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Philippians 2:19-30

November 15, 2020

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 

22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father 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. 24 And I am confident 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 and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you 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, 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,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.

Read Philippians 2:19-21

  1. What do you think Paul means when he uses the phrase, “I hope in the Lord Jesus…”

  2. What makes Timothy uniquely valuable to Paul? Who in your life is valuable to you like that?

  3. Can you remember a time when you looked after your own interests rather than those of Jesus Christ? What did that feel like at the time? What biblical examples of this can you think of?

Read Philippians 2:22-24

  1. How has Timothy proved himself to Paul? What does this imply about the way we prove ourselves to one another in the church? What are some inappropriate ways that some people try to prove themselves to others in the church?

  2. How do you imagine Paul manages to maintain his confidence about the future, given his circumstance of being imprisoned? What are the implications for us as we encounter trials, difficulties and hardships?

Read Philippians 2:25-30

  1. As best you can, piece together the sequence of events involving Epaphroditus.

  2. What does Paul seem to be anxious about at the end of verse 28. Why do you think the Philippians’ potential gladness would be the cure for Paul’s anxiety?

  3. Read the final sentence of the passage. What would prompt someone to risk their life to provide help to others? Personally, who are in a position to provide help to? What would it cost you? What is the risk?