Please explain what a yokefellow is.
My dear friend, the concept of a “yoke fellow” comes from the farmers’ use of draught animals, such as oxen or horses, which are connected together by a yoke and must pull together to accomplish the desired work, such as hauling or plowing. I looked on the Internet and found this precise definition: ”In the Bible, yok’-fel-o (sunzugos, “yoked together”): The word is used by Greek writers of those united by any bond, such as marriage, relationship, office, labor, study, or business; hence a yokefellow.”
Although the example of the yokefellow is found many times in the Bible, the word is only mentioned one time. Philippians 4:3 says, “And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.” To entrust the care of these women to this person, shows trust and reliance upon this person…someone who had linked himself together with the Apostle Paul, his teachings, and his labors.
Now, let us look to the Scriptures for an example or two of “yokefellows”. I believe that we see two good examples in Philippians 2:19-30. First of all, consider Timothy’s service to Paul and his work for Christ. In verse 22, we read of Timothy, “But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.” Timothy was certainly a fellow worker in the Gospel with the Apostle Paul, and thus, they were “yoked” in that they were pulling together in a common work for Christ. In this same chapter, we read also of another fellow laborer in verse 25 that says, “Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.”
If you read Philippians 2:22-30, you’ll get the idea of the selflessness in service of this man called Epaphroditus. The Apostle Paul names him as “…my brother, and companion in labour, and fellow soldier.” So, we can see that this fellow bears a close relationship to the apostle in his service to the Lord, laboring with Paul in the Gospel, and he surely demonstrated the character of a “soldier in his obedience and fidelity to duty.” Both of these men could be relied upon by Paul to work with him in serving the Lord, despite any dangers to themselves, or despite the heavy exertions that might be required of them. These men were content to labor without seeking glory for themselves, but they tirelessly and quietly served with complete faithfulness. Philippians 2:30 shows the great devotion of Epaphroditus that indeed, this man was willing to risk his very life in the service of Christ Jesus. That says, “Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.”
Both of these men were yoked together, so to speak, with the Apostle Paul in their common commitment to and devotion to the spreading of the Gospel and to the building up of the saints. In the annals of human history, the world tends to value its great heroes, but Christians who labor for the Lord are seldom remembered by history. Still, the names and the excellent service of Timothy and Epaphroditus are recorded for all time in God’s Word. My dear friend, I can’t think of anything of this present world that could compare with that! (SF) (613.4)