Philippians 2:19-30

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Timothy and Epaphroditus
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life jto complete what was lacking in your service to me.
           
Devotion
            Paul hopes to send Timothy to see the Philippians soon. So that Paul could be cheered with good news of their faith in Christ Jesus. For Timothy is genuinely concerned with their wellbeing. Paul’s other helpers he states are interested in their own well being not those of Christ. Timothy has been proven like a son to Paul. Capable of careering out Paul’s desires in the field. Paul also states his own desire to see the church in person.
            Paul also send Epaphroditus back to the Philippians back to them. Epaphroditus almost died getting the churches gift to Paul. For that reason, the church was anxious about his wellbeing and longed to hear that he was alright. But God had been merciful and granted him a return to full health. For this reason, Paul wanted to send him back with the cheerful news of his recovery. Paul was cheered by their gift and wanted them to be cheered by Epaphroditus return to good health and to them personally. Stating that the Philippians should receive him joyfully as one who almost died bringing their gift to Paul but almost dying in the process.  



j [ch. 4:10]; See 1 Cor. 16:17

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