Timothy
Notes
Transcript
A Living Example: Timothy
Philippians 2:19-24
Online Sermon:
http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567
After having described in a hymn the ultimate example
of what it meant to be a humble, obedient servant who looks out
for the interests of others;
Paul now gave two examples
of co-workers who he
believed were living their
lives worthy of the Gospel of
Christ.1 The first co-worker
to be mentioned was
Timothy. He was a native of
Lystra, a third generation
Christian whom Apostle Paul viewed as a “follow worker”
(Romans 16:21; 1 Thessalonians 3:2), a “brother” (2 Corinthians
1:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:2), a “bond-servant” (1:1), a “beloved
faithful child in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:17), “coequal in the
Lord’s work” (1 Corinthians 16:10; 1 Thessalonians 3:2); and
above all his dear and “cherished son” (1 Timothy 1:2; 2
Timothy 1:2).2 Paul told the Philippians, “I hope in the Lord
Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered
when I receive news about you” (2:19). Timothy had likely
joined Paul in Rome and was “available to be sent out as his
messenger.”3 Paul’s hope was to send him soon, but that
decision would not “rest on a human calculation of release and
freedom” 4 but on the pleasure of the divine will of the Lord!5
Paul who loved (1:8), had confidence in (2:24)
and rejoiced in the Lord (3:3; 4:10); would stand
firm (4:1) and wait upon the Lord until He gave
the command to proceed,6 even though such a
delay would greatly disappoint the Philippians!7
If it was the Lord’s will Paul would send Timothy for a “twofold
purpose”8 to Philippi and back. First, Paul wanted the
1
R. Kent Hughes, Philippians: The Fellowship of the Gospel, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL:
Crossway Books, 2007), 106.
5
2
6
Cliff Kvidahl, “Timothy,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham,
WA: Lexham Press, 2016).
3
F. F. Bruce, Philippians, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series (Peabody, MA: Baker
Books, 2011), 92.
4
Ralph P. Martin, Philippians: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 11, Tyndale New
Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987), 131.
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Paul Barnett, Philippians & Philemon: Joy in the Lord, ed. Paul Barnett, Reading the Bible
Today Series (Sydney, South NSW: Aquila Press, 2016), 77.
Homer A. Kent Jr., “Philippians,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through
Philemon, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House,
1981), 131.
7
Paul Barnett, Philippians & Philemon: Joy in the Lord, ed. Paul Barnett, Reading the Bible
Today Series (Sydney, South NSW: Aquila Press, 2016), 73.
8
Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Epistle to the Philippians: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New
International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1991), 317.
Philippians to know his “personal sense of well-being”9 was one
that was filled with joy because he was confident, he would
remain steadfast in the faith and true to the Gospel of Christ
(1:19-20) when in court in front of Caesar. And second,
Timothy would not only further “instruct, correct, and edify the
church during his stay”10 but also Paul was confident he would
return with a favorable report that the Philippians were working
out their salvation by being “united in heart and purpose”11 and
were putting the interests of one another above that of their own!
Reflection. Paul was not willing to send Timothy to Philippi
until it was the will of the Lord to do so. When you make
decisions are they “yours” or the Lord’s will? If the Lord said
“NO” to something, you really wanted to do would you not only
refuse to do it but also wait for His path and clear direction in
your life?
Showing Genuine Concern
9
G. Walter Hansen, The Letter to the Philippians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009),
193–194.
10
Robert Rainy, “The Epistle to the Philippians,” in The Expositor’s Bible: Ephesians to
Revelation, ed. W. Robertson Nicoll, vol. 6, Expositor’s Bible (Hartford, CT: S.S. Scranton Co.,
1903), 144.
Even though Timothy was well-known to the
Philippians,12 in the next few verses Paul gave them three
reasons why Timothy was chosen to be Paul’s ambassador.
First, Paul told the Philippians Timothy was chosen because “he
had no one else
like him, who will
show
genuine
concern for your
welfare” (2:20).
“It was not so
much the spiritual
gifts of Timothy
that the apostle has
in view, though
13
their presence is not denied,” but both Timothy and Paul were
of “equal soul” of the same mind, and kindred spirit.14 Paul had
complete confidence in his younger partner15 and son in the
Gospel that his love for Christ and for his spiritual father16 would
compel Timothy to give not only comfort but also provide a
“living example” of what it meant to have genuine concern for
13
Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Epistle to the Philippians: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New
International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1991), 319.
