If then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation from love, if any community of spirit, if any tender feelings and pity, fill my joy full; so that you may agree in thought, possessing the same love, intending with united hearts the same object. Never in self-seeking nor through vain-glory; but, on the contrary, with good feeling considering others in preference to yourselves, not each scheming for himself, but rather each for others. Think this with yourselves, What was in Christ Jesus? --Who existing in the beauty of God, considered not His Divine equality an incitement to greed; but forsook Himself, taking the form of a slave; arriving in human appearance; and being found apparently like a man, He humbled Himself, becoming subject to death, yes, a death of crucifixion! Therefore God highly exalted Him, and freely gave Him the Name surpassing every name; so that in presence of the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of celestials, and terrestrials, and sub-terrenes, and every tongue confess that the Messiah, the Lord Jesus, exists for a rectification from God.
I have, however, thought it necessary to send to you my brother and companion in work and war, Epaphroditus, who was your messenger, and attendant to my wants; for he was always longing for you, and was depressed because you had heard that he had been sick. And he was ill--very near death. But God pitied him; and not only him, but myself also, so that I might not have sorrow heaped upon sorrow. Therefore I have sent him more willingly, so that seeing him again you may be glad, and I may also be more pleased. So take him with every pleasure in the Lord, and hold such as he in honour; because for the work of Christ he approached death, disregarding his own life, so that he might accomplish your offering to my wants.