Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 2:22
But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
22. the proof of him ] The test of him; the practical evidence of what he is. This they “knew,” by eyewitness at Philippi.
as a son with the father ] Better, as child with father. The Greek word rendered “child” is a tender one. See above on Php 2:15. For St Paul’s paternal love for Timothy cp. 2Ti 1:2, and that whole Epistle.
he hath served with me ] More precisely, with me (slightly emphatic, suggesting the speciality of his devotion in Christ to Paul) he did bondservice. The reference is to the labours of Timothy (gathered up by the aorist into one recollection) at Philippi. See above, on Php 1:1, note 2. Grammatically, we might render, “with me he accepted bond-service ”; with a reference to Timothy’s first dedication to missionary work under St Paul, Act 16:1-3. But he evidently refers to their own observation of Timothy and so to a later period.
in the gospel ] Lit., “unto the Gospel”; well paraphrased by R.V., in furtherance of the Gospel. See note on Php 1:5 above. For “ the Gospel ” in the sense of “the work of the Gospel” cp. below, Php 4:3.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
But ye know the proof of him – You have had evidence among yourselves how faithfully Timothy devoted himself to the promotion of the gospel, and how constantly he served with me. This proves that Timothy was with Paul when he was at Philippi.
As a son with the father – Manifesting the same spirit toward me which a son does toward a father, and evincing the same interest in my work. He did all he could do to aid me, and lighten my labors and sufferings.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Php 2:22
But ye know the proof of him
Timothy
I.
His filial attachment to paul.
II. His cooperation in the service of the gospel.
III. His tried and faithful character. (J. Lyth, D. D.)
Proof of character
I. Is required–
1. In every station.
2. Particularly in a minister.
II. Is given–
1. By faithful service.
2. Willing and childlike submission to superiors.
III. Brings honour.
1. It commands observation.
2. Wins confidence.
3. Ensures success. (J. Lyth, D. D.)
As a son with the father–
A lesson
I. To younger ministers to honour and reverence their ancients, and have them for an example.
II. To youths to have proper regard to their elders (1Ti 5:1-2; Lev 19:32).
III. To children to obey their parents.
IV. To spiritual children in regard to those who have begotten them in the faith of Christ Jesus (Phm 1:10; 1Co 4:15; Gal 4:19). (H. Airay, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 22. Ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me] The Philippians had full proof of the affectionate attachment of Timothy to Paul, for he had laboured with him there, as we learn from Ac 16:1-3; Ac 17:14; and we find from what is said here that Timothy was not a servant to the apostle, but that he had served with him. They both laboured together in the word and doctrine; for apostles and Christian bishops, in those times, laboured as hard as their deacons. There were no sinecures; every one was a labourer, every labourer had his work, and every workman had his wages.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
However others were found in some respects defective to the service of Christ, yet he appeals to their experience of the integrity and fidelity of Timothy in conjunction with himself, when he preached the gospel amongst them, and afterwards, Act 16:1; 17:15; 18:5; Act 19:22; 20:4; which he amplifies and illustrates by a simile, when he saith,
as a son with the father; q.d. Just as a genuine and obedient son is wont to retain the spirit of his father that begat him: and Paul doth metaphorically call Timothy his own son, begotten by the gospel, 1Ti 1:2, his dearly beloved Son, 2Ti 1:2, and faithful in the Lord, 1Co 4:17, likeminded with himself, Phi 2:20; with whom he had not only preached, but served in the gospel, Phi 1:1, given himself wholly to the thing. He doth not say, served me, or under me, but with me in the gospel, i.e. to advance the glory of Christ in promoting the gospel, by helping with Paul, and labouring, working the work of the Lord, as Paul also did, and being sometime a sufferer under restraint for that service, as Paul himself, Heb 13:23, for the gospel, which is not a domination, but ministration, wherein this great apostle owns Timothy as his fellow minister.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
22. Rare praise (Ne7:2).
as a son with thefatherTranslate, “as a child (serveth) a father.“
served with meWhen wemight expect the sentence to run thus. “As a child serveth afather, so he served me“; he changes it to “servedwith me” in modesty; as Christians are not servantsTO one another,“but servants of God WITHone another (compare Php3:17).
