One in Christ

1Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affections and compassions, 2fulfill my joy so that you may be of the same mind, having the same love, united in soul, minding the same thing, 3nothing according to self-interest or according to vain conceit, but in humility be esteeming one another surpassing themselves, 4each considering not the things of themselves, but each also the things of others.

The Attitude of Christ
(Isaiah 52:13-15)

5Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus:

6Who, existing in the form of God,

did not consider to be equal with God something to be grasped,

7but emptied Himself,

having taken the form of a servant,

having been made in the likeness of men.

8And having been found in appearance as a man

He humbled Himself,

having become obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9Therefore God also highly exalted Him,

and granted to Him the name above every name,

10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in the heavens and on earth and under the earth,

11and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Shining as Stars
(Matthew 5:13-16)

12Therefore my beloved, just as always you have obeyed, not only as in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13For God is the One working in you both to will and to work according to His good pleasure.

14Do all things without murmurings and disputings, 15so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God unblemished in the midst of a crooked and perverted generation,a among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16holding forth the word of life unto a boast to me in the day of Christ that I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

17But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18And likewise you also be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

19But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be encouraged, having known the things concerning you. 20For I have no one like-minded, who genuinely will care for the things relative to you. 21For those all are seeking the things of themselves, not the things of Jesus Christ. 22But you know his proven worth, that as a child with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23Therefore indeed I hope to send him immediately, when I shall have seen the things concerning me. 24And I am persuaded in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.

Epaphroditus Commended

25Now I esteemed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26since he was longing after you all and being deeply distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27And indeed he was sick, nearly unto death. But God had mercy on him, and not on him alone but also on me, that I should not have sorrow upon sorrow.

28Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly, that having seen him again, you may rejoice, and I might be less anxious. 29Therefore, receive him in the Lord with all joy, and hold such in honor, 30because for the sake of the work of Christ he came near unto death, having disregarded his life so that he might fill up your deficit of service toward me.