14
G. Walter Hansen, The Letter to the Philippians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009),
194.
15
11
F. F. Bruce, Philippians, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series (Peabody, MA: Baker
Books, 2011), 91.
Homer A. Kent Jr., “Philippians,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through
Philemon, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House,
1981), 132.
12
16
Gordon D. Fee, Philippians, vol. 11, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Westmont,
IL: IVP Academic, 1999), 116.
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H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed., Philippians, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk &
Wagnalls Company, 1909), 63.
the interests of others! While Paul had other partners in
ministry,17 he also chose Timothy because no one else had quite
the same genuine, deep love for the Philippians and desire to
help them get rid of disunity problems and stand firm “in the one
Spirit in the face of opposition (1:27-30)!”18 Like Paul, Timothy
was a “compassionate servant” who deeply loved Christ and His
church at Philippi!
Reflection. Do you love the members of your church so much
that you are willing to put their needs above those of your own?
Upon close examination of your words, attitude, and deeds;
would others testify that you genuinely love them with all your
heart?
Focusing on the Will of Christ
Paul had no doubt that his son Timothy had the
pastoral heart19 needed to deal with the selfcenteredness and vain conceit that was inflicting
great wounds upon church unity at Philippi.
And even though Timothy was known to be timid, Paul was
confident that his son would not be anxious20 in the face of both
internal and external persecution but as a seasoned veteran
would once again prove to be able to handle the most delicate of
missions with the grace and power of the Lord whom He
fearfully and wonderfully served!
17
H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed., Philippians, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk &
Wagnalls Company, 1909), 63.
18
Gordon D. Fee, Philippians, vol. 11, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Westmont,
IL: IVP Academic, 1999), 116.
19
Robert Rainy, “The Epistle to the Philippians,” in The Expositor’s Bible: Ephesians to
Revelation, ed. W. Robertson Nicoll, vol. 6, Expositor’s Bible (Hartford, CT: S.S. Scranton Co.,
1903), 144.
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The second reason Paul chose Timothy was because he
was not like everyone else who merely “looked out for their own
interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (2:21)! As Paul wrote this
letter in a dungy prison, chained to a Roman guard; he likely
thought of many people he could have sent but to Philippi but
were excluded from his list of possible candidates. When Paul
stated “everyone,” i.e., the “whole lot of his associates,” 21 looks
out for their own interests” he was unlikely referring
Epaphroditus, Luke, or Aristarchus22 but instead those who
“preached Christ out of envy, rivalry, and selfish ambition (1:15-
20
G. Walter Hansen, The Letter to the Philippians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009),
195.
21
Gordon D. Fee, Philippians, vol. 11, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Westmont,
IL: IVP Academic, 1999), 117.
22
Homer A. Kent Jr., “Philippians,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through
Philemon, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House,
1981), 132.
17).23 It is possible that Paul asked other colleagues to go to
Philippi and they refused his request because they were simply
too “busy” with their own self-appointed ministry goals!24
“What a strange irony—that the gospel could become the
occasion for a profound self-absorption. We do live in an age of
unprecedented self, of weightless souls consumed with their own
gravity.”25
As Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “We must be ready
to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God
will be constantly crossing our paths and
cancelling our plans by sending us people with
claims and petitions.” 26 How one handles these
“interruptions,” i.e., God’s will for one’s life;
clearly reflects our motivation, to serve our or
God’s agenda.
of the other people, and to give himself to a fatiguing journey
and to the resolving of person
quarrels in the Philippian
church.”27
Paul was
confident that Timothy’s
motive to serve was not to
seek the admiration of the
Philippians28 but instead was
to seek the interests of Jesus
Christ who wanted His
church to be steadfast in the faith and unified as one body under
His headship! “Jesus in His preaching called upon His hearers
to seek God and His kingdom first, that is, to put their whole life
under God’s rule (Mt. 6:33; cf. 7:7–8; Lk. 11:9–10, etc.).”29 Since
this was Timothy’s primary motivation of service, not selfish
ambition, in Paul’s mind he was the perfect ministry partner to
send because he emulated Christ’s humble obedience to God’s
will and would give the Lord all the credit!
