Paul worked with others as fervent as he in order to spread the Gospel. As he was away from the believers in Philippi, he remained in contact and sought to send workers like Timothy and Epaphroditus to further encourage them. Timothy, as Paul described in Philippians 2:20, was one of a kind when it came to showing genuine concern for the welfare of others. Epaphroditus had been ill and upon hearing that the believers in Philippi were worried about his brush with death, he became distressed because of their worry! Paul obviously trusted Timothy and Epaphroditus and commended these two men to the believers of Philippi—encouraging them to welcome and honor these “soldiers” of the Gospel.