Praise for Faithful Servanthood

pg 922 in the pew Bibles

1. Timothy, the faithful servant after Paul’s own heart.

Philippians 2:19–24 ESV

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

Philippians 2:19-256

a. Timothy and Paul are likeminded.

Philippians 2:20 ESV

For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.

b. Timothy, like Paul, genuinely care for the Philippian Church.

Philippians 2:20 ESV

For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.

:20

c. Timothy, like Paul, is faithful in ministry.

Philippians 2:21–22 ESV

For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

Philippians 2:21-22

d. Timothy is useful to Paul in ministry.

Philippians 2:23 ESV

I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me,

Philippians 2:23

e. Timothy is a worthy substitute for Paul in Philippi.

Philippians 2:23–24 ESV

I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

2. Epaphroditus, the faithful servant who survived.

Philippians 2:25–30 ESV

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

Philippians 2:25-

a. Epaphroditus is held in high-esteem.

Philippians 2:25 ESV

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,

Philippians 2:25

Paul deems him as his brother.

Paul deems him as a fellow worker in the faith.

Paul deems him as a soldier in the faith.

Paul deems him a faithful servant on behalf of the church.

b. Epaphroditus is a selfless servant.

Philippians 2:26 ESV

for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.

Phil 2:26

c. Epaphroditus risked his life for the sake of serving the Lord.

Philippians 2:27 ESV

Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

Phili 2:26

d. Epaphroditus recieved honor from Paul, the church, and the Lord for his faithful service.

Philippians 2:28–30 ESV

I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

Phil 2:28-30