“But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.”
Welcome him then in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men — dekhomai (receive/welcome) with joy mirrors Paul's own posture toward them. 'In the Lord' (en kyriō) frames reception as Christ-reality: welcoming Timothy is welcoming Christ's servant. 'Honor such men' (timē tous toioutous) elevates Timothy and others like him as exemplars. Honor (timē) in Greek thought is public recognition; Paul claims honor for those who practice kenotic service. The reversal is striking: the self-emptying servant receives honor.
Church Fathers on Philippians 2:22
“You know the proof of him, that as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Gospel.” And that I speak not at random, “you yourselves,” he says, “know, that as a child serves 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 works the work…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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