But you know Timothy’s proven worth, that as a child with his father he has served with me to advance the gospel.
Parallel translations
- WEB 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.
- KJV But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
- NKJV But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.
- NASB But you know of his proven character, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.
- NLT But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The Philippians know Timothy's proven character, having served the gospel with Paul like a son with a father. Tested faithfulness commends a servant of Christ.
Overview
Timothy's worth is not theoretical but demonstrated in shared labor for the Good News. The father-son imagery conveys both affection and Timothy's humble, loyal service. Proven character, forged in ministry, is what makes him trustworthy.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- 1 Cor 4:17That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church.
- 2 Tim 1:2To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
- 2 Cor 2:9My purpose in writing you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.
- 1 Tim 1:2To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
- 2 Cor 8:22And we are sending along with them our brother whose earnestness has been proven many times and in many ways, and now even more so by his great confidence in you.
- Acts 16:3–12Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, so he took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
- 1 Tim 1:18Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight,
- Titus 1:4To Titus, my true child in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
- Phil 2:20I have nobody else like him who will genuinely care for your needs.
- 2 Cor 8:8I am not making a demand, but I am testing the sincerity of your love in comparison to the earnestness of others.
- 2 Cor 8:24In full view of the churches, then, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you.
- 2 Tim 3:10You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The one who, being in the form of God, emptied himself to the point of death on a cross and was exalted to the name above every name — the joy and prize of the believer.
How Philippians 2:22 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.