Philippians 2:10-30
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
10 that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,[a]
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,(A)
11 and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,[b]
to the glory of God the Father.(B)
Obedience and Service in the World.[c] 12 (C)So then, my beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.[d] 13 For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work.(D) 14 Do everything without grumbling or questioning,(E) 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,[e] among whom you shine like lights in the world,(F) 16 as you hold on to the word of life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.(G) 17 But, even if I am poured out as a libation[f] upon the sacrificial service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with all of you.(H) 18 In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me.(I)
IV. Travel Plans of Paul and His Assistants[g]
Timothy and Paul. 19 I hope, in the Lord Jesus, to send Timothy[h] to you soon, so that I too may be heartened by hearing news of you.(J) 20 For I have no one comparable to him for genuine interest in whatever concerns you. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.(K) 22 But you know his worth, how as a child with a father he served along with me in the cause of the gospel. 23 He it is, then, whom I hope to send as soon as I see how things go with me, 24 but I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.[i]
Epaphroditus. 25 With regard to Epaphroditus,[j] my brother and co-worker and fellow soldier, your messenger and minister in my need, I consider it necessary to send him to you.(L) 26 For he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 He was indeed ill, close to death; but God had mercy on him, not just on him but also on me, so that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I send him therefore with the greater eagerness, so that, on seeing him, you may rejoice again, and I may have less anxiety. 29 Welcome him then in the Lord with all joy and hold such people in esteem,(M) 30 because for the sake of the work of Christ he came close to death, risking his life to make up for those services to me that you could not perform.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2:10–11 Every knee should bend…every tongue confess: into this language of Is 45:23 there has been inserted a reference to the three levels in the universe, according to ancient thought, heaven, earth, under the earth.
- 2:11 Jesus Christ is Lord: a common early Christian acclamation; cf. 1 Cor 12:3; Rom 10:9. But doxology to God the Father is not overlooked here (Phil 2:11c) in the final version of the hymn.
- 2:12–18 Paul goes on to draw out further ethical implications for daily life (Phil 2:14–18) from the salvation God works in Christ.
- 2:12 Fear and trembling: a common Old Testament expression indicating awe and seriousness in the service of God (cf. Ex 15:16; Jdt 2:28; Ps 2:11; Is 19:16).
- 2:15–16 Generation…as you hold on to…: or “…generation. Among them shine like lights in the world because you hold the word of life….”
- 2:17 Libation: in ancient religious ritual, the pouring out on the ground of a liquid offering as a sacrifice. Paul means that he may be facing death.
- 2:19–3:1 The plans of Paul and his assistants for future travel are regularly a part of a Pauline letter near its conclusion; cf. Rom 15:22–29; 1 Cor 16:5–12.
- 2:19 Timothy: already known to the Philippians (Acts 16:1–15; cf. 1 Cor 4:17; 16:10).
- 2:24 I myself will also come soon: cf. Phil 1:19–25 for the significance of this statement.
- 2:25 Epaphroditus: sent by the Philippians as their messenger (literally, “apostle”) to aid Paul in his imprisonment, he had fallen seriously ill; Paul commends him as he sends him back to Philippi.
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.