After calling the Philippians to pursue a life of humility and upholding Christ as the supreme model, Paul presents two living examples of Christ-like humility: Timothy and Epaphroditus.
Timothy – The selfless servant
“For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interest, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.”
Paul met Timothy while traveling through Derbe and Lystra during his second missionary journey (see Philippians: Introduction). They were kindred spirits and had similar identity and values. Paul described their relationship using the Greek word isopsychos, which means equal souled or one soul. It was similar to David and Jonathan’s bond, whose souls were knit together (1 Samuel 18:1).
Timothy was Paul’s “true child in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2). And they shared many virtues such as selfless love and full devotion to Christ.
When in Rome, Paul was surrounded by Christians who cared more about their self-interests than those of others, including Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:17). But Timothy was different. He was humble, selfless, and didn’t pursue his personal goals. He remained beside Paul and served with him when he could have taken advantage of Paul’s predicament to make a name for himself.
Paul knew Timothy was the only one who would be as anxious about the welfare of his beloved Philippians as himself. Not merely because Timothy had been with Paul at Philippi from the beginning and helped build the church, but primarily because of Timothy’s humility and proven faith.
Timothy wasn’t a new believer who would get tossed in any direction during the storms of life. He was a seasoned saint who passed through God’s refining fire and came out with an approved genuine faith. He had followed Paul’s teaching conduct, aim in life, faith, patience, love, and steadfastness (2 Timothy 3:10). So Paul often sent him to other congregations as a model to remind others of his teachings (1 Corinthians 4:17) and to establish and exhort them in the faith (1 Thessalonians 3:2).
Timothy was also an example of humble obedience and servitude. Paul said Timothy served with him, and the Greek word for serve is douleuo. It means to be a slave or yield obedience. Timothy humbled himself to assume the lesser role of a son and worked excessively hard for the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 16:10). He submitted himself willingly and unreservedly to Paul’s leadership and Christ’s lordship.
With his selfless love and obedience, Timothy proved to be a living example of Christ, who didn’t seek His interests above others and was obedient to the Father’s will unto death.
Epaphroditus – The sacrificial soldier
“I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier and your messenger and minister to my needs…for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.“
The second living example of Christ was Epaphroditus. Not much is known about him, except that he was a Philippian church member and a gentile. Paul called him his brother—thus marking him as a true Christian, and fellow soldier and worker of Christ—thus distinguishing him from the self-absorbed Christians at Rome.
Like Paul and Timothy, Epaphroditus was also self-sacrificing and loved others with the affections of Christ.
When the Philippians heard of Paul’s imprisonment, they sent Epaphroditus to Rome to give him a financial gift (Phil 4:15) and minister to him. During the journey or shortly after, Epaphroditus felt ill and nearly died. And when the Philippians learned of his illness, it greatly distressed him. So much so that Paul thought it best to send him back.
Epaphroditus wasn’t stricken with a little homesickness. Paul used the same Greek word that Mark used to describe Jesus’ state of mind on the night of His arrest. It’s a “heavy state of restlessness that results from a time of turmoil or great trauma.” Epaphroditus so selflessly loved his church that he was burdened because they were concerned for him, not even because he nearly died.
Epaphroditus was also willing to risk his life for others. In first-century Rome, Christianity was still heavily persecuted, and Epaphroditus could have been arrested alongside Paul. But he didn’t see his life as something to be grasped but to give away for the gospel. He was an example of Christ, who didn’t hold on to His life but laid it down for sinners’ sake.
Their unity through their humility
Chapter two begins with a call to unity through humility and comes to a full circle with a real-life illustration of Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus’s unity.
Paul and Timothy’s souls were knit together and were like father and son looking out for each other’s interests. As for Paul and Epaphroditus, they were fellow-workers with the same goal, soldiers in a battle holding a front.
None of them looked to their interests, but in all humility, they considered others as more significant than themselves (Philippians 2:3). Consequently, they were of one mind, with the same selfless love and affection for others, and were in full accord (Philippians 2:2). And they stood firm in one spirit, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27).
Heart check
Though Christ is our supreme model of humility and holiness, it’s good for us to have real-life examples to follow and emulate. But even more important, we must also become living examples of Christ for younger believers to follow. God calls us to shine as lights for unbelievers and light a path for believers through discipleship (Matthew 28:20). So we must adopt Christ’s selfless humility in our life and ministry so we can also serve as examples to those who come after us. Learn, grow, and teach!
What are your thoughts on this week’s study? Share in the comments below!
Recommended resources
- Model Spiritual Servants, Part 1, Paul – John MacArthur.
- Model Spiritual Servants, Part 2, Timothy – John MacArthur.
- Model Spiritual Servants, Part 3, Epaphroditus – John MacArthur.
Next study
Readings
This concludes the first half of the Epistle. We will start the second half after the holidays. Prepare by reading and studying Philippians 3:1-11.
Memorization
Philippians 3:1-11 if you are doing the challenge, if not verses 7-8
Questions for reflections
- What does it mean to rejoice in the Lord? Why is it so important for Christians? How can you obey this command?
- Paul warns the Philippians to look out for false teachers, why? Why is discernement important? How can you use it to protect yourself from false teachers?
- True Christians put their confidence in the atoning work of Christ only. Are there areas in your life where you rely on your works instead of God’s grace? How can you repent?
- What is the difference between the righteousness from the law and the righteousness from God? Why is the latter much more desirable than the former?
