Oriented To The Interests Of Christ
ORIENTED TO THE INTERESTS OF CHRIST
PHILIPPIANS 2:19-24
The church needs young adults like Timothy who will learn the costly discipline of Christian leadership. Where do you fit into this?
Paul deeply appreciated the concern which the Philippians had expressed over the outcome of his trial. While he has found an appropriate ground for rejoicing, whether the result be acquittal or the sentence of death (1:19-26; 2:17f.), he is sensitive to the extent with which his friends have shared his sufferings. To put them at ease, he announces that he will send Timothy to Philippi as soon as a verdict is forthcoming (2:23). He adds affectionately that he will be as cheered by news of them as they will be by Timothy’s report (2:19).
Timothy had been associated with Paul from the beginning of the second missionary journey (Acts 16:1-3). He had been commended to the apostle by the Christians both in Lystra and Iconium, and perhaps by prophetic utterance as well (see 1 Timothy 4:14). With the possible exception of Luke, he proved to be Paul’s closest companion, working with him in Macedonia, Achaia, Asia and Rome. In several of Paul’s letters, Timothy’s name is associated with Paul’s in the greeting (2 Corinthians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Philemon). While Paul was thoroughly aware of a certain timidity and reticence in Timothy’s nature (1 Corinthians 16:11; 1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 1:7f.), he did not hesitate to entrust to him important missions to Macedonia, Corinth, Ephesus and elsewhere. The apostle’s references to his younger companion are full of affection (see 1 Corinthians 4:17; Philippians 2:19-22; 2 Timothy 1:4f.; 4:9,11,13,21).
While Paul is not yet ready to send Timothy, it is clear that he has no other associate in Rome to whom he is willing to entrust this mission (2:20f.). All of the others around him lack the essential quality of a genuine concern for the welfare of the churches. The problem is that they suffer from the same shortsightedness which afflicted many of the Philippians; they allowed their own interests to overshadow the concerns of Jesus Christ (compare 2:21 with 2:4). Paul had no such misgivings concerning Timothy. The readers had firsthand knowledge of the quality of his service for Christ, because he had been actively engaged in the mission to Philippi. Paul would send him as soon as he could see his own situation more clearly, and if possible, he himself will come before long (2:24f.; see also 1:25f.).