Day 13 – June 13, 2025
55-day Devotional Journey – Day 13

"The Testimony of Timothy"

Scripture:
"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 (ESV)

Why did Paul want to send Timothy to Philippi? He longed to hear the latest news about the church there: “So that I too may be cheered by news of you” (v. 19). How was Lydia doing now? How had the jailer and his household grown in their faith? Had Euodia and Syntyche reconciled? Paul speaks of Timothy with deep affection in this letter. He calls Timothy his spiritual son and says he has “no one like him.” The phrase Paul uses literally means “same-souled”—someone who shares his heart and concerns. In that time, this term expressed deep unity: a person who walks together with another, carrying the same burdens and sharing the same interests. In contrast to others who focus on their own affairs, Timothy focuses on the things of Jesus Christ, and shares Paul’s love and concern for the Philippian church.

Timothy’s concern for the gospel gives us much encouragement. Have you ever partnered with someone in gospel ministry or another form of service? What was that experience like?

Looking at Timothy’s close walk with Paul, what kind of character traits do we need in order to walk closely and deeply with others in ministry?

By Pastor Brian Wong