The Exemplary Life: Genuine Concern (Philippians 2:19-30)

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The exemplary life is marked by genuine concern for others. (20-21; 26)

20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ

26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 

• Genuine concern for others begins with a genuine concern for Jesus. (21b)
  • Paul commends Timothy for truly seeking the interests of Christ.
  • Seeking the interests of Christ is indeed what’s best for others.
  • This means that one is engaged in work and cultivation of the Gospel fruit-bearing vineyard.
• Genuine concern for others sets personal interests aside. (21a)
  • Paul contrasted Timothy’s proper concern for Christ’s interest with those who were mostly concerned with their own business.
  • He could be referring to the same group mentioned in chapter 1 “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.” (v. 15)
  • “Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.” (1 Cor. 10:24)
  • “For you must give up your own right if you would discharge your duty: a regard to your own interest must not be put in preference to Christ’s glory, or even placed upon a level with it… A man’s life is estimated according to its chief aim.” (Calvin)
• Genuine concern for others includes caring for others’ feelings. (20; 26)
  • “Paul’s commendation was that Timothy had acquired a concern for others that had become second nature in its genuineness.” (Melick) (V. 20)
  • Epaphroditus had grown deathly ill and didn’t want his Church to worry about him.
  • The Philippian Church had sent Epaphroditus to care for Paul and receive advice. They might have been discouraged by the news.