I Hope to Send Timothy Soon
2: 19-24
I hope to send Timothy soon DIG: If you had to give a character reference to Timothy, what would you say? How does he model 2:1-4? What of the Philippians problems (1:17, 2:3, 3:2, and 4:3) would he be suited to deal with? Why did Paul say that no one compared with Timothy? What does Paul say about his plans to visit the church at Phillipi? How were the Philippians already familiar with Timothy?
REFLECTION: Who are some models of humility and service you can look up to today? How do they challenge you to grow? Who are you encouraging about the way God is using them in your life? Do you have a genuine concern for the spiritual well-being of others? If not, why not? Who have you discipled? Who are you currently discipling? How many spiritual children do you have?
Paul didn’t have to convince the Philippians about Timothy, because they knew his proven worth.
After Messiah (to see link click Au – To Model the Messiah), Timothy was the second model of a spiritual servant. That’s why Paul wanted to send him (2:20). Paul probably met Timothy on his first missionary journey (see Acts Bm – Paul’s First Missionary Journey), where he was saved as a young man (First Corinthians 4:17). Apparently Timothy’s mother and grandmother had been saved first (Second Timothy 1:5). He was the son of a Jewish mother and a Gentile father, but Paul always considered the young man his own dearly beloved son in the faith (Second Timothy 1:2). When Paul returned to Derbe and Lystra while on his second missionary journey (see Acts Bu – Paul’s Second Missionary Journey), the apostle enlisted young Timothy as one of his fellow laborers (Acts 16:1-4). In one sense, Timothy replaced John Mark, whom Paul had refused to take along on the journey because Mark had deserted the apostle in Pamphylia, not accompanying them in the work of evangelism (see Acts Bv – Disagreement between Paul and Barnabas).101
But I hope in the Lord Yeshua to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by knowing how you are doing (2:19a CJB). The “but” at the beginning of this verse signals a transition to a new section of the letter (see Bb – The Examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus). In it, Paul focuses on his plans for the immediate future. Because he remains a prisoner, he states: I hope in the Lord Yeshua to send Timothy to you soon. Even in this seemingly mundane matter, Paul has Messiah as his focus; his hope is in the Lord Yeshua. At this point in his life, Paul knows full well that it is the Lord Yeshua who controls his every step, and reserves the right to change his plans. Indeed, it was just such a change of plans that led Paul to Philippi in the first place (see Acts Bx – Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia). However, Paul could not send Timothy until the status of his own legal proceedings were resolved (2:23). Once that became clear, the apostle hoped to send Timothy and would soon follow him on to Philippi (2:24).
The purpose for sending Timothy soon is stated in the following clause: so that I too may be cheered by knowing how you are doing (2:19b CJB). Even in the midst of his own difficult circumstances, Paul remained focused on the welfare of the Philippians. In his letters he repeatedly mentioned concern for the various churches he had founded (2 Corinthians 11:28; Galatians 4:11-20; First Thessalonians 3;10), and now that he was under house arrest, he needed even more than ever to rely on others to handle the various challenges facing those churches. Paul expected to be greatly encouraged when Timothy reported back to him.
For us today, Paul provides a helpful reminder of submitting even the most mundane aspects of our planning to the Lord. This means more than simply adding “Lord willing” to our conversations. It entails action that is preceded by prayer and a willingness to change course when ADONAI redirect us. This verse also speaks to the value of encouragement. The apostle had spoken of the possibility of laboring in vain (2:16), and as he sat under house arrest in Rome his thoughts naturally turned to the fledgling churches scattered throughout the Mediterranean area. He knew the good it would do to hear how the Philippians were doing. The same is true for us today. Few things encourage us more than hearing about the fruit of our spiritual gifts. In Paul’s day it was far more difficult to receive up-to-date information. Given the distance, by the time Timothy would return from Philippi, circumstances in the church could have completely changed. But there is no excuse in today’s world, with the possibility of instant communication, for not taking the time to encourage fellow believers about the way ADONAI is using them in our lives.102
Because Paul wanted the Philippians to accept Timothy without hesitation, he gave them a brief profile of that dedicated servant of Yeshua Messiah in verses 20 to 24. The apostle highlighted seven personal characteristics for the Philippians to emulate.
1. Timothy’s spiritual character was similar to that of Paul’s. The apostle said of his young disciple: I have no one who compares with him (Greek: isopsuchos, meaning a kindred spirit or like-minded). Even though he had been instructed in the scriptures from childhood by his mother and grandmother, Timothy’s greatest spiritual growth began when he started traveling and ministering with Paul. Except for the Lord Yeshua Messiah Himself, there has never been a spiritual mentor on par with Paul. Timothy had the unique and enviable privilege of being the apostle’s protégé (2:20a NASB). The goal of true discipleship is reproduction; when a person is fully discipled, Yeshua said, they will be like their teacher (Matthew 10:25). Over time, Timothy came to think like Paul, relate to believers and unbelievers like Paul, evaluate ideas and situations like Paul, trust in the Lord like Paul, and pray like Paul. They had similar qualities of the soul, similar passions, similar objectives, and similar zeal. So until Paul could return to Philippi, Timothy was by far his best substitute.
