Phili 2 | ISV | STEP | Unity through Humility Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any comfort of love, if there is any fellowship in the Spirit, if there is any compassion and sympathy,

‏ Philippians 2

1 Unity through HumilityTherefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any comfort of love, if there is any fellowship in the Spirit, if there is any compassion and sympathy,2Cor 13:14; Col 3:12 2 then fill me with joy by having the same attitude, sharing the same love, being united in spirit, and keeping one purpose in mind.John 3:29; Rom 12:16; 15:5; 1Cor 1:10; 2Cor 13:11; Phil 1:27; 3:16; 4:2; 1Pet 3:8 3 Do not act out of selfish ambition or conceit, but with humility think of others as being better than yourselves.Rom 12:10; Gal 5:26; Eph 5:21; Phil 1:15-16; James 3:14; 1Pet 5:5 4 Do not be concerned about your own interests, but also be concerned about ^{▼▼The Gk. lacks be concerned about} the interests of others.1Cor 10:24, 33; 13:5 5 Have the same attitude among yourselves ^{▼▼Or Have this mind in you} that was also in Christ Jesus: ^{▼▼Verses 6-11 probably represent an early Christian hymn.}Matt 11:29; John 13:15; 1Pet 2:21; 1John 2:6

6 In God's own form existed he,John 1:1-2; 5:18; 10:33; 17:5; 2Cor 4:4; Col 1:15; Heb 1:3

And shared with God equality,

Deemed nothing needed grasping.

7 Instead, poured out in emptiness,Ps 22:6; Isa 42:1; 52:13; Ezek 34:23-24; Dan 9:26; Zech 3:8; Matt 20:28; Mark 9:12; Luke 22:27; John 1:14; Rom 1:3; 8:3; 15:3; Gal 4:4; Heb 2:14, 17

A servant's form did he possess,

A mortal man becoming.

In human form he chose to be,

8 And lived in all humility,Matt 26:39, 42; John 10:18; Heb 5:8; 12:2

Death on a cross obeying.

9 Now lifted up by God to heaven,John 17:1-2, 5; Acts 2:33; Eph 1:20-21; Heb 1:4; 2:9

A name above all others given,

This matchless name possessing.

10 And so, when Jesus’ name is called,Isa 45:23; Matt 28:18; Rom 14:11; Rev 5:13

The knees of everyone should fall ^{▼▼Or every knee should bend}

Where'er they are residing. ^{▼▼Lit. in heaven, on earth, and under the earth}

11 Then every tongue in one accord,John 13:13; Acts 2:36; Rom 14:9; 1Cor 8:6; 12:3

Will say that Jesus Christ is Lord,

While God the Father praising. 12 Blameless LivingAnd so, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only when I was with you but even more now that I am absent, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.Eph 6:5; Phil 1:5 13 For it is God who is producing in you both the desire and the ability to do what pleases him.2Cor 3:5; Heb 13:21 14 Do everything without complaining or arguingRom 14:1; 1Cor 10:10; 1Pet 4:9 15 so that you may be blameless and innocent, God's children without any faults among a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like stars in the worldDeut 32:5; Matt 5:14, 16, 45; Eph 5:1, 8, 45; 1Pet 2:12 16 as you hold out ^{▼▼Or hold firmly to} the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or work hard in vain.2Cor 1:14; Gal 2:2; 1Thes 2:19; 3:5

17 Yet even if I am being poured out like an offering as part of the sacrifice and service I offer ^{▼▼The Gk. lacks I offer} for your faith, I rejoice, and I share my joy with all of you.Rom 15:16; 2Cor 7:4; Col 1:24; 2Tim 4:6 18 In the same way, you also should rejoice and share your joy with me. 19 News about Paul's CompanionsNow I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I can be encouraged when I learn of your condition.Rom 16:21; 1Thes 3:2 20 I do not have anyone else like him who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.Ps 55:13 21 For all the others look after their own interests, not after those of Jesus Christ.1Cor 10:24, 33; 13:5; 1Cor 10:24, 33, 2Tim 4:10, 16 22 But you know his proven worth—how like a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.1Cor 4:17; 1Tim 1:2; 2Tim 1:2 23 Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things are going to turn out for me. 24 Indeed, I am confident in the Lord that I will come to visit you ^{▼▼The Gk. lacks to visit you} soon.Phil 1:25

25 Meanwhile, I thought it best to send Epaphroditus—my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and minister to my need—back to you.2Cor 8:23; 11:9; Phil 4:18 26 For he has been longing for ^{▼▼Other mss. read longing to see} all of you and is troubled because you heard that he was sick.Phil 1:3 27 Indeed, he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow on top of another. ^{▼▼Lit. sorrow on sorrow} 28 Therefore, I am especially eager to send him so that you may have the joy of seeing him again, and so that I may feel relieved. 29 So welcome him in the Lord with all joy, and make sure you honor such people highly.1Cor 16:18; 1Thes 5:12; 1Tim 5:17 30 For he came close to death for the work of Christ, ^{▼▼Other mss. read of the Lord} risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.1Cor 16:17; Phil 4:10