. . . and to brotherly kindness, add love . . .
7All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: 8Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; 9With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
Paul wants to know how they are doing, and to comfort them concerning himself, and what is happening in Rome.
I think our first concern is to be towards the wellbeing and peace of mind of others, in love, and in truth. We've never not supposed to be community, in koinonia.
You give a good OP title, What Christ Does For Us . . .
10Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) 11And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. 15Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
One thing He does for me is to connect me to you, and to all the others in Him. I love this part of Scripture for all the interconnectedness I see, same as in Romans 16.
Anything we join together in, in a positive way, will deepen our acceptance and appreciation for each other. The fellowship of giving. The fellowship of labor, fellowworkers unto the kingdom. The fellowship of suffering.
May I labor so much fervently in my prayers! Always laboring in prayers . . .
so I can have a new car . . .
so my bills will be paid . . .
so you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
And when This prayer is answered, according to the will of God, the one praying and the one receiving benefit are partakers in the same Spirit, and in the same work.
"the church which is in his house" . . . curious, how many are in small churches, or small regular groups? I think this is a huge blessing in the intimacy we can share as we have the time and opportunity to really get to know each other.
Much love!
Mark