Epaphroditus was sent by the Philippian church to bring a monetary gift to Paul. Along the way, he became gravely ill. Paul says three times in a few verses that he was near death. Despite this, he pressed on, prioritizing Paul’s well-being and the advancement of the gospel over his own life. What an example to follow! What an example to be!

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul calls the church to joyful,godly living in light of the gospel. His words about Timothy and Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:19–30 show us what it looks like to put this into practice. Paul is in prison, and the Philippian church, worried about him, sent Epaphroditus to deliver a gift and minister to his needs. Along the journey, Epaphroditus became deathly ill, and news of this made its way back to the church. Paul is writing to comfort them, sharing his hope to send Timothy soon and expressing confidence that he himself will come to them again.

Paul’s deep concern for the church reflects Christ’s own concern for His people. If your faith is in Christ, you are united to Him and all other believers by the Holy Spirit, and He is deeply concerned for your spiritual well-being. The Lord uses everyday men in the church to meet spiritual and physical needs. We are lights in a dark culture, marked by selfish ambition and radical individualism. Godly examples like Timothy and Epaphroditus encourage us and show us the way forward.

Timothy: A Selfless Servant

Timothy was well known to the Philippian church. Born to a Jewish mother and Greek father, he was taught the Scriptures by his mother and grandmother, whose efforts remind us that God uses His Word to save sinners, even when our efforts seem small and futile (family worship, catechizing, etc.). Timothy joined the apostle Paul on missionary journeys, witnessing conversions like Lydia’s and sharing in the joys and struggles of everyday ministry.

Paul says in verses 20–22: “I have no one like him (Timothy), who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth.” Timothy was Paul’s son in the faith. This relationship raises a question: To whom are you a spiritual son? We need examples to follow. To whom are you a spiritual father? We need to be examples.

Timothy learned from Paul’s example of care and concern for the church. For the pastors reading: Are we truly concerned for the people God has entrusted to us? Guarding sound doctrine is a vital part of that, but if that is all that we do, we risk becoming like the Pharisees, always looking for a fight. Are we willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of others?

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