Have you ever read a book and then stopped paying attention a few–or more–pages back? Your mind is going through the task of reading, but you’re not absorbing what the words are actually saying. This section of scripture is one that you could easily sweep by before moving on to Chapter 3. Let’s look at Paul’s writing: what God can teach us through these words?
Paul is writing a letter, and he is explaining part of the plan and what is next for the people of Philippi. He hopes to send Timothy soon [v. 19], but then decides that Epaphroditus [v. 24] will be the one returning to Philippi, after they had sent him to care for Paul.
You might be asking “why is any of this information important?”
There is something that happens when you write things down the old fashioned way: with a piece of paper and pen. Sentences seem to be formed differently than when you type. Stories tend to hit the paper in a way that strays from email. Remember, Paul is writing a letter.
He is living out community. He is living out the gospel message. He isn’t staying silent, and he’s being very clear about decisions and plans. If we look at verses 26 and 27, Paul even takes time to clarify that Epaphroditus was indeed ill and close to death, as the people of Philippi had heard. He is taking time to explain his choices, so that wrong information doesn’t have a place to grow. Paul doesn’t want there to be confusion even in the simplest of plans–some might call it over communication, but I’m not sure that’s possible. Paul cares deeply for the church in Philippi, and that is so evident in this section.
- Just for fun: say “Epaphroditus.” Now say it three times as fast as you can. Now laugh. God likes when we laugh.
- All too often we stay silent and choose isolation. What can we learn from Paul’s constant encouragement to be in community and unity with one another through Christ?
- Put down your phone. Close your computer. Find a pen and a piece of paper. We live in a world that is fast-paced and full of instant gratification. Write a letter. You chose who you’re writing it to, but take the time to encourage someone. To love someone. To break that silence, and use your voice to love.
{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }
I find it to be very encouraging that Paul was so in tune and empathetic to the church in Phillipi that he made decisions based on their welfare, putting their happiness and joy above his own. To me, it is nice to see this very vulnerable and human side of Paul, and the way that the Lord uses that openness of his to encourage others. I would like to try to be more vulnerable about sharing my life, including my struggles, to those that God places in my path.
I have written letters like that. By the way, I truly think that Paul didn’t think it was better to send epaphroditus, he said “meanwhile” so Timothy was definitely going just not in that moment.
What I have trouble with is actually integrating to church community I always feel out of place.
It's so easy to get wrapped up in our own lives that we don't take the time to be an encouragement to others. My prayer is that I will look outside of myself to be an encouragement to someone today. I don't want to go through life and miss opportunities to be a light. I love that Gods word is so relevant right where we are!
Did anyone establish a way for participants in this study to write letters to one another? I saw the idea mentioned above and was wondering if anything developed.
What great confirmation this study was to me today! The Lord put it on my heart to write a REAL LETTER of encouragement to a friend who had recently moved away and it was a real blessing. I love when the Sprit of God moves!
Here I sit in the middle of the Mozambique bush, enjoying having fellowship with u all, and learning at the same time.
Gigi-
So glad you are "here"! Blessings to you today!
I really liked the way Paul wrote in detail about why he is sending back Epaphroditus. Most of the time I assume that the others already must be knowing in detail and that there is no reason to explain it. Thought to ponder ….
To Phatima…sometimes the person most in need of encouragement is the one who we think is "fine". Maybe your Pastor or his wife….. maybe a Sunday School teacher.
You can also encourage a neighbor or a family member or a co-worker. Anyone would be glad to receive an encouragement.
I am thankful for the opportunity to be an encourager. I am thinking of just writing little notes of encouragement and giving them to people I encounter to let them know they are appreciated.
Thank you, Lord for this priviledge of learning and passing it forward.
I agree, sometimes we forget to encourage the those who encourage. Some people seem to want to play the "victim" and just eat up attempts to encourage them without moving from where they are, we still need to try to help them, but we forget the ones who seem to be strong and have it all together. They need to be encouraged and appreciated for what they do.
I am planning to write a letter this evening to a former pastor who I know has had some difficulties lately.
Thank you, Lord for this reminder.
Today’s lesson was so very encouraging, I want to b and encouragement to others…I don’t have a pen or paper with me now but I plan on writing a very encouraging letter to someone today, so many people encourage and support me, I want to do the same for others as God wants me too!!
I am so thankful for the community I have experienced in my life and this encouraged me not to take it for grant.. so I will make time to write to these people who are my community!
I’ve thought about my letter but I’m having trouble deciding who to write to. Any suggestions?
