Timothy And Epaphroditus: Great Examples Of Doulos, Bond Servants

Philippians 2:19

Now, I hope, in the Lord Y’shua, to send Timothy, to you quickly, in order that I likewise be of good cheer, learning of the condition of you.

By this verse, we find that Paul's main source of information, about the Philippian fellowship, has been by Timothy traveling back and forth. This makes me wonder how long has Paul been in the custody. According to some scholars, while deducing from scripture, Paul visited the city on two other occasions, in 56 and 57. Since this letter to the Philippians is dated around 61-62, it is possible that Paul could have been in custody, for up to six years, which explains a lot about his disposition, in this letter.

Regardless, he longs to hear good news, in order to cheer him up. I would too, if I had been in Roman chains, for that long and not being able to do the Lord's work.

Philippians 2:19-21

For having no other of equal soul faithfully caring about your interests and for your care, for all seek for themselves, not the Messiah Y’shua.

This is an interesting comment, which shows that the life of a missionary is very lonely and sometimes sad. Of all things Paul had done over the last 25-30 years, you would think that there would be someone, who would care for the Remnant of God, at Philippi, in the same way that Paul did. Apparently not. But why? What is the litmus test for this life of missionary work?

To be a missionary, it requires a person that has a heart and commitment for the people, they are administering. Far too many people attempt to do missionary work, but fail, because they seek their well-being over the people. When you are a missionary, even a minister of a local fellowship, you can't think about yourself more than the people your are administering to. You are like the parent. They are like your children, until they are off the milk and eating meat, for themselves. How long? It's different for every individual. It takes a strong and dedicated individual to have an Agape love and commitment for the fellowship. Apparently, here, Paul only had Timothy, to rely on, for this work.

Philippians 2:22

Moreover knowing his experience since serving with me for the good message as a child with his father.

Even though Timothy was the only one that Paul could rely on, for this mission, it appears that Paul felt the need to reassure the Philippians that Timothy would be a good replacement, for the time being. Why? Some say that it was due to Timothy's age. I doubt it, because he was somewhere around 43, at this time.

Some say that it was possibly the fact that Timothy was always getting sick. Talking about being sick, another reason for Timothy's departure could be to accompany Epaphroditus home, because he also died. We read about that in a few verses.

It is also possible that since Timothy, being from the area, (Lystra was only 600 miles away from Philippi) Paul feared that Timothy could be subjected to the same treatment that all prophets encounter, that he would be rejected. Y'shua even said,

"Be assured, I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his own country." Luke 4:24

Regardless of the reason, Paul felt the need to remind the Philippians of Timothy's experience with the Gospel and that Timothy was with him and was very knowlegable of God's message as a son would be with his father, a very high commendation.

Philippians 2:23-24

This being so, I hope to send him straight away when I set his attention away from concerns which are presently towards me and having confidence in the Lord that I also will come shortly thereafter.

Showing his love for Paul, Timothy is really worried about Paul and his present predicament. He's probably wondering who is going to take care of Paul. However, Paul is confident that he won't be too far behind Timothy. With all that said, does this show a little immaturity on Timothy's part? Shouldn't he be doing God's work and letting God take care of Paul? Honestly, I don't know if I could leave a love one behind in a prison.

Philippians 2:25-30

Also, I deemed it necessary to send to you, Epaphroditus, my brother and companion and fellow laborer for the cause of the Messiah moreover your apostle and minister of my business (Life Needs), because he desperately desires and longs for you with a heavy heart because you heard the news of his sickness, for indeed his sickness was almost death but the Lord showed him mercy. Not him only, but also on me in order not to have mourning upon my pain. This being so, I am sending him promptly where, in that place you see him again gladly. I, in like manner, would be free from pain and grief. Receive him accordingly in the Lord with all joy and hold such men honorable, noble and in high regard, for approaching death for the sake of the Messiah, disregarding his life so to fulfill what is lacking in your service to me.

In addition to Timothy, Paul is sending Epaphroditus, who also turns out to be an apostle to the Philippians. Philippi appears to be his home. Epaphroditus means "lovely", which means that he was a baby devoted to Aphrodite, a Pagan God, a common practice to the Greek world.

It also appears that Epaphroditus possibly didn't leave Philippi, on the best of terms, due to the fact that Paul tells them to receive them gladly. Otherwise, why wouldn't they receive him gladly?

We find that Epaphroditus fell sick, while with Paul and Timothy and he almost died. Along with the sickness, he appears to be homesick also. Therefore, Paul is sending him home. Epaphroditus appears to be worn out and more than ready to go home. With all that said, Epaphroditus did almost die for the service to the Lord, which is a reason to honor him. How many of us would disregard the comforts of home to go out on the road for the Lord?

Finally, could Paul, being old and ready to die, have been making it somewhat easier on Timothy and Epaphroditus, not making them see Paul in misery and possibly being put to death by the Romans? In the end, Paul does make it out of there and sees the Philippians again, before he dies.

As a side note, there are some who teach that Paul was in a Philippian jail here, as documented in Acts 16. I don't think so, because when Paul and Silas was in the Philippian jail and were happy. It's a good story, check it out. The Paul, here in the Book of Philippians, has a total different disposition. Could've been in Caesarea or Rome. Don't really know.

All the time, during this letter, Paul has been praising the Philippians. However, Paul lets something slip, in verse 30. He obviously thought that the Philippians kind of dropped the ball, when it came to helping me, during this time. He tells the Phillipians that Epaphroditus made up for their shortcomings. We'll have to ask him, 'What did he mean, by that comment?'.