Why Paul Wanted to Send Timothy
Philippians 2:19–24
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.
20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.
21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.
23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me,
24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
Although this happened around 2,000 years ago, through today’s passage we can sense Paul’s deep longing for the Philippian church—which he had planted and considered his spiritual children—after being apart from them for about ten years. He had heard occasional news from them, but now he seemed deeply concerned that something might be wrong. At the same time, he knew they were also worried about him, since he was in prison. That’s why Paul was so eager to send someone to update them and to receive news from them. Because he himself was imprisoned and couldn’t go, he planned to send Timothy in his place.
Verse 19 says, “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.”
The distance from Rome to Philippi was about 750 miles by land and sea. Even though it would take sevral weeks and involve danger on land, sea, and from people, Paul still wanted to know about their situation. Why? In Philippians 1:8, Paul writes, “For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.” And in 4:1, “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.”
The word “yearn” in Philippians 1:8 is the same Greek word used in Psalm 42 to describe a deer panting for streams of water—a deep, desperate longing (epipotheó). Paul had that kind of longing for the Philippian believers. Like a parent concerned for their children who are far away, Paul sincerely desired to know how they were doing.
Imagine not being able to communicate with your beloved children for ten years. What would you be most curious about? Probably their health, whether they’ve married, if they have children, and especially their spiritual life—whether they’re still walking with God.
That’s what mattered most to Paul: whether they were living in a way that reflected the salvation they had received, whether they were living as blameless children of God, becoming more like Christ. Depending on their answer, Paul felt that his entire life would either have been in vain or worth rejoicing in on the day of Christ. In fact, he said that if they were living that kind of life, even if he were poured out as a drink offering for their sake, he would still rejoice (Philippians 2:14–17).
Paul longed to be with Christ in heaven, but he said the reason he remained in this world was for their “progress and joy in the faith” (Philippians 1:25). That’s how much he cared about their spiritual growth—he was willing to live or die for it.
But since he couldn’t go himself, he needed to send someone. Why did he want to send Timothy rather than someone else? Verses 20–21 explain: “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.”
Paul chose Timothy because he was like-minded. In 2:2 Paul had already encouraged the Philippians to be “of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” But even Paul himself had a hard time finding someone who shared his heart and purpose. Having the same mind among believers is not easy.
Even married couples—who are supposed to be “one flesh”—struggle to live with the same heart and mind, how much harder is it among church members?
There’s a story about a little boy who attended a wedding with his parents. Watching the ceremony, he asked his mom, “Mom, what is marriage?” She smiled and replied, “Marriage is when a man and woman fall in love and choose to live together. They don't fight, they understand each other, forgive each other’s mistakes, and help each other with life’s challenges.” The boy looked confused, glanced at his parents, and said, “Then I guess you and Dad aren’t married.”
So how can we, whether in marriage or church, be of the same mind? How could Paul and Timothy be of one heart? How can we have the same purpose?
While trying to match each other’s hearts is important, the biblical way is for both people to match their hearts to Christ first. In Philippians 2:5, Paul says, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” When each of us seeks the heart of Christ, we can treat others as more significant than ourselves, serve them, and share a united heart.
Paul says Timothy is someone who is “genuinely concerned for your welfare.” When we have Christ’s heart, we not only share unity with others, but we also care for them sincerely—not in a fake or shallow way. Romans 12:9 says, “Let love be genuine.” This implies that false love is possible. And Paul explains the reason why true concern is rare:
“For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” (v.21)
Even ten years after planting the church, Paul and Timothy still deeply cared for the Philippians. Why? Because they carried the heart of Christ and were concerned with the things of Christ. Genuine love for the Lord always leads to genuine love for His people. True concern for fellow believers is doing the work of Christ.
It’s not a love that fades with time or distance. It’s not “out of sight, out of mind.” That might apply to the world, but not to those who follow Christ.
If we truly have Christ’s heart, we will love and care for one another—both here and even when we’re apart. Even when someone can’t attend church for a while, remembering them, praying for them, and encouraging them—that is doing the Lord’s work.
The work of Christ is to love others with His heart, showing genuine concern that goes beyond time and distance. The world may not understand this kind of extreme love. But God desires that kind of radical, Christlike love among His people, because He Himself has loved us radically.
In a world where everyone lives for themselves, how wonderful it is that we have a Lord who expects and commands us to love in this way. And how can we not love such a Lord?
In verses 22–24, Paul writes: “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.”
Timothy didn’t just seek the work of Christ, like a son serving with his father, he also labored alongside Paul in the work of the gospel. From Paul’s second missionary journey to the time this letter was written, and beyond, Timothy faithfully worked with Paul for the sake of the gospel.
Paul mentioned in chapter 1 that some people preach Christ from envy and selfish ambition. But gospel ministry is more than words—it includes helping believers live lives worthy of the gospel:
Helping them work out their salvation with fear and trembling
Helping them become more like Christ
Helping them treat others as more significant than themselves
Helping them hold fast to the word of life and live blamelessly
Paul himself lived a life worthy of the gospel and set an example. That’s why he could say in Philippians 4:9, “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things.” Timothy, who stayed close to Paul, learned from him and imitated him. He became someone worthy of the Philippians’ respect. That’s why Paul wanted to send Timothy.
In conclusion, Paul wanted to send Timothy for two reasons:
Because Timothy shared Paul’s heart and genuinely cared for the Philippians—not pursuing his own interests but the interests of Christ.
Because Timothy followed Paul’s example and lived a life worthy of the gospel, becoming a model for others.
May all of us have the heart of Christ, grow more and more like Him, and live lives worthy of the gospel—caring for one another sincerely, and faithfully living out our calling as believers.
I bless you in the name of Jesus, that you may become such people.
