Be like Christ
12 So then, my beloved, just 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; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to [j]desire and to work for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without complaining or arguments; 15 so that you will [k]prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you [l]appear as [m]lights in the world, 16 holding firmly the word of life, so that on the day of Christ I can take pride because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 18 You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.
Timothy and Epaphroditus
19 But I hope, [n]in the Lord Jesus, to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. 20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know of his proven character, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. 23 Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; 24 and I trust in the Lord that I myself will also be coming shortly. 25 But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your [o]messenger and minister to my need, 26 because he was longing [p]for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For 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 sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly, so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. 29 Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold people like him in high regard, 30 because he came close to death [q]for the work of Christ, risking his life to compensate [r]for your absence in your service to me.
Footnotes
- Philippians 2:1 Lit inward parts
- Philippians 2:2 Lit that you be
- Philippians 2:3 Lit according to
- Philippians 2:3 Or contentiousness
- Philippians 2:5 Or among
- Philippians 2:6 Or seized
- Philippians 2:7 I.e., set aside His divine rights
- Philippians 2:7 Or having come to be
- Philippians 2:8 Lit of
- Philippians 2:13 Or be willing
- Philippians 2:15 Or become
- Philippians 2:15 Or shine
- Philippians 2:15 Or luminaries, stars
- Philippians 2:19 Or trusting in
- Philippians 2:25 Lit apostle
- Philippians 2:26 One early ms to see you all
- Philippians 2:30 Lit because of
- Philippians 2:30 Lit your deficiency of service