THE EXAMPLE OF OTHERS
Opening Prayer
Lord, help me to seek the welfare of others, even at my own expense.
Read PHILIPPIANS 2:19–30
Timothy and Epaphroditus
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
“A good example is far better than a good precept” (Dwight L. Moody, 1837–1899). Thank You, Lord, for the example of other believers.
Think Further
Though Paul expects to be released imminently from his Roman imprisonment and then to visit the Philippian church, he finds it necessary to send Timothy and Epaphroditus ahead of him. We should note that these plans are “in the Lord” (19,24); that is, in the light of the sovereignty of Christ. Paul’s plans do not rest on a human calculation but on the Lord’s will for his particular situation. While it is good to plan ahead, we must trust God to work out the details.
In addition to informing the Philippians about the visit of Timothy and Epaphroditus, Paul presents them as examples of the selfless attitude that he wants the Philippians to adopt. Paul sends Timothy, his close co-worker, to Philippi for two reasons. First, Timothy takes a genuine interest in the welfare of the Philippians (20), and this attitude reflects Paul’s exhortation in verse 4 about imitating Christ’s concern for humanity. Second, the Philippians are familiar with Timothy’s proven record of serving (literally “working as a slave”) with Paul for the sake of the Gospel (22), imitating Christ’s attitude of service (7).
Epaphroditus, a member of the Philippian church who is sent to help Paul, seems to have fallen very ill—either on his journey or after he reaches Paul. News of his illness has reached the Philippian church and they are concerned. Paul writes that Epaphroditus has approached the doors of death itself but recovered by God’s grace. In verse 30, he explains that Epaphroditus has nearly died for the work of Christ, in service of Paul, on behalf of the Philippian church. Such an attitude imitates that of Christ sacrificing his life (6–8).
Apply
Verses 2:6–11 present Christ’s example for us to imitate. Verses 12–30 show how Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus imitate Christ. Our challenge is: how are we imitating Christ?
Closing prayer
Lord, I submit to being poured out as a drink offering on the altar of service to You and the greater good of Your kingdom.
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