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效法基督的谦卑

所以,你们在基督里若有甚么鼓励,有甚么爱心的安慰,有甚么灵里的契通,有甚么慈悲和怜悯, 就应当有同样的思想,同样的爱心,要心志相同,思想一致,使我充满喜乐。 不要自私自利,也不要贪图虚荣,只要谦卑,看别人比自己强; 各人不要单顾自己的事,也要顾别人的事。 你们应当有这样的思想,这也是基督耶稣的思想。(全节或译:“你们当以基督耶稣的心为心。”) 他本来有 神的形象,却不坚持自己与 神平等的地位, 反而倒空自己,取了奴仆的形象,成为人的样式; 既然有人的样子,就自甘卑微,顺服至死,而且死在十字架上。 因此 神把他升为至高,并且赐给他超过万名之上的名。 10 使天上、地上和地底下的一切,因着耶稣的名,都要屈膝, 11 并且口里承认耶稣基督为主,使荣耀归给父 神。

显出生命之道

12 这样看来,我所亲爱的,你们素来是顺服的,(不但我在你们那里的时候是这样,现今我不在,你们更要顺服,)就应当恐惧战兢地作成自己的救恩。 13  神为了成全自己的美意,就在你们里面动工,使你们可以立志和行事。 14 无论作甚么,都不要发怨言、起争论, 15 好使你们无可指摘、纯真无邪,在这弯曲乖谬的世代中,作 神没有瑕疵的儿女;你们要在这世代中发光,好象天上的光体一样, 16 把生命的道显扬出来,使我在基督的日子可以夸耀我没有空跑,也没有徒劳。 17 即使把我浇奠在你们信心的祭物和供奉上,我也喜乐,并且和你们大家一同喜乐。 18 照样,你们也要喜乐,并且要和我一同喜乐。

提摩太的为人

19 我靠着主耶稣,希望不久就会差提摩太到你们那里去,使我们知道你们的情况,可以得到鼓励。 20 没有人与我同心,真正关心你们的事, 21 因为大家只顾自己的事,而不理耶稣基督的事。 22 不过,你们知道提摩太已证明了他的为人,他和我一同为了福音服事主,就像儿子跟父亲一样。 23 所以,等我看出自己的事会怎样了结之后,我希望立刻差他去; 24 而且靠着主,我相信自己不久也会去。

忠心侍候的以巴弗提

25 然而我认为必须差以巴弗提到你们那里去,他是我的弟兄,与我一同作工一同作战的,也是你们为我的需要差来服事我的。 26 他一直在想念你们众人,并且因为你们听见他病了,他就非常难过。 27 事实上他病得几乎要死,然而 神怜悯了他;不但怜悯他,也怜悯我,免得我忧上加忧。 28 所以,我更急着差他去,让你们再见到他,就可以喜乐,也可以减少我的挂虑。 29 因此,你们要在主里欢欢喜喜地接待他,也要尊重这样的人, 30 因他为了基督的工作,冒着生命的危险,差一点丧了命,为的是要补满你们服事我不足的地方。

Aimer, à l’aide de Christ

N’avez-vous pas trouvé en Christ un réconfort, dans l’amour un encouragement, par l’Esprit une communion entre vous[a] ? N’avez-vous pas de l’affection et de la bonté les uns pour les autres ? Rendez donc ma joie complète : tendez à vivre en accord les uns avec les autres. Et pour cela, ayez le même amour, une même pensée, et tendez au même but. Ne faites donc rien par esprit de rivalité[b], ou par un vain désir de vous mettre en avant ; au contraire, par humilité, considérez les autres comme plus importants que vous-mêmes ; et que chacun regarde, non ses propres qualités[c], mais celles des autres. Tendez à vivre ainsi entre vous, car c’est ce qui convient quand on est uni à Jésus-Christ[d].

Lui qui était de condition divine[e],
ne chercha pas à profiter[f]
de l’égalité avec Dieu,
mais il s’est dépouillé lui-même,
et il a pris
la condition d’un serviteur
en se rendant semblable aux hommes :
se trouvant ainsi reconnu
à son aspect, comme un simple homme,
il s’abaissa lui-même
en devenant obéissant,
jusqu’à subir la mort,
oui, la mort sur la croix.
C’est pourquoi Dieu l’a élevé
à la plus haute place
et il lui a donné le nom
qui est au-dessus de tout nom,
10 pour qu’au nom de Jésus
tout être s’agenouille
dans les cieux, sur la terre
et jusque sous la terre,
11 et que chacun déclare :
Jésus-Christ est Seigneur[g]
à la gloire de Dieu le Père.

Faire fructifier son salut

12 Mes chers amis, vous avez toujours été obéissants : faites donc fructifier votre salut, avec toute la crainte qui s’impose, non seulement quand je suis présent, mais bien plus maintenant que je suis absent. 13 Car c’est Dieu lui-même qui agit en vous, pour produire à la fois le vouloir et le faire conformément à son projet bienveillant[h].

