Q4. Timothy's Character

[blezed]

From what you've read in Philippians so far, what seems to be the Philippian church's chief problem? How does Paul's description of Timothy's character speak to this problem? How does Paul's call to honor men like Epaphroditus speak to this problem?

The Philippian church chief problem was some discord and division in the church.  This was due to their self-center living, only concerned for themselves. Timothy was genuine about the welfare of the people.  His interest was not about his agenda but the people that he served.  Timothy was a humble man.  Hopefully, his example would help bring unity to the church.  Epaphroditus had almost died doing the work of the Lord.  Yet, he selflessly assisted Paul.  We are to honor leaders who have served the cause.

[haar]

Q4. From what you've read in Philippians so far, what seems to be the Philippian church's chief problem? How does Paul's description of Timothy's character speak to this problem? How does Paul's call to honor men like Epaphroditus speak to this problem?

Some members of the Philippians Churh cared only of their own needs but Timothy cared for Paul and had their interest in his heart.

Paul wanted people who have served the Lord to be recognised and honoured.

[forgivenforgivenforgiven]

Shalom to the Saints by Faith in Messiah Yahshua,

Greetings,

1.The problems the Philippians were having was complaining and being discontented.Even though they did have a heart to help Paul and to take care of his needs.

2.Paul speaks about this problem by exhorting Timothy, how he serves with a willing heart. Timothy went through the testings, he stood the test by gold refined by fire, he was proven by his character to be Messiah like.

3. Epaphrodites sacrificed himself at the cost of dying to the flesh. Being that example of love toward the brethren, even when he was not well. We too should stretch ourselves in reaching out to those who are hurting.

Have a blessed week,

Faith

[Rose22]

Paul could see clearly the problems within the Phillipian's Church..It was divisive, not of one accord. Paul pleaded to them to have unity and oneness for the sake of Christ. He wanted to turn their heart's and minds to have the same single intent.In order to build up and make strong the Church through unity and

Paul teaches about Timothy's Character as being reliable, compassionate and able to endure sufferings for the sake of Christ and the Gospel. He uses Him as a fine example so that they may understand more clearly what it really required of them.

Paul saw in Epaphroditis a fellow Disciple of Christ who was willing to die Himself in order to have God glorified....It was important to Paul that He was honoured for this as He had done so much on behalf of them. Paul wanted them to learn by example exactly what it means and what it takes to do what is asked of us Through Christ.

[van]

They had a lot of disagreements among the members and differences in the church. Everyone wants to point the finger at others. Timothy was obedient in learning from Paul, he was humble. He did whatever he had to do in the name of the Gospel to the extent of getting sick. He gave his life by putting his problems last.

[hanks]

Q4. 

From what you've read in Philippians so far, what seems to be the Philippian church's chief problem? 

How does Paul's description of Timothy's character speak to this problem? 

How does Paul's call to honour men like Epaphroditus speak to this problem?

In Timothy the church has a man who shows genuine and anxious concern for the welfare of others.

He demonstrates a peculiarly Christian virtue, that of selflessness, affirming the presence of Christ within. 

This is what our Lord Jesus said of himself, "Learn from me, for I am meek and lowly in heart."

Here the problem might be one of other members taking advantage of Timothy.

Using him to forward their own hidden agendas. 

Then there is Epaphroditus, a man of a completely different temperament from Timothy. 

Paul calls him brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, messenger, and minister. 

This all points to a man who is most helpful in many tasks, a faithful labourer, a man with selfless concern for others.

The only problem I can see here is one of jealousy. The other congregation members might feel Epaphroditus is getting too much attention and feel left out, and try and undermine the work he does. 

 

[ducminh]

I prefer the KJV version than NIV:

Php 2:29  Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:

Php 2:30  Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

 

Paul did not say to the Philippian Church to honour Epaphroditus, but to welcome him with cheers because he had given himself much for the mission of the Gospel.  He held an excellent reputation for being a good servant of God.

