this out of place in the middle of the book?

No, it is Paul giving us application for what he said earlier in the chapter.

Paul was showing how these men were living examples of what Jesus was like!