Philippians 2:19-24

STP Devotional for the Week of 11/10/25

Today I am going to talk a bit about Timothy.

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. Philippians 2:19-24

Does anyone remember why Timothy is concerned about the welfare of the Philippians? It was because he helped found the church and was genuinely interested in their growth in Christ. Paul feels so highly of Timothy and the example he is setting that he mentions Timothy specifically to the Philippians.

Timothy was a native of Lystra. His mother was Jewish, his father Greek. Paul states that Timothy had a “genuine faith,” like his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois, who became Jewish Christians (Acts 16:1, 2 Timothy 1:5). Both women were likely converted during Paul's first missionary journey to the city in 46 A.D., when he healed a cripple man. They prepared Timothy “from infancy” to recognize the Messiah by teaching Timothy from the Old Testament (2 Timothy 3:15). The truths that Timothy’s mother and grandmother taught him also included the truths about sin and our need for a Savior. So, Timothy was raised as a believer.

When Paul met Timothy early in 50 AD, they were roughly 48 and 33 years old, respectively. Based on the recommendation of several church members, Paul decides to take Timothy with him as he travels preaching the gospel (Acts 16:2-3). The Bible records that Timothy ministered in at least five New Testament churches, served as Paul’s representative to several more, and later became a pastor in Ephesus.

Timothy is a wonderful example of student leadership. Paul urged Timothy not to let others look down on him because he was young, but to set an example for other believers. This is the basis of our TTA program. Your TTAs were selected based on their testimonies of faith and their willingness to serve others.

Our TTAs are expected to be in God’s word daily and to "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses" (1 Timothy 6:11–12). They are to set examples for our students "in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). I want it understood, however, that this does not just apply to our student leadership but to everyone. It is important to treat each other with respect and to do our best to follow the instructions Jesus gives us.

Paul also warns Timothy and us to keep an eye out for false teachers and worldly wisdom. This is important for all of us to learn as it makes us “wise for salvation” (2 Timothy 3:15). We must prepare ourselves to distinguish truth from falsehoods by standing firm on the truths we read in the Bible. Paul saw Timothy as a son and was pleased that he was serving Paul “with the gospel.”

Finally, Paul tells Timothy to “do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). This advice again does not apply only to our leadership but to all Christians. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16–17). We must be able to stand firm in our own faith.

AT HOME:

• What can you do to encourage yourself to read the Bible every day?

• In what ways does Timothy inspire you?