Basics for Believers by D. A. Carson

Author:D. A. Carson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Biblical Studies;Philippians—Commentaries;Philippians;REL006220;REL012120;REL006720
ISBN: 9781493416158
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2018-09-18T00:00:00+00:00

Emulate Those Who Are Interested in the Well-Being of Others, Not in Their Own (2:19–21)

Paul’s opening words regarding Timothy constitute a wonderful accolade: “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare” (2:19–20). One of the reasons Paul is sending Timothy is that when Timothy returns, Paul will find out how the Philippians are doing (2:19). But the other reason is that Timothy himself reflects Paul’s attitude exactly: he “takes a genuine interest in your welfare” (2:20). When Paul says, “I have no one else like him,” he probably does not mean that he knows no other Christians anywhere who exhibit the same kind of maturity. Rather, he means that of the helpers he has with him at the moment, Timothy is outstanding. None of the others can touch him in this particular: the transparent interest Timothy takes in the well-being of others.

There are many different styles of leadership. Some leaders live to be admired, to be praised. Without ever being so crass as to say so, they give the impression that the church exists and flourishes primarily because of their gifts, and the least the church can do in return is offer constant adulation. But that is not Timothy’s attitude. He lives for them; he is genuinely interested in their well-being.

Of course, in the light of the letter so far, this is nothing other than a sign that Timothy follows not only Paul but Jesus. Although Christ Jesus enjoyed equality with God, he did not think of such equality as something to be exploited, but adopted the form of a servant. He became a human being, a man, and then obediently went to his odious death on the cross. Those who follow Jesus Christ inevitably learn to cast self-interest and self-comfort and self-focus to one side. Paul knows that as a general rule “everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (2:21). But Timothy has escaped that narrow snare.

So whom will you follow? What contemporary Christians will serve you well as good models? Emulate those who are interested in the well-being of others, not in their own. Be on the alert for Christians who really do exemplify this basic Christian attitude, this habit of helpfulness. They are never the sort who strut their way into leadership with inflated estimates of their own importance. They are the kind who cheerfully pick up after other people. They are not offended if no one asks about them; they are too busy asking about others. They are the kind who are constantly seeking to do good spiritually, to do good materially, to do good emotionally. They are committed to the well-being of others. Watch them. Watch how they act, how they talk, how they react. Talk with them; learn their heartbeat. Imitate them. Emulate those who are interested in the well-being of others, not in their own.

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