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Philippians 2:12-4:23
New Living Translation
Philippians 2:12-4:23
New Living Translation
Shine Brightly for Christ
12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God,[a] just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
Paul Commends Timothy
19 If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. 20 I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. 22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. 23 I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. 24 And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.
Paul Commends Epaphroditus
25 Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. 26 I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. 27 And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.
28 So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. 29 Welcome him in the Lord’s love[b] and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. 30 For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.
The Priceless Value of Knowing Christ
3 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters,[c] rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.
2 Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. 3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God[d] are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!
5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.
7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.[e] For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
Pressing toward the Goal
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,[f] but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.
17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.
4 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters,[g] stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.
Words of Encouragement
2 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. 3 And I ask you, my true partner,[h] to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.[i]
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Paul’s Thanks for Their Gifts
10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ,[j] who gives me strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. 17 I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.
18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
20 Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.
Paul’s Final Greetings
21 Give my greetings to each of God’s holy people—all who belong to Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings. 22 And all the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in Caesar’s household.
23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.[k]
Footnotes
- 2:17 Greek I will rejoice even if I am to be poured out as a liquid offering.
- 2:29 Greek in the Lord.
- 3:1 Greek brothers; also in 3:13, 17.
- 3:3 Some manuscripts read worship God in spirit; one early manuscript reads worship in spirit.
- 3:9 Or through the faithfulness of Christ.
- 3:13 Some manuscripts read not yet achieved it.
- 4:1 Greek brothers; also in 4:8.
- 4:3 Or loyal Syzygus.
- 4:5 Greek the Lord is near.
- 4:13 Greek through the one.
- 4:23 Some manuscripts add Amen.
Philippians 2:12-4:23
New International Version
Philippians 2:12-4:23
New International Version
Do Everything Without Grumbling
12 Therefore, my dear friends, 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,(A) 13 for it is God who works in you(B) to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.(C)
14 Do everything without grumbling(D) or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless(E) and pure, “children of God(F) without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[a](G) Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ(H) that I did not run(I) or labor in vain.(J) 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering(K) on the sacrifice(L) and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.(M) 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Timothy and Epaphroditus
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy(N) to you soon,(O) that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him,(P) who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests,(Q) not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father(R) he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.(S) 24 And I am confident(T) in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker(U) and fellow soldier,(V) who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.(W) 26 For he longs for all of you(X) and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him,(Y) so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,(Z) 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.(AA)
No Confidence in the Flesh
3 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again,(AB) and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs,(AC) those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision,(AD) we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus,(AE) and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.(AF)
If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised(AG) on the eighth day, of the people of Israel,(AH) of the tribe of Benjamin,(AI) a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;(AJ) 6 as for zeal,(AK) persecuting the church;(AL) as for righteousness based on the law,(AM) faultless.
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss(AN) for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing(AO) Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ(AP) 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,(AQ) but that which is through faith in[b] Christ—the righteousness(AR) that comes from God on the basis of faith.(AS) 10 I want to know(AT) Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings,(AU) becoming like him in his death,(AV) 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection(AW) from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,(AX) but I press on to take hold(AY) of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.(AZ) 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind(BA) and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on(BB) toward the goal to win the prize(BC) for which God has called(BD) me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Following Paul’s Example
15 All of us, then, who are mature(BE) should take such a view of things.(BF) And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.(BG) 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17 Join together in following my example,(BH) brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.(BI) 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears,(BJ) many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.(BK) 19 Their destiny(BL) is destruction, their god is their stomach,(BM) and their glory is in their shame.(BN) Their mind is set on earthly things.(BO) 20 But our citizenship(BP) is in heaven.(BQ) And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,(BR) 21 who, by the power(BS) that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies(BT) so that they will be like his glorious body.(BU)
Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity
4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for,(BV) my joy and crown, stand firm(BW) in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind(BX) in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers,(BY) whose names are in the book of life.(BZ)
Final Exhortations
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!(CA) 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.(CB) 6 Do not be anxious about anything,(CC) but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.(CD) 7 And the peace of God,(CE) which transcends all understanding,(CF) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.(CG) And the God of peace(CH) will be with you.
Thanks for Their Gifts
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.(CI) Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content(CJ) whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,(CK) whether living in plenty or in want.(CL) 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.(CM)
14 Yet it was good of you to share(CN) in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days(CO) of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia,(CP) not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;(CQ) 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica,(CR) you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.(CS) 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.(CT) 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus(CU) the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant(CV) offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs(CW) according to the riches of his glory(CX) in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father(CY) be glory for ever and ever. Amen.(CZ)
Final Greetings
21 Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me(DA) send greetings. 22 All God’s people(DB) here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ(DC) be with your spirit.(DD) Amen.[c]
Footnotes
- Philippians 2:15 Deut. 32:5
- Philippians 3:9 Or through the faithfulness of
- Philippians 4:23 Some manuscripts do not have Amen.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.