The Book of Philippians: Do NOT Be Anxious! (Chapter 2: Verses 19-30)

 Hello Friends!

During this week’s gathering we’ll continue to work our way through the powerful book written by the “Apostle Paul” to the Philippians as we consider the perfect PERSON and wonderful WORKS willed of our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” as decreed throughout this excellent Epistle…“Do NOT Be Anxious!”

The Book of Philippians: Do NOT Be Anxious! (Chapter 2: Verses 19-30)

¹⁹ But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. ²⁰ For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. ²¹ For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. ²² But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. ²³ Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. ²⁴ But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. ²⁵ Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. ²⁶ For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. ²⁷ For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. ²⁹ Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation; ³⁰ Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me – Philippians 2:19-30

OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: The “Apostle Paul” visited “Philippi” at least ONE time and quite possibly more and the “church” community there kept in very CLOSE contact with him. However, they apparently LOST track of the precious “Paul” when he was arrested in the city of “Jerusalem” and for TWO years there was NO cordial concerted communication cast from him. They finally found that he was sent to “prison” prepared for him in Rome and thus immediately dispatched their beloved “brother” named “Epaphroditus” sent unto “Paul” with words of sympathy surrounding a great “gift“ and many eager expressions of lavished LOVE for him. Therefore, the “Epistle to the Philippians” is the righteous RESPONSE reported by “Paul” regarding their caring concern and the hopeful arrivals of “Timotheus” and “Epaphroditus” in kind. A lively LOVING lauded – Letter of THANKS!

SERVING the Saints!

As “we” look to the ardent “Apostle Paul” coupled along with “Timothy” and emulated by “Epaphroditus” in kind, there is a great PRACTICAL principle that “shines” thoroughly throughout these EXCELENT examples set “forth” in this powerful passage. The single GREATEST tool of spiritual leadership is the power of an EXEMPLARY life longingly lived out for “God” and others. And that is EXACTLY what “we” see here as a righteous RESULT of the many previous points pertaining to this Divinely directed DUTY of which will now practically provide for each of “us” these THREE magnificent mandated – MODELS to Follow!

Model Servant: Timothy!

First “we” find that “Paul” purposely plans by the Divine DIRECTION dictated of the “Lord Jesus” to surely “send” the young “Timothy” over to the “Philippian” province. WHY? Because “Timothy” is the ONLY one lovingly “likeminded” in his concerned candid “care” for the “saints” such as was “Paul” himself:

But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state – Philippians 2:19-20

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: Young ”Timothy” was a born NATIVE of the “Derbe” district or perhaps the “quarters” layered within “Lystra” in the area well known as “Galatia” proper. His godly “mother” was a “Jewess” by the name of “Eunice” and his “grandmother” having gone BEFORE her was named “Lois” as such…

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also – 2 Timothy 1:5

Conversely, his “father” was a “Greek“ man by birth. Thus, “Timothy” was aptly able to meet with these TWO commonly colliding cultures of jaundice Judaism and Hellenistic Greek compilations…

Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek – Acts 16:1-3

At that point in his “ministry” mandate, “Timothy” had NOT yet been “circumcised” in his flesh. WHY? Because he was most likely formally educated in the Greek culture by his late “father” and also informally educated in the Jewish culture by his “mother” and “grandmother” from whom he LEARNED the wonderfully “wise” deeply Divine doctrines of sure “salvation” for the soul eternal…  

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus – 2 Timothy 3:15

Therefore, “Timothy” was eminently QUALIFIED to go along with the ardent “Apostle Paul” directly into the Greek cultural “world” to boldly BESEECH the mindful message of our magnificent – Messiah Jesus Christ!

Even “Paul” himself found that “them” of whom WERE unusually faithful and unusually capable and unusually gifted are indeed very FEW and far between! Thus, only “Timothy” was this CLOSE of a bold “brother and minister of God” as such…

Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto – 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3

However, “Paul” is defiantly NOT denigrating the likes of “Luke” and “Aristarchus” in any way. WHY? Because these bold “brothers” too were earlier with the purposed “Paul” but had already been dispatched for solemn “service” according to the excellent “epistles” etched to the Colossians and Philemon respectively. Even the DILIGENT Doctor “Luke” and the participating pastor “Aristarchus” themselves weren't such kindred companions for “Paul” in quite the SAME lauded “likeminded” sense as was “Timothy” to understand UNIQUELY the hallowed – Heartbeat of Paul!

