Good Anxiety

The emphasis on character and the language used shows that the words about Timothy and Epaphroditus are intended as an example for us to follow. Only Timothy was qualified to go, because only he had proper anxiety for the spiritual interests of the Philippians. Anxiety is meant to motivate us to take action, but it goes bad when it is about things outside of our area of responsibility, or when earthly anxieties eclipse spiritual ones, so that we focus on the work rather than on Christ. Timothy’s anxiety for the Philippians’ spiritual interests came from his passion for Christ’s interests.