Philippians 2:22

But you know the proof of him, that, as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Good News.

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

But you know that he has proved himself. As a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Good News.

BSB

But you know Timothy’s proven worth, that as a child with his father he has served with me to advance the gospel.

KJV

But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

ASV

But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child [serveth] a father, [so] he served with me in furtherance of the gospel.

BBE

But his quality is clear to you; how, as a child is to its father, so he was a help to me in the work of the good news.

Original Greek

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τὴν tēn (the) G3588 δὲ de But G1161 δοκιμὴν dokimēn the proven worth G1382 αὐτοῦ autou of him G846 γινώσκετε ginōskete you know G1097 ὅτι hoti that G3754 ὡς hōs as G5613 πατρὶ patri a father [with] G3962 τέκνον teknon a child G5043 σὺν sun with G4862 ἐμοὶ emoi me myself G1473 ἐδούλευσεν edouleusen he has served G1398 εἰς eis in G1519 τὸ to the G3588 εὐαγγέλιον euangelion gospel G2098

The early church

"Ye know the proof of him, that as a child serveth a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Gospel." And that I speak not at random, "ye yourselves," he says, "know, that as a child serveth a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Gospel." He presents then Timothy to them, and with reason, that he might enjoy much honor from them. This too he does when he writes to the Corinthians, and he says, "Let no man therefore despise him, for he worketh the work of the Lord as I also do." This he said not as caring for him, but for those who receive him, that they might receive a great reward.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Philippians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 19–30

It is best with us, when our duty becomes natural to us. Naturally, that is, sincerely, and not in pretence only; with a willing heart and upright views. We are apt to prefer our own credit, ease, and safety, before truth, holiness, and duty; but Timothy did not so. Paul desired liberty, not that he might take pleasure, but that he might do good. Epaphroditus was willing to go to the Philippians, that he might be comforted with those who had sorrowed for him when he was sick. It seems, his illness was caused by the work of God. The apostle urges them to love him the more on that account. It is doubly pleasant to have our mercies restored by God, after great danger of their removal; and this should make them more valued. What is given in answer to prayer, should be received with great thankfulness and joy.

Read Matthew Henry on Philippians 2 →

Cross-references

12

Topics

Zeal, ReligiousFriendshipTimothy

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.