“For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.”
This verse is one of the most glowing tributes made to anyone in the New Testament. Timothy was well known in Philippi. He was with Paul on each of his three visits to that city.
“For I have no one like-minded”
The word “like-minded” means twin-souled, of equal soul. Paul could trust Timothy with the church at Philippi because his soul was so close to his own. Both desired the will of God.
Paul had led Timothy to Christ years before. He called him “my son in the faith” and “my dearly beloved son.” He was a son who became a leader in the cause of Christ.
Paul said of Timothy, “But you, O man of God.” Paul called him a man of God. It is proper to characterize people who have a heart for God.
“who will sincerely care for your state”
The word “sincerely” means genuinely, truly. Timothy had a genuine sense of responsibility. He was a straight shooter. He was a person you could count upon to get at the truth of the matter. Paul said, “I have no one so genuine, so real, as Timothy. He will feed the sheep; he will not fleece the sheep.”
“Your state” is your spiritual state. The church at Philippi was not in a good “state” for the church was divided. Timothy could resolve that schism.
PRINCIPLE:
Leadership must fall upon point people with character who are characterized as men or women of God.
APPLICATION:
It is not what is on the label; it is what is inside that counts. We can lead in name only by our title, or we can lead by character and responsibility. This young protégé of Paul’s was not impatient like most youth. He developed character at a young age. We live in a generation in which leaders use the church for their own ends. They use the church for advancement, for money, for fame. Genuine leaders care for the state of people.