I have to puch myself to be part of community, but the Lord is changing me and I am loving the way He is working through not only the study of Phillipians, but through you beautiful daughters of God and sisters in Christ to transform my life. I haven't written letters in ages, but remember the joy of getting something so personal in the mail. Got several people in mind and am now looking forward to God's guidance as I get started. Love you all and praying for all my sisters in Christ in our community here. Be blessed today.
Hi everyone, its so nice to have a community like this where you get to interact wth people of the same mind and also striving to achieve same goal ‘serving and knowing God’. I am blessed wth all the comments here and d devotional scriptures, teawithsb, until I read your comment I tot I was the only one that feels lonely sometimes, I do feel lonely even times I have people around me, this daily devotion has made me realised that God is all I need and doing His will and living for Him makes all the difference! I welcome the getting to know each other suggestion, have a great Friday.
I am behind because I started late, but I am enjoying these readings and reading the comments. This passage is making me think more than I originally thought. Thank you.
I agree with Vikki I would have missed it too. It is good to provoke thought. I like the letter idea but will have pray about who and I write.
I am truly blessed by this study. I have been trying to think outside the box to encourage people. I used sidewalk chalk to encourage my family with “I pray that your love will overflow” in huge letters down our walkway at the front door. Today I am writing a note in a card for a friend of mine. There really is something to using a pen and paper (or chalk) to express encouragement. Bless you.
It is so easy to just keep to yourself and stay in isolation, especially if you aren't a people person like myself. But whenever I do "live out community" it effects my life in ways that are so wonderful and I'm so happy I did it. I just need to do it more! Get out of my comfort zone and live out community every single day!
Community is what strengthens us and makes us better in Christ and help other people be better and stronger in Christ.
To everyone else on the East Coast right now – we're all going to get through this storm together! Never alone!
You know this talk of community really fits right in with something I have to share. I was in a hurry yesterday and saw a reply on this site to my comment from the day before about feeling guilty about impure motives. i forget the lady's name who replied, and I feel bad about that, but it really hit me, especially this morning. it really meant a lot she took the time to reply. so this community is so wonderful for that reason and being in community together, even here, just fits in with this. So when you reply to someone, ladies, you may think it's no big deal, but it might just really mean something. it just excited me! It is so awesome when we can be in community with each other! and I prayed to god, please let me look to christ first, not care about myself first. I want it to be all Him.
Oh I get a thrill out of actually getting a letter in the mail! Being in the ‘field’ away from my family and friends, a simple letter would spur me on. So, I am in for sending and receiving letters the old fashioned way. I am in Indonesia.
Oh and it is happy Saturday here got me….
Be blessed to all of you.
How is Indonesia? :)
When I woke up today, a great sense of lonliness hit me. It was simply because none of my friends were available to talk right NOW. :) While in the process of getting ready, my mind went through so many pitty-party thoughts and feelings. However, eventually that still small voice nudged me saying I was focusing on the wrong thing (not him) and encouragement towards others should not shut down just because I was not receiving any at that particular time. So with this in mind, I promised myself I would write my letters (a favorite passtime) and encourage others; however, my mind and meloncholiness were still battling each other when I sat down for my devotion.
:)
God is good. The devotion is exactly what I needed to hear to confirm the nudges I already felt and the promises I know to be true. We are not meant to be alone, even if it feels as though no one is around.
Thank you so much for this devotion and for the continuing of this community. This Bible study is exactly where I need to be. Thank you so much for listening to God's promptings and focusing on Him.
I am glad I am not the only one who has those struggles. I could written the above also, and I also am getting my cards out to write notes to friends.
I just love the devotional content. Without it I would have missed the message in that block of scripture. I have been praying that God will remove the clutter from my mind and allow me to be truly in community and present in my relationships. This message was perfect.
I know for me, it’s always been easier to write to people than to talk to them and tell them how I feel. It’s like the words just flow when I can put them on paper as opposed to having to voice them.
Wonderful comments here and today’s Instagrams really opened my mind and heart today. Letter-writing, here I come…
The reading today made me think of family that are now imprisioned, not only physcially but spiritually. I have been avoiding writing them lately, but today I am going to ask the Lord yo help me pick up own and paper and guide my words. I think that is the difference between glorying ourselves or God, is that we ask in prayer for his words to be said not our own. Prayer is the key here.
Happy Friday indeed!
These verses spoke today spoke to the desire in me to be noticed or acknowledged. If my desire is to follow Jesus then it shouldn’t matter what other people think. Am I really interested in the things of God? Who am I making famous? God or myself? I’m still listening to TFK and the words of the song be somebody speak to vv. 20, 21.
