STUDYING THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS #8

Phil. 2:19-30

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. The subject matter of the letter changes at this point as Paul
      expresses his intentions of sending two certain men to them -
      Timothy and Epaphroditus.
   B. In verses 29-30, Paul speaks well of these two servants of the
      Lord.
      1. We first learn about Timothy in Acts 16:1-2.
         a. From that time on, Paul and Timothy were very close.
         b. Timothy was with Paul in Philippi (Acts 16);
            Thessalonica and Berea (Acts 17:1-4), Corinth and
            Ephesus (Acts 18:5; 19:21-22), and Rome (Col. 1:1).
         c. Paul often sent Timothy to aid various churches when
            he could not go himself.
            (1) He sent him to Thessalonica (1 Thess. 3:1-2), and
                to Corinth (1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10).
            (2) He sent him to Macedonia from Ephesus (Acts
                19:22).
            (3) On another occasion he left Timothy at Epheus
                while he himself went into Macedonia (1 Tim. 1:3).
         d. At one time Timothy, too, was a prisoner for Christ's
            sake (Heb. 13:23).
         e. Timothy was mentioned along with Paul in the writing
            and sending of five of our N.T. epistles.
         f. Timothy is mentioned at least 24 times in Paul's letters.
         g. Timothy's genuine faith first dwelt in hie grandmother
            Lois and in he mother Eunice. 2 Tim. 1:5
      2. What we know about Epaphroditus is found only in the
         verses before us and in Phil. 4:18.

I. Phil. 2:19-24 - Paul plans to send Timothy to Philippi.
   A. 2:19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you
      shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your
      state.
      1. "I trust in the Lord Jesus" - Everything is governed by the
         Lord's will. James 4:13-15
      2. Paul expected to receive good news on Timothy's return.
         a. We see here Paul's care for the Philippian brethren. He
            was concerned about their well-being.
   B. 2:20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care
      for your state.
      1. Timothy had the same spirit as Paul.
         a. No one but Timothy shared so intimately the same deep
            concern for the Philippians.
         b. No doubt there were many good ministers in those days,
            but none compared to Timothy.
      2. Several years ago, a preacher called me and asked me if I
         would move to help some brethren over in North Carolina.
         a. As he began to explain to me the problems and needs of
            the good brethren there, I said to him, "Since you know
            all about the situation, why don't you move there?"
         b. I don't know if he took my advice or not.
   C. 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ
      Jesus.
      1. At that time, among those who Paul knew, none were as
         dedicated as Timothy was.
         a. Many are more interested in their own credit, honor,
            ease, and wealth than the things of Christ.
         b. We live in a world of many selfish, self-seeking people;
            it is rare to find any who, like Timothy, truly seek     
            first the things of the Lord.
   D. 2:22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with
      his father he served with me in the gospel.
      1. Timothy had proven himself among the Philippians.
         a. It is a delightful situation when a child wants to help.
      2. Paul and Timothy had a close, delightful relationship - as
         father and son.
   E. 2:23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see
      how it goes with me.
      1. As soon as Paul knew of his own situation (he still faced   
         his up-coming trial), he would send Timothy.
      2. Timothy would then be able to take to them news of Paul's
         death or release.
   F. 2:24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come
      shortly.
      1. "Trust in the Lord" - Notice, again, his humble dependance
         and submission to the divine will.
         a. Certainly, his plans at this time did not rest on his own
            desires.
         b. Only "in the Lord" could he look forward with
            confidence.
         c. Remember, only "in the Lord" can we do this or that.

II. Phil. 2:25-30 - Paul sends Epaphroditus back to them.
   A. 2:25 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;
      1. As we mentioned, all that we know about Epaphroditus is in
         these verses and Phil. 4:18.
      2. "Epaprhoditus" was a common Greek name in those days. It
         meant literally, "Devoted to Aphrodite." Aphrodite was the
         Greek goddess of love and beauty.
      3. Paul calls him, "My brother, fellow worker, and fellow
         soldier" - These were great complimentary terms bestowed
         upon this disciple.
         a. Thus, he was a fellow laborer and defender of the
            gospel.
      4. "But your messenger" - The word "messenger" here is
         literally "apostle" or "one sent."
         a. He was sent by the Philippian church to take their
            support to Paul.
         b. The Philippian church often sent support to Paul. Phil.
            4:15-18; 2 Cor. 11:8-9
   B. 2:26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed
      because you had heard that he was sick.
      1. "Was distressed" - "Full of heaviness" (KJV)
         a. The word "distressed" here is the same word used to
            describe the Lord's agony in the garden. Matt. 26:37
            (1) It is translated "deeply distressed" in the NKJV,
                and "very heavy" in the KJV.
      2. "Because you had heard that he was sick." - He was
         distressed, not because of his critical illness, but because
         of the anxiety the news about his illness would bring to his
         friends.
      3. One can easily get sick when traveling from one country to
         another.
   C. 2:27 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.
      1. Paul assures the Philippians that Epaphroditus' sickness was
         now over.
      2. If Epaphroditus had died, the bereavement would have been
         added to the misery of the apostle's imprisonment.
   D. 2:28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you
      see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful.
      1. By sending Epaphroditus back home, Paul accomplishes two
         objectives:
         a. It causes the Philippians to rejoice upon seeing him safe
            and sound.
         b. It makes Paul less sorrowful to know that the anxieties
            of the Philippians were relieved.
   E. 2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and
      hold such men in esteem;
      1. Receive him with joy, not reluctantly as if he was a quitter
         or a failure.
      2. "Hold such men in esteem" - Those who are zealous and
         faithful to the Lord need to be highly regarded.
      3. The unexpected return of Epaphorditus might have caused
         great disappointment in the church and led some to conclude
         that his mission had failed, and that Paul had been left    
         with no sympathetic friendship when he needed it the most.
         a. Paul did write later that all had forsaken him. 2 Tim.
            4:16-17
         b. Our attitude toward fellow-Christians, especially when
            there is tendency to misunderstand their motives, and/or
            to misjudge their actions, has to be resisted.
         c. "Love" gives the benefit of the doubt. 1 Cor. 13:7
   F. 2:30 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.
      1. Here is a man who gave no thought to personal comfort and
         safety, in order to discharge his responsibility.
      2. "To supply what was lacking in your service toward me." -
         His task was to get the funds to Paul, and he was ready to
         lay down his life to get it accomplished.
         a. What dedication! He was faithful in that which was
            least. Luke 16:10

Concl.
   A. Paul sets a great example of love, kindness, concern.
      1. He highly commended his loyal companion and co-worker,
         Timothy, who he hoped to shortly to send to them.
         a. He showed his deep concern for the Philippians by
            sending Timothy to them.
      2. He was kind to Epaphroditus by sending him back home.
         a. He was very careful to make sure the Philippians rightly
            received him.