Like a Son with His Father

Years after Timothy joined Paul, Paul wrote a letter to the church in Philippi. In it he told the believers why he was sending Timothy to them.

Sending his best. “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state” (Philippians 2:19). Paul wanted to know how the believers were doing, and he trusted the Lord Jesus with his plans.

No one like him. “For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state” (2:20). Like-minded means having the same heart and thinking the same way. Timothy loved the church the way Paul did.

Real care. Sincerely means for real, not pretending. Timothy did not act caring only when people were watching. He truly cared about the believers.

Looking out for ourselves. “For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus” (2:21). It is easy to care most about our own plans, our own fun and our own comfort.

Timothy was different. Timothy cared about what Jesus cares about: people knowing Him and growing in Him.

Proven. “But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel” (2:22). Proven means tested and shown to be true over time. The believers in Philippi had seen it for themselves.

Like a son with his father. In Bible times a son often learned his father’s work by working beside him. Timothy learned to serve Jesus by serving beside Paul.

A true son. Paul also called Timothy “a true son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2). They were not family by birth. They were family through faith in Jesus.

Where real care comes from. None of us cares for others like this on our own. By nature we all want our own way, and that is sin.

Jesus cared most of all. Jesus did not seek His own comfort. He went to the cross and “died for our sins according to the Scriptures,” and “He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

A new heart. When we trust Jesus, He forgives us and makes us new. Then His Holy Spirit teaches us to care about others the way Timothy did.

Care you can see. Real care shows in small things: checking on a friend who is sad, praying for someone, helping without being asked.

What to do. Ask Jesus to give you a heart like Timothy’s. Think of one person this week, and do something kind for them because Jesus loves them.

Paul wrote to the church in Corinth too, and again he sent Timothy. What Paul said shows us more about the two of them.

Dear children. Paul wrote, “I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you” (1 Corinthians 4:14). He spoke to the believers like a loving father.

Many teachers, few fathers. “For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel” (4:15). Paul had brought them the good news that gave them new life.

Follow my example. “Therefore I urge you, imitate me” (4:16). To imitate means to copy. Paul was not perfect, but he followed Jesus, and he wanted them to follow Jesus the same way.

Timothy sent. “For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord” (4:17). Beloved means dearly loved. Faithful means someone you can count on.

A living reminder. Timothy “will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church” (4:17). Timothy had watched Paul so closely that his life could remind others how Paul followed Jesus.

Learned by watching. Timothy learned from Paul’s words, and he also learned from Paul’s life. He traveled with Paul and watched how he taught, served and kept going in hard times.

Fellow worker. In another letter Paul wrote, “Timothy, my fellow worker” (Romans 16:21). The son had become a partner. They worked side by side for Jesus.

Ways in Christ. Paul’s ways were ways “in Christ.” Everything good in Paul’s life came from Jesus. So Timothy was really learning to follow Jesus.

God’s family. Paul and Timothy were family because of the gospel. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

How we join the family. We have all sinned. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and God raised Him from the dead. When we receive Him by faith, God makes us His children.

Faithful. Paul could count on Timothy because Timothy counted on Jesus. Faithfulness grows when we stay close to the Lord.

People who show you the way. God gives us older believers, like pastors and teachers at church, who follow Jesus and help us follow Him too.

What to do. Thank God for someone who helps you follow Jesus. Learn from the way they love Him, and ask God to make you faithful too.