SERVE the Son!

And here “Timothy” is correctly CONTRASTED to absolutely “all” of the other self-serving sort of whom sordidly “seek their own” interests and NOT the truthful “things which are Jesus Christ's” mindful matters of the guarded “gospel” alone:

For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me – Philippians 2:21-23

HISTORICAL HINTS: This powerful “proof” statement made by “Paul” gives the idea that “Timothy” was utterly CONSUMED with the innate interests of our loving Lord “Jesus Christ” alone. And as LIKENED unto a submitted “son with the father” it was “Timothy” of whom “served” soundly alongside of the aged “Apostle Paul” by outwardly orating the great “gospel” message and “therefore” had wholly HELD onto the “hope” to surely “send” the young “Timothy” as absolutely “soon” as was “presently” possible…

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully – 2 Timothy 2:1-5

Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me. For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia – 2 Timothy 4:9-10

Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you – Hebrews 13:23

Thus, “Timothy” was indeed a mindful man and seasoned SOLDIER begot for battle alongside the “Apostle Paul” as purposely prepared of the sound-same – Single-Mindedness!

The grandiose GOAL of the true “believer” is to fulfill the perfect “will of God” in absolutely ALL areas of a “life” lived out for only Him. And there is NO doubt that “Paul” would have enjoyed engaging with the precious “people” throughout “Philippi” himself. WHY? Because he had such a real RELATIONSHIP with these “beloved” believers. They lavishly loved him whole-heartedly AND he longingly loved them with a very personal BOND in kind – Wonderful WORDS!

TRUST the Lord!

“But” at the SAME time, the ardent “Apostle” was truly “trusting” in his own ready RETURN routed unto “Philippi” if his providentially provided RELEASE from his “bonds” of intense imprisonment would indeed BE granted:

But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly – Philippians 2:24

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: As discussed in prior passages, “Paul” was eventually RELEASED from this intense “imprisonment” instigated for “two whole years” as such…

And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him – Acts 28:30-31

Then at the end of that “prison” time tenure, “Paul” was certainly “set free” for a little while. Later on he was surely sent to “prison” yet AGAIN and there he LOST his physical “life” in death. However, he may very well have gone to “Philippi” to visit the beloved “brethren” shortly before his fateful – FINAL Imprisonment!

Model Servant: Epaphroditus!

Next “we” find that the eager “Epaphroditus” was quite possibly the presiding PASTOR or devoted “deacon” Divinely set over the chosen “church in Philippi” province:

Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants – Philippians 2:25

Although “Paul” intentionally identifies himself with this loving SERVANT as his bold “brother” and caring “companion in labor” and fearless “fellow soldier” in kind, nothing is directly known about the personal background of the eager “Epaphroditus” himself, his parents, how long he had been a “Christian” or what his official FUNCTION was in the “church” except by the implications found nestled WITHIN this particular “passage” pertaining to the PROFILE of this very unique man. And at this time, “Paul” was tentatively TIED unto a “two-year” long intentional incarceration within a private “house” by the Roman government chained to one of their “soldiers” while still having some FREEDOM for magnificent – Ministry Mandates! 

HISTORICAL HINTS: The name “Epaphroditus” was a very common name in the first century, demonically DRAWN from the Greek pagan deity named “Aphrodite” known as the “goddess of love and luck” as such. And when the Greeks rolled the dice in their gambling games, they would shout: “Epaphroditus!" WHY? Because they wanted a firm FAVOR farmed from their good-luck charm “Aphrodite” so-called. Thus, “Paul” is performing a little play on the name of “Epaphroditus” itself. He was thus favored by “Aphrodite” through name only and for the great “gospel of Jesus Christ” with his own “life” lived he indeed– Greatly Gambled!

However, in the Roman culture her name was “Venus” meaning the “goddess of love and beauty” in kind.. Therefore, this mighty man named “Epaphroditus” as simply a term that actually means "favorite of Aphrodite" so-called. This verifies that he was indeed INTRENCHED within a purposed pagan environment long BEFORE his conversion. After all, “Christians” themselves would NEVER name a child in this manner! Of course, the first generation “church” would NOT yet have any background in Biblical “Christianity” proper. And although it is not known WHEN this mindful man “Epaphroditus” was actually converted unto new LIFE found in “Jesus Christ” our loving “Lord,” it is very likely his family of origin woefully WORSHIPED this demonic deity – Goddess Aphrodite!