2. Timothy also had the virtue of being sympathetic. With the utmost confidence, Paul could assure the Philippians that Timothy would genuinely be concerned for care for [their] welfare (2:20b NASB). The verb concerned for (Greek: merimnao) expresses a strong feeling for something or someone, often to the point of being burdened. Yeshua used the verb to speak of needless anxiety and worry (Matthew 6:25-28 and 10:19; Luke 10:41). And later in Philippians, it is related to anxious (4:6). But here, Paul uses it in a positive sense to describe Timothy’s great concern for the welfare of the Philippian church. Like his Lord, Paul had a constant concern for all the churches he had founded (Second Corinthians 11:28), and was confident that Timothy shared that concern. They were both true shepherds.103
Genuine concern for the spiritual health of fellow believers is a tangible demonstration of Messiah-like behavior. By describing Timothy in this way, Paul is presenting him as an example of the kind of concern for others that motivated Messiah to take on human flesh to ransom us from our sin nature (see Av – Obedient to Death). Timothy is an example of the mindset that thinks more highly of others and looks out for their concerns (see Au – To Model the Messiah). As such, Timothy is a sharp contrast to his critics who preached Messiah out of selfish ambition (see Ap – Paul’s Critics).104
3. The apostle characterized Timothy as being single-minded, stated here indirectly by contrasting him with the self-centered, loveless attitude of the leaders of the church in Rome. It must have grieved Paul to have to say of them that they all seek after their own interests, not those of Yeshua Messiah (2:21 NASB). Although the Gospel was being preached, it was sometimes proclaimed out of envy, strife, and selfish ambition, rather than from pure motives (1:15a and 17). It seems that those who preached out of good will and love (1:15b-16) were either gone or silent. In Paul’s absence, many preachers had become worldly and self-centered. They were not apostate or heretical, but obviously had left their first love for Messiah (see the commentary on Revelation Az – The Church at Ephesus). Unlike Timothy, they were no longer single-minded, but had become double-minded, and therefore, unstable in all their ways (James 1:8). The few faithful men with Paul in Rome, such as Luke and Aristarchus (Colossians 4:10; Philemon 24), were evidently not available to travel to Philippi. The apostle was down to his last reliable coworker and Paul needed his help a while longer; faithful Timothy was the lone single-minded exception in Rome (2:13).105 By his genuine concern for the Philippians, Timothy was a living example of Yeshua Messiah Himself.
It is a simple, but profound contrast. Being genuinely concerned about others is easy when it causes no personal inconvenience. But the true test is when genuine concern means sacrificing one’s own interests for the sake of others. Such genuine concern for others is at the same time; generally, a concern for the things of Yeshua Messiah. We must not miss the theological connection here. When we, as believers, show genuine concern for fellow members of the body of Messiah, we are in fact, seeking the interests of Yeshua Messiah. The Master Himself says as much in Matthew 25:35-40.106
4. Paul didn’t have to convince the Philippians about Timothy because they knew his proven worth (Greek: dokimen, which has the basic meaning of proof after testing). Used by a person, dokimen describes proven character or tested value. (2:22a Greek). Paul used the verb form numerous times when he encouraged believers to prove (Greek: dokimazein) what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2), and to examine (Greek: dokimazeto) themselves (First Corinthians 11:28; cf. Second Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 6:4). Timothy had been tested many times in his service to the Lord. When agitators from Thessalonica forced Paul to leave Berea, Timothy and Silas were entrusted to remain in the city to carry on the work there (Acts 17:14). Similarly, after Paul had passed through Macedonia and Achaia . . . the apostle sent Timothy and Erastus, who had ministered to him, into Macedonia (Acts 19:21-22). A short time later, Timothy accompanied Paul and others when they returned to Macedonia (Acts 20:3-4), of which Philippi was a key city. As a result, the church at Philippi was well acquainted with Timothy and had actually benefited from his faithful service for many years.
5. Like Paul, whom Timothy served with, the young man was submissive to Messiah. The word served (Greek: douleuo) is one of the most common verbs used in the B’rit Chadashah for service to the Lord (Acts 20:19; Romans 12:11 and 14:18; Colossians 3:24), and is related to the word servant (Greek: doulos). It is important to note that Paul is not speaking of Timothy’s personal service to him, although that was considerable. He makes it clear that this particular service was not to him, but with him. Paul was clearly his senior and Timothy was the respectful junior. Yet the two men were bond-servants of Yeshua Messiah (1:1a), doing the Lord’s work together (First Corinthians 16:10).107
6. Paul then summarized what the Philippians had already observed about Timothy: he served with me like a child with his father (2:22b Greek). The parent-child imagery is common in Paul’s letters to speak of his relationship with his converts (First Corinthians 4:14; Galatians 4:19; First Thessalonians 2:7-12). But even noting such a fact, one cannot help but notice that Paul holds a special place for Timothy. In both of his personal letters to Timothy, Paul refers to him as his son (First Timothy 1:2 and 18; Second Timothy 1:2). And his fondness for Timothy is evident in this section of Philippians.
