Monday 12 August 2024

Psalm 36:5-12

Background
Philippi was one of the great commercial centres of the ancient world, strategically sited on the road that connected Europe with Asia. Paul visited it for the first time on his second missionary journey in around 52 AD. An account can be found in Acts 16. Paul loved the Christians at Philippi and they loved him, regularly sending him presents. This letter was written when he was a prisoner in Rome sometime around 63 or 64 AD.

Prior to this passage Paul has been writing about how God’s aim is to have a day when every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Paul says those who follow Christ are called to work for that day, to be lights in the darkness. That requires them to open their hearts to God’s grace and to look to God to give them the strength to work out their salvation. Paul says he is sending two young men who have shown that level of commitment and he hopes that one day he will be freed to follow them to Philippi.

We know little of Timothy’s early life except that he came from either Derbe or Lystra in Anatolia and he was born into a mixed race family: his mother was Jewish and his father was a Greek Gentile (non-Jew). In order for him to be accepted by Jewish families, Paul asks Timothy to be circumcised. Paul then worked closely with Timothy in many places, including Thessalonica, Berea, Corinth, Ephesus and Rome. He names Timothy as the co-author of this and other letters. Paul’s letters to Timothy advise how to lead a church and care for its members, and outline the qualities that a good leader should have. Tradition says Timothy later became the first bishop of Ephesus.

Epaphroditus in v. 25 is a name derived from Aphrodite and it means ‘ lovely’ or ‘charming’. He had been sent by the Christians in Philippi to be Paul’s personal servant and attendant in prison - a brave role because he was associating himself with a man who was likely to be sentenced to death. Elsewhere in the letter Paul refers to him as being ‘my brother and a fellow worker and fellow-soldier’. Tradition says Epaphroditus later became the first bishop of Philippi.

To Ponder:

• In what ways does Paul seek to reassure the Christians that God is working through him, Timothy and Epaphroditus?
• Looking at what Paul says about Timothy and Epaphroditus, what are Paul’s criteria for saying a person is worthy of the trust of other Christians? Does that tell us anything about the nature of service and obedience?

Prayer
Lord, I know I cannot live life to the fullest without the help of others. Enable me to put my trust in the right people, those who lovingly serve you, that I may be guided and led in the right paths. Amen.

Bible notes author: Gary Best
Gary was Headmaster of Kingswood School from 1987 to 2008 and Volunteer Warden of the New Room in Bristol from 2009 to 2019. He has published over 20 books, including A Christian Alphabet, a study book for home groups.