Philippians 1:27-2:18

Common English Bible

Live worthy of the gospel

²⁷Most important, live together in a manner worthy of Christ’s gospel. Do this, whether I come and see you or I’m absent and hear about you. Do this so that you stand firm, united in one spirit and mind as you struggle together to remain faithful to the gospel. ²⁸That way, you won’t be afraid of anything your enemies do. Your faithfulness and courage are a sign of their coming destruction and your salvation, which is from God. ²⁹God has generously granted you the privilege, not only of believing in Christ but also of suffering for Christ’s sake. ³⁰You are having the same struggle that you saw me face and now hear that I’m still facing.

Imitate Christ

2 Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort in love, any sharing in the Spirit, any sympathy, ²complete my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, being united, and agreeing with each other. ³Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves. ⁴Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others. ⁵Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus:

⁶Though he was in the form of God,
        he did not consider being equal with God something to exploit.
⁷But he emptied himself
        by taking the form of a slave
        and by becoming like human beings.
When he found himself in the form of a human,
⁸        he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
        even death on a cross.
⁹Therefore, God highly honored him
        and gave him a name above all names,
¹⁰    so that at the name of Jesus everyone
        in heaven, on earth, and under the earth might bow
¹¹        and every tongue confess
            that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Carry out your salvation

¹²Therefore, my loved ones, just as you always obey me, not just when I am present but now even more while I am away, carry out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ¹³God is the one who enables you both to want and to actually live out his good purposes. ¹⁴Do everything without grumbling and arguing ¹⁵so that you may be blameless and pure, innocent children of God surrounded by people who are crooked and corrupt. Among these people you shine like stars in the world ¹⁶because you hold on to the word of life. This will allow me to say on the day of Christ that I haven’t run for nothing or worked for nothing. ¹⁷But even if I am poured out like a drink offering upon the altar of service for your faith, I am glad. I’m glad with all of you. ¹⁸You should be glad about this in the same way. Be glad with me!