In his short letter, Paul has named coworkers who preach Christ from rivalry (1:15) and selfish ambition (1:17), which he prohibits (2:3). He's pointed to Jesus, who refused to exploit being God for his own advantage (2:5-6), and described his own ministry as "being poured out like a drink offering" (2:17). Paul is in chains, and he could rightly insist that Timothy stay with him. But he knows the Philippians need Timothy more than he does. So he tells them he will send Timothy to them as soon as he has a clearer view of his situation. Timothy's character was proven through the hardest test: suffering. For roughly fifteen years, he's been by Paul's side in the work of the gospel. He's watched Paul get beaten, whipped, and stoned nearly to death. They've been shipwrecked. They've gone to sleep on the side of the road without dinner or blankets. Many who tried to accompany Paul eventually headed for the comfort of home. Timothy stayed. Instead of seeking his own interests, he kept asking, "What does Jesus want?" There's no one like him. It's easy to criticize pastors who build brands that make them wealthy and famous. But I remember the unease I felt when I recruited volunteers to serve in a ministry I led at a prestigious nonprofit. Even as we served Jesus together, their unpaid labor directly advanced my career. Jesus took the form of a slave (2:7) and served them. Now Paul and Timothy call themselves his slaves (1:1) and serve others. Paul is sending the one he loves for the sake of others. It's the pattern of sacrificial love they learned from being with the Father and the Son.