Shared Word Translation
Philippians 2
Exhortation to Unity and Humility
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.
The Mind of Christ
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.
Therefore God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Living as Children of God
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that on the day of Christ I may boast that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Paul’s Joy and Sacrifice
But even if I am being poured out as a libation upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and rejoice with all of you; and in the same way you also should rejoice and rejoice with me.
Timothy Commended
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be encouraged by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. All of them seek their own interests, not the interests of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how like a child serving a parent he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how things go with me; and I trust in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
Epaphroditus Commended
Still, I think it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus—my brother and coworker and fellow soldier, your messenger and minister to my need— for he has been longing for all of you and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. I am all the more eager to send him, therefore, so that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. Welcome him then in the Lord with all joy, and honor such people, because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.