 

The word honour, for me, seems require much respect and reverence, just like the Roman Catholic believers are honouring their Popes.  The definition of the word HONOUR is as follows:

1.     high respect; great esteem:
a person or thing that brings esteem:

2.     the quality of knowing and doing what is morally right:
a woman's chastity or her reputation for being chaste:

3.     something regarded as a rare opportunity and bringing pride and pleasure; a privilege:
a thing conferred as a distinction, especially an official award for bravery or achievement:

4.     bridge
an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten.

 

I don’t believe Paul was asking the Philippian followers of the faith to pay respect and reverence to Epaphroditus like Roman Catholic followers are giving to their Church leaders.

[lighthouse2014]

Q4. From what you've read in Philippians so far, what seems to be the Philippian church's chief problem? How does Paul's description of Timothy's character speak to this problem? How does Paul's call to honor men like Epaphroditus speak to this problem?

Bickering and dissension in the church of the Philippians was caused because they had a lot of mixed cultural believers, racial and social classes. They were encouraged to stop this and begin serving Jesus with a fellowship of one mind and unity.

Paul's description of Timothy to the Philippians is that he was a follow worker with Paul and had proved himself a selfless servant of the Lord.

Paul calls honor to men like Epaphroditus because they are dedicated servants not only to Paul but to the Lord. They are good ministers of the word and are leaders in the church.   

[Nikka]

Like every church in this world, there is dissension and "fault finding" among the members.

 

We need to remember, there was no synagogue, the population was under Roman law and for the majority,the citizens were retired Roman soldiers.

 

The Gospel was something very new in Philippi and because of Paul, they had to learn to accept the fellow members as "brothers in Christ", "fellow workers", "fellow soldiers", "Messengers" and "Ministers".

 

Paul is telling the Philippian Church to look at Timothy and to emulate His character and devotion.

 

People like Epaphroditus, have been taught the Gospel and how to serve and be a slave, and so he is trying to make them understand the role of a Christian and follower of Christ. We need to honor our leaders in the churches, and distant ones we hear about or meet. They have a story to tell and we can learn from them, mostly positive lessons but we also need to discern the negative motives of these men. Let's not chastise them or judge, God forbid!

[Debra Grant]

Q4. From what you've read in Philippians so far, what seems to be

the Philippian church's chief problem? How does Paul's description 

of Timothy's character speak to this problem? How does Paul's call 

to honor men like Epaphroditus speak to this problem?

 

1. They have to learn how to endure hardship and treat others well.

They need to be concerned with increasing their fruit of the spirit.

Have unity with each other and honor God's ministers.

 

1. The best church leaders are those who understand that they too are

brothers and sisters.The church should "Endure hardship with us like 

a good soldier of Christ Jesus.Being a soldier, you should please God.

Be an epaphroditus,an assistant.

 

1. Honor Timothy because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking 

his life to make up for the help you could not give me.Be the best

helper to relieve others from some stress.Concerning great men of God,

you should "Welcome them in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like

Timothy."  

 

[Debra Grant]

Q4. From what you've read in Philippians so far, what seems to be

the Philippian church's chief problem? How does Paul's description 

of Timothy's character speak to this problem? How does Paul's call 

to honor men like Epaphroditus speak to this problem?

 

1. They have to learn how to endure hardship and treat others well.

They need to be concerned with increasing their fruit of the spirit.

Have unity with each other and honor God's ministers.

 

1. The best church leaders are those who understand that they too are

brothers and sisters.The church should "Endure hardship with us like 

a good soldier of Christ Jesus.Being a soldier, you should please God.

Be an epaphroditus,an assistant.

 

1. Honor Timothy because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking 

his life to make up for the help you could not give me.Be the best

helper to relieve others from some stress.Concerning great men of God,

you should "Welcome them in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like

Timothy."  

 

[Stanley Tavaziva]

Q4. From what you've read in Philippians so far, what seems to be the Philippian church's chief problem? How does Paul's description of Timothy's character speak to this problem? How does Paul's call to honor men like Epaphroditus speak to this problem?

