Philippians 2:19-30 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly to you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.… The passage is still dominated by the idea of consideration for others as the proper outcome of the Christian spirit. The life God inspires (Ver. 13) is the life of consideration for others. In this section we have this beautifully illustrated by Epaphroditus, Timothy, and the Philippians, as welt as by Paul himself. We cannot do better than look at the public spirit as thus historically illustrated. I. THE CONSIDERATE SPIRIT AS ILLUSTRATED IN EPAPHRODITUS'S MISSION TO ROME. (Vers. 25, 30.) He had gone up as a deputy from Philippi to Rome to minister in person to the Beloved apostle. The long journey he had undertaken cheerfully for the sake of Paul. It was just such an outcome of the Christian spirit at Philippi and in Epaphroditus himself as Paul knew God inspired and He could calculate upon. Sympathy thus drew the distant into close companionship. II. EPAPHRODITUS'S DANGEROUS ILLNESS CREATED A PANIC AT PHILIPPI. (Ver. 26.) The faithful deputy seems to have caught in the Campagna at Rome some dangerous disease, which brought him to the gates of death. Tidings were carried in due season about his sickness to the brethren at Philippi, and their anxiety about their sick brother was deep and sore. Epaphroditus knew that they would be painfully anxious, and this reacted upon him at Rome. A Christian spirit regrets the necessity of putting sympathetic hearts to pain on his account. Sympathy intensifies suffering as well as lightens suffering round the world. III. THIS LED TO HIS CONSIDERATE PROPOSAL DEPART TO PHILIPPI AND TO PAUL'S DESPATCH OF HIM. (Vers. 26, 27.) The aged apostle had watched over his sick "fellow-soldier with anxiety until he saw him fairly "on the mend." Then He found the convalescent with a heavy anxiety on his mind because of the trouble his sickness had caused at Philippi. The result is that the two great hearts proposed to separate, that Epaphroditus may relieve the Church at Philippi of its anxiety by appearing in health once more among them. The whole picture is one of mutual consideration. IV. STILL MORE CONSIDERATION IS SHOWN IN THE PROPOSED DESPATCH OF TIMOTHY. (Vers. 19 - 21.) Timothy tarries at Rome after Epaphroditus leaves, but only for a time. Paul keeps him only until He sees what turn his trial will take. In case he is released, he means to despatch Timothy at once to Philippi to carry on considerately the work of God in their hearts. Amid the general selfishness of men, Timothy at events can be relied on, who will, as a matter of second nature or habit, care for the Philippians' state. This second mission, that of Timothy, is a fresh embodiment of the considerate Christian spirit. V. LASTLY, PAUL'S OWN ADVENT IS PROMISED IN CASE OF HIS RELEASE. (Ver. 24.) Paul at Rome has been experiencing the consideration, not of earthly friends only, but also of his Father in heaven. He notes this in the recovery of Epaphroditus. God had raised up the faithful attendant lest Paul should have "sorrow upon sorrow." thus impressed his servant with the fact that sorrows come one by one, in Indian file, while joys come thick as the leaves of autumn. Miss Procter has brought out this beautifully in her poem, 'One by One.' we may quote here one precious verse - "One by one thy griefs shall meet thee, Do not fear an armed band; One will fade as others greet thee; Shadows passing through the land." (Legends and Lyrics.') Filled, then, with the grateful sense of the Divine as well as the human consideration, Paul determines, if released, to set out at once for Philippi. Timothy may go at a quicker rate as forerunner, but Paul means to fellow after him and do what He can by personal visitation of the Church to minister to their joy. There is thus given to us ample and vivid illustration of the considerateness of the Christian spirit. Let it be our aim to show it always and act in some way worthy of our high calling! - R.M.E. Parallel Verses KJV: But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. |
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