+I. Sustained by the assurance of the final approval of his heavenly
Master.+--"That I may rejoice in the day of Christ" (ver. 16).
+II. Cheerfully sacrifices life itself in the successful prosecution
of his work.+--"Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and
service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all" (ver. 17).
+III. Shared by those who profit by his ministry.+--"For the same
cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me" (ver. 18).
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 19-24.
_A Projected Christian Mission_--
+I. Prompted by anxiety to promote the spiritual welfare of the
Church.+--"But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly
unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state"
(ver. 19). We have already gathered, from our study of the epistle
thus far, that the apostle was solicitous about the spiritual state
of the Philippian Church; and this visit of Timothy was preparatory
to his own coming to see them. He turns from the sadder side of his
own likely martyrdom to the more hopeful prospect of once more being
in their midst. The true minister of Christ can never forget his
people, whether present among them or absent; and his principal
anxiety is to know that they are growing in grace and Christian
usefulness. He seeks to keep in touch with them by letters or
personal messengers, and the theme of his communications will be
based on their mutual interest in the cause of Christ. His movements
and wishes concerning them are all based on the will of Christ.
+II. Committed to a trustworthy messenger.+--1. _A messenger in
genuine sympathy with the anxiety of the sender._ "For I have no man
likeminded, who will naturally care for your state" (ver. 20).
Timothy is of such a nature, has a soul so like my own, that when he
comes among you he will manifest a true regard for your best
interests. This choice evangelist was a native of Lycaonia, in the
centre of Asia Minor. Faithfully and lovingly taught by his mother, a
pious Jewess, to long and look for the Messiah promised to the
fathers, he was led, on Paul's first visit to these regions, to
recognise in Jesus of Nazareth the great Deliverer and to accept Him
as his Saviour. On the apostle's second visit, four or five years
afterwards, finding Timothy highly commended by the Christians of the
district, he took him as his companion, to give such aid in
missionary work as a young man could, and to be trained for full
efficiency as a preacher of the cross. From that time onward we find
him in constant connection with the apostle, either as his companion
or as carrying on some special ministerial work which Paul had
entrusted to him. His close fellowship with the apostle gave him
opportunities of becoming familiar with the great reading themes of
the Gospel, and with the high aims and motives with which his teacher
was constantly animated.
2. _A messenger free from a self-seeking spirit._--"For all seek
their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's" (ver. 21). Among
the other members of the Church likely to be entrusted with such a
mission there was no one like Timothy--so devoted, so whole-hearted,
so unselfish. The early Church was not less free from imperfections
than the modern Church; the self-seeking spirit is as permanent as
human nature. When a certain bishop was asked by an acquaintance what
was the best body of Divinity, he did not scruple to answer, "That
which can help a man to keep a coach and six horses."
3. _A messenger whose fidelity has been tested._--"But ye know the
proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me
in the gospel" (ver. 22). Paul does not say that Timothy served
him--though that was true--but served with him in the Gospel, showing
filial affection and willing obedience. The simplicity and
unselfishness, the mellow Christian wisdom, the patience and
gentleness of the apostle, fitted in with a charming meekness,
unselfishness, and affectionateness in his young friend. The apostle
watched with joy the maturing grace of his beloved companion and
fellow-labourer; and Timothy was thankful to God for giving him such
a friend. The courage and fidelity of the young evangelist had been
tried in times of difficulty, and of this the apostle and the
Philippians had had many proofs. The Church was therefore ready to
welcome him with confidence and respect. The minister should be
faithful to the Gospel at all times. Oliver Millard, an earnest and
popular preacher of the reign of Louis XI., attacked the vices of the
court in his sermons, and did not spare the king himself, who, taking
offence, sent the priest word that if he did not change his tone he
would have him thrown into the Seine. "The king," replied Oliver, "is
the master to do what he pleases; but tell him that I shall reach
paradise by water sooner than he will by post-horses." This bold
answer at once amused and intimidated the king, for he let the
preacher continue to preach as he pleased and what he pleased.
+III. To be followed by a hoped-for personal visit.+--"Him therefore
I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with
me. But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly"
(vers. 23, 24). Until his own fate is determined, the apostle seems
desirous to keep Timothy with him; but as soon as he learned the
issue, he would despatch his trusty messenger to Philippi, and
cherished the hope of coming himself. Whatever the result may be,
martyrdom or liberty, the apostle calmly and firmly trusts in the
Lord.
+Lessons.+--1. _The good are ever devising plans for the benefit of
others._ 2. _An earnest spirit inspires others to holy toil._ 3. _The
best virtues are strengthened by Christian work._
_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._
Vers. 19-24. _Ministerial Anxiety for the Welfare of the
Church._--1. The crosses and comforts of a Christian, endued with a
truly public spirit, depend not so much upon those things which
concern himself, as those which are of public concern to Jesus Christ
and His Church. 2. A minister imitates the apostles in watching over
their flock when the state of souls is the object of his care, and
when the care arises, not from constraint, but from love to the party
cared for. 3. Our own things and the things of Christ are often in
two contrary balances. 4. The calling of the ministry is a service,
and ministers are servants of Christ, for the Church, and not lords
over their faith.--_Fergusson._
Ver. 21. _The Life of Christ the only True Idea of Self-devotion._--A
refined selfishness is one of the worst antagonists of the Church of
Christ.