14 Faites tout sans vous plaindre et sans discuter, 15 pour être irréprochables et purs, des enfants de Dieu sans tache au sein d’une humanité corrompue et perverse. Dans cette humanité, vous brillez comme des flambeaux dans le monde, 16 en portant[i] la Parole de vie. Ainsi, lorsque viendra le jour de Christ, vous serez mon titre de gloire : je n’aurai pas couru[j] pour rien et ma peine n’aura pas été inutile. 17 Et même si je dois m’offrir comme une libation pour accompagner le sacrifice que vous offrez à Dieu, c’est-à-dire le service de votre foi[k], je m’en réjouis et je me réjouis avec vous tous. 18 Vous aussi, de la même manière, réjouissez-vous, et réjouissez-vous avec moi.

L’envoi de Timothée et d’Epaphrodite

19 J’espère, en comptant sur le Seigneur Jésus, vous envoyer bientôt Timothée pour être moi-même encouragé par les nouvelles qu’il me donnera de vous.

20 Il n’y a personne ici, en dehors de lui, pour partager mes sentiments et se soucier sincèrement de ce qui vous concerne. 21 Car tous ne s’intéressent qu’à leurs propres affaires et non à la cause de Jésus-Christ. 22 Mais vous savez que Timothée a fait ses preuves : comme un enfant aux côtés de son père, il s’est consacré avec moi au service de l’Evangile. 23 C’est donc lui que j’espère pouvoir vous envoyer dès que je verrai quelle tournure prennent les événements pour moi.

24 Et j’ai cette confiance dans le Seigneur que je viendrai bientôt moi-même chez vous. 25 Par ailleurs, j’ai estimé nécessaire de vous renvoyer Epaphrodite[l], mon frère, mon collaborateur et mon compagnon d’armes, votre délégué auquel vous avez donné la charge de subvenir à mes besoins. 26 Il avait, en effet, un grand désir de vous revoir et il était préoccupé parce que vous avez appris qu’il était malade. 27 Il a été malade, c’est vrai, et il a frôlé la mort, mais Dieu a eu pitié de lui, et pas seulement de lui, mais aussi de moi, pour m’éviter d’avoir peine sur peine.

28 Je me suis donc hâté de vous le renvoyer pour que vous vous réjouissiez de le revoir : cela adoucira ma peine. 29 Réservez-lui donc un accueil digne de votre union commune au Seigneur ; recevez-le avec une grande joie. Ayez de l’estime pour de tels hommes, 30 car c’est en travaillant au service de Christ qu’il a failli mourir. Il a exposé sa vie pour s’acquitter, à votre place, du service que vous ne pouviez me rendre vous-mêmes.

Footnotes

  1. 2.1 Autres traductions : Christ ne vous y invite-t-il pas ? L’amour ne vous y encourage-t-il pas ? L’Esprit ne vous rend-il pas solidaires ? (ou : n’êtes-vous pas en communion avec l’Esprit ?).
  2. 2.3 Autre traduction : par égoïsme.
  3. 2.4 Autre traduction : intérêts.
  4. 2.5 Autre traduction : tendez en vous-mêmes à cette attitude qui est (ou était) aussi en Jésus-Christ. Ou : Ayez entre vous les sentiments qui viennent de Jésus-Christ.
  5. 2.6 Certains pensent que Paul citerait ici un hymne de l’Eglise primitive, mais il est possible qu’il l’ait composé lui-même.
  6. 2.6 D’autres comprennent : ne chercha pas à rester de force l’égal de Dieu (ou à se faire de force l’égal de Dieu).
  7. 2.11 Dans le paganisme, ce titre s’appliquait à la divinité suprême. Plus tard, les empereurs le revendiqueront. L’Ancien Testament rendait par ce titre le nom de Dieu (l’Eternel). Paul applique à Jésus ce qu’Es 45.23-24 disait de Dieu.
  8. 2.13 Autre traduction : car c’est Dieu lui-même qui agit parmi vous pour susciter le vouloir et le faire en vue de la bonne entente.
  9. 2.16 Autre traduction : en présentant aux hommes.
  10. 2.16 L’apôtre compare ses efforts et ses luttes à ceux des athlètes qui courent dans le stade (comparer 3.12-13 ; 1 Co 9.24-26 ; Ga 2.2).
  11. 2.17 Voir 2 Tm 4.6. La foi des Philippiens est comparée à un sacrifice offert à Dieu, sur lequel le sang de l’apôtre serait versé comme les libations de vin sur les offrandes de fleur de farine accompagnant certains sacrifices (Ex 29.38-41).
  12. 2.25 Délégué de l’Eglise de Philippes auprès de Paul pour l’aider pendant son emprisonnement (4.18). Les Philippiens avaient envoyé à Paul un don matériel avec ce frère, mais celui-ci était tombé malade peu après son arrivée (v. 27).

