Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I am Epaphroditus, once your messenger and now your fellow worker and soldier in the cause of the Gospel. Euodia is also with me, and together, we have witnessed the power and provision of our Lord in ways profound and personal. Our hearts are full as we write to you, sharing not just updates from our journey but the enduring love and encouragement that flows from our Lord.
Recently, my health has been a concern. As many of you know, I have battled through an illness that brought me to the brink of death's door. It was during these harrowing times that the prayers and care of Paul, and the support of many like you, sustained me. "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth" (Psalm 145:18). This scripture was my solace when the nights were long, and recovery seemed but a distant hope.
I have been restored, not just in health but in my spirit, renewed with a vigor for the mission that the Lord has set before us. Though my body faltered, my spirit has been upheld by the joy of our salvation, a gift so graciously given through our Savior Jesus Christ.
Euodia, standing firm in the Lord, joins me in expressing her gratitude for the unity and love you have shown one another. Her journey alongside you, nurturing the bonds of fellowship and compassion within the community, stands testament to the truth that "two are better than one... For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Her commitment to reconciliation and peace has been a beacon of light in times of contention and misunderstanding.
Together, we have seen how easily disputes can arise, even among the most faithful. Yet, it is not the discord that defines us but our response to it. In our weaknesses and our strengths, we are called to love and forgive as Christ has loved and forgiven us. This is the heart of the message Paul entrusted to me to deliver to Philemon regarding Onesimus. It is a message of restoration, not just between a master and his servant but between brothers in Christ.
We write to remind you that each of you is part of a larger tapestry, woven together by divine hands. Each thread, each of you, is crucial to the strength and beauty of the whole. "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace" (1 Peter 4:10). In serving each other, we serve Christ, and through our unity, His love is manifested to the world.
Remember, dear friends, the words Paul wrote, which I had the privilege to deliver: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand" (Philippians 4:4-5). These words are not merely instructions; they are the very essence of our daily walk with Christ. They are a call to a life filled with joy, peace, and anticipation of the Lord’s return.
As we continue on our paths, may we do so with hearts wide open to God’s leading, hands ready to serve, and eyes lifted to the eternal promise that lies ahead. May our lives be a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is our true and proper worship (Romans 12:1).
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in us—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:8-9).
With all the affection of Christ Jesus, Epaphroditus and Euodia
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
From Epaphroditus and Euodia to the Believers: Encouragement and Exhortations for Unity and Service