Paul’s Partners
Philippians 2:19–30
The apostle Paul personally discipled several committed men who partnered with him in spreading the gospel. Most of them came to salvation in Christ during his missionary journeys. Paul did not choose them because of their brilliance, education, wealth, power, or influence. In fact, they were common men, often young, weak, and unassuming.
These redeemed individuals yielded to Christ’s example of selfless humility (Phil. 2:5). The Lord equipped Paul well to mentor them. He manifested the “mind of Christ” in self-denial and humility throughout his life (1 Cor. 2:16); and his example of sacrifice, service, and submissive obedience to the Lord provided a clear blueprint to follow.
Paul poured out his life as a drink offering to Jesus Christ in utter selflessness and humility (Phil. 2:12–18). God matured these men whom Paul mentored and imputed His divine wisdom to them for service that would glorify Him (cf. 1 Cor. 1:26–31).
Paul was a prisoner of Rome and unable to go immediately to Philippi as he promised. Thus, he sent Timothy and Epaphroditus, two of his most trusted helpers, to minister in his place.
Timothy: A Trusted Worker
Paul wrote, “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state” (Phil. 2:19). He could not go at that time, so he sent Timothy instead.
His Conversion. Timothy was raised by his Jewish mother and grandmother. His father was Greek (Acts 16:1). Little else is known about Timothy’s father, who most likely left the family or died young. Timothy’s mother and grandmother taught him the Old Testament, possibly leading him to salvation; or he may have come to Christ upon hearing the gospel through Paul’s preaching (2 Tim. 1:5).
Timothy became Paul’s son in the faith and accompanied him on his second missionary journey. To make him acceptable to the Jews, Paul circumcised Timothy, who traveled with him to Philippi; Thessalonica; and Berea. But he remained in Berea while Paul and Silas traveled to Athens. Timothy later rejoined them in Athens.
He also traveled with Paul on the apostle’s third missionary journey to Ephesus and then to Rome, where Paul was held captive. Paul last mentioned Timothy during his second Roman imprisonment, summoning Timothy to come to him quickly before winter (4:21).
His Commendation. Paul told the Philippians, “For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely [genuinely] care for your state” (Phil. 2:20). The word like-minded means “of like soul,” referring to those who thought like Paul and shared his knowledge of Scripture and its interpretation.
Like Paul, Timothy gave of himself in self-sacrificing concern and care for the Philippian believers. Since Paul considered no one equal to Timothy, the apostle chose to give up fellowship with Timothy to allow the young man to minister to the Philippians.
His Conviction. Paul continued, “For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus” (v. 21). Paul highlighted Timothy’s unselfishness and willingness to minister to the Philippians, exactly as Paul would.
The phrase all seek their own means other Christians sought after their own interests and purposes. They satisfied their own desires, rather than pursuing lives centered in Christ. The carnal Christians in Corinth exemplified being dominated by selfishness (1 Cor. 3:1). Conversely, Timothy prioritized serving Christ, rather than his own needs and interests, which is why Paul willingly poured his life into Timothy’s and sent the young man wherever he was needed.
His Character. Paul reminded the Philippians of Timothy’s qualifications: “But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel” ( Phil. 2:22).
The word son (Greek, teknon) refers to Timothy working alongside Paul as a child works with his father. The word proven (Greek, dokime) means to be found pure after being tested. Over time, Timothy became Paul’s highly respected and trusted assistant (1 Cor. 4:17; Phil. 2:19–20; 1 Th. 3:2). They accomplished great things together for the proclamation and teaching of the gospel.
Paul concluded, “Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly” (Phil. 2:23–24).
The apostle chose to send Timothy for several reasons: He trusted Timothy would care for the Philippians the same way he would. He knew the Philippians would rejoice when Timothy, who had ministered with Paul during the church’s establishment, arrived. He also knew Timothy would report back to him honestly concerning the church’s condition.
Paul would not send Timothy until the apostle’s trial in Rome concluded. If released, Paul, rather than Timothy, would go to Philippi. The apostle believed he would go shortly, following Timothy’s visit (v. 24).
Epaphroditus: A Tireless Worker
Paul planned to send his letter to the Philippians through Epaphroditus before traveling to Philippi himself:
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; since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick (vv. 25–26).
The Philippian church sent Epaphroditus as its messenger to Paul in Rome, bearing its gifts for the imprisoned apostle (4:18). Thus, Epaphroditus had been in Rome for some time, laboring in the gospel with the apostle. Paul sent Epaphroditus back to Philippi, sharing his appreciation for the church’s gifts; explaining his situation; and praising Epaphroditus’s excellent ministry with him.
His Character. Paul referred to Epaphroditus in three ways: He was Paul’s “brother” (2:25)—not physically, but a brother in Christ as a fellow Christian. He was a “fellow worker” (v. 25), immediately joining Paul in proclaiming the gospel to Rome. And he was a “fellow soldier” (v. 25), battling with Paul in the spiritual war against the Devil (cf. Eph. 6:11–17; 2 Tim. 2:3–4).
His Concern. Paul sent Epaphroditus back to Philippi because Epaphroditus was “longing” (having a heavy heart) and “distressed” (anxious) to see these believers. He was concerned for the Philippians, who heard he had been sick and were burdened for him (Phil. 2:26).
His Crisis. Speaking of Epaphroditus, Paul said, “Indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him” (v. 27). No human medicine or overt miracle saved Epaphroditus’s life—God’s mercy alone preserved him. God can heal when we pray. However, He doesn’t always choose to do so. One such example is God’s choice not to remove Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” after Paul had pleaded earnestly three times for the Lord to take it away (2 Cor. 12:7–10).
His Commitment. Upon his recovery, Epaphroditus was willing to stay and help Paul; but Paul sent him back to the Philippians so they “may rejoice, and [Paul] would be less sorrowful” (Phil. 2:28). Knowing Epaphroditus had recovered and returned home would bring relief to the Philippians and lessen Paul’s sorrow over the situation.
The Philippians were to “receive him . . . with all gladness [joy]” (v. 29), expressing their appreciation to Epaphroditus for his ministry in Rome and his personal sacrifice for the gospel of Christ. They were to “hold such men in esteem” (v. 29). That is, Epaphroditus and others like him were to be highly respected, recognized, and rewarded for their ministry.
Epaphroditus supplied “what was lacking in [their] service toward [Paul]” (v. 30). The Philippian believers wanted to do more for Paul but could not go to him. Thus, they sent Epaphroditus to help Paul in Rome. Therefore, Paul wanted the church to give Epaphroditus the highest honor possible.
Timothy and Epaphroditus provide two faithful examples of self-sacrificing service for Christ and the gospel. May we emulate these men’s character and commitment for the gospel of Christ today.
