Philippians 2:19-30

This particular passage to close Chapter 2 of Philippians does not strike me as having particular theological value.  It's not an echo of an early church hymn like what we find earlier in the same chapter.

That said, I think this passage provides insight into the methods employed by Paul in his ministry.  The books 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy were written by Paul to Timothy and throughout both of those books it is very clear that Timothy was a disciple of Paul.  One of the most poignant passages that comes to mind is 2 Timothy 2:1-13 where Paul encourages Timothy to be strong in the Lord a way that he likens to a soldier.

A few years ago I was asked the question, "What three men to you most admire?".  At the time I was a college student and I put some thought into that question and formulated a response.  I'm now in a different life stage, as a husband, father, provider, professional... supposedly a "grown-up" and I (1) haven't thought again of that question recently and (2) would probably formulate a different response.  How this ties into this passage in Philippians is that I need to recognize that, even through I'm getting older, I am still a Timothy and I still need a Paul (or two).  Thankfully, as I recall the times that God has brought me through I've been able to find men who I can consider to be fathers in the faith who have encouraged and taught me as I've grown.  Some of those men were dead and it was their writings that challenged me.  Some of those men I didn't see on a regular basis but the times we were able to connect I cherished.  Some of those men have been younger than me.

Likewise, I need to be intentional about being a Paul.  This is obviously true of my responsibilities as a father.  I pray that one day I will be able to echo the statements made by Paul at the beginning of 2 Timothy 4:1-8 with respect to my boys and any other children with whom God may bless us.  In addition to my children though, I need to remember that God has placed me in the presence of many other young men.  He's also placed me in the presence of many unbelievers to whom I can share Christ in meaningful ways.  My challenge then in this regard is to identify those young men who God has placed in my life to whom I could be a Paul.