By this trying “time” told, the eager man “Epaphroditus” had become a KEY convert within the “church” abroad. He was a SACRIFICIAL servant who had LEFT his very own home, his employment, his ministry, his church, his friends, his wife and his children to gallantly GO and mindfully “minister” towards the waning “wants” of the ardent “Apostle Paul” personally. A solid solemnly – Sacrificial Saint!

However, “Epaphroditus” was found to be very “sick” siding quite CLOSELY with the harkening “heaviness” of dooming “death” perhaps by potential MARTYRDOM keenly knocking at his door, “but” indeed our great “God had mercy on him” as He did “also” with the presiding “Paul” himself:

For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow – Philippians 2:26-27

With this kind of “mercy” in mind, when is the last time WE were so deeply disoriented and doggedly distressed with such “sorrow upon sorrow” in knowing someone ELSE was feeling bad about OUR situation as such? This sort of sordid “sorrow” shows the depth of lavished LOVE and the beautiful BOND shared between these bold “believers” beheld. Unfortunately, our society TODAY is often more concerned with possessions rather than people and real RELATIONSHIPS rendered. However, this kind of kindred CONCERN in which these bold “brethren” had with this ENGAGED man known as “Epaphroditus” was so deep that it is quite apparent that he was totally STRESSED with such sadness they too had SUFFERED in kind. WHY? Because the “Philippians” were very WORRIED about “him” as well – Sadness SHARED!

Finally, “Paul” had surely “sent” the eager evangelizing engaged “Epaphroditus” the much “more carefully” directly BACK unto the “Philippian” proconsul presented intently “in the Lord” with absolutely “all gladness” gleaned from a RIGHTEOUS stellar “reputation” received:

I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation; Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me – Philippians 2:28-30

The wonderful “work of Christ” in which brought “Epaphroditus” himself “nigh unto death” was now well underway. And this MIGHTY man in “not regarding his life” was willfully wanting to amply “supply” their own “lack of service” sent unto “Paul” as a great GIFT given him. This contented “church in Philippi” of which “Paul” had faithfully founded indeed LOVED him very deeply and when they became AWARE of his sordid situation, were greatly TROUBLED and decided they wanted to somehow HELP the aged “Apostle” as such. And rightly realizing he could no longer WORK to eagerly earn a living as a talented “tent maker” and thus support himself in his “ministry” endeavors, they would “send” him a granted – Garnered GIFT! 

Thus, the prided “Philippians” sacrificially COLLECTED from among their beloved “brethren” a gathered “gift” of lavished “love” and surely “sent” it on along to “Paul” via the HELPING hands of this godly man named “Epaphroditus” himself. They then instructed him not only to DELIVER the financial “gift” but also to STAY and become the submitted “servant” of the availed “Apostle Paul” concerning his PERSONAL needs. Therefore, “Epaphroditus” is tasked to TRACK this granted “gift” as the chosen delegate of the “church” body to soundly SERVE in all of “Paul’s” purposes – Servant Heart!

In closing:

Although these three extremely EXEMPLARY men of “God” are each distinct from one another, they are in a sense all ONE personification. WHY? Because they intently illustrate the very SAME attributes of selfless and humble spiritual “service” submitted. And yet in EACH case there ARE some nuances in their particular loving “lives” that make them UNIQUE from each other. These very close friends were all tied “together” within the Roman ruse as this excellent “epistle” was being “written” to the “Philippian” flock with “Paul” presiding as the pious “prisoner” in a private portico chained to a soldier. And yet he is UNHINDERED in his personal “proclamation of the gospel” granted as they had provided him with the LIBERTY to willingly “work” alongside “Timothy” as his special “son in the faith” along with “Epaphroditus” bringing a financial “gift” to help strongly support the aged “Apostle” as a sure – Submitted SERVANT!

The Puritan “preacher” of the seventeenth century Thomas Brooks has soundly said concerning EXAMPLE exemplified:

"Example is the most powerful rhetoric!"  

Beloved, this simple statement made by this stately “servant” is completely CORRECT in its connotation – Emulate by EXAMPLE!

 

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

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