but laid it aside to take on the nature of a slave and become like other men.

so that you will be blameless and honest, faultless children of God in the midst of a crooked and perverted age, in which you appear like stars in a dark world,

For I have no one like him who would take such a real interest in you.

But you know his character, and how like a son helping his father he has worked like a slave with me in preaching the good news.

So give him a hearty Christian welcome, and value men like him very highly,

For there are many who live, as I have often told you, and tell you now with tears, like enemies of the cross of Christ.

You have paid me in full, and more too. I am fully supplied with what I have received from you through Epaphroditus. It is like fragrant incense, just such a sacrifice as God welcomes and approves.