Philippians - Verse-by-Verse Biblical Exegesis

Temporal) things (Acc. Dir. Obj.) concerning you (Gen. Root Idea,
expresses Dir. Obj.; idiom for "your status quo"),
WHO
Philippians 2:19 VElpi,zw de. evn kuri,w| VIhsou/ Timo,qeon tace,wj pe,myai u`mi/n i[na kavgw.
euvyucw/ gnou.j ta. peri. u`mw/n
VUL
Philippians 2:19 spero autem in Domino Iesu Timotheum cito me mittere ad vos ut et ego
bono animo sim cognitis quae circa vos sunt
LWB Philp. 2:20 For I have no one of equal soul [supergrace soul rapport], who would be
genuinely concerned [due to the very nature of spiritual maturity] with reference to the
things concerning you [your affairs & spiritual welfare],
KW Philp. 2:20 For not even one do I have who is like-souled, one of such character who would
genuinely and with no secondary regard for himself be concerned about your circumstances.
KJV Philippians 2:20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
TRANSLATION HIGHLIGHTS
Paul pays a high compliment to Timothy by choosing him to travel to Philippi. Except for Timothy,
he says he has (Static Present tense) nobody else in his periphery who has the same likemindedness,
the same kindred spirit that he has. Anyone who applied for the job would have to have attained
supergrace status. Paul could not have this high degree of soul rapport with anything less. Paul also
adds the adverb “genuinely,” which means the candidate must possess the characteristic quality of
spiritual maturity. Why? Because only someone who had attained spiritual maturity would be truly
concerned (Deliberative Future tense) for the welfare of the Philippian believers. The “things
concerning you” means “your affairs,” you well-being and forward momentum in the spiritual life.
So Paul plans to send the best man for the job to Philippi; Timothy was not his 2 nd or 3 rd pick. He
looked at the credentials and status of his missionary team and picked the man who cared the most
for the Philippians (Latin: affections) and who would cater to their spiritual needs.
REVELANT OPINIONS
The future tense strictly refers to the practical assistance Timothy will give the Philippians when he
visits them. (P.T. O'Brien) The steadfastness and reliability of Timothy are in contrast to the way
some in his own immediate circle have apparently treated Paul. (J. Robertson) There was literally no
other Christian, apart from Timothy, upon whom he could count at this time. (R.P. Martin) Both
Paul and Timothy shared the mind of Christ, thought the same things, and had the same spiritual
goals. (R. Gromacki) There is a note of genuine sadness in Paul’s statement as he acknowledges the
self-centeredness of those whom he might have sent as messengers to Philippi. (P. O’Brien)
Philp. 2:20 For (explanatory) I have (e;cw, PAI1S, Static) no one
(Acc. Dir. Obj.) of equal soul (Complementary Acc.;
likemindedness, kindred spirit, having supergrace soul rapport