For let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.

For he longed after you all and was full of heaviness, because you had heard that he had been sick.

For indeed he was sick, coming near death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

because for the work of Christ he was near death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

I was circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews. As regards the Law, I was a Pharisee;

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect, but I am pressing on, if I may lay hold of that for which I also was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.