On Sunday we worked through what is anticipated to be the second of three engagements with Philippians 2:19-30, giving our attention this week primarily to verses twenty-two through twenty-six.
“Therefore I hope to send [Timothy] immediately, as soon as I evaluate my own circumstances, and I am confident in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly. But I regarded it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.” Philippians 2:22-26 LSB
After introducing the second portion’s major character, Epaphroditus, we worked to demonstrate how this passage, as a whole, fits within the book. And to help frame this, we briefly refreshed ourselves on the book’s major themes, giving special attention to the top three: joy, unity, thinking/mind… themes that coalesce in the heart of the letter (2:1-11).
But we were also reminded that this is a gospel-intensive book, and that within the larger scope of the New Testament, it has some of the densest or most concentrated engagements with the gospel, notably its progress and working within the church. And this can be most plainly observed in chapter one… but it informs the whole of the book. So much so that we should perhaps revise how we view our singular titles for each chapter.
So, whereas I titled chapter one: Progress, it could be viewed as “Gospel Progress.” Chapter two, Examples, would be “Gospel Examples.” Chapter Three, Resurrection, would be something to the effect of “Gospel Power.” And Chapter Four, Fellowship, would be “Gospel Fellowship.”
With these gospel focused modifications in view, we saw more plainly why it was that Paul seemingly paused to give personal updates for his plans to send Timothy, plans to come himself, and the rationale for already having sent back Epaphroditus.
These men were fleshing out personal examples of what was perfectly exemplified by Christ, namely that of having a humble others-oriented view, of concerning themselves with the interests of Christ over the interests of self, and of exemplifying the gospel through their lives.
So… again, we have seen in chapter one, “Gospel Progress,” a section that gave way to chapter two, “Gospel Examples,” a section which opens with the heart of the letter and the exemplary example of Christ (2:1-11); followed by a call to work hard in these matters (2:12-13); then a view to being governed by The Day of Christ and with this, sacrificial service (2:14-18); and then finishes with these three “Gospel Examples” of Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus (2:19-30).
We also recognized that examining “Gospel Examples” carries with it a measure of weightiness to it… not to the exclusion of joy but in concert with joy. Even so, there are burdens that are brought more plainly to light in such engagements… namely righteous burdens that naturally accompany the care of Christ’s Church. Righteous burdens that all believers bear in their love for one another but that in some measure pastors carry a bit more by the nature of their charge to shepherd the flock.
This additional burden carried by pastors could perhaps be expressed with a question they would be wise to challenge themselves with considering, namely: “Does it work?”
“Does what I labor and struggle to see, hear, understand, put to action, apply, and declare to others from the Scriptures work?” And as we have seen, “Gospel Examples” make clear that yes, yes it does work. It works when we heed the gospel charge to live and walk with a humble, others-oriented joyful unity of mind in The Lord.
A work that the whole body engages in – not just the leadership and not just those who are aside for special works of service… but the whole of the body, just as we observed in this precise moment in which Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, and the Philippians were all working in loving deference to one another.
Now, with all such matters in view, we returned to our engagement with Paul’s plans to dispatch Timothy. And having already worked through verse twenty-one, we picked back up with verse twenty-two where Paul esteems his faithful friend and co-laborer.
“But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.” Philippians 2:22 LSB
Timothy was a man of proven worth, who, like Paul, carried a righteous burden of care for the church; therefore, Timothy was more like a son than an apprentice and more like a son that a protégé. He was like a young man watching and working with his father… learning his craf and honing his skills… but even more than this, he was cultivating a humble, others-oriented heart prepared to spend itself fully in gospel service.
And this reputation held true throughout Timothy’s life: “But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings….” 2 Timothy 3:10-11 LSB
Timothy was not just a good man, he was a gospel man, and therefore a gospel example, which is why Paul went on to express his strong expectations to send him to Philippi soon, even before his own anticipated arrival. “Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I evaluate my own circumstances, and I am confident in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly.” Philippians 2:23-24 LSB
Now, while not a matter of tremendous attention, it was nevertheless interesting to note that while Paul had a very clear desire and expectation to send Timothy soon – this decision was in some measure contingent on evaluating his own circumstances. Paul was plainly not governed by superficial matters, but he was aware of present realities and expectations and knew that even good decisions are best made when submitted to a wise valuation of present and projected circumstances.
From these anticipated plans, we transitioned to the executed plans, which not only presented a shift in persons but also tone. Paul transitioned from: “I hope to send Timothy” (2:19), “I hope to send Timothy” (2:23) and “I am confident I will be coming” (2:24), to “I regarded it necessary to send Epaphroditus” (2:25).
And while this may appear peculiar at first… namely the urgency of necessity to send a good man home, it was actually a beautiful expression of a concert of persons having a humble, others-oriented love for one another.
This was a “gospel example” of the church operating in the righteous shadow of the heart of this letter (2:1-11), and this in the common experiences that accompany our natural lives, thereby demonstrating that what we labor and struggle to see, hear, understand, put to action, apply, and declare to others from the Scriptures works. It really works.
And here we observed that Paul sent back Epaphroditus not just with his blessing but with a unique measure of commendation – one unlike any other person received in the New Testament. Paul provided an intensive clustering of esteemed affirmations of title and service for Epaphroditus – three of which were in relation to him and two in relation to the Philippians.
In relation to Paul, Epaphroditus was a brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier.
In relation to the Philippians, Epaphroditus was their messenger and minister.
Brother: An affectionate expression of familial identity shared by those who are believers in Christ. A redeemed child of God is one’s fellow brother or sister in The Lord, and as such they are beloved.
Fellow Worker: One who was a co-laborer in the work of applying their strength, time, and resources to the strengthening of The Church and advancement of the gospel. They were those who were known for faithfully engaging in sacrificial service.
Fellow Soldier: One who was singular in their devotion – having an awareness that there are things worthy of giving oneself for and as such are worthy of risking personal loss and comforts for too.
Messenger/Apostle: One who was specially commissioned as an authoritative representative to speak and work on behalf of another – notably one sent out by a local church for special missional work. To send out a messenger/apostle was often to dispatch one of your very best so as to extend one’s reach, service, and influence beyond where the corporate body or others could themselves go.
Minister: One who was committed to a given work of service – often ranging in application from civic services to those exercising priestly services. Here the application is more plainly with a view to priestly services as Epaphroditus participated in the sacrificial service of the Philippians (2:17) and was the one entrusted with delivering their offering to God in service to Paul (4:18).
Epaphroditus was a remarkable and highly honored man who, in Paul’s judgment, needed to go home even at the expense of his continued value in Rome. This, “…because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.” Philippians 2:26 LSB
Like Paul (1:8), Epaphroditus longed for the Philippians – he desired not only their presence but their best as he exemplified a humble, others-oriented affection for them.
Epaphroditus was also distressed because word of his severe illness had gotten back to Philippi. Therefore, he was not simply homesick, but mindful of the righteous burden of concern that the church carried for him – a matter he would have urgently wanted to see relieved.
So, while it may appear that this portion of the letter was just one filling in details about present and forthcoming plans for various ministers traveling from Rome to Philippi. it was something quite more. It was a demonstration of the gospel at work and a range of persons striving to outdo one another in showing love for one another. It was an example of sacrificial love exercised in wisdom for the greatest benefit for all persons involved: Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, and the Philippians.
Grace and Peace,
David B. Crowe
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