Philippians: The blessing of a friend (1:1)

Beginnings

I wonder if Paul and Timothy knew when they first met, the depth of friendship they would find together? I can imagine for Timothy, it must have felt like an honor for Paul to choose him. I can imagine Timothy's Mom, sharing with others as a proud mother would. She after all was a true follower of Jesus. She was a brave woman, marrying cross-culturally. She likely became a follower of Jesus later in their marriage, and he as yet, was less certain of what this Jesus business was all about. But one thing was certain, Timothy was being called to serve as a leader in the Christian community (Acts 16:1-3). Little did he know how hard that would prove to be. Little did he know how deep a friendship God would bless him with.

A Story of Friendship

Over their years together, Paul would early call Timothy, his "helper" and "fellow-worker" (Acts 19:22, 16:21). Timothy was like a brother to Paul (2 Corinthians 1:1, Colossians 1:1)

Paul would come to regard Timothy as his "beloved and faithful child in the Lord" (I Corinthians 4:17). At the end of their lives and ministries, Timothy would feel scared about the cost of continuing on in the gospel. Death threats abounded. Paul himself was in prison. Paul seemed to know it. Maybe Timothy felt it. They were both about to be martyred for their faith. Paul writes from prison to encourage Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:1), to remember the grace he has known and that awaits him on the coming day of His Lord. According to history, Timothy was murdered in the streets of Ephesus faithful to serving God and neighbor through Christ. Paul was decapitated for the same crime. In different cities these friends lost their lives. But their story reminds us of what they found.

The Foundation and Purpose of Friendship

The beginning of this letter of Philippians hints at what they found. "Paul and Timothy" (the best of friends, brothers, feeling like a father and son), are "servants of Christ Jesus."

Those like C.S. Lewis who write about friendship, remind us that friendship is built on common purpose. Paul was direct, untiring, bold and could stand alone. Timothy was more gentle, less certain, and more needy of encouragement when the chips were down. Two men, different temperaments, made friends by their common interest to surrender their wills and lives over to the will of Christ. Two persons became servants. These servants became friends. Together they gave their lives. All these years later, we who follow Jesus, still give thanks for them.

Reflect:

1. God calls us to serve but not alone or without help. God intends to give his servants friends.
2. People are meant for service to Christ in the context of friendship.
3. The nature of life under the sun makes this service as friends a blessing from God. We receive strength, joy, insight, and even loving rebuke to help us follow. We are helped and we help as we follow Jesus.
4. What does this mean for you today as you think about your call as one who serves? What does it mean to be a friend as a servant of Christ? What does it mean to receive friendship from his other servants? What about Paul and Timothy's friendship in the direction of serving Christ, encourages you, makes you sad, or invites you to His grace for change?