Paul chose Timothy not only because he was his spiritual son
and partner in the Gospel but also because he could “find no one
like him” who was genuinely “anxious to promote the welfare
Reflection. What kind of ministry servant to the Lord do you
want to be? Are you seeking first the kingdom of God or the
23
26
G. Walter Hansen, The Letter to the Philippians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009),
195.
24
G. Walter Hansen, The Letter to the Philippians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009),
195.
25
R. Kent Hughes, Philippians: The Fellowship of the Gospel, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL:
Crossway Books, 2007), 109.
R. Kent Hughes, Philippians: The Fellowship of the Gospel, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL:
Crossway Books, 2007), 109.
27
Ralph P. Martin, Philippians: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 11, Tyndale New
Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987), 134.
28
Tony Merida and Francis Chan, Exalting Jesus in Philippians, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin,
and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference,
2016), 121.
29
Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Epistle to the Philippians: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New
International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1991), 322.
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kingdom of self? Are you willing to drop your agenda the
moment Christ calls you to a new one? Are you willing to serve
the Lord even if no one notices or comments on your hard
work?
Working with Others
The final reason why Paul chose Timothy was because
in Paul’s words, “he proved himself, because as a son with his
father he served me in the work of the Gospel” (2:22). It was
not just because Paul was instrumental in Timothy’s conversion
at the tender age of fifteen30 or the fact that Timothy co-authored
so many of his letters;31 but the fact that Timothy had “proven
his character”32 to be one that was trustworthy and fully devoted
to being Paul’s partner in the Gospel of Christ. “Timothy was
there when Lydia, a seller of purple, became the first convert
on the soil of Europe. He had witnessed the baptism of her and
30
Alfred Plummer, “The Pastoral Epistles,” in The Expositor’s Bible: Ephesians to Revelation,
ed. W. Robertson Nicoll, vol. 6, Expositor’s Bible (Hartford, CT: S.S. Scranton Co., 1903), 392.
31
Mark Allen Powell, “Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological
Survey (Grand Rapids, MI, Baker Academic), 401.
32
Clinton E. Arnold, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Romans to
Philemon., vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 358.
33
R. Kent Hughes, Philippians: The Fellowship of the Gospel, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL:
Crossway Books, 2007), 109.
34
R. Kent Hughes, Philippians: The Fellowship of the Gospel, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL:
Crossway Books, 2007), 110.
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her entire household.”33 Under the apprenticeship model
Timothy learned much from Paul “by overserving, listening to
instruction, and doing.”34 “Together they had served Christ for
the furtherance of the gospel, beginning with Paul’s second
missionary
journey
more than ten years
earlier.”35
While
Timothy “fulfilled his
filial duty by honoring
and obeying”36 the
Apostle to the Gentiles,
Paul did not see
Timothy
as
a
subordinate to but a spiritual son whom he deeply loved and
saw as his co-equal partner in the Lord. They worked together
as “slaves in Christ” (1:1) through “the fire of testing and trial,
advancing the Gospel in the midst of hardship (Acts 16:1, 3;
17:14).37 Paul had the utmost confidence in his beloved son
Timothy38 because he had “put on the mind of Christ, towel of
35
Homer A. Kent Jr., “Philippians,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through
Philemon, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House,
1981), 132–133.
36
G. Walter Hansen, The Letter to the Philippians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009),
196.
37
Tony Merida and Francis Chan, Exalting Jesus in Philippians, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin,
and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference,
2016), 121.
38
Alfred Plummer, “The Pastoral Epistles,” in The Expositor’s Bible: Ephesians to Revelation,
ed. W. Robertson Nicoll, vol. 6, Expositor’s Bible (Hartford, CT: S.S. Scranton Co., 1903), 392.
Christ and devoted his life to the church as the place to work
out his and his fellow believer’s salvation with fear and
trembling.”39
In a Greco-Roman world that only believed in quidpro-quo, Timothy’s faithful obedience to seek first
the kingdom of God and devote his life to being a
living example of humble service to the Lord made
him truly like a shining star in the sky because he
held onto and lived the words of life midst a
warped and crooked generation (2:14-16).
No wonder Paul chose Timothy to be his “selfless flesh-andblood example” 40 of living one’s life worthy of the Gospel!
