Paul cited Timothy and Epaphroditus as two faithful ministry friends (Philippians 2:19-30). Their activities provide a great inventory to follow as we "work out |our| own salvation" (Philippians 2:12).
• Likeminded: The Greek word is isopsuchos, or
"equal in soul." Effective ministry friendships agree in
purpose (Amos
3:3).
• Genuine Care: The Holy Spirit used merimnao, a
burden for others' needs.
Philippians 2:2-4 lists the restrictions.
• Seek Christ's Things: Edify each other (1
Corinthians 14:12), focus on heavenly ideals (Colossians
3:1), and crave the kingdom and God's righteousness more
than our welfare (Matthew
6:33).
• Serve Together: Timothy was to Paul like a "son with the
father" serving with him "in the gospel" (Philippians
2:22). To be acceptable, that service must be in
"righteousness, and peace, and joy" (Romans
14:17).
• Companion in Labor: Similarly, Epaphroditus is said to
work with Paul (Philippians
2:25). As with Timothy, their focus was "to establish
you, and to comfort you concerning your faith" (1
Thessalonians 3:2).
• Fellow Soldier: Military metaphors abound in the Bible,
with a common thread of the spiritual warfare defined in
Ephesians 6:10-18. We must "endure hardness" when we
assist in the ministry (2
Timothy 2:3).
Not every Christian meets the excellence of these faithful friends. "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?" (Proverbs 20:6). HMM III