INTERESTS OF CHRIST

Passage: Philippians 2:19-30

Key verse: 30

NIV

Timothy and Epaphroditus

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy(A) to you soon,(B) that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him,(C) who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests,(D) not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father(E) he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.(F) 24 And I am confident(G) in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker(H) and fellow soldier,(I) who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.(J) 26 For he longs for all of you(K) and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him,(L) so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,(M) 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.(N)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Timothy and Epaphroditus

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus (A)to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one (B)like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all (C)seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy's[a] (D)proven worth, how (E)as a son[b] with a father (F)he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and (G)I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

25 I have thought it necessary to send to you (H)Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and (I)fellow soldier, and your messenger and (J)minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So (K)receive him in the Lord with all joy, and (L)honor such men, 30 for he nearly died[c] (M)for the work of Christ, risking his life (N)to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

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Footnotes
  1. Philippians 2:22 Greek his
  2. Philippians 2:22 Greek child
  3. Philippians 2:30 Or he drew near to the point of death; compare verse 8
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Timothy looked out for the interests of Christ (19-24)

Paul planned to send Timothy to visit them and report to him how they were managing. Paul chose Timothy because he loved them, had no personal agenda except the interests of Jesus Christ, was a proven gospel worker, and became like his own spiritual son. Thank God for church leaders like Timothy who love God's people and have only Jesus' interests in mind when ministering to God's people.

2. Epaphroditus almost died for Christ (25-3

)

Paul was sending his letter back with Epaphroditus, who was sent by the Philippians to take their offering and to care for his needs in prison. Paul recognized Epaphroditus because he almost died for Christ and his work. We should also rejoice in and honor people like him for their life-giving sacrifice for Christ.

Prayer: Lord, help me to rejoice in Christ-centered people who serve others and your work purely and sacrificially.

One Word: Workers who sacrifice for the interests of Christ