in the gospelGreek,“unto,” or “for the Gospel.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But ye know the proof of him,…. They had had an experiment of him, a trial of his spirit, and a proof of his gifts and ministry, when he was among them with the apostle at his first preaching the Gospel to them, to the conversion of Lydia, and of the jailer, and their households, which laid the foundation of a Gospel church state among them, see Ac 16:3. The Vulgate Latin version reads in the imperative, “know ye the proof of him”; but the former reading is to be preferred:
that as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the Gospel; he served not the apostle, but with him; he served God as the apostle did, in the Gospel of his Son; he served Jesus Christ, whose Gospel he preached, the interest and spread of which he greatly laboured in with him, as a fellow servant or work fellow; see Ro 16:21; which expresses the modesty of the apostle, and the great honour put upon Timothy, and which was not abused by him; for as a son honours, obeys, and imitates his father, so did he honour the apostle, and give him all respect and reverence that was due to him on account of his office, age, and usefulness; and obeyed his orders cheerfully, going wherever he sent him, and doing whatever he bid him; and imitated him in his ministry, in his constancy, diligence, and zeal, having a true filial affection for him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The proof ( ). “The test” as of metals (2Cor 2:9; 2Cor 9:13). Three times they had seen Timothy (Acts 16:13; Acts 19:22; Acts 20:3).
With me ( ). Paul’s delicacy of feeling made him use rather than alone. Timothy did not serve Paul.
In furtherance of (). See Php 1:5 for this use of .
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
In the Gospel (eijv to eujaggelion). In furtherance of, as ch. 1 5. So Rev.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “But ye know the proof of him” (ten de dokimen autou ginoskete) “But you all know his character,” What he really is, Timothy’s faithful labors in Jesus Christ, in contrast with some other less faithful missionaries, who lived unto themselves, as John Mark at one time, Act 15:36-39; 2Ti 4:10.
2) “That, as a son with a father” (hoti-hos patrio tekron) ‘That as a son (serves) a father, side by side,” with loyalty, devotion, gratitude, proven character, and loving obedience, he entered into his heavenly father’s work, with Paul as a father-like guide, 1Co 11:1-2; 1Ti 1:18.
3) “He hath served with me in the gospel” (sun emoi edoulesen eis to evangellion) “He served with me in, the gospel (labors),” 1Co 3:9; Php_1:1, as common servants of a common Lord, each equal in his sight, 2Ti 1:13-14.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
22 But the proof. It is literally, ye know the proof of him, unless you prefer to understand it in the imperative mood, know ye; (for there had scarcely been opportunity during that short time to make trial,) but this is not of great moment. What is chiefly to be noticed is, that he furnishes Timothy with an attestation of fidelity and modesty. In evidence of his fidelity, he declares, that he had served with him in the gospel, for such a connection was a token of true sincerity. In evidence of his modesty, he states, that he had submitted to him as to a father. It is not to be wondered, that this virtue is expressly commended by Paul, for it has in all ages been rare. At the present day, where will you find one among the young that will give way to his seniors, even in the smallest thing? to such an extent does impertinence triumph and prevail in the present age! In this passage, as in many others, we see how diligently Paul makes it his aim to put honor upon pious ministers, and that not so much for their own sakes, as on the ground of its being for the advantage of the whole Church, that such persons should be loved and honored, and possess the highest authority.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(22) The proof of him.The allusion is justified by their intimate personal knowledge. Timothy was at Philippi with St. Paul on his first visit (Act. 16:12-40); we find him sent to Thessalonica shortly after (1Th. 3:2), and he probably then paid a second visit to Philippi; from Ephesus (Act. 19:22) he is sent again to Macedonia; and with St. Paul on the way to Jerusalem he was at Philippi once more (Act. 20:4-6).
As a son with the father.The original construction is curiously broken here. It runs, As a son to a fatheras though St. Paul was going to speak of Timothys dutiful ministration and following of his example; but then the sentence changes, in a characteristic humility, and makes Timothy and himself merely fellow-servantshe served with me in the gospel. If we may judge of Timothys character from the general character of St. Pauls directions to him in the Pastoral Epistles, and especially the significant exhortation, Let no man despise thy youth, (1Ti. 4:12), it would seem to have been gentle and warm-hearted rather than commanding. Hence, perhaps, the necessity for this singularly emphatic commendation of him. (Comp. 1Co. 16:10, If Timotheus come, see that he be with you without fear.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
22. The proof Timothy’s conduct under their own eyes during his six years pastorate among them, (Acts xvi,) fully showed them his true character, especially in his joint service with the apostle to the cause of the gospel.
As a son father Lovingly, devotedly, and as if working for himself, did he give himself to his spiritual father for the work of Christ.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘But you know the proof of him, that, as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the gospel.’
