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No.45.
The Epistle to the Philippians (12).
pp. 175 - 179
After likening his service for the Lord and the Philippian church to a "sacrifice", a
joyous one, for he bids these believers to rejoice with him, even though the cost may be
his life, Paul now looks to the future. He expresses his hope concerning his
imprisonment and his intention of sending Timothy on a mission of goodwill.
"But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of
good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will care
truly for your state. For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ" (2: 19-21
R.V.).
The Apostle intended to send Epaphroditus with the letter without waiting until his
own case had been dealt with. He realizes that the believers at Philippi will be anxious to
know the outcome of his trial, so he informs them that he will send Timothy with the
news and possibly follow after with a visit himself. If there is no early release for him,
then Timothy, as well as giving them valued advice and help, will be able to bring back
news of them which Paul trusts will be encouraging for him. Whenever the Apostle
plans for the future, he always acknowledges that God's will must be paramount (see
Rom. 15: 32; I Cor. 16: 7; Philemon 22) and this is also true in the context with which
we are dealing.
Note he does not say "I hope in Christ" or "Christ Jesus", but uses the practical title of
"Lord", which always expresses the believer's relationship to God when service is in
view. A practical owning of the Lordship of Christ means that He is in control of all our
planning and activity. We have no right to try and shape our future without consulting
Him first, otherwise tragic results may follow.
Paul is saying that, if it is the Lord's will, Timothy will visit them with a twofold
object: to give them first hand knowledge of himself and encourage them, and also that
he (Paul) will be cheered when Timothy brings back good news of them. The Apostle
now gives a very high commendation of his son in the faith. Like-minded, isopsuchos,
literally "of equal soul", is a rare word, as is eupsuchein "be of good comfort" of the
previous verse. Isopsuchos is used once in the LXX of Psa. 55: 13 (54: 14 LXX), "a
man mine equal" showing that it is used of close friendship, but with what a difference!
The close friend of the Psalmist treacherously betrayed him, whereas here, Timothy
stayed with the Apostle right to the end.
As Paul considers the brethren that are with him and the saints of Caesar's household,
there is no one who exhibits the deep concern of Timothy for the Philippians. Like the
Apostle, Timothy was genuinely unselfish, with a real practical concern for the needs of
others. He was willing to share in the "care of all the churches", like Paul, so he was the
ideal choice to be sent on the journey to Philippi.