Timothy and Epaphroditus

TIMOTHY

Phil.2:19-24 “Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you. For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father. Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.”

In the middle of the letter, Paul places a travel itinerary. Strange, no?

It kept a church who was tied to Paul and invested in his ministry “in the loop.”

But what does that have to do with us? It’s where Paul places it.

Practical example of what he’s been saying.

An opportunity for us to consider Timothy and Epaph introspectively — would we serve similarly?

The “boring” part of the letter is a reminder that faithfulness can be boring! While everything around us is drawn to those things that bombard our senses (Disney pipes smells throughout the park, “Jerry world” needed the largest HD screen in the world because the game on the field wasn’t enough, and mega church pastors are lauded for their flashy and well-spoken productions), we remember God ordains normal, run-of-the-mill circumstances to accomplish great things.

Paul hopes “in the Lord” to be able to send Timothy — he trusts God to ordain the steps of his life. Further, he is genuinely invested in the spiritual progress of the Philippian church, and he expects news about this will encourage (“confidently inspire”) him.

He desires to send Timothy because of Tim’s uniqueness: he truly cares about the church.

In contrast, others seek their own desires.

To seek our selfish desires is human nature — SIN!

Timothy’s concerns are primarily the interests of Jesus.

He is like-minded with Paul, seeking what Jesus wants and denying own concerns — a fit example for what he’s exhorted the Philippian church to.

Timothy’s character was known to the church — if Paul was lying, the church would’ve known! But, the church knew he had “proven character,” or character that was refined through difficult circumstances. He was with Paul from the beginning of the church (Acts 16).

The church would’ve seen Tim’s character first-hand, and they would’ve observed the unique relationship Paul and Tim shared, that of a father and son. To be sure, it wasn’t a boss/employee relationship and actually speaks to the familial nature of church relationships. And, as Paul’s “son” in the faith, the church can have confidence he will act like a member of the family.

Paul wraps up this section, and in so doing, walks the delicate balance between serving others and being mindful of his own personal needs. Timothy will stay behind until a verdict has been reached, but the church’s immediate needs will be met as one of their own returns — Epaphroditus. Timothy would continue to serve Paul now as Epaphroditus has done, but more on that in a second.

During this trial in Paul’s life, he certainly treasured Timothy’s companionship. It’s a precursor to 2 Tim.4:9 “Make every effort to come to me soon,” what many scholars believe to be Paul’s deathbed wishes.

His last line about Timothy’s coming re-centers the conversation on Paul — he is confident that he will return to Philippi. Paul’s confidence is not in the Roman legal system, but in His Savior Jesus Christ. And here, we return back to where this passage started — trust in a Sovereign God’s plans. All of his plans are placed in God’s hands.

EPAPHRODITUS

Phil.2:25-30 “But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need—since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice again when you see him and I may be less anxious. Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor, because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.”

Paul now turns his attention to Epaphroditus as an example of selfless service. He had been sent to Paul as the church’s messenger and a minister to Paul’s needs. We mentioned Timothy staying behind, and Paul doesn’t tell us why, but Epap may give us a clue — to minister to Paul while in prison.

Epap brought the financial gift from the church to Paul, but he was likely coming to also minister to Paul. Care for prisoners was not done by the state. Care fell to family and friends. Epap ministered, and I think Timothy was staying behind to do the same.

The name Epaphroditus is derived from “Aphrodite,” the goddess of sexual love and beauty. Epap’s family probably worshiped in this way. So what happens when Jesus changes the life of a pagan idol worshipper? These verses tell the story!

He was a brother — a basic and familial term in the believing community.

He was a coworker — a phrase Paul often uses for fellow ministers.

He was a fellow soldier — an uncommon term that may have been used because of the historical situation of Philippi. The picture here is a soldier wounded and being sent home for rest. BTW, Epap would’ve been present when the letter was read, so this may have been as much for his sake as anyone else.

Paul and Epap’s heart are evident in vs.26 — Paul wants to send him out of concern, and Epap longed for the “home folks,” not because he was home sick, but because he was “distressed” because they “heard that he was sick.” COMPASSION — to hear about the needs of others and being motivated to alleviate them!

Paul says Epap was so sick, actually, that he almost died. And, his health was completely by the hand of God…because “God had mercy on him.” It seems odd to us because we live in a world of medical advancement, but do you realize that 100 years ago life expectancy was somewhere in the 55-60 year range? Part of that is due to our ability to sustain the life of newborns, but another huge factor is that in 1928 antibiotics were discovered. No longer is it common for people to die early deaths because of a simple infection. So, this likely wasn’t a gradual healing due to medicine, but rather, a miraculous recovery.

Paul says that God’s mercy also spared him from additional sorrow, or “sorrow upon sorrow.” The difficult situation he’s in would have been emotionally compounded by the death of someone dear to him.

Epap’s return would bring joy — a person thought for dead (remember, he couldn’t Facebook his wellness) returning to his people — and ease Paul’s anxiousness.

What’s interesting is that you see Paul’s instruction combating real life.

To live is Christ and to die is gain (that’s Phil.1:2 “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”), yet Epap’s death would’ve caused Paul sorrow.

Paul is anxious over Epap’s condition, yet, be anxious for nothing but pray about everything with thanksgiving, making your requests known to God (that’s Phil.4:6 “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”)

Theology meeting real life. That’s what a right understanding of God should do.

Paul encourages the church, welcome Epap “in the Lord” and with joy and honor people like him. So let’s take our time...

Epap’s return may have been met with fear that he didn’t finish his task. So, Paul here and in verse 30 alleviates that fear.

He is welcomed “in the Lord.” Another subtle reminder that all of life is lived under Christ’s authority and in submission to His rule.

He is worthy of honor. It’s a practical opportunity for the church to practice what Paul has preached: prefer others.

Finally, “people like” Epap are worthy of honor…which begs the question, what was he like?

If it hasn’t been clear, verse 30 sheds light. Phil.2:30 “because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.”

Just as Jesus was obedient to the point of death, so Epap was near death.

In so doing, Epap filled in the gap of the Philippians’ ministry to Paul. Since the church as a whole could not be there, Epap carried out ministry on their behalf and in their stead.

So who is the person worthy of honor? The one who forsakes it all to honor Christ, regardless of the cost, serving with the needs of others in mind.

Selfless service is shown in compassion.

Selfless service is shown in companionship.

Selfless service is shown in character.

Selfless service is shown in commitment.