Paul's Prison Epistles: Paul And The PhilippiansSample

Help for Perseverance: Philippians 2:19-30

Paul offered the Philippians practical help for perseverance through the hardships they were enduring by sending ministers to care for them.

Paul knew that his letter would teach the Philippians how to handle suffering. But he also understood that it is much easier to endure suffering when we have real people helping us on a daily basis and suffering right alongside us. So, Paul determined that along with his letter, he would also send his friends to minister to the Philippians in their time of need.

First, Paul planned to send Epaphroditus, the Philippians’ own messenger who had originally come to minister to Paul. It is likely that Epaphroditus was the one who actually delivered Paul’s letter to the Philippians. As we learn in Philippians 2:25-30, the church in Philippi was worried about Epaphroditus because he had fallen ill, and Epaphroditus was concerned because they were so worried. So, Paul sent Epaphroditus back to them in order to ease their minds as well as to minister to them.

Next, Paul planned to send Timothy to Philippi. For the time being, he remained with Paul in prison, ministering to the apostle during his distress. But as we read in Philippians 2:19, Paul expected to be able to send him to help the Philippians in the near future.

Finally, Paul hoped that eventually he himself would be released from prison and would come to minister to the Philippians. He expressed this expectation in Philippians 2:24, where he wrote these words:

I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon (Philippians 2:24).

The Greek word pepoitha, here translated “confident,” is probably better rendered “persuaded.” Paul was hopeful about his release, but he was not certain of it.

In all events, Paul knew that sympathetic human beings would be extremely valuable to the church in Philippi as it struggled under the weight of hardships. So, he set out a schedule that would provide them with skilled and loving ministers on a regular basis.