Sermon Tone Analysis

INTRODUCTION:

I- Timothy ()

A- Unique ().

1- There was no one else like Timothy- He was unique.

a- Timothy had a unique attitude ( οὐδένα γὰρ ἔχω ἰσόψυχον= [lit.]

I have no one who is minded like [Timothy]).

οὐδένα γὰρ ἔχω ἰσόψυχον, ὅστις γνησίως τὰ περὶ ὑμῶν μεριμνήσει·

B- Genuine ()

1- Timothy’s concern for the Philippian believers is not contrived, but genuine (ὅστις γνησίως τὰ περὶ ὑμῶν μεριμνήσει)

C- Christ-Minded ().

1- Timothy’s focus was upon Christ’s interests, not his own.

D- Proven Character ().

1- Timothy had proven himself to be totally faithful to Christ.

(τὴν δὲ δοκιμὴν αὐτοῦ= [lit.] he has proven his worth.)

τὴν δὲ δοκιμὴν αὐτοῦ

a.

He had endured trials in his service for Christ.

(1) He had endured many with Paul.

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(Timothy is included in the “we” passages [Acts 20-21] outlining the perils Paul endured.)

b.

He had proven faithful when entrusted with responsibilities.

1 Corinthians 4:17

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[see also Acts 17-19]

c.

He had continued to humbly serve as he helped proclaim the gospel.

(1) ὅτι ὡς πατρὶ τέκνον σὺν ἐμοὶ ἐδούλευσεν εἰς τὸ εὐαγγέλιον = as a son with his father he has humbly served with me in the Gospel)

II- Epaphroditus ().

2-

ὅτι ὡς πατρὶ τέκνον σὺν ἐμοὶ ἐδούλευσεν εἰς τὸ εὐαγγέλιον

II- Epaphroditus ().

A- Affectionately Connected to other Christians ().

1- Paul refers to him as a “true brother” (τὸν ἀδελφὸν= males of the same family)

a.

This indicates a heartfelt bond arising from their relationship with Christ.

().

2- Epaphroditus’ attitude toward the Philippians reflected his concern for them, rather than himself.

().

B- Altruistically working with other Christians ().

a.

B- Altruistically working with other Christians ().

1- συνεργόv m: one who works together with someone else—‘fellow worker.’

2- Refers to workmates that work together to accomplish a common task.

Implies that both are working with common goals.

συνεργός, οῦ m: one who works together with someone else—‘fellow worker.’

C- Actively engaging in the eternal warfare ().

1- συστρατιώτηv: (a figurative extension of meaning of συστρατιώτης ‘fellow soldier,’ not occurring in the NT) one who serves in arduous tasks or undergoes severe experiences together with someone else—‘one who struggles along with, one who works arduously along with, fellow struggler.

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συστρατιώτης, ου m: (a figurative extension of meaning of συστρατιώτης ‘fellow soldier,’ not occurring in the NT) one who serves in arduous tasks or undergoes severe experiences together with someone else—‘one who struggles along with, one who works arduously along with, fellow struggler.

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CONCLUSION:

Notice that it is lives like Timothy and Epaphroditus that produce impact for Christ.

It is these types of people that we should honor.

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These are the types of lives that we should strive to imitate.

Living above our circumstances requires that we keep our eyes focused beyond ourselves onto the cause of Christ and the needs of other people.