|
Scripture~Philippians 2.19-24 (NLT)
19 If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. 20 I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. 22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. 23 I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. 24 And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.
Comments
Paul, in what appears a digression in his letter to the Philippian Christians, refers to Timothy (vv. 19-24) and to Epaphroditus (vv. 25-29). The digression is not really a digression. For the two men model conformity to the way of Christ and loving unity called for among members of the Church.
Paul says, "I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares [lit., will care] about your welfare." The text reads literally, "I have no one of equal soul."
Paul clarifies a trait of Timothy setting him apart from all others: "who genuinely cares about your welfare." The Greek root for "cares" implies the emotional aspect of concern. The root means "anxious." The verb is future tense. Paul is affirming how Timothy will be concerned for the Philippians, based on how he already is concerned for them.
|
|
Paul contrasts other persons with the empathy of Timothy for the Church: "All the others care [lit. "seek"] only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ." "Themselves," a reflexive pronoun, contrasts with caring for other persons. That is, their heart does not go out in desire, in seeking, in selfless love. Their heart is turned in on themselves.
Observe the following passages. They pertain to the direction of heart of the Christian concerned for the things of Christ Jesus and His Church:
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
*Romans 15.1 (ESV)
And if you want to be first, you must be everyone's slave. The Son of Man did not come to be a slave master, but a slave who will give his life
to rescue many people.
*Mark 10.44-45 (CEV)
This concern exemplified by Timothy is a spiritual empathy arising within you. Faithful, Loving Openness to Jesus Christ in Silence is the main setting for the Holy Spirit purifying will and affections. The cleansing is not destruction of will and affection. This is a spiritual, inward conversion, so that we will and love the things of Christ in external acts. From this will, we love and serve persons in and through Christ.
Continued... |
