²⁵ But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus^(A)—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need^(B)— ²⁶ since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. ²⁷ Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have one grief on top of another. ²⁸ For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice when you see him again and I may be less anxious. ²⁹ Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with all joy and hold men like him in honor, ³⁰ because he came close to death for the work^(C) of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.