He is aware that the Philippians were already acquainted with Timothy, for Timothy had been with him on his first visit to them, so he reminds them that they themselves had sufficient evidence of the way in which he had been like a faithful son to Paul, serving with him in the furtherance of the Gospel. The verb ‘serving’ (edoulesen) connects back to the One Who took on Himself the form of a ‘doulos’ (servant). The noun ‘proof’ (dokime) indicates that he has ‘stood the test’.
This not an attempt by Paul to make Timothy acceptable to them, but simply an assurance confirming his adequacy in every way for the task. Paul has every confidence that he is up to the job, which was no easy one. It behoves us all to ensure that we are like Timothy.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Php 2:22. Ye know the proof The experience.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Phi 2:22 . Contrast, not of the person (which would have run . or .), but of the qualification , in order further to recommend him, whom he hopes soon to be able to send; not to make up for the disadvantage , that they can in the first instance only hope , etc. (as Hofmann artificially explains). But the approved character ( indoles spectata , comp. Rom 5:4 ; 2Co 2:9 ; 2Co 9:13 ) of him ye know; for Timothy had himself been in Philippi (Act 16:1 ; Act 16:3 ; Act 17:14 ); hence . is not the imperative (Vulgate, Pelagius, Castalio, Cornelius a Lapide, Clericus, Rheinwald, Hoelemann).
. . .] that he, namely , etc.
] Comp. 1Co 4:17 . The apostle had here before his mind, but alters the conception in such a way, that he thinks upon the service as rendered no longer to him , but with him , in a humble glance at Christ (Phi 2:21 ), whom he himself also serves, so that the apostle’s servant is at the same time his . See Winer, pp. 393, 537 [E. T. pp. 525, 722]. Hofmann labours without success to remove the incongruity, which cannot be got rid of unless, with Vatablus, we were at liberty to supply before . But, however frequently the Greeks put the preposition only once in comparisons (see Bernhardy, p. 204 f.; Khner, II. 1, p. 479), its omission does not occur in the clause placed first . The poetical use of such an omission in the case of words which are connected by , , or (Dissen, ad Pind. Nem . x. 38; Lobeck, ad Aj . 397 ff.) does not concern us here.
] in respect to the gospel (comp. Phi 1:5 ), the serving in question having reference to the preaching, defence, etc., thereof.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
Ver. 22. As a son with the father ] Happy son in such a father, 1Ti 1:2 . If Jason the Thessalian held himself so happy in his tutor Chiron (Pindar. lib. 4, Pyth.), Alexander in his Aristotle, Paul in his Gamaliel, how much more was Timothy in Paul the aged, Phm 1:9 , whose not only doctrine but manner of life he knew fully and followed faithfully, 2Ti 3:10 , as a diligent disciple!
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Phi 2:22 . . “Approvedness.” That character which emerges as the result of testing. Cf. Jas 1:12 . . . . . . A mixed construction, the result of refined feeling. Paul first thinks of Timothy as his son in the Gospel, serving him with a son’s devotion. But before the sentence is finished, his lowliness reminds him that they are both alike servants of a common Lord, equal in His sight. seems here practically equiv. to , as so frequently in later Greek. The fact is one of real importance for exegesis. (See Hatz., Einl, p. 210; Schmid, Atticismus , i., p. 91; Krumbacher, Kuhn’s Zeitschr. , 27, pp. 543 544). One can hardly discover here the idea of purpose.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
proof. Greek. dokime. See Rom 5:4.
hath. Omit.
served. App-190.
with. App-104.
gospel. App-140.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Php 2:22. , but) This marks the antithesis between, Php 2:21, all, and of him. Rare praise, Neh 7:2.-) ye know; comp. Act 16:1-12.- , as a son with) He speaks with great elegance, partly as of a son, partly as of a colleague: so in ch. Php 3:17, he presents himself as the type [; an ensample, Engl. V.], and yet he commands them to be , followers with him, not merely followers [just as here he makes Timothy a son following him as a father, and yet also a colleague with him].