Edit – double post.
I agree with so many of you…I don't think that I have enough emphasis in my life of community with believers, or even care for unbelievers. I've been trying recently, like the encouragement above, to write letters. They don't have to be crazy long, but just a couple letters to believers and non-believers in my life, to give them some encouragement. There's something a bit more special about a letter or postcard, than an email. I think it takes a bit more time and thought…plus, who doesn't like getting something in the mail!?
I actually was thinking, how cool would it be to start a sort of "lovely letters" (I'm participating in this right now on another blog) for the women of SheReadsTruth? Girls that are believers in different parts of the world, to create an even closer community here. You match up people and they exchange letters for a couple months to get to know each other. Just kind of an idea…I don't know if anyone would be interested?
I think it's a great idea!!
I would love to do something like that. I'm all about snail mail and getting to know the women here.
Definitely! Most definitely!
Yes!!! I'm all for it! Recently I've been trying to find other brothers and sisters that I can truely connect with. I haven't had very strong *accurate* spiritual guidance until about 2 years ago. (I've gone to strict catholic schools, and been to very liberal churchs, the whole spectrum until I fairly recently found the best Truth is simply the Bible) I have few people around me that I can really delve deep with. I've found this site, by God's grace, in my search for connection community, and fellowship… I was searching for YOU ALL! I'd love to do letters like this :)
Would love to do that also!
I'm not very good at replying in a timely manner to letters, but I'm up for this and would hopefully do better than I have in the past!
Would Love to ! That is an amazing idea!
I'd love to also!
In our technological age, I think it’s easy to feel ‘connected’ without ever experiencing true community. I have 700+ Facebook friends, many of whom I interact with on a regular basis … but how many of them really ‘know’ me (and I, them)? How many of them would I really say I’m in community with? Less than ten, I would guess …
I just weeded out my Facebook friends and ended up with something like 25-30 and that's family, extended family and close friends. It's ridiculous how something that is supposed to keep us connected with each other actually makes it easier to recluse.
Good morning Ladies! Yes..happy Friday!!
Verse 20 grabbed me as well, but even more, this: For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 2:21 NIV)
So true. Recently I have been challenging myself to question my motives..especially when I am doing something "good." It's tough to hold yourself under a microscope and make sure that you are doing things to elevate Christ, not ourselves.
Really love this group..it's my favorite part of the morning, and I have added "us" to my morning prayer time..how cool is it that we can do that?
Totally awesome, Leah! I'm thankful for all of us ladies and the ability to share God's Word and insights with one another
I liked verses 29-30 where Paul says to welcome and honor people like Epaphroditus, for he has risked his life to do God's work. This reminded me that too often I think that God's will is only to seek out those who need help and how often I forget that we are also called to honor those who do His will in our community. I can think of several people in my life who are dedicated to God and living out his will in amazing ways, yet I almost think "oh, she has it together, she doesn't need me" but Paul reminds us not to forget about them. They are deserving of our gratitude and thankfulness too!
Happy Friday ladies =)
I also noticed verse 20 where Timothy is interested in the welfare of others when most usually look out for themselves. Timothy is more Christ like by putting others first. It brought to my mind the song make me a servant Lord make me like you. I pray that today I can be less selfish and more like a servant.
Happy Friday! What a great way to start the day!
I am so glad God uses ALL scripture for edification!
This is what spoke to me this morning–I work at a large resort, I pass by 100's of people a day and a great majority of them say "Hello", a smaller group walk by and say "how are you doing?" then speed by before they/me have a chance to reply. Verse 20 says " I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ." I don't see or feel much interest for those around me! I may in passing say "how are you doing?" but I don't really want to know, nor do they.
We as the body of Christ are told we need to care for others. I need to show more interest in others, maybe they are hurting or have a story to share. Only in really listening and sharing with them do I get to give out Christ!
Amazing after writing this comment this morning God put two women right in my path that I needed to care for! One lady just lost her best friend and one lady is a prickly person everyone has trouble getting along with! Be careful what you pray for sometimes God says "are you serious? here you go!" Praise him because he answers prayer and gives the right words to say!
So true, Steph! Sometimes I ask my colleagues "How are you?" and expect an answer but I don't really listen. Like I don't really have a genuine interest inn what they have to say or what is going on their lives. Today's devo is a pointer. I'm going to write that letter. I don't know who I'm going to write it to yet lol. Have a swell day, ladies!