In his letter to the Philippians, Paul calls the church to joyful,godly living in light of the gospel. His words about Timothy and Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:19–30 show us what it looks like to put this into practice. Paul is in prison, and the Philippian church, worried about him, sent Epaphroditus to deliver a gift and minister to his needs. Along the journey, Epaphroditus became deathly ill, and news of this made its way back to the church. Paul is writing to comfort them, sharing his hope to send Timothy soon and expressing confidence that he himself will come to them again.
Paul’s deep concern for the church reflects Christ’s own concern for His people. If your faith is in Christ, you are united to Him and all other believers by the Holy Spirit, and He is deeply concerned for your spiritual well-being. The Lord uses everyday men in the church to meet spiritual and physical needs. We are lights in a dark culture, marked by selfish ambition and radical individualism. Godly examples like Timothy and Epaphroditus encourage us and show us the way forward.
Timothy: A Selfless Servant
Timothy was well known to the Philippian church. Born to a Jewish mother and Greek father, he was taught the Scriptures by his mother and grandmother, whose efforts remind us that God uses His Word to save sinners, even when our efforts seem small and futile (family worship, catechizing, etc.). Timothy joined the apostle Paul on missionary journeys, witnessing conversions like Lydia’s and sharing in the joys and struggles of everyday ministry.
Paul says in verses 20–22: “I have no one like him (Timothy), who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth.” Timothy was Paul’s son in the faith. This relationship raises a question: To whom are you a spiritual son? We need examples to follow. To whom are you a spiritual father? We need to be examples.
Timothy learned from Paul’s example of care and concern for the church. For the pastors reading: Are we truly concerned for the people God has entrusted to us? Guarding sound doctrine is a vital part of that, but if that is all that we do, we risk becoming like the Pharisees, always looking for a fight. Are we willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of others? Timothy’s journey to Philippi would have been a major inconvenience. It would have been an arduous journey—over 800 miles by land and sea. Surely, we can take a trip across town, visit a hospital, make a phone call, or sit with a grieving family. Ministry is costly, but Christ’s grace is sufficient for the task.
Timothy’s example challenges all of us, not just pastors. His selflessness didn’t come naturally—he was young, fearful, and insecure. Paul had to remind him, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Tim. 1:7). Like Timothy, we are called to speak into others’ lives, even when it’s uncomfortable. Does your concern for the glory of Christ and the souls of believers outweigh your fear of an awkward encounter? Follow Timothy’s example. Be that example to others.
Epaphroditus: A Suffering Soldier
Unlike Timothy, Epaphroditus was not a prominent figure in ministry. His background was pagan, reflected in his name, which comes from the Greek goddess Aphrodite. At some point, he heard the gospel, believed, and was saved. His “credentials” were simple: He was a faithful Christian man willing to serve.
Epaphroditus was sent by the Philippian church to bring a monetary gift to Paul. Along the way, he became gravely ill. Paul says three times in a few verses that he was near death. Despite this, he pressed on, prioritizing Paul’s well-being and the advancement of the gospel over his own life. What an example to follow! What an example to be!
Paul describes this man as “my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier.” These titles reveal deep affection and respect for this everyday man. As Christians, we are a true family, united by the Spirit. We are co-laborers in the mission of the church and fellow soldiers engaged in a spiritual battle. Epaphroditus’s example reminds us that there are no insignificant Christian men. Each of us has a role to play in the advancement of the gospel, using the gifts the Spirit has given us.
The journey for Epaphroditus was long and difficult, yet his primary concern was not for himself but for the Philippian church. Paul tells us that Epaphroditus was distressed because the church was distressed over his condition. He longed to return to them to reassure them of his recovery. This selflessness is countercultural. Do we long to be with one another as Epaphroditus did, or is church just another box to check off the list? Let us pray that God would give us the longing for Him and the longing for one another that we see in Epaphroditus.
The Ultimate Example
What motivated Timothy and Epaphroditus to live such selfless lives? Quite simply, it was their faith in Jesus Christ. There is no greater example of selfless living than that of Jesus Christ, who laid His life down for His brothers. His journey was far more treacherous than a trip from Rome to Philippi; He went from heaven to the grave through the cursed cross. He didn’t come near to death but actually died. Jesus endured the wrath of God on the cross and drank the cup of staggering to the dregs. Throughout His earthly ministry, He knew He’d endure God’s wrath, but He “set His face like flint toward Jerusalem.” Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame, for the joy that was set before Him—the joy of leading many sons and daughters to glory.
Men, let us set our faces like flint on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Let us follow His example and lay our lives down for one another.
Josh Reagan is the Associate Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greenwood, MS and serves as an editor with Reforming Men.
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