Philippians 2:17-30 Agape love, putting others first

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me. Agape love is the term we use to describe Christ's sacrificial love for us and Paul's love for the church. He is said to be in Christ, because he takes on the values of Christ. He calls his fellow laborer Timothy his son, but Paul is not married. What he is saying is that Timothy is his spiritual son because he has taken on the love for the church like his mentor Paul. Paul is in prison and is willing to send his helper Timothy to them knowing that they will receive him as they would Paul. And finally he prioritizes the gospel (good news) as the means of grace and the source of their salvation. Amen.