Philippians 2:19 - Meaning and Application

Paul gives special notice to two good ministers. Though he was himself a great apostle and worked harder than the rest, he gladly spoke well of those who were below him in rank. He first speaks of Timothy, whom he planned to send to the Philippians so he could learn how they were doing. This shows Paul’s care for the churches and the comfort he found when they were doing well. He felt uneasy when he had not heard from them for some time, so he wanted Timothy to check on them and bring back word.

Paul says, “I have no one like him, who will naturally care for your condition.” Timothy was one of a kind. There were many good ministers, no doubt, who cared about the souls of the people they preached to, but none matched Timothy’s tender heart and good spirit. When Paul says Timothy would naturally care, he means that this concern was sincere and came from a willing heart, not just from duty or appearance. It is best when our duty becomes almost natural to us. Timothy was a true son of blessed Paul, walking in the same spirit and the same steps.

It is the duty of ministers to care about the condition of their people and to be concerned for their good, as Paul said elsewhere, “I seek not yours, but you” (2 Corinthians 12:14). It is rare to find someone who does this naturally, and such a person stands out among his brothers. Paul also says, “All seek their own, not the things that are Jesus Christ’s” (Philippians 2:21). This does not mean every minister was corrupt. He is speaking of the general run of them, or of all in comparison with Timothy. Seeking our own advantage while neglecting Jesus Christ is a serious sin, and it is very common among Christians and ministers. Many put their own comfort, reputation, and safety ahead of truth, holiness, and duty, and put their own pleasure before Christ’s kingdom, honor, and cause in the world. Timothy was not like that.

Paul adds, “You know the proof of him” (Philippians 2:22). Timothy had been tested and had made full proof of his ministry (2 Timothy 4:5). All the churches that knew him had seen his faithfulness. He was what he seemed to be, and he served Christ in a way that pleased God and was approved by people (Romans 14:18). Paul tells them, “You know not only his name and face, but also his character, and you have seen his love and faithfulness in your service.” Timothy served with Paul in the gospel “as a son with a father.” He helped Paul in many places, with the respect a child gives a father and the cheerfulness a child shows in helping him. Their work together was marked by great respect on one side and great tenderness on the other, which is a fine example for older and younger ministers serving together.

Paul planned to send Timothy soon, “as soon as I shall see how it will go with me” (Philippians 2:23). He was then a prisoner and did not yet know what would happen. Depending on the outcome, he would decide what to do with Timothy. He also hoped to come himself, saying, “I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly” (Philippians 2:24). He hoped to be set free soon and able to visit them. Paul wanted liberty, not for ease or pleasure, but to do good. And he expresses this hope with humble trust in God and submission to his will.

Paul then turns to Epaphroditus, whom he calls his brother, his fellow worker, and his fellow soldier. He was a Christian brother whom Paul loved tenderly, a companion in the work and sufferings of the gospel, and their messenger, sent by the Philippians to Paul, likely to consult him about church matters or to bring him a gift for his support. Paul also says that he “ministered to my wants.” He seems to be the same person called Epaphras in (Colossians 4:12). Epaphroditus had a strong desire to return to them, and Paul was glad for him to do so.

It appears that Epaphroditus had been sick. The Philippians had heard he was sick, and indeed he had been very near death (Philippians 2:26, 27). Sickness is a common trouble for all people, including good men and ministers. Some may ask why Paul did not heal him, since he had power to heal diseases and even raise the dead (Acts 20:10). The likely answer is that those miracles were meant as signs for others, to confirm the truth of the gospel, and were not always used for fellow believers. “These signs will follow those who believe: they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:17, 18). It may also be that such power was not always used at their own choice, but only when God saw fit and some greater purpose was being served.

The Philippians were deeply grieved to hear of his sickness. They were filled with sorrow, as he was, when they learned of it, because they seemed to have a special affection for him and had chosen him for this errand to Paul. God was pleased to restore him and spare his life: “But God had mercy on him” (Philippians 2:27). Paul says this was a great mercy to himself as well as to Epaphroditus and others. Even with the church blessed at that time with unusual gifts, they could hardly afford to lose a good minister. Paul was strongly moved by the thought of such a loss, saying he wanted to avoid “sorrow upon sorrow,” meaning the sorrow of Epaphroditus’s death added to the sorrow of his own imprisonment. Or perhaps other good ministers had recently died, and this would have brought him yet another grief.

Epaphroditus also wanted to visit the Philippians so he could be comforted by those who had been sad about him when he was sick. Paul says that when they saw him again they would rejoice (Philippians 2:28). They would see for themselves how fully he had recovered and would have good reason to be thankful and glad on his account. Paul was glad to give them that comfort by sending them so dear a friend. He then urges them to receive him “in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such in reputation.” That is, they should welcome him joyfully, value faithful and zealous men, and love and respect them highly.

They were to show their joy and respect through sincere affection and a good opinion of him. It seems that he had become ill while serving in God’s work. He had nearly died because he was doing Christ’s work and meeting the lack in their service to Paul. The apostle does not criticize him for putting his life at risk. Instead, he thinks they should love him even more because of it.

Those who truly love Christ and care deeply about his kingdom will see it as worth the risk to spend their health and even their lives serving him and helping build up his church. They were also to welcome him with joy, as someone newly recovered from sickness. It is deeply moving when mercies are given back to us after seeming close to loss, and that should make us value and use them well. What God gives us in answer to prayer should be received with great thankfulness and joy.