Being One in Christ

1If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2Fulfill you my joy, that you be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on 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, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took on him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross. 9Why God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Shining as Stars

(Matthew 5:13-16)

12Why, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

14Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the middle of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world; 16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. 17Yes, and if I be offered on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. 18For the same cause also do you joy, and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

19But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly to you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. 20For I have no man like minded, who will naturally care for your state. 21For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. 22But you know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he has served with me in the gospel. 23Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. 24But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.

Epaphroditus Commended

25Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. 26For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that you had heard that he had been sick. 27For indeed he was sick near to death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow on sorrow. 28I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. 29Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: 30Because for the work of Christ he was near to death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.