Phil. 2:19-24 - Help is on the Way

19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition.
20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.
21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.
22 But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.
23 Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me;
24 and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly.

Timothy!

Vs. 19 - “so that I also may be encouraged” - Paul is concerned for the welfare of the Philippian church no matter his circumstances. He ‘knows’ it is more important for him to remain on earth to minister to their spiritual needs rather than be in heaven with Jesus! (Phil. 1:23-24) He understands they are being buffeted by false teachings and opponents of the gospel (1:27-28) They need additional encouragement and instruction, as do we all, so he is going to send Timothy to lead and teach them. Timothy would report back to Paul about the spiritual condition of the church.

Vs. 20 - “no one else of kindred spirit” - When I first read this, my reaction was, “Whoa! The only one?” Some of Paul’s fellow workers included Silas, Mark, Luke, Titus, and Epaphroditus (2:25-30). None of these guys had the same desire for the well-being of the church? Timothy appeared to be a very capable young man and devoted to evangelism, whether due to the teachings of his mother and grandmother, or the leaders of his home church. He also got along splendidly with Paul.
According to Unger’s Bible Dictionary, Paul sent Timothy to churches several times to minister, or to deal with issues and report back to Paul. Eventually, Timothy ended up in Ephesus to lead the church there (1 Timothy).

Vs. 21 - “seek after their own interests” - Again, this seems to be dismissing the other workers and helpers around Paul. It is more likely that Silas, Titus and the others are out on missions to churches for Paul. Those left with him are local believers and helpers, not called to be evangelists. They are not called to serve Christ in this way. Without Paul’s regular crew, he would definitely feel alone.

Vs. 22 - “you know of his proven worth” - Timothy has served Christ and Paul well. Timothy served the church at Philippi, and later at Berea with Silas (Acts. 17:14); then went from Athens to Thessanolica (1 Thess. 3:2). From there he went to Corinth, where Paul mentions Timothy in his letters to Thessanolica (1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1). Paul relies on Timothy to start new churches and shepherd existing bodies.

Vs. 23 -“Therefore” - Timothy has the same and attitude about caring for the new believers, so Timothy is the obvious choice of someone to send.

Vs. 24 - “I myself also will be coming shortly” - Paul hopes his imprisonment will end soon, and he will be free to travel. Then he will see for himself, and personally care for this flock.

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