"...and hold men like him in high regard; because he came close to death for the work of Christ..." Philippians 2:29b-30a
Philippians 2:19-30
Men like who? In the midst of encouraging the Philippians to be humble, focused on others, and to serve without complaining, Paul talks about two men. Timothy travelled and helped Paul in his ministry and Epaphroditus had been sent by the Philippians to Paul to help. Paul has nothing but love for these men and holds them and their selflessness up. Let's take a look at how he describes them.
Timothy is a "kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare" (v. 20). He's proven himself by helping Paul make the gospel known, like a child helps and serves with his father. Timothy is clearly consumed with the interests of Christ rather than his own! Epaphroditus is a "brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier" who had been very sick while working with Paul that he almost died. Neither Paul nor Epaphroditus wanted the Philippians to be concerned about him (since they didn't have phones, emails or facebook), so he went back to them. These men were absorbed with genuine care and concern for the interests of Christ, namely His people.
Do you know people like this? If so, let them know you are thankful for them. Honor them. And are you like the men described here? Are you genuinely concerned for the interests of Christ, especially your brothers and sisters whom you know as well as those you do not know?
Gracious God, Thank You for ordinary men who have served You that we can learn from. I praise You for Your grace and power and for giving that power to Your people so that we may live genuinely caring for Your people. In Your Name, Amen.
Philippians 2:19-30
Men like who? In the midst of encouraging the Philippians to be humble, focused on others, and to serve without complaining, Paul talks about two men. Timothy travelled and helped Paul in his ministry and Epaphroditus had been sent by the Philippians to Paul to help. Paul has nothing but love for these men and holds them and their selflessness up. Let's take a look at how he describes them.
Timothy is a "kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare" (v. 20). He's proven himself by helping Paul make the gospel known, like a child helps and serves with his father. Timothy is clearly consumed with the interests of Christ rather than his own! Epaphroditus is a "brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier" who had been very sick while working with Paul that he almost died. Neither Paul nor Epaphroditus wanted the Philippians to be concerned about him (since they didn't have phones, emails or facebook), so he went back to them. These men were absorbed with genuine care and concern for the interests of Christ, namely His people.
Do you know people like this? If so, let them know you are thankful for them. Honor them. And are you like the men described here? Are you genuinely concerned for the interests of Christ, especially your brothers and sisters whom you know as well as those you do not know?
Gracious God, Thank You for ordinary men who have served You that we can learn from. I praise You for Your grace and power and for giving that power to Your people so that we may live genuinely caring for Your people. In Your Name, Amen.
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