Timothy Series

A Living Example: Timothy

Philippians 2:19-24

Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567

After having described in a hymn the ultimate example of what it meant to be a humble, obedient servant who looks out for the interests of others; Paul now gave two examples of co-workers who he believed were living their lives worthy of the Gospel of Christ. The first co-worker to be mentioned was Timothy. He was a native of Lystra, a third generation Christian whom Apostle Paul viewed as a “follow worker” (Romans 16:21; 1 Thessalonians 3:2), a “brother” (2 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:2), a “bond-servant” (1:1), a “beloved faithful child in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:17), “coequal in the Lord’s work” (1 Corinthians 16:10; 1 Thessalonians 3:2); and above all his dear and “cherished son” (1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2). Paul told the Philippians, “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you” (2:19). Timothy had likely joined Paul in Rome and was “available to be sent out as his messenger.” Paul’s hope was to send him soon, but that decision would not “rest on a human calculation of release and freedom” but on the pleasure of the divine will of the Lord! Paul who loved (1:8), had confidence in (2:24) and rejoiced in the Lord (3:3; 4:10); would stand firm (4:1) and wait upon the Lord until He gave the command to proceed, even though such a delay would greatly disappoint the Philippians! If it was the Lord’s will Paul would send Timothy for a “twofold purpose” to Philippi and back. First, Paul wanted the Philippians to know his “personal sense of well-being” was one that was filled with joy because he was confident, he would remain steadfast in the faith and true to the Gospel of Christ (1:19-20) when in court in front of Caesar. And second, Timothy would not only further “instruct, correct, and edify the church during his stay” but also Paul was confident he would return with a favorable report that the Philippians were working out their salvation by being “united in heart and purpose” and were putting the interests of one another above that of their own!

Reflection. Paul was not willing to send Timothy to Philippi until it was the will of the Lord to do so. When you make decisions are they “yours” or the Lord’s will? If the Lord said “NO” to something, you really wanted to do would you not only refuse to do it but also wait for His path and clear direction in your life?

Showing Genuine Concern

Even though Timothy was well-known to the Philippians, in the next few verses Paul gave them three reasons why Timothy was chosen to be Paul’s ambassador. First, Paul told the Philippians Timothy was chosen because “he had no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare” (2:20). “It was not so much the spiritual gifts of Timothy that the apostle has in view, though their presence is not denied,” but both Timothy and Paul were of “equal soul” of the same mind, and kindred spirit. Paul had complete confidence in his younger partner and son in the Gospel that his love for Christ and for his spiritual father would compel Timothy to give not only comfort but also provide a “living example” of what it meant to have genuine concern for the interests of others! While Paul had other partners in ministry, he also chose Timothy because no one else had quite the same genuine, deep love for the Philippians and desire to help them get rid of disunity problems and stand firm “in the one Spirit in the face of opposition (1:27-30)!” Like Paul, Timothy was a “compassionate servant” who deeply loved Christ and His church at Philippi! Paul had no doubt that his son Timothy had the pastoral heart needed to deal with the self-centeredness and vain conceit that was inflicting great wounds upon church unity at Philippi.

And even though Timothy was known to be timid, Paul was confident that his son would not be anxious in the face of both internal and external persecution but as a seasoned veteran would once again prove to be able to handle the most delicate of missions with the grace and power of the Lord whom He fearfully and wonderfully served!

Reflection. Do you love the members of your church so much that you are willing to put their needs above those of your own? Upon close examination of your words, attitude, and deeds; would others testify that you genuinely love them with all your heart?

Focusing on the Will of Christ

The second reason Paul chose Timothy was because he was not like everyone else who merely “looked out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (2:21)! As Paul wrote this letter in a dungy prison, chained to a Roman guard; he likely thought of many people he could have sent but to Philippi but were excluded from his list of possible candidates. When Paul stated “everyone,” i.e., the “whole lot of his associates,” looks out for their own interests” he was unlikely referring Epaphroditus, Luke, or Aristarchus but instead those who “preached Christ out of envy, rivalry, and selfish ambition (1:15-17). It is possible that Paul asked other colleagues to go to Philippi and they refused his request because they were simply too “busy” with their own self-appointed ministry goals! “What a strange irony—that the gospel could become the occasion for a profound self-absorption. We do live in an age of unprecedented self, of weightless souls consumed with their own gravity.” As Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly crossing our paths and cancelling our plans by sending us people with claims and petitions.” How one handles these “interruptions,” i.e., God’s will for one’s life; clearly reflects our motivation, to serve our or God’s agenda. Paul chose Timothy not only because he was his spiritual son and partner in the Gospel but also because he could “find no one like him” who was genuinely “anxious to promote the welfare of the other people, and to give himself to a fatiguing journey and to the resolving of person quarrels in the Philippian church.” Paul was confident that Timothy’s motive to serve was not to seek the admiration of the Philippians but instead was to seek the interests of Jesus Christ who wanted His church to be steadfast in the faith and unified as one body under His headship! “Jesus in His preaching called upon His hearers to seek God and His kingdom first, that is, to put their whole life under God’s rule (Mt. 6:33; cf. 7:7–8; Lk. 11:9–10, etc.).” Since this was Timothy’s primary motivation of service, not selfish ambition, in Paul’s mind he was the perfect ministry partner to send because he emulated Christ’s humble obedience to God’s will and would give the Lord all the credit!