 

The chief problem was selfish ambition, It was for hard for them to consider others better than themselves. In ways they looked beyond they own interests to the interest of others. Paul’s detractors in preached during the time he was imprisoned.  They had a courting distinction, a desire to put oneself forward, a partisan and factious spirit which did not disdain low arts; partisanship, factiousness, electioneering or intriguing for office.

As Timothy preached and taught, he would face suffering, but was able to endure. Paul used a comparison with soldiers, athletes, and farmers who must discipline themselves and be willing to sacrifice to achieve the results they want. Like soldiers, we have to give up worldly security and endure rigorous discipline. Like athletes, we must train hard and follow the rules. Like farmers, we must work extremely hard and be patient. But we keep going despite suffering because of the thought of victory, the vision of winning, and the hope of harvest. We will see that our suffering is worthwhile when we achieve our goal of glorifying God, winning people to Christ, and one day living eternally with him.

Epaphroditus delivered money from the Philippians to Paul; then he returned with this thank-you letter to Philippians. Epaphroditus may have been an elder in Philippians who, while staying with Paul, became ill. After Epaphroditus recovered, he returned home. The world honors those who are intelligent, beautiful, rich, and powerful. What kind of people should the church honor? Paul indicates that we should honor those who give their lives for the sake of Christ, going where we cannot go ourselves. Our missionaries do that for us today by providing ministry where we are not able to go.

[Rod Beenleigh]

The Philippians have not yet taken on the full role of Christian followers. They are immature. They haven't grasped the full significance of ' humility of mind,' regard one another as more important than themselves.  

[joey felipe]

Q4. From what you've read in Philippians so far, what seems to be the Philippian church's chief problem?

 

Answer: I think it is the lack of respect and recognition to God's people working in the ministry.

 

How does Paul's description of Timothy's character speak to this problem?

 

Answer: Paul described Timothy as his fellow worker to the Lord who also deserved respect & recognition for his selfless work in Gods ministry.

 

How does Paul's call to honor men like Epaphroditus speak to this problem?

 

Answer: Paul's call to honor men like Epaphroditus because they too are serving God wholeheartedly and they are also leaders of church.

[Karen11]

On 4/15/2005 at 9:29 AM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q4. From what you've read in Philippians so far, what seems to be the Philippian church's chief problem? How does Paul's description of Timothy's character speak to this problem? How does Paul's call to honor men like Epaphroditus speak to this problem?

They seem to complain a lot and doing things for selfish reasons.

That he is a good servant of the Lord, and trust worthy.

Epaphroditus  was also good and trust worthy.

[Krissi]

I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for this church of new believers.  These new Christians had no templates or vision of what a church should be as they were the first generation of Christians. On top of that, their "top" leaders were imprisoned. This meant that the men who were capable of leading and teaching them were absent. They were, then, struggling in the dark.

The return of Timothy and Epaphroditus after a long period of time without experienced leadership must have been a huge relief. No wonder they had been complaining, their position was difficult!

From our perch in the 21st century, with millennia of teaching and the examples and stories of godly men and women, it's difficult to maintain a church. We have the advantage of history and hindsight and still bicker and backstab. Without scriptures, templates and leaders, the Philippian church was doing amazingly well, in my opinion.

Selflessness is a life-long quest not something that some have and others don't. Some people naturally have characters that tend toward giving ... others do not. Timothy apparently had several lovely qualities that fit him for leadership at that time and place as did his friend Epaphrodites. 

[Gaye-Ellen]

On 5/12/2005 at 6:01 AM, pickledilly said:

It seems the Philippians church lacked a joy-filled, unified, humble servant attitude. They had great love and respect for Paul, and were faithful in partnership with him. But the relationship within the congregation was evidently very immature and self-centered. They weren

I agree, they were in need of Paul's wisdom and counsel. The first chapter shows us Paul's reflection on the two groups who wanted to share the gospel. One group did it out of envy and strife ; therefore they already have their reward. The other group did it out of love, thereby sending their rewards onto heaven. A second problem was that they were grumblers and complainers. It is interesting Paul does not call out any one person but he quietly was laying the ground work for these two women in chapter 4. We can learn much from Paul  on how to quietly speak against the behaviors and the persons who are the "trouble makers" without speaking their names.