But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.
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.
- BSB But you know Timothy’s proven worth, that as a child with his father he has served with me to advance 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.
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 4:17Because of this I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every assembly.
- 2 Tim 1:2to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
- 2 Cor 2:9For to this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things.
- 1 Tim 1:2to Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
- 2 Cor 8:22We have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he has in you.
- Acts 16:3–12Paul wanted to have him go out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts; for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
- 1 Tim 1:18This instruction I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to you, that by them you may wage the good warfare;
- Titus 1:4to Titus, my true child according to a common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
- Phil 2:20For I have no one else like-minded, who will truly care about you.
- 2 Cor 8:8I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.
- 2 Cor 8:24Therefore show the proof of your love to them in front of the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.
- 2 Tim 3:10But you did follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness,
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.