Phlippians 2:19-24
But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. – Phlippians 2:22
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In this passage, we see the example of Paul and Timothy as faithful and obedient servants of The Great Commission. The Lord had commissioned Paul to be an apostle sent to proclaim Jesus to the Gentiles. And Timothy was called by Paul to accompany him on this journey.
Writing to the church in Philippi, Paul commends Timothy to them. Timothy was with Paul when the gospel was first brought to Philippi in Acts 16. According to Paul, Timothy shared a genuine concern for the Philippian believers, just as he did. Paul cared for their well-being and was anxious about the situation in their church. So while awaiting trial, Paul was entrusting Timothy to go in his stead, knowing that Timothy shared the same concern over them, and it would bring him joy to receive news about them through Timothy.
Timothy had proven himself to be faithful and reliable, serving together with Paul in the gospel, as a son with a father. No doubt, Paul saw Timothy as his spiritual son, sharing a deep bond and trust, with Timothy serving in ministry like a reflection of his spiritual father, Paul. In a similar way, their deep, genuine concern for the church in Philippi reflected the Lord’s love and compassion.
In verse 22, Paul talks about how Timothy had served with him in the gospel. The original word for serve has a deeper meaning of being a slave or a servant. This shows us how both Paul and Timothy viewed their work in Christ and the attitude that they held behind it. They served or slaved for the Great Commission in obedience to the Lord, reflecting the way Christ himself had taken the form of a servant, in complete obedience to the Father for the sake of the world.
Reflection:
How about you? The Great Commission is given to every believer. Will you humbly set aside your interests in obedience to God? Does your life reflect the love of God the Father, who desires all to come to know Him?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father God, thank You that in Christ, we have the hope of salvation. And you’ve called us to partner with you in this Great Commission, to make disciples of all nations. I pray that you will stir our hearts out of our comforts living in this world, but give us a heart of obedience, to be a servant for your gospel, putting Your interests and the interests of others above our own. Help us, Lord, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Click to read
In this passage, we see the example of Paul and Timothy as faithful and obedient servants of The Great Commission. The Lord had commissioned Paul to be an apostle sent to proclaim Jesus to the Gentiles. And Timothy was called by Paul to accompany him on this journey.
Writing to the church in Philippi, Paul commends Timothy to them. Timothy was with Paul when the gospel was first brought to Philippi in Acts 16. According to Paul, Timothy shared a genuine concern for the Philippian believers, just as he did. Paul cared for their well-being and was anxious about the situation in their church. So while awaiting trial, Paul was entrusting Timothy to go in his stead, knowing that Timothy shared the same concern over them, and it would bring him joy to receive news about them through Timothy.
Timothy had proven himself to be faithful and reliable, serving together with Paul in the gospel, as a son with a father. No doubt, Paul saw Timothy as his spiritual son, sharing a deep bond and trust, with Timothy serving in ministry like a reflection of his spiritual father, Paul. In a similar way, their deep, genuine concern for the church in Philippi reflected the Lord’s love and compassion.
In verse 22, Paul talks about how Timothy had served with him in the gospel. The original word for serve has a deeper meaning of being a slave or a servant. This shows us how both Paul and Timothy viewed their work in Christ and the attitude that they held behind it. They served or slaved for the Great Commission in obedience to the Lord, reflecting the way Christ himself had taken the form of a servant, in complete obedience to the Father for the sake of the world.
Reflection:
How about you? The Great Commission is given to every believer. Will you humbly set aside your interests in obedience to God? Does your life reflect the love of God the Father, who desires all to come to know Him?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father God, thank You that in Christ, we have the hope of salvation. And you’ve called us to partner with you in this Great Commission, to make disciples of all nations. I pray that you will stir our hearts out of our comforts living in this world, but give us a heart of obedience, to be a servant for your gospel, putting Your interests and the interests of others above our own. Help us, Lord, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.