+I. It may consist with all the Church requires as a condition to
communion in her fullest privileges.+
+II. But it extinguishes all that ever produced any great work in
Christ's service.+
+III. The secret of that stupendous self-devotion which saints in all
ages have manifested is--they set up the life of Christ before
them.+
+IV. The customs of life and all the current maxims and unwritten
laws of society maintain so tyrannous a hold even over good
minds that high and generous tempers are chilled into
inaction.+--_H. E. Manning._
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 25-30.
_A Devoted Christian Minister_--
+I. A valued associate of good men.+--"Epaphroditus, my brother, and
companion in labour, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and he
that ministered to my wants" (ver. 25). Epaphroditus had been sent by
the Philippian Church with a gift to Paul, and, pending the proposed
visit of himself or Timothy, he employs him as his messenger. The
commendation of Epaphroditus indicates the apostle's high estimate of
the character of the man--a Christian brother, a colleague in toil, a
fellow-soldier in scenes of danger and conflict. The work of the
Christian minister brings him into contact with the noblest spirits
of the times.
+II. Full of sympathy for the anxieties of his people.+--"For he
longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had
heard that he had been sick" (ver. 26). It may be that Epaphroditus
was the more anxious to return to his people lest the rumour of his
sickness should have disastrous consequences on the state of his
Church, that some parties between whom he had mediated should take
advantage of his prostration and fall again into animosity, or it may
be that he might dispel the distress and sorrow of his people on his
own account. This longing to see his people reveals a womanly
tenderness that some men might call weakness. Paul did not so regard
it. He knew the manly robustness of spirit, the decision, energy, and
devotedness that had made Epaphroditus his honoured companion in
labour and fellow-soldier; and to him the element of softness and
sweetness brought out in the languor of the recovery exhibited a new
charm. "The best men often show a union of opposite virtues; for
example, Epaphroditus. The finest delicacy of soul which, if alone,
might seem excessive and effeminate, allies itself to a manly
courage, which sets at naught life itself. The deepest love of the
Church does not exclude a most faithful attachment to its great
apostle, nor anxiety for the present moment forbid sympathy for a
distant community. One may reverence and acknowledge superior men,
and yet give all the glory to God alone; may be anxious for his own
soul, and yet give himself to the welfare of the Church and the
common service of its membership" (_Lange_).
+III. Exposed himself to great risk in the eager discharge of
duty.+--"For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on
him; . . . I sent him therefore . . . that when ye see him again ye
may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful" (vers. 27, 28).
The sickness of Epaphroditus was probably brought on by the risks and
exposures of his journey from Philippi to Rome. It was no easy task
for a Christian, one of a sect everywhere spoken against, hated and
oppressed, having no protection from either Jewish or Roman rule, to
undertake such a mission, carrying aid to a man in prison, who was
bitterly hated by many, and over whose approaching execution they
were gloating with a fiendish satisfaction. But Epaphroditus braved
all the privations and sufferings of the perilous enterprise, and
would not hesitate to acknowledge publicly before the world that the
prisoner he sought to help was his friend. Paul fully understood all
the perils of the adventure and that it had nearly cost a valuable
life; he thus specially acknowledges the mercy of God both to himself
and the Philippians and the mitigation of their mutual sorrow in the
recovery of Epaphroditus. "Life, especially the life of a faithful
servant of Christ, possesses great value. For such a life we ought to
pray; and it is an act of God's grace when it is preserved to the
Church" (_Heubner_). "It is a fine thing," wrote Sailer, "if you can
say a man lived and never lifted a stone against his neighbour; but
it is a finer far if you can say also he took out of the path the
stones that would have caught his neighbour's feet. So did Feneberg,
and this his doing was his life."
+IV. Highly commended for his character and work's sake.+--"Receive
him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in
reputation: because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death,
not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service towards me"
(vers. 29, 30). Words of highest eulogy, coming from such a source,
and uttered under such circumstances. How tender, unreserved and
unselfish are the apostle's commendations of Timothy and
Epaphroditus, and how large and loving the heart from which they
came! Even with these friends, so dear and needful to him, the aged
servant of Christ, worn with labour and suffering, is willing, for
the work of Christ, to part, and to be left alone. And this man was
notorious, a few years before, as Saul the persecutor. What wrought
the change? The glorious Gospel of the blessed God. The faithful,
conscientious, self-denying minister of the Word cannot fail to win
the esteem and love of his people.
+Lessons.+--1. _A Christian minister has many opportunities of
usefulness._ 2. _Should cultivate a generous and sympathetic nature._
3. _Should be faithful in all things._
_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._
Vers. 25-28. _Anxieties of Ministerial Life._--1. Ministerial
employment is a painful, laborious work, and faithful ministers who
are standard-bearers or sentinels, and march in the front, before the
Lord's people, have a peculiar battle of their own for truth and
piety. 2. The Lord sometimes suffers His servants to fall into
desperate dangers, that His mercy may be the more seen in their
delivery. 3. Courage under sufferings for Christ, and rejoicing in
God, may consist with moderate sorrow and heaviness. 4. The weights
and griefs of the godly do prove an occasion of rejoicing afterwards,
so the grief which the Philippians had because of their pastor's
sickness and apprehended death ended in joy when they saw him in
health again.--_Fergusson._