Galatians 1:1-2 (WEB), "Paul, an apostle—not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— and all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia:"Philippians 1:1 and 4:21 (WEB), "Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and servants." "Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you."Colossians 1:1 (WEB), "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother."I & II Thessalonians 1:1 (WEB), "Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." "Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ:"II Timothy 4:9-18 (WEB), "Be diligent to come to me soon, for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments. Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works, of whom you also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words. At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen."Philemon 1 (WEB), "Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker."
Consider Paul’s character and companions. Paul died to himself, his pride, and past sin such that he was able to partner with and enjoy warmhearted fellowship with the very people he previously hated. He won the affection of his Christian brothers and they were WITH HIM in the Lord’s work. Paul also strove to preach the gospel of grace in spite of severe opposition and extended grace to his Christian brothers who stumbled in the race due to the heat. And he pursued the goal EVEN WHEN NO ONE WAS WITH HIM, yet THE LORD STOOD WITH HIM. Lord, we need your character to die to self interest and live for you. Lord, we need your companionship to be faithful. Lord, empower us with bold love to be with you and with your people!
