Read: Philippians 2:19-29
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon. . . . For I have no one like him. (vv. 19-20)
Everyone needs friends, deep friends. In fact, there are three kinds of relationships we need in life: (1) a person who ministers to you and for whom you do not necessarily do anything in return; (2) a peer relationship in which you share, build, and minister to each other in a give and take relationship; and (3) a relationship in which you minister to someone else and perhaps, in the process, never receive anything from that person in return.
Paul understood the importance of relationships and talks about them in this passage, especially when he refers to his friend Timothy. Paul saw great potential in Timothy, so much so that he invited him to travel with him on his missionary journeys. As their friendship grew, Paul came to trust Timothy implicitly. But the words Paul uses to describe his friend—“I have no one like him”—is what set this friendship apart. For Paul, Timothy was one of a kind. There was nobody else as close to his heart. In fact, Paul’s exact words are, “I have no one else who is of the same soul.”
What a blessing it is to have a friend who is “like-souled.” Do you need a friend like that? Perhaps now is the time to dig deep into true friendship.
As you pray, ask God to help you find deep, lasting, trust-filled friendship.
About the Author
David Walls is a pastor and writer who has served in ministry for more than 40 years.
