"But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me."
In today's quote, Paul informed the Philippians that he was sending Timothy to make sure they kept themselves within, and devoted to, the pure gospel of Christ. Timothy, was one of Paul's most trusted teachers. And, knowing that he would adhere strictly to the gospel, Paul appointed Timothy to be the temporary "pastor" or "bishop" of the Church at Philippi.
In the last part of the quote, Paul also promised to return Epaphroditus who, along with him, had suffered through and recovered from, some horrible times during their ministry. Epaphroditus was yet another one of Paul's trusted teachers and one who cared deeply for the people at Philippi.~
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