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Php 2:22
Php 2:22
But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child serveth a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the gospel.-Timothy in their midst had proven his worthiness as a minister of Christ, by laboring with Paul as a child would labor with his father. He partook of the same spirit of self-denial and fidelity in Christ and for the salvation of men that Paul showed. His loyalty was impeachable He stood ready to serve Christ anywhere.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
ye: Act 16:3-12, 2Co 2:9, 2Co 8:8, 2Co 8:22, 2Co 8:24
as: Phi 2:20, 1Co 4:17, 1Ti 1:2, 1Ti 1:18, 2Ti 1:2, Tit 1:4
Reciprocal: 2Ki 3:11 – poured water Pro 15:20 – wise Rom 1:9 – whom Rom 16:10 – approved Gal 1:2 – all 2Ti 3:10 – thou hast fully known
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
(Php 2:22.) -But ye know his tried character. introduces the contrast between him and those just referred to. The noun signifies trial- experimentum-and then the thing tried. Rom 5:4; 2Co 2:9; 2Co 9:13. The process of proof they had possessed already -Acts 16 -and therefore is indicative, not imperative. They were no strangers to his excellence-it had been tested during previous visits. And the apostle briefly and tenderly sketches it-
, , -that as a child a father, he served with me for the gospel. Some supply before , and render with our version- as a son with a father. But this supplement mars the beauty of the eulogy; nor is it in strict accordance with grammatical usage. A preposition, inserted in the first of a series of clauses, may be omitted in the subsequent ones; but the reverse rarely, if ever, happens. Bernhardy, p. 204; Khner, 625. And the apostle designedly varies the aspect of the relation. The expected construction would be-as a child serves a father, so he served me for the gospel; but it is changed into-served with me. Winer, 63, II.1. As a child serves a father is an expressive image, denoting loving, devoted, and confidential service. But the apostle felt that in missionary labour it was not he who directly received the service from Timothy, and he therefore changed the relation into -still bringing out the idea that Timothy’s service, though directed to a common object with his own, was yet subordinate to his, was filial, ardent, and unwearied. Timothy is thus represented not as serving Paul, though Paul seems to have prescribed his labours and travels, but as serving with him-both being common servants of the same Master. But in this service Timothy was directed and governed by his spiritual father, with whom he was so like-minded. The phrase is for the gospel, as in Php 1:5, not in it.
Fuente: Commentary on the Greek Text of Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians and Phillipians
Php 2:22. The proof of him. The conduct of Timothy gave the proof of the correctness of Paul’s estimate as just stated, namely he had been as near and attentive to Paul as if he had been his father. And all this service was on behalf of the Gospel for which they both were devoting their lives.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Php 2:22. But ye know the proof of him. No mention of what was done by Timothy at Philippi occurs in the Acts, but such events call forth display of character; and we may be sure that when St. Paul suffered, Timothy took all the share he could in what his father in Christ had to bear. That his service showed a childs faith and love we may gather from this verse.
that as a child serveth a father, so he served with me. Both services were rendered to God, therefore St. Paul writes he served with me; but that he may also express the obedience and self-surrender of Timothy, he describes it as service also yielded to himself in the most filial manner.
in furtherance of the gospel. The preposition is unto. They were bond – servants unto the Gospel. Whatever, therefore, would advance its progress, it was their bounden duty to undertake, and in this work St. Paul found Timothy a labourer worthy to be set by his own side.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Php 2:22-24. But ye know the proof of him You know what experience you and I have had of him, who was with me, as well as Silas, in that memorable visit which I first made you, Act 16:1-12. You then saw that as a son with the father He uses an elegant peculiarity of phrase, speaking partly as of a son, partly as of a fellow-labourer; he served with me in the gospel Neglecting no occasion of doing, in the most affectionate manner, whatever might lighten either my labours or my sufferings. Here, as Doddridge observes, we learn the kind of intercourse which should subsist between the younger and more aged ministers of the gospel. The young ought to listen to the counsels of the aged, with the respect which is due from a son to a father; and the aged ought to love and patronise the young, and study, by their instruction and example, to qualify them for supplying their places in the church when they are gone. Him therefore I hope to send If, as has been supposed on Php 2:20, Aristarchus, Titus, and Luke were absent at this time from Rome, Timothys presence with the apostle was the more necessary. But as he daily looked for their return, he hoped to be able to send him to Philippi, as soon as he should know how it would go with him with respect to his imprisonment, or what issue his appeal to Cesar would have. But I trust in the Lord That in mercy he will deliver me; and I shall shortly come to you myself This he seems to have added, lest the Philippians might have been too much afflicted by what he had said concerning his death, Php 2:17.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
In contrast to most believers, Timothy had demonstrated his worthiness as a servant of Christ and of Paul over more than 10 years. [Note: See George W. Murray, "Paul’s Corporate Witness in Philippians," Bibliotheca Sacra 155:619 (July-September 1998):316-26.] He had served as the apostle’s fellow worker and as his protégé. He had established a good reputation not only in Philippi but wherever he had served. Such a fine record stands a young servant of the Lord in good stead when others consider him for another ministry.