Being Commendable and Praiseworthy Like Timothy and Epaphroditus

Introduction

Philippians 4:8 NKJV

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Timothy

Paul Commended Timothy

Philippians 2:19 NKJV

But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.

Paul Planned to Send Timothy

Paul Was Looking Forward to Hearing a Good Report About The Philippians

Philippians 2:20 NKJV

For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.

Paul Commended Timothy

Timothy had a like-mind with Christ

For I have no one like-minded

Timothy did not minister out of selfish ambition

Who will sincerely care for your state

State?

Philippians 2:21 NKJV

For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.

For all seek their own

not the things which are of Christ Jesus

Philippians 2:22 NKJV

But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.

But you know his proven character

Proven Character -

that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.

Philippians 2:23 NKJV

Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me.

Paul hoped them Timothy after His Expected Outcome

Therefore I hope to send him at once,

as soon as I see how it goes with me

Philippians 2:24 NKJV

But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.

Paul Expected to Beat This Imprisonment

Epaphroditus

Philippians 2:25 NKJV

Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need;

Philippians 2:26 NKJV

since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.

Philippians 2:27 NKJV

For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

Paul always acknowledged that it is God who decides who lives and dies.

Philippians 2:28 NKJV

Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful.

Paul considered the Church at Philippi’s needs

Philippians 2:29 NKJV

Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem;

Paul said hold men like them in high esteem because they are PRAISEWORTHY!

Philippians 2:30 NKJV

because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.

Considering one another has to do with spiritual needs and not the personal needs of people!

If people’s health was the consideration Paul would have simply said STOP PREACHING, TEACHING AND LIVING THE GOSPEL!

Conclusion

We need to be more like Timothy!

Philippians 2:20 NKJV

For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.

We need to be more like Epaphroditus!

Philippians 2:28–30 NKJV

Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.

We need to be more like Paul!

Philippians 3:8–11 NKJV

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

We need to be more like Christ!

Philippians 2:5–11 NKJV

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.