Being One in Christ

1If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of charity, if any society of the spirit, if any bowels of commiseration: 2Fulfil ye my joy, that you be of one mind, having the same charity, being of one accord, agreeing in sentiment. 3Let nothing be done through contention: neither by vain glory. But in humility, let each esteem others better than themselves: 4Each one not considering the things that are his own, but those that are other men's.

The Attitude of Christ

(Isaiah 52:13-15)

5For let 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 emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. 8He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. 9For which cause, God also hath exalted him and hath given him a name which is above all names: 10That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: 11And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

Shining as Stars

(Matthew 5:13-16)

12Wherefore, my dearly beloved, (as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only but much more now in my absence) with fear and trembling work out your salvation. 13For it is God who worketh in you, both to will and to accomplish, according to his good will.

14And do ye all things without murmurings and hesitations: 15That you may be blameless and sincere children of God, without reproof, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation: among whom you shine as lights in the world. 16Holding forth the word of life to my glory in the day of Christ: because I have not run in vain, nor laboured in vain. 17Yea, and if I be made a victim upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and congratulate with you all. 18And for the selfsame thing, do you also rejoice and congratulate with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

19And I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy unto you shortly, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know the things concerning you. 20For I have no man so of the same mind, who with sincere affection is solicitous for you. 21For all seek the things that are their own not the things that are Jesus Christ's. 22Now know ye the proof of him: that as a son with the father, so hath he served with me in the gospel. 23Him therefore I hope to send unto you immediately: so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. 24And I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall come to you shortly.

Epaphroditus Commended

25But I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow labourer and fellow soldier, but your apostle: and he that hath ministered to my wants. 26For indeed he longed after you all: and was sad, for that you had heard that he was sick. 27For indeed he was sick, nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him. And not only on him, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore, I sent him the more speedily: that seeing him again, you may rejoice, and I may be without sorrow. 29Receive him therefore with all joy in the Lord: and treat with honour such as he is. 30Because for the work of Christ he came to the point of death: delivering his life, that he might fulfil that which on your part was wanting towards my service.