Paul has been showing the church examples to follow and emulate, beginning with the example of Jesus, who humbly served for our salvation. After pointing out His own example, He moves to the example of Timothy who emulates Christ’s character by showing genuine concern for the Philippian church. What a beautiful picture of the God we serve, who shows genuine concern for our lives in every circumstance! And when we recognize that He is intimately involved in every area of our lives, every circumstance can be viewed through the lens of God’s good work in our story.
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.