Philippians 2

2 ¹ So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any deep communion in the Holy Spirit, any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love, being united in spirit and of one purpose. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

⁵ Have this mindset among yourselves — one that is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, existing in the form of our Father, did not consider equality with our Father something to be grasped, ^a a v6 Here "God" names the Father, from whom the Son comes — the Son already shared the Father's very nature and equality before he humbled himself. ⁷ but emptied himself by taking on the form of a servant and being born in human likeness. ⁸ And appearing as a human being, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore our Father exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of our Father.

Children of the Father, Shining Stars

¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is our Father who works in you, giving you both the desire and the power to carry out his good purpose.

¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may be blameless and pure, children of our Father without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, ¹⁶ holding firmly to the word of life, so that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. ¹⁷ But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. ^b b v17 A drink offering was wine poured out at the altar in worship; Paul pictures his life poured over their faith. ¹⁸ So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

¹⁹ I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be encouraged when I learn how you are. ²⁰ I have no one else like him, who will genuinely care for your welfare. ²¹ For they all look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know Timothy's proven worth, that as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. ²³ So I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me, ²⁴ and I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

²⁵ But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus — my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, sent to take care of my needs. ²⁶ For he has been longing for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. ²⁷ Indeed he was ill, and nearly died. But our Father had mercy on him — and not only on him but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ So I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may have less anxiety. ²⁹ Welcome him in the Lord with all joy, and honor people like him, ³⁰ because he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.