Submit and rejoice: (2:16-18):
Joy is the result of submission. When a believer submits his life and undergoes sufferings, he will see that his sufferings will be transformed into glory in heaven! He will see that his work was not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58). It was this same kind of promise that helped our Saviour in His sufferings on the cross (Heb. 12:1-2).But we do not have to wait for the return of Christ to start experiencing the joy of the submissive mind. That joy is a present reality (Phil. 2:17-18), and it comes through sacrifice and service. It is remarkable that in two verses that discuss sacrifice, Paul uses the words joy and rejoice—and repeats them! Most people would associate sorrow with suffering, but Paul sees suffering and sacrifice as doorways to a deeper joy in Christ.
Again Paul is comparing his experience of sacrifice to that of the priest pouring out the drink offering (Num. 15:1-10). It was possible that Paul’s trial would go against him and he would be executed. But this did not rob Paul of his joy. His death would be a willing sacrifice, a priestly ministry, on behalf of Christ and His church and this would give him joy. “Sacrifice and service” are marks of the submissive mind and the submissive mind experiences joy even in the midst of suffering. It takes faith to exercise the submissive mind. We must believe that God’s promises are true and that they are going to work in our lives just as they worked in Paul’s life. God works in us through the Word, prayer, and suffering; and we work out in daily living and service. God fulfils His purposes in us as we receive and believe His Word. Life is not a series of “disappointment or ups and downs,” rather, it is a sequence of “delightful ins and outs.” God works in, we work out! The example comes from Christ, the energy comes from the Holy Spirit, and the result is Joy! (thoughts taken from author Warren Wersby).
Timothy and Epaphroditus: (2:19-30):
The Philippians were very familiar with Timothy. They knew how devoted he had been in serving God and serving Paul. There would be no question in anybody’s mind about his genuineness when Timothy showed up in Philippi.
Paul hoped that one day he would also meet them although he was in prison. He had great hope in God. He didn’t say that judge will do a favour or the government will see that I am innocent and let me go. But said that “I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall be coming shortly.” Timothy had no worldly qualifications or powerful personality. In fact he was somewhat timid. Timothy had 3-things which make him a pastor:
- A similar (kindred) spirit which is more than a blood relation.
- Genuinely concerned about the Philippians.
- He is seeking God’s interest rather than his own interest.
Choosing a minister or pastor for our church is very much like choosing a babysitter for our children. We are entrusting this person with people that we love and care. We want them to be like us, to have the same heart, the same balance of discipline and compassion. We don’t send just anybody in to do the job. Jesus pointed out that many ministers didn’t have the same heart that He had for His people. “He who is a hireling, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, beholds the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees, and the wolf snatches them, and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling, and is not concerned about the sheep. I am the good shepherd and I know My own, and My own knows Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father and I lay down My life for the sheep” (Jn.10:12-15).Paul was trusting that Jesus was still in control. He would send Timothy soon, and trusted in God that he wouldn’t be far behind.
Epaphroditus: (2:25-28):
Epaphroditus was from the Philippians church. He had been sent with a gift from the church to Paul, but became terribly sick even to the point of death. Word got back to the Philippians church about his condition, and they were very worried. Remember, in those days, it wasn’t just a matter of picking up a phone and letting people know that you were alright. Messages took days or weeks to arrive. Epaphroditus knew that Philippians knew he was sick, but didn’t know if they knew he had become better. He worried about their worry, and longed to see them all again.
Epaphroditus was another example of genuine Christian love in action. He cared about the Philippians, missed them when he wasn’t there. Worried about possibly having caused them sorrow. He was a great model for what Paul had said: being God-cantered, not looking out for his own interests, but for others’ interests.
Paul calls him “my brother, my fellow worker, my fellow soldier, your messenger and minister to my need.” We also must feel the same relationship with other believers
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honour (Rom. 12:10).
Epaphroditus wasn’t just Paul’s brother, but also his “fellow worker.” Just as Paul laboured physically to ensure that the gospel would reach as many people as possible, Epaphroditus was right there with him, working to build the kingdom of God. Not only did Epaphroditus labour physically with Paul, but he also laboured spiritually as a “fellow soldier. “Wearing the full armour of God by living a godly and righteous life.
Paul calls him “your messenger and minister to my need.” He had been a gift from the church to Paul, putting his own life in mortal danger.
Put them in high regard: (2:29-30)
Saints, we need to begin to recognize those among us who, like Epaphroditus, diligently serve the Lord in prayer, in ministry.
The world holds the rich, the famous, the powerful in high regard. Those who set the records, those with the best skills. But in the kingdom of God, we should hold the most godly in the highest regard.
Remember those who led us, who spoke the word of God to us; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith (Heb. 13:7).
We should look up to them – not as people to worship, but people to imitate. People who set the standard for us to pray more, to know the Word better, to serve more diligently, to behave more righteously. Let us look around and imitate them as they imitate Christ.