Philippians: Paul Plans to Send Timothy
Philippians 2:19-24- Kindred spirits are a blessing! And we must encourage each other as we do His will here on Earth.
“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 genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly.”
Philippians 2:19-24 NASB1995
Paul turns his attention to what he hopes (through divine providence) will be his plan for the church at Philippi. He hopes in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to them shortly, so that Paul can be encouraged when he learns of their condition. Timothy is Paul’s kindred spirit and the younger man will be genuinely concerned for their welfare. Sadly, Paul says that he has no one else of that same kindred spirit, that they all seek after their own interests and not those of Christ Jesus. He was probably referring to the believers in the church in Rome. He still has to rely on Timothy and does not seem to have many others stepping forward to aid him in his ministry.
We met Timothy in the book of Acts on Paul’s second missionary journey and he is, of course, mentioned as a co-writer at the beginning of the Epistle of Philippians. Timothy had two epistles addressed directly to him by Paul (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy), which were Paul’s last letters. Timothy served with Paul for many years in the furtherance of the Gospel, like a child serving his Father. Looking at the word source for kindred spirit, this comes from the Greek adjective ἰσόψυχος or isópsychos (Strong’s G2473), which means “equal in soul”.
Here is what Chuck Swindoll says about being kindred spirits quoted in Precept Austin:
We might say Paul and Timothy possessed an “equal spirit,” or that they were “like-minded.” Mathematically speaking, their triangles were congruent. They thought alike. Their perspectives were in line with each other. Timothy would interpret situations much like Paul, had the latter been there. In today’s slang, they hit it off. When the older sent the younger on a fact-finding mission, he could rely on the report as being similar to one he himself would have brought back. Being of kindred spirit in no way suggests they had the same temperament or even that they always agreed. What it does mean, however, is that being alongside each other, neither had to work hard at the relationship; things flowed smoothly between them.
Coming across a person with a kindred spirit is a rare find. We may have numerous casual acquaintances and several good friends in life, but finding someone who is like-souled is a most unusual (and delightful) discovery. And when it happens, both parties sense it. Neither has to convince the other that there is a oneness of spirit. It is like being with someone who lives in your own head—and vice versa—someone who reads your motives and understands your needs without either having to be stated. No need for explanations, excuses, or defenses. Paul enjoyed all these relational delights with Timothy, along with a spiritual dimension as well.
Interestingly, I can point to only one other person in my life whom I would define as a kindred spirit and that would be my hubby of 46 years, Steve (the other Heaven on Wheels devotional writer in the family). We have taken a similar journey in our lives, first into engineering and technical careers, then into the secular wilderness and pursuit of personal pleasures; we were both found by God again at the same time. I have had very few female friends and those friendships never lasted long mainly because I was so stubborn and perfectionist in my disposition and these friends often seemed illogical (one exception to that rule sadly battled brain tumors for many years and passed away in 2017). I guess the fact that we never had a family also closed the door to mutually-shared parenting issues and the friends that come with those concerns. I also have no siblings, another possible source of friends in having a sister. Finding a kindred spirit is indeed very, very special.
Paul wants the saints at Philippi to be encouraged and he also wants to be encouraged by learning where they are in their faith journey. Encouragement is so needed in this world and especially between believers. Encouragement is giving others support, confidence or hope. I’ve decided to quote this Daily Bread story that was found on Precept Austin, along with the copyright information as this was used on that commentary site with the permission of Daily Bread ministries:
Discouragement is a problem for many Christians. While they may not be distressed about health, family, or work, they're discouraged about their spiritual service. They compare themselves to others who are gifted with musical talents or the ability to teach the Bible. They see people who are able to give generously and pray with evident effectiveness, but they think they can't do these things. As a result, they feel they are useless to God. They need to realize, however, that every Christian is qualified to carry on at least one helpful ministry--the ministry of encouragement.
Renowned preacher Robert Dale was walking one day in Birmingham, England, where he was pastoring the great Carr's Lane Church. He was under a dark cloud of gloom when a woman came up to him and exclaimed,
"God bless you, Dr. Dale. If you could only know how you have made me feel hundreds of times!"
Then off she hurried. Dale later testified,
"The mist broke, the sunlight came, and I breathed the free air of the mountains of God."
The apostle Paul knew how important it was not only to be encouraged by others (Phil. 2:19) but to be an encourager (Acts 20:2; 27:35-36). That's a ministry all of us can be involved in. --V C Grounds (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
Because of my perfectionist tendencies, I look at some of things that I do for the Lord with a bit of gloom and despair because it doesn’t seem “like enough”. I pray that I can serve Him in every way possible and become an encourager to others.
Paul ends this passage hoping that he can send Timothy immediately, depending on how things are going with Paul’s situation. Paul also trusts in the Lord that he himself will be able to visit them in person in the near future.
My next devotional examines Philippians 2:25-30, where Paul talks about another trusted fellow believer that will be coming back to them, Epaphroditus, who actually came to Paul from Philippi.
Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:
Dear Lord - I am filled with gratitude for having shared my life with my kindred spirit Steve. I pray that I am an encourager of others and that I trust in You for fulfilling Your plans in me. Amen.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
The Blue Letter Bible was accessed on 7/16/2025 to review the lexicon for kindred spirit.
Precept Austin was accessed on 7/16/2025 to review commentary for Philippians 2:19-24.