Timothy’s Proven Character
19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I also may be encouraged [when I] know {your circumstances}.
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For I have no one like-minded who [will] sincerely be concerned about {your circumstances}.
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For they all seek {their own interests}, not those of Jesus Christ.
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But you know his proven character, that like a child with a father he served with me for the gospel.
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Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see {my circumstances}.
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And I am convinced in the Lord that I myself will arrive shortly also.
Epaphroditus’ Mission
25 But I considered [it] necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, but your messenger and servant of my need,
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because he was longing for all of you and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.
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For indeed he was sick, coming near to death, but God had mercy on him and not [on] him only, but also [on] me, so that I would not have grief upon grief.
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Therefore I am sending him with special urgency, in order that [when] you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less anxious.
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Therefore welcome him in the Lord with all joy, and consider such [people] highly honored,
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because on account of the work of Christ he came near to the point of death, risking his life in order that {he might make up for your inability to serve me}.