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19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But 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. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. ~ Philippians 2:19-24
The Bible is a book about God interacting with people. In fact, there are 3,237 people referenced in the Bible. That's a lot of people in 30,0000 verses. People are obviously important to God and should be to us, too.
Philippians 2:19-24 seems to be out of place. Paul has been addressing the fact that people are our second greatest potential joy-stealer. In our text, the Apostle begins with "I hope in the Lord Jesus." It is this posture that we must have in order to access His joy.
In addition, Paul introduces Timothy, in order to illustrate the fact that when Christ's mind becomes our mind, people become important. The Apostle sets Timothy apart because Timothy genuinely has a heart for others. Paul earlier told the Philippians, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). Timothy is an example of what this admonition looks like.
In Philippians 2:1-16 the Apostle gave us the precepts regarding how we should live. While in Philippians 2:17-30, the Apostle gives us examples, including Timothy, of what this looks like to "look out for the interest of others."
Christ served as Paul’s model for looking out for others in Philippians 2:5-11. Paul uses Timothy as another model for this act of Christlikeness. As we will see in tomorrows blog, Epaphroditus is yet another example toward whom Paul turns our attention. At the heart of Christlikeness is a heart for people which comes into our souls through our pains. Brennan Manning once said it well, “The unwounded life bears no resemblance to the Rabbi.”
The Apostle Paul met Timothy during his visit to the city of Lystra and led him to faith in the Lord Jesus. Then, they traveled together sharing the Gospel for years. Of all of Paul's companions, Timothy was his disciple. He was the one to carry on the mantle. But this mantle was not easily handed over or received easily. This mantle came on the heels of much consternation of the soul. In order to give us His heart for others, God sometimes has to melt us down.
Paul and Timothy shared in ministry together. They had a common purpose and goal. This underscores the importance of surrounding ourselves with other people to walk through life together who have the same mission. We can have a community without shared purpose, but we can't have shared purpose without creating community. Coming together around a common goal always builds a community between people.
Paul says he has no one else to send to the Philippians who shares his concern for them. Everyone else who is available “looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ..”
Timothy had shown that the advancement of the gospel was most important to him. As we have observed elsewhere in our study of the Philippians, the cause of advancing the gospel brings people together and creates deep relationships (see Philippians 1:5).
Because of his love for the Lord, Timothy became genuinely interested in others because he genuinely walked with the Lord Jesus. To care for people we must be connected with Christ. When we draw near to Christ, His love for us softens our hearts. It is at this point that His interests become our interests, and we find ourselves loving people.
This is the biggest message in the Bible: our deepest needs get met in relationship with the Lord Jesus. And, as a result, we love others and take to heart the things that interests them. God created us to love others, and as we take an interest in them by seeking to advance the gospel in their lives, we find soul mates with whom we share His heart.
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