When I Learn of Your Condition
When I Learn of Your Condition March 2, 2025
“But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.” (Philippians 2:19-20)
Jesus had such an impact on Paul’s heart. So much so that whenever someone saw Paul they saw Christ at work in his life. Because of the great results that come from living a Christ-like life it is no wonder then that Paul appeals to all Christians to imitate him as he imitated Christ (I Corinthians 11:1). This imitation was evident as every part of his conduct and speech reflected the very nature of Christ. Should not this imitation be the desire and goal of every Christian today – to let the world see Christ in us?
In our text above we see one aspect of Christ at work in Paul as witnessed in his genuine concern for the spiritual well-being of the church at Philippi. Throughout his many letters to the early church Paul reveals his love and concern for each congregation. In those letters he wanted to know of the degree of their faith and of the love they had for one another. It mattered to him if their hope in Christ was remaining steadfast and secure and that they were sharing their hope of the gospel with others. Whenever there was disunity he wanted it to be addressed and corrected quickly lest Satan used it for his advantage (I Corinthians 1:10-17). Whenever there was immorality creeping into the church that also needed to be addressed as soon as possible (I Corinthians 5:1-13). False teachers were not avoided but confronted publicly lest the brotherhood be persuaded by their “persuasive words of wisdom” (I Corinthians 2:1-5; I Timothy 1:18-20).
Paul longed to meet with his brethren wherever they met. They meant everything to him as he did to them. After facing much opposition to his teachings as well as heated debate and persecution (Acts 25:1-27; 26:1-32; II Timothy 4:14-15) Paul couldn’t wait to be with those of like common faith. It was a special gathering, a meaningful one whenever he was permitted to feast on that spiritual fellowship table with his brothers & sisters in Christ (Romans 1:8-15).
Paul’s hope in sending Timothy to the brethren at Philippi was to be encouraged from knowing that their spiritual condition was just what it needed to be – that they were remaining faithful to the cause of Christ and were in no way influenced by Satan’s deceptions and schemes (II Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:11).
Like Paul, Timothy had a genuine concern for the spiritual welfare of the Lord’s church in Philippi. I am challenged by that concern. How about you? Do we share in it for the Lord’s church today? Is our concern as sincere and genuine as theirs was? How are we expressing that concern and is it limited only to our local congregation and not for the universal church throughout the world? Do we pray for the church? Do we cry for her and try to encourage her in whatever way we can? Are we concerned over her spiritual condition? Brian Thompson