Reflection. Do you see others in ministry as co-partners and
equals at the foot of the cross or do you see yourself as being
better than others? Do you have someone in your life that you
mentor that would say you are like family in the Lord? Do your
words, thoughts, and deeds make you shine brightly in today’s
fallen world?
39
R. Kent Hughes, Philippians: The Fellowship of the Gospel, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL:
Crossway Books, 2007), 110.
40
R. Kent Hughes, Philippians: The Fellowship of the Gospel, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL:
Crossway Books, 2007), 110.
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Confidence in the Lord
After having written why Timothy was a perfect
candidate to be his ambassador and example of one living a life
worthy of the Gospel, Paul once again reiterates his plans. First,
he told the Philippians, “I hope, therefore, to send him
(Timothy) as soon as I see how things go with me” (2:23). While
we are not certain as to why Paul wanted to delay sending
Timothy it was likely
because Paul wanted to
know first if he was to be
“sentenced
or
set
41
free.”
If he is
sentenced to death then
Timothy will act as Paul’s
representative as one
sent “in the Lord Jesus”
to comfort and encourage the Philippians to remain steadfast
in the faith, hold onto the word, and let their light shine. There
is another likely reason why Paul delayed sending Timothy and
that is he needed his spiritual son by his side to help comfort
and encourage him in the face of an uncertain future!42 Paul
41
G. Walter Hansen, The Letter to the Philippians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009),
198.
42
G. Walter Hansen, The Letter to the Philippians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009),
198.
could find “no one like Timothy” who immediately dropped his
ministry plans and obeyed the will of God to help his partner
and spiritual father in the faith! Though apostle Paul had no
biological children of his own, he was like a father to Timothy
who was his very own son.
being released meant continuing being an apostle to the
Gentiles) of those who love Him (Romans 8:28)!
Do you have spiritual friends that serve Christ by
taking care of your interests?43 You know the kind
that are present, speak the truth, strengthen you in
your weaknesses, pray for you, and support you with
resources and hugs when needed?44
How rare it truly is to find someone in this “me generation”
who truly places the interests of others above that of their
own! To find a person who seeks first the kingdom of God and
is genuinely concerned with obeying the will of the Lord by
serving one another is
truly a rare find!
Though Paul was
locked up in a Roman
prison, chained to
guards 24/7, and faced
an unknown future; he
remained steadfast in
the faith, deeply in love, confident in and rejoicing in the Lord!
Though he faced likely execution, Paul’s concern was not for
himself but the Philippian church who were struggling to be
like-minded, have the same love, being one in spirit and of one
mind. Knowing that disunity in the church is often a landmine
And second, Paul told the church of Philippi that he was
“confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon” (2:24) and
visit in person. Paul is not contradicting his prior statement that
he was being “poured out like a drink offering” (2:17) and was
likely to be executed but was experiencing “a change in his
thoughts”45 and was now thinking that his release from prison
would happen. Whether he be executed or released would not
change the truth that Paul would always put his faith and trust
in the Lord because he was confident the Lord always works for
the good (being executed meant presence with the Lord and
43
Tony Merida and Francis Chan, Exalting Jesus in Philippians, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin,
and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference,
2016), 122.
Conclusion
44
Tony Merida and Francis Chan, Exalting Jesus in Philippians, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin,
and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference,
2016), 122.
45
H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed., Philippians, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk &
Wagnalls Company, 1909), 63.
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to those trying to correct self-absorbed attitudes, Paul was left
with the daunting question of who could he send to handle
such delicate matters? Sadly, many of his colleagues were not
willing and even some disqualified due to preaching Christ out
of selfish ambition and vain conceit! We can relate to Paul’s
dilemma for we too live in an age of unprecedented self, of
weightless souls consumed by their own gravity. Thankfully,
Paul had Timothy his beloved son! He provided an excellent
example of a God-fearing, faithful servant of the Lord. If we
are to aspire to be like another of course Christ is our first
choice but occasionally the Lord shows us a person who puts
His kingdom first by genuinely serving the interests of others!
Like Timothy we must not see God’s will as interruptions in
our lives but opportunities to willingly serve our Lord, Savior,
and King. Such occasions are to be cherished for as we stand
firmly with the word of God in our hearts and minds our
actions will shine like stars in the sky to this warped and
crooked generation!
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