Philippians 2:19-30
Timothy and Epaphroditus
19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22But 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. 23I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
25But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27Indeed 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. 28Therefore 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. 29Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.
St. Paul is under house arrest in Rome and writes this letter to the Philippians...St. Paul is a very organized person...He has converted many people to Jesus...He has started many churches...He knows the gospel and the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of the converted individual and the church...He also knows that the churches are people and they need support to remain and keep them sustaining...
St. Paul tells the Philippians that everyone looks out for his own interests, and not those of Jesus Christ...This is why we sin...If we had perfect focus on Him we would be better...
St. Paul writes he hopes in the LORD that he can send Timothy to see the Philippians...If Timothy goes to Philippi then St. Paul will now no how they have reacted to this letter to them...Timothy knows the gospel...He knows that Jesus teaches us not to focus on ourselves...Jesus teaches us to focus on God and our neighbors...Timothy knows that Jesus teaches us to look out for other's interest, in this particular case, those of the Philippians...St. Paul writes there is no one like Timothy...Timothy has proved himself...Timothy is like a son to Paul...Timothy has served Paul well in the work of the gospel...St. Paul also wants to go to Philippi to meet with the church of the Philippians...
St. Paul will also wants to send back Epaphroditus...Epaphroditus is a another fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also a messenger...Epaphroditus longs to see the Philippians...He has been ill and almost died...He almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help they could not give him...God has blessed Epaphroditus...He is now well...Epaphroditus now wanted to be with those who had comforted him while he was ill...Christians connect with other Christians...When Epaphroditus got to Philippi, no doubt it would be a joyous sight and meeting...
St. Paul was doing God's will...He was an organized person...He was educated and experienced in Scripture...He was getting more experienced in the starting of churches...He knew what a church needed to remain self-sustaining...St. Paul's faith is the basis for all the assistance he gives to the churches...
As St. Paul hopes in the LORD, He knows that hope is more like certainty, faith and belief...He knows without hope (that) breeds doubt, which is more like uncertainty and unbelief...This hope in Jesus and for Timothy is self-sustaining...