Paul Commends Epaphroditus

Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was
your messenger to help me in my need. I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed
that you heard he was ill. And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so
that I would not have one sorrow after another.

So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so
worried about you. Welcome him with Christian love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve.
For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from
far away.