The Meaning of Philippians 2:22 Explained

Philippians 2:22

KJV: But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

YLT: and the proof of him ye know, that as a child serveth a father, with me he did serve in regard to the good news;

Darby: But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child a father, he has served with me in the work of the glad tidings.

ASV: But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child'serveth a father,'so he served with me in furtherance of the gospel.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  ye know  the proof  of him,  that,  as  a son  with the father,  he hath served  with  me  in  the gospel. 

What does Philippians 2:22 Mean?

Verse Meaning

In contrast to most believers, Timothy had demonstrated his worthiness as a servant of Christ and of Paul over more than10 years. [1] He had served as the apostle"s fellow worker and as his protg. He had established a good reputation not only in Philippi but wherever he had served. Such a fine record stands a young servant of the Lord in good stead when others consider him for another ministry.

Context Summary

Philippians 2:19-30 - Honoring Christian Messengers
The Apostle nobly honored the younger men who wrought with him. He speaks of Timothy as his son, and expatiates on the genuineness of his loving interest in each of his converts. He describes Epaphroditus as his brother, fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier. How tenderly he refers to his sickness and recovery, as though God had conferred on himself special favor in giving back this beloved comrade in the great fight!
It is well worth while to ponder the remark that God does not add sorrow to sorrow, Philippians 2:27. He tempers His wind to the shorn lamb. He cautions the accuser that he must not take Job's life. With the trial He makes the way of escape. He keeps His finger on the wrist while the operation is in progress, and stays it as soon as the pulse flutters. Not sorrow upon sorrow! Note also that "hazarding" of life, Philippians 2:30, r.v. It was a common experience in those great days of Christ's suffering Church, Acts 15:26. How strange it is today to watch the sacrifices that men and women will make in times of war, when a new spirit is stirring in the world and men adventure everything for liberty, righteousness, and fatherland, and then compare this extravagant expenditure of blood and treasure with what we have done for Jesus. [source]

Chapter Summary: Philippians 2

1  Paul exhorts them to unity, and to all humbleness of mind, by the example of Christ's humility;
12  to a careful proceeding in the way of salvation, that they be as lights to a wicked world,
16  and comforts to him their apostle, who is now ready to be offered up to God
19  He hopes to send Timothy to them, and Epaphroditus also

Greek Commentary for Philippians 2:22

The proof [την δοκιμην]
“The test” as of metals (2 Corinthians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 9:13). Three times they had seen Timothy (Acts 16:13; Acts 19:22; Acts 20:3.). [source]
With me [συν εμοι]
Paul‘s delicacy of feeling made him use συν — sun rather than εμοι — emoi alone. Timothy did not serve Paul. In furtherance of (εις — eis). See note on Phlippians 1:5 for this use of εις — eis f0). [source]
In furtherance of [εις]
See note on Phlippians 1:5 for this use of εις — eis f0). [source]
In the Gospel [εἰς τὸ εὐαγγέλιον]
In furtherance of, as Phlippians 1:5. So Rev. [source]

What do the individual words in Philippians 2:22 mean?

- But the proven worth of him you know that as a father [with] a child with me he has served in the gospel
τὴν δὲ δοκιμὴν αὐτοῦ γινώσκετε ὅτι ὡς πατρὶ τέκνον σὺν ἐμοὶ ἐδούλευσεν εἰς τὸ εὐαγγέλιον

τὴν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
δοκιμὴν  the  proven  worth 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: δοκιμή  
Sense: proving, trial.
αὐτοῦ  of  him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
γινώσκετε  you  know 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: γινώσκω  
Sense: to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel.
ὅτι  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
πατρὶ  a  father  [with] 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: προπάτωρ 
Sense: generator or male ancestor.
τέκνον  a  child 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: τέκνον  
Sense: offspring, children.
ἐμοὶ  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ἐδούλευσεν  he  has  served 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: δουλεύω  
Sense: to be a slave, serve, do service.
εὐαγγέλιον  gospel 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: εὐαγγέλιον  
Sense: a reward for good tidings.