Phil.2:19] But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
[20] For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
[21] For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.
[22] But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

The common goal for any for any father ought to be that he would have a relationship with his children that would be ‘like father like son.’ And that is; that the his children would desire to be ‘like’ their father, and also the father’s desire that they too would operate upon what we had taught them. The Apostle Paul knew that Timothy was “likeminded” with Paul, they possessed the same “mutual faith” concerning the ministry, and concerning the care for the Saints sake. Paul knew that Timothy operated upon the selfless love of Christ just as his “father” in the faith operated upon the love of Christ.

Rom.14:[1] Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

Paul left Timothy to “care for their state,” he knew that Timothy was fully “able” as one who was “strong” in the faith to “receive” them, and “bear the infirmities of the weak,” and this was done with godly selfless love. And Timothy would be a “father” unto the Philippians, he would “care for their state,” he would receive those who are Spiritually weak in the faith, and ‘build them up’ in the doctrine with the intent, that they too will be as a faithful likeminded father who would receive, and bear the infirmities of the weak in the faith.

Rom.15:7] Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Moreover, it is our heavenly Father’s intent that we too are “likeminded” with Paul, and of the same mind “according to Christ Jesus,” but for this Godly operation to take affect within us, we must operate upon the selfless love of Christ, and we are taught the Lord’s selflessness in Romans chapter 15 as an ensample of how One would have “care” for those who have Spiritual infirmities. And this is similar to the Sheppard having care for his sheep. And we are given the selfless doctrine of the Lord that we ought to see is an “identity” that we are to put on as ones who desire to be the “strong” in the faith.

Rom.15:[1] We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
[2] Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
[3] For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
[4] For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
[5] Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
[6] That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally, notice in verse 3 Paul says: “ for even Christ,” he gives us the exhortation doctrine, and then he says: “for even Christ” walked this way; that’s an ensample, and an identity! The exhortation given to the strong in the faith in verses 1-4, cannot be accomplished unless the son operates upon Christ’s love, because this is how He loved us. And when we walk in His Selfless Love, this is what being “likeminded” is all about, Paul stated that Timothy’s love was as Paul’s love, and Paul’s love was ad Christ’s Love. And our love ought to be as Christ’s Love, and when we grow, and are edified by His Word, we will “increase,” and “abound” in all judgment, and equity by His word in all wisdom and understanding. We too will be able to “receive” the weaker brethren, and “naturally care for” their state, and edify them as a “father” with the intent that they too will be likeminded according to Christ Jesus, and the doctrine which is according to godliness.

Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
Rom 1:12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Rod Jones