Chapter 2, Verse 20 “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.”
The ESV attempts to capture the implication of Paul’s feelings for Timothy. The Greek here says, “For I have no one else equal in soul.” Paul wants to send Timothy because Timothy is the only companion that thinks like Paul. They have the same mindset, the same thought process, the same goals. It’s not just that Paul thinks Timothy is a one of a kind disciple, it’s that Paul knows Timothy is like him. It’s as if Paul was sending a younger version of himself.
Not only is Timothy likeminded in the work of the gospel he also has a personal interest in the Philippian brethren. He was in Philippi when the church began. He knew the Philippians and they knew him. Paul assures the church that Timothy will be the perfect person to visit them on his behalf because Timothy thinks like he does and has a personal interest in the affairs of the church there.
Task for Today: Having the ‘soul’ of Paul doesn’t seem like a bad idea, does it? If you were with Paul, would he have considered you for this task? Paul wished that Agrippa and his entire audience was like him except for the chains. Paul told the Corinthian church to follow him as he followed Christ. Something to aim for today. Be likeminded with Timothy and Paul and thus be like Jesus.
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