Workers or Shirkers? Philippians 2:16-30

In our last study in Philippians 2:14, Paul exhorted the Philippians to not grumble and complain about the difficulties they encounter as believers because the way they respond to these unpleasant experiences is seen by those around them as part of the message they claim to bear.  Just as Christ did not complain about His mistreatment, neither should we. Now, in the remainder of chapter 2, Paul shows how a proper response to persecution will be unfeigned joy in anticipating the Lord’s approval and he then points to two examples of hard workers that they know well—men who work sacrificially and do not shirk or complain.

Philippians 2:16-18 Exultation in a Life Well-Spent

The word frequently translated here as “holding on” or “holding forth” might also be rendered as “heeding” or “focusing on.” The Word of Life that they “hold forth” is something that they both “heed” and point out.  They are to “walk the talk.”  They demonstrate the Word both by speaking it and by living it.  If they believe it is good news, then they should not be grumbling about how difficult it is to share but exulting in it. When we experience pushback either for our walk or our talk that’s when we realize that our enemy is upset at the good news being proclaimed. That’s how we shine as lights in the (dark) world (vs. 15). 

The result of living a life according to the Living Word is that on the “Day of Christ” they (and we) will exult that such a life of sacrifice was not done in vain.  The word picture used here is one of Paul’s favorites—a runner in the Isthmian Games (the forerunner to the Olympics) realizes his years of grueling preparation and the difficult effort of running the race have paid off.  This is not a reference to “winning salvation” or “entering heaven” but to hearing the “well-done” for a life well-lived in obedience to Christ.  This “Day of Christ” here refers to the “judgment seat of Christ” (1 Cor 3:14; 2 Cor 5:10) not the “great white throne” of Revelation 20.  The former has the works of believers and their rewards in view.  The latter has the works of unbelievers and their status in the book of life in view. 

So, in verse 17, Paul is not at all worried about possibly losing his life in his efforts.  He considers his life to be a sacrifice offered to God in order to encourage his Philippian teammates in their own race.  This sacrificial team effort will result in exultation for them all.  This is Paul’s literary “high-five.” The word picture here is of Paul’s life being like a drink offering (a libation) being poured out and accompanied by the worshipful service of the Philippians’ own faith being lived out.  This parallels Paul’s words to the Romans in 12:1 “Therefore, I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice—alive, holy, and pleasing to God—which is your reasonable service (of worship)” (NET).  We are to be careful to live our lives as if they were a sacrifice to God—except we are alive. Verse 18 once again has this theme of shared joy in this anticipation of the Lord’s approval of our team effort on the Day of Christ.  That little window of time allotted to each of us should be spent in the service of others and for our Lord.  There are great rewards in the life to come at stake.

This Biblical theme of service for the Lord is hardly ever spoken of as an individual effort—though sometimes it may seem like it (think Elijah).  It is almost always viewed as a team effort.  It is supposed to be the entire Body of Christ using their various gifts in service to the Head.  But so often many of the members have checked out and sit on the sidelines content to watch or to work all by themselves.  Very few are gifted to be able to do full-orbed ministry. We need each other. That’s why there are so many “one another” passages in the New Testament. At the Day of Christ this will all be made plain.

Philippians 2:19-24 Timothy’s Service for Christ

In these next verses, Paul finally comes around to answering one of the requests that the Philippians had made of him in their letter.  They had experienced the godly care of this young man Timothy when Paul had first visited Philippi with Silas and Luke (Acts 16).  Timothy and Luke apparently stayed on with them for a time while Paul and Silas went on to Thessalonica and Berea where they eventually rejoined Paul.  Now, some years later, the Philippian pulpit committee wants Timothy back.

So, Paul subtly gets around to their request and points out all of Timothy’s fine qualities and his resultant value to Paul’s ministry.  In so doing, he uses Timothy as a model of what he wants to see in every believer.  Timothy is not only concerned for the Philippians, but Paul knows that he would actually demonstrate his concern in a tangible way.  However, Paul’s willingness to send Timothy is dependent on what Christ wants.  Although he sees Timothy’s value to him in Rome, he knows that Timothy would be able to minister successfully in Philippi and then return with a good report.  But what does the Lord want?

Verse 21 contains a Hebrew figure of speech in which exaggeration is used to highlight an important point.  He says, “There is no one like him here.”  And in verse 22, “Others are busy with their own concerns, not those of Jesus Christ.”  For Paul, Timothy was the model, par excellence, of a believer who put others’ interests first as Jesus commanded.  It is not at all a reflection on Epaphroditus, who he will brag about next. But it reflects his own desire for the Philippians back in verse 2:4 to be more concerned for others. Timothy would be a great teacher by example in this area. What are we “busy with?” Our own interests or those of Jesus? 

In verses 22-24, Paul spells out Timothy’s qualifications.  He had worked alongside Paul (like a father and son team) for the advancement of the gospel.  So, Paul hoped to be able to send Timothy but was waiting until he understood what the situation in Rome needed.  Ultimately, he hoped to be able to come to Philippi himself and Timothy would be a great help to him in the journey as well as in his current needs as a prisoner of Rome.  So, Timothy was a “no go” for now.

Philippians 2:25-30 Epaphroditus—a Soldier of Christ

In verse 25, Paul tells them that because they needed immediate help, he was going to send good old Epaphroditus (the same person elsewhere called Epaphras) back to them.  He was the bearer (and likely the amanuensis) of both letters.  The Philippians knew him well.  And Paul’s own praise for him shows that he was also well able to care for this church in the meantime.  Paul not only calls him a brother but a coworker and fellow soldier.  They had campaigned together against physical and spiritual barriers.  He had also served Paul in attending to his needs in prison.

In verses 26 and 27, we notice that Epaphroditus had gotten deathly ill and the Philippians had heard about it and were extremely worried.  Perhaps they were also concerned that no one would come back to minister to them.  But Paul tells them that Epaphroditus was well now due to God’s mercy.  Even Paul had been greatly concerned for him.  It is possible that Paul may have worked a miracle of healing but notice that Epaphroditus may have been sick for a season – long enough for word to reach the Philippians and notice Paul’s worry as well.  So, it seems most likely that he recovered gradually in answer to prayer.  Still a healing but most likely not an instantaneous one.

Then in verse 28, Paul indicates that he is sending Epaphroditus to Philippi bearing this letter.  His hope was that he would be able to minister to them as a replacement for Timothy and eventually bring back good news of their situation. Paul would be sorrowful about losing him but happy that he was helping this young church.

In verses 29-30, he instructed them to receive Epaphroditus (instead of Timothy) as coming from the Lord.  They were to see this as a glad answer to prayer.  And, in fact, they should receive all such traveling ministers with honor.  The word for honor is more than verbal respect but also refers to value and the responsibility to care for someone. (Elsewhere “honor your parents” means to make sure they are cared for not just respected with your lips). So, in light of verse 30, they should minister to his needs since they were unable to provide for Paul.  (This was one of the points of lament in their letter).  Epaphroditus had risked his life for them and the cause of Christ and in so doing had also ministered to Paul.  (And in the process had also fallen deathly ill).

As a church which had given sacrificially to Paul’s ministry, Paul wants them to also give toward the ministry of Epaphroditus who had served them—and as verse 29 says, “honor people like him.”  See that he has the funds he needs to live on.  Take care of his physical needs.  This, too, is sacrificial ministry that brings ultimate joy—both the anticipation and the “well-done” at the Day of Christ.

© Eric Thimell 2018