2:1 | Therefore if [there is] any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, |
2:2 | fulfill my joy by being likeminded, having the same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind. |
2:3 | [Let] nothing [be done] through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. |
2:4 | Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. |
2:5 | Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, |
2:6 | who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, |
2:7 | but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, [and] coming in the likeness of men. |
2:8 | And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to [the point of] death, even the death of the cross. |
2:9 | Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, |
2:10 | that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, |
2:11 | and [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father. |
2:12 | Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; |
2:13 | for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for [His] good pleasure. |
2:14 | Do all things without complaining and disputing, |
2:15 | that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, |
2:16 | holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. |
2:17 | Yes, and if I am being poured out [as a drink offering] on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. |
2:18 | For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. |
2:19 | But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. |
2:20 | For I have no one likeminded, who will sincerely care for your state. |
2:21 | For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. |
2:22 | But you know his proven character, that as a son with [his] father he served with me in the gospel. |
2:23 | Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. |
2:24 | But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly. |
2:25 | Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; |
2:26 | since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. |
2:27 | For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. |
2:28 | Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. |
2:29 | Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; |
2:30 | because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me. |