By the time Paul wrote to the Philippians, Timothy had been a ministry partner and close friend for over a decade. Timothy had observed Paul’s life and ministry closely (Second Timothy 3:10), and Paul had seen first-hand how Timothy had grown in his own devotion to Messiah. The imagery used here further suggests the notion of an apprenticeship. In the ancient world a son would work in the same trade as his father, learning side-by-side with him as he watched his dad apply his craft. Such was the case with Timothy; he had been an apprentice to Paul, working alongside him to advance the Good News (2:22c Greek). Thus, for Paul, the “family business” was the advancement of the Gospel, and Timothy had proven to be a worthy son capable of active participation in his spiritual father’s trade.
The imagery of this verse highlights the importance of discipleship and training in ministry and the life of a believer. Yeshua Himself modeled this sort of ministry with the twelve apostles. Although we cannot imitate everything Messiah did in ministry, those involved in ministry should be actively identifying those whom they can train. But such training goes well beyond the mechanics of ministry. What Paul models for us here is the sharing of his life with Timothy. Because of that shared life, Paul not only knew Timothy’s ministry skills, but his proven character as well. Such mentoring/discipleship is sadly all too rare in the congregations of God (see my website jaymack.net, go to English, then see Discipleship at the lower left of the other books). It requires hard work and dedication. And perhaps even more frightening, it requires honesty and openness on the part of the person doing the mentoring/discipleship. Those who disciple others must be honest about their own struggles and challenges if they are to truly equip someone else to advance the Good News.108
7. Having finished his description of Timothy, Paul now returns to his plans, with verse 23 focusing on Timothy and verse 24 focusing on himself. Timothy was so highly qualified for ministry, Paul could affirm without hesitation: Therefore, I hope to send [Timothy] soon. Qualifying soon, the apostle explained that first he wanted to see how things will go with me (2:23 Greek). As noted in the discussion in 2:21, Paul needed Timothy’s help a while longer in Rome. The context makes it clear that Timothy was willing to do what Paul asked of him. He had no agenda of his own. For him, being available to the Lord essentially meant being serviceable to ADONAI’s apostle. His staying or leaving was entirely Paul’s decision, not his own. It must have been challenging for this intelligent, energetic, talented, and gifted young man to be constantly serving relationships with family, friends, and fellow workers. For most people, especially those with his capabilities, it would be all but unthinkable to be at someone else’s beck-and-call. But Timothy was just that sort of willing, dependable, and joyful servant of Paul in their mutual service of Yeshua Messiah. He was ready to spend and be spent as seemed best to his beloved friend and apostle.
Then Paul added: I am confident in the Lord that before long I myself will come too (2:24 CJB). He did not minimize the value he could be to the church at Philippi by ministering to them in person. Whether or not he did, however, it is clear that he had the utmost confidence in Timothy. Now it wasn’t that Timothy didn’t have any human frailties. Despite his divine calling and spiritual gifts (First Timothy 4:14), he apparently lacked self-confidence because of his youthfulness (First Timothy 4:12). He was tempted by youthful passions. In his second letter to him, the apostle warned: If anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart (Second Timothy 2:21-22). Apparently, Timothy was then at a low point in his personal life and ministry. He had victories and defeats, satisfaction and disappointment, happiness and sadness. But he listened to Paul’s counsel: Continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them . . . Preach the word: be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction . . . Be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry (Second Timothy 3:14 and 4:2 and 5).109
This inclusion of 2:24 into his letter has the effect of encompassing all of Paul’s plans within the sphere of ADONAI’s will and not merely the apostle’s own desires. Even if Paul was waiting for the outcome of his trial, once the verdict came in he could choose to send Timothy to Philippi while he remained behind to tie up any final matters before departing to Philippi himself. In any case Paul gives the impression that he anticipates an acquittal that would allow him to leave Rome for Philippi in the not-too-distant future.110
Dear heavenly Father, praise You for being so wonderful and wise, caring so much for me! Sometimes I get frustrated to have my plans cancelled or changed, but when I focus on Your almighty power and steadfast love, I can relax and trust that You have my life in Your hands, and all things (even my trials will eventually) work together for my good (Romans 8:28). These trials are so that the true metal of your faith (far more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire) may come to light in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Messiah Yeshua (First Peter 1:7). Paul did not complain when his plans got rearranged when he was under house arrest. Neither should I complain when my plans get changed or rearranged. Thank you for preparing Timothy for Paul to send to the Philippians. You have prepared Timothy beforehand so that he would be like Paul’s right hand – like a true son in the faith. Nothing is too difficult for You. You plan ahead for circumstances that seem changed or altered to me, but they turn out to be just what is needed to bring glory to your name. In Messiah Yeshua’s holy Name and power of His resurrection. Amen.
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