Paul's love for Timothy. Philippians 2.19-24

Paul’s love for Timothy.  Philippians 2.19-24

Have you ever read someone else’s letter?  Of course, you have.  Entire books of letters by noteworthy folks are best-sellers … why?  They give us insight as to the individuals’ thinking and heart.

Paul’s letter (closing out Philippians 2), moves from discussing proper Christian conduct, including the importance of maintaining unity and being humble, to what appears to be some ‘housekeeping’ business. 

“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 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. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.  And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.” verses 19-24

Paul’s keen love and appreciation for Timothy are obvious.  There was no one as close to Paul as Timothy.  It seems that the two men met on Paul’s first missionary journey, when Timothy was just a teen-ager.  Paul recognized something keen in Timothy; in fact, in his letter to the church at Corinth, he referred to Timothy as ‘his beloved son’.  Indeed he was much like a spiritual son to Paul.  As Paul writes from prison in Rome, it is Timothy who is taking care of his needs, yet Paul is willing to selflessly send him back to the Philippians to serve them—which of course is illustrative of Paul’s heart for the church, and his great love for them.  (Imagine being a representative of Paul—that he might have that great kind of faith in you!  Paul had great confidence in Timothy.)

Paul said of his spiritual son, ‘I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.’  Timothy saw the vision of Jesus Christ in Paul’s eyes . . . he understood it, and was willing to do whatever he could to serve Jesus by serving Paul.  Second place was just fine with Timothy.  I have a “Timothy”, but her name is Lisa.  Like Timothy, for about five years now, Lisa knew the vision I have for serving Jesus Christ, and she has been willing to serve me, because she knows in doing so, it is the Lord Jesus Christ she is serving.

While Paul does not elaborate on the nature of Timothy’s spiritual gifts, there is no doubt that Timothy’s gifts were well suited to work with Paul’s gifts of teaching, evangelism, and shepherding.  Lisa’s gifts of administration, discernment, encouragement, shepherding, and hospitality work hand-in-glove with my gifts.  When the Lord led me to establish a non-profit so that the work of the gospel could go ‘global’ as the Lord had instructed, it was Lisa who helped me process the paperwork with Legalzoom, since I could not afford an attorney to handle the legal documents.  No task has been too small, but no task has ever been too big either.   She researches for me sometimes, she sets me up in technology she would love to have but can’t afford, and then teaches me how to use it.  At the last women’s retreat where I spoke, she went with me, and sat in the audience and prayed for all of the women, and for me.  And now, when ministry demands more of me than I have to go around, Lisa ministers to the women in our Bible study, ably loving them and helping them during life’s great storms—all the while, I can trust what she says, trust how she counsels, knowing that as Paul said of Timothy, “I have no one else like HER, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”

One day, when I am in Heaven, and my children are reading my letters and writings, they will understand the value of ministering with a partner who loves God and serves him faithfully by serving others . . . and is willing to serve alongside them to make God’s vision come to pass.  Thank you, Timothy; thank you, Lisa.  I love you.

p.s. If you are leading a ministry alone, pray for a Timothy.

Grace and Peace,

Christine

PastorWoman.com