Personal Greetings
1 jI commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant1 of the church at kCenchreae,
Timothy and Epaphroditus
19 hI hope in the Lord Jesus ito 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’s1 proven worth, how as a json2 with a father khe 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 lI 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 mfellow 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 nreceive him in the Lord with all joy, and ohonor such men, 30 for he pnearly died3 for the work of Christ, risking his life qto complete what was lacking in your service to me.
Final Greetings
7 lTychicus will tell you all about my activities. mHe is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant1 in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may nencourage your hearts, 9 and with him oOnesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
