Philippians 2:19 – 24 Timothy a Model of Selfless Service

The church is saved by the service of a sacrificial Savior; and the church flourishes and grows by the service of sacrificial saints. When we love one another in the way we have been loved by Christ; when we serve one another in the way in which we have been served the church will be healthy and effective. This is the basic principle that Paul has been pushing throughout this book. Selfishness has gotten hold of the Philippians church and is causing damage, self-preservation in the face of persecutions; and self-interest towards the saints. Paul has called the Philippians to walk worthy of the gospel that has saved them, and this means dying to self and living the crucified life in the same manner our Savior did. In particular Paul has been dealing with the matter of selfless humble service and using Christ as the ultimate example. But Paul also multiplies the examples of selfless service using himself as an object lesson, and now in the verses we want to consider Timothy, v19- 24; and Epaphroditus, v25-30. V19-24, ‘I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.’

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