Philippians 2 · Verse 22

Philippians 2:22

But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
Philippians 2:22, King James Version

Philippians 2:22 in other translations

BSBBut you know Timothy’s proven worth, that as a child with his father he has served with me to advance the gospel.
WEBBut you know that he has proved himself. As a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Good News.
ASVBut ye know the proof of him, that, as a child serveth a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the gospel.
YLTand the proof of him ye know, that as a child serveth a father, with me he did serve in regard to the good news;
DARBYBut ye know the proof of him, that, as a child a father, he has served with me in the work of the glad tidings.
BBEBut his quality is clear to you; how, as a child is to its father, so he was a help to me in the work of the good news.
WebsterBut 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?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
22. Rare praise (Ne 7:2). as a son with the father--Translate, "as a child (serveth) a father." served with me--When we might expect the sentence to run thus. "As a child serveth a father, so he served me"; he changes it to "served with me" in modesty; as Christians are not servants TO one another," but servants of God WITH one another (compare Php 3:17). in the gospel--Greek, "unto," or "for the Gospel."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 22. But ye know the proof of him. You have had evidence among yourselves how faithfully Timothy devoted himself to the promotion of the gospel, and how constantly he served with me. This proves that Timothy was with Paul when he was at Philippi.

As a son with the father. Manifesting the same spirit towards me which a son does towards a father, and evincing the same interest in my work. He did all he could do to aid me, and lighten my labours and sufferings.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 22 Ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me - The Philippians had full proof of the affectionate attachment of Timothy to Paul, for he had labored with him there, as we learn from Act 16:1-3; Act 17:14; and we find from what is said here that Timothy was not a servant to the apostle, but that he had served with him. They both labored together in the word and doctrine; for apostles and Christian bishops, in those times, labored as hard as their deacons. There were no sinecures; every one was a laborer, every laborer had his work, and every workman had his wages.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Philippians 2:19-30

It is best with us, when our duty becomes natural to us. Naturally, that is, sincerely, and not in pretence only; with a willing heart and upright views. We are apt to prefer our own credit, ease, and safety, before truth, holiness, and duty; but Timothy did not so. Paul desired liberty, not that he might take pleasure, but that he might do good. Epaphroditus was willing to go to the Philippians, that he might be…

Read the full comment on Philippians 2:19-30 →

Philippians 2:22 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

τὴνtēn<the>G3588
δὲdeButG1161
δοκιμὴνdokimēnthe proven worthG1382
αὐτοῦautouof himG846
γινώσκετε,ginōsketeyou know,G1097
ὅτιhotithatG3754
ὡςhōsasG5613
πατρὶpatria father [with]G3962
τέκνονteknona childG5043
σὺνsunwithG4862
ἐμοὶemoime myselfG1473
ἐδούλευσενedouleusenhe has servedG1398
εἰςeisinG1519
τὸtotheG3588
εὐαγγέλιον.euangeliongospel.G2098

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Philippians 2:22

  • 1 Corinthians 4:17

    For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

  • 1 Timothy 1:2

    Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

  • 2 Corinthians 2:9

    For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.

  • 2 Timothy 1:2

    To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:22

    And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.

  • 1 Timothy 1:18

    This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

  • Acts 16:3-12

    Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, …

  • 2 Corinthians 8:24

    Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

  • Titus 1:4

    To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:8

    I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

  • Philippians 2:20

    For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

  • 2 Timothy 3:10

    But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
ye.
Ac 16:3-12; 2Co 2:9; 8:8,22,24
as.
20; 1Co 4:17; 1Ti 1:2,18; 2Ti 1:2; Tit 1:4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Philippians 2:21

    For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.

  • Philippians 2:22

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

  • Philippians 2:23

    Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.

Read all of Philippians 2

Philippians 2:22 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Pero la experiencia de él habéis conocido, que como hijo á padre ha servido conmigo en el evangelio.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Mais vous savez qu’il a été connu à l’épreuve, savoir qu’il a servi avec moi dans l’évangile comme un enfant sert son père.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ihr kennet aber seine Bewährung, daß er, wie ein Kind dem Vater, mit mir gedient hat an dem Evangelium.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Experimentum autem ejus cognoscite, quia sicut patri filius, mecum servivit in Evangelio.