Self-Sacrificing Servants
Barbaranne Kelly, Guest Writer
TODAY’S TREASURE
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers… Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:16, 18).
As we have worked our way through Paul’s letter to his beloved friends in Philippi, we’ve observed not only his genuine affection for these believers but also an undercurrent of encouragement to self-sacrificing service borne of the mutual love, which is only possible for those who dwell together in Christ. In the first chapter, Paul set before us his own example of Christ-centered living as he joyfully described the triumphs of the gospel won from his prison cell. From 1:27–2:18, he encouraged us to live in a manner worthy of the gospel. And now, in chapter 2:19–30, Paul commends to his readers the gospel-worthy manner of life lived by Timothy and Epaphroditus.
Paul has mentored Timothy in the faith since he met him in Lystra, before traveling to Philippi, and invited him to serve by his side in gospel ministry, and the Philippians know him well. Paul hopes to send him on a round-trip to Philippi (probably with this letter in hand) so that upon his return, Timothy can bring news from his friends, which will cheer him. Paul doesn’t want just anyone to go fetch this news, but one who will selflessly love and serve them, being genuinely concerned for their welfare. Unique among those whom Paul could choose to send, Timothy will not be concerned merely with his own interests but those of Jesus Christ—and Jesus Christ’s genuine interest is the welfare of His people.
Epaphroditus also shares Paul’s—and the Lord’s—passionate interest in their friends’ welfare. Sent from Philippi with messages and gifts for Paul with the intention of serving alongside him in ministry, Epaphroditus, unfortunately, fell sick. He was so gravely ill that he nearly died. In Paul’s declaration of God’s mercy in healing his friend, we see that faith in God’s sovereignty is not a call to stoicism. Paul openly shares that if Epaphroditus had died, he would have experienced sorrow upon sorrow. Now that he has recovered, Epaphroditus is distressed because his friends have learned of his illness and may believe that he died. The thought that they may be grieving causes both he and Paul no little anxiety, and they both wish to relieve their friends’ sorrow.
Also, consider the sacrifice Paul will make when he sends these two beloved co-laborers to Philippi. Timothy is Paul’s beloved son in the faith; Epaphroditus he calls his “brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and [their] messenger and minister to [his] need” (2:25).
These three men have worked together, sharing the gospel of Christ, fought the good fight of faith, and served the growing Church amid a hostile world. They are bound together by their shared ministry and the call of Christ upon their lives. Because he’s a prisoner, these men have been invaluable to Paul, who does not have the freedom to come and go as he pleases but must rely on trusted friends to bring and deliver messages and the basic stuff of daily living. By sending them away, he also is demonstrating his commitment to invest not in his own interests but the interests of others.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Paul is imprisoned for the gospel. Timothy, as a son with a father, has served alongside Paul. Epaphroditus nearly died for the work of the gospel. These godly men demonstrate the love of Christ not only in word or talk but also in their deeds and in truth. They are laying their lives on the line for the gospel. In this letter to the believers in Philippi Paul sets before us examples of loving servanthood. Their lives are the canvas upon which the Lord is painting the beauty of humble submission to His word. And in this submission, they are simply following their Savior.
Jesus Christ was arrested and put to death for living and proclaiming the truth. He was the Son of God the Father. He did die for the sake of the gospel. By His resurrection life and the sending of the Holy Spirit, we who believe in Christ are set into the family of God’s people, the Church. And as the Church, we live and serve and minister alongside others to whom we are bound by the call of God and the blood of Christ. We need one another. Some of us are brand-new to the faith, and others of us are seasoned saints. As Paul writes elsewhere, both men and women need living examples of faith to follow as we grow up together in Christ (Titus 2:1–8; Eph. 4:11–16).
Who are the gospel-centered, Christlike examples in your life? Who in your church are living examples of the virtues Paul is commending to us in Philippians? Look for those in your covenant community whose manner of life is worthy of the gospel of Christ, who do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than themselves, selflessly looking to the interests of others with genuine concern. Those who fit Paul’s description will stand out from the rest, shining as lights in the world. Look for them, find them, and follow their example as they follow Christ.
PRAYER
Father, grant me the grace of humility that I may lovingly submit my whole life to You, loving others in deed and in truth. Open my eyes to see those around me in my covenant community as my blood-bought fellow saints, my brothers and sisters, fellow workers, and fellow soldiers. Grant that we may reach forward and behind, grasping hands and following one another as we together follow Christ. Amen.
More free resources for help hope & healing:
Ask Dr. Betters is a topical series of over 400 videos that has reached over 1 ½ million views. Dr. Chuck F. Betters answers questions submitted by our listening audience on suffering and the sovereignty of God. This week’s featured question is: If Jesus died for all of our sins, why are we still sinners?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Barbaranne Kelly and her husband Jim are the parents of five of the neatest people they know, and now Barbaranne is the Grandmommy to THREE grand boys! In October that will change to FOUR! Barbaranne and Jim are members of Christ Presbyterian Church in New Braunfels, Texas, where she leads a Bible study for women in the hope that she and they may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge Enjoy and be inspired by more of Barbaranne’s writing at her blog.
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Originally published Friday, 12 May 2023.
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