Philippians 2
Unity Through Humility
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any aaffection and mercy, 2 afulfill my joy bby being like-minded, having the same love, being of cone accord, of one mind. 3 aLet nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but bin lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 aLet each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of bothers.
The Humbled and Exalted Christ
5 aLet this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, abeing in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 abut made Himself of no reputation, taking the form bof a bondservant, and ccoming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and abecame bobedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 aTherefore God also bhas highly exalted Him and cgiven Him the name which is above every name, 10 athat at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and athat every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Light Bearers
12 Therefore, my beloved, aas you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, bwork out your own salvation with cfear and trembling; 13 for ait is God who works in you both to will and to do bfor His good pleasure.
14 Do all things awithout complaining and bdisputing, 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 alights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that aI may rejoice in the day of Christ that bI have not run in vain or labored in cvain.
17 Yes, and if aI am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice band service of your faith, cI am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.
Timothy Commended
19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send aTimothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one alike-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, athat as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.
Epaphroditus Praised
25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you aEpaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and bfellow soldier, cbut your messenger and dthe one who ministered to my need; 26 asince he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 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. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, ato supply what was lacking in your service toward me.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson.
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