Meditations from the Book of Philippians part 6 – Week 29 / July 15th

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Paul’s Faithful Friends – Philippians 2:19-30

When we embrace the cross of Jesus for ourselves our hearts should be fully conquered by His love and power. That is; the work of the cross in us frees us from personal self interest and re-orientates us in a way that we desire to seek the kingdom of God and serve it. This type of Christian is hard to find! Here in this passage before us Paul admits that most of the ministering brothers serving with him were actually more interested in their own personal agendas. How sad this is. However, Paul had two friends who were different; these were Timothy (V19-24) and Epaphroditus (V25-30).

So, from Paul’s words about Timothy we learn the following:

1. That we should be in submission to others. Timothy served with Paul, recognized his authority and surrendered to it. The Bible has much to say about obeying leaders. (Hebrews 13:17) This biblical concept attacks the carnal unconquered heart and thus those in rebellion to it find all sorts of so called reasonable arguments to resist it. Timothy didn’t!

2. That we should be sincere about caring for others.

3. That we should be proved. That is, living in community, in submission and under authority for a reasonable period of time reveals who we really are. Timothy did just this and was spoken well of by the brethren and thus Paul took him to the work of the ministry. (Acts 16:1-5) in short Timothy could be trusted because he was Christlike in character. Can we be trusted with the work of the Kingdom of God?

4. That we should be encouragers. Paul knew that Timothy would edify and build up the people of god and therefore wanted to send him to the Church at Philippi. Too many of God’s servants are judgmental and critical and therefore approach people negatively. They are then surprised that they are not well received by the family of God. When our faith becomes too religious it breeds this type of thing. Paul knew that Timothy would be a blessing and thus do the Church at Philippi a lot of good.

From Epaphroditus we learn:

1. That we should be fellow-workers. The Kingdom of God is made up of people who will work for it.
2. That we should be soldiers. The Kingdom of God is made up of people who will fight for it.
3. That we should be trusting. The Kingdom of God is made up of people who will submit to it.
4. That we should be messengers. The Kingdom of God needs people who will proclaim it.

Timothy and Epaphroditus endured hardship and sickness for the Kingdom of God. They were “choice servants of God” and Paul states that such men should be held in high esteem by the family of God. The Kingdom of God has not changed and needs servants like this today. Think deeply and carefully about this passage and then ask yourself if you are prepared to follow Jesus in this way? Jesus said that we are to seek first the Kingdom of God and then all things would be added to us. (Matthew 6:33)

Given Paul’s testimony here, this is easier said than done!

Malcolm Hedding.

©Malcolm Hedding Ministries

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