效法基督

所以,如果你们在基督里受到鼓励,得到爱的安慰,与圣灵相通,有慈悲和怜悯之心, 就要同心合意,彼此相爱,灵里合一,思想一致,好让我的喜乐更充足。 凡事不可自私自利、爱慕虚荣,要心存谦卑,看别人比自己强。 各人不要只顾自己的事,也要为别人的需要着想。 你们应当有基督耶稣那样的心肠。

祂虽然本质上是上帝,
却没有紧紧抓住自己与上帝平等的地位不放,
反而甘愿放下一切,
取了奴仆的形象,
降生为人的样子。
祂以人的样子出现后,
就自愿卑微,顺服至死,
而且死在十字架上。
因此,上帝将祂升为至尊,
赐给祂超乎万名之上的名,
10 使一切天上的、
地上的和地底下的,
无不屈膝跪拜在耶稣的名下,
11 无不口称耶稣基督是主,
将荣耀归于父上帝。

暗世明灯

12 所以,我亲爱的弟兄姊妹,既然我在你们那里的时候,你们一向都很顺服;如今我不在你们那里,你们更要顺服,要战战兢兢地活出得救后应有的生命。 13 因为你们立志和行事都是上帝在你们心中工作,为要成就祂美好的旨意。

14 无论做什么事,都不要抱怨,也不要与人争论, 15 好使你们在这个弯曲败坏的时代中无可指责、诚实无伪,做上帝纯洁无瑕的儿女,如同明光照耀在世上, 16 坚守生命之道。这样,到了基督再来的时候,我可以夸口自己没有空跑一场,也没有白费功夫。 17 你们的信心就是献给上帝的事奉和祭物,即使在上面浇奠我的生命,我也很喜乐,并且和你们大家一同喜乐。 18 同样,你们也要喜乐,要和我一同喜乐。

保罗的得力同工

19 如果主耶稣许可,我希望尽快派提摩太去你们那里,我好知道你们的近况,心里得到安慰。 20 因为没有人像他那样跟我一同真正关心你们的事。 21 别人都只顾自己的事,并不关心耶稣基督的事。 22 但你们知道提摩太的为人,我与他情同父子,一起事奉和传扬福音。 23 所以,我的案子一旦明朗了,我会立刻派他去见你们。 24 我深信如果主许可,我自己很快也会去你们那里。

25 另外,我觉得有必要让以巴弗提回到你们那里。他是我的弟兄、同工和战友,也是你们差遣来服侍我、供应我需用的。 26 他很想念你们,并且感到不安,因为你们听说了他患病的事。 27 他确实病了,几乎丧命,但上帝怜悯了他,不但怜悯他,也怜悯了我,没让我忧上加忧。 28 所以,我想尽快派他回去与你们相聚,好让你们喜乐,也可以减少我的挂虑。 29 你们要在主里欢欢喜喜地接待他,而且要敬重像他这样的人。 30 他为了基督的工作,将生死置之度外,几乎丧命,以弥补你们服侍我的不足之处。

Live in Harmony

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility consider one another better than yourselves. Let each of you look carefully not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Jesus Humbled Himself

Indeed,[a] let this attitude be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Though he was by nature God,[b] he did not consider equality with God as a prize to be displayed,[c] but he emptied himself by taking the nature[d] of a servant. When he was born in human likeness, and his appearance was like that of any other man,[e] he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Lights in the World

12 So then, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed, not only when I was with you, but also now much more in my absence, continue to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 In fact, it is God who is working in you, both to will and to work, for the sake of his good pleasure. 14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish among a crooked and perverted generation. You shine among them like lights in the world, 16 as you hold on to[f] the word of life. Then I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain 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 continue to be glad and rejoice with you all. 18 In the same way, also be glad and rejoice with me.

Two Faithful Workers

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 To be sure, I have no one else like him,[g] who will be genuinely concerned about your welfare. 21 For, the others all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s proven character, that as a child for his father, he served with me in the gospel. 23 So he is the one I hope to send just as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 But I have confidence in the Lord that I myself will be coming soon too.

25 I also considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as the one you sent to serve me in my need. 26 I sent him because he was longing for[h] all of you and was distressed, because you had heard that he was sick. 27 As a matter of fact, he was sick, nearly to 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 Now I am especially eager to send him, so that you may rejoice when you see him again, and I may be relieved. 29 Therefore, receive him in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard, 30 because he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life in order to fill in what was lacking in your service to me.

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 2:5 A few witnesses to the text omit Indeed.
  2. Philippians 2:6 Or in the form of God
  3. Philippians 2:6 Or something to be used for his own advantage, or something to cling to
  4. Philippians 2:7 Or form
  5. Philippians 2:7 Literally was found in appearance as a man
  6. Philippians 2:16 Or hold out
  7. Philippians 2:20 Or like-minded
  8. Philippians 2:26 Some witnesses to the text read longing to see.

Chapter 2

Plea for Unity and Humility.[a] If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing.(A) Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,(B) each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others.(C)

Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,[b]

Who,[c] though he was in the form of God,(D)
    did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.[d]
    Rather, he emptied himself,
    taking the form of a slave,
    coming in human likeness;[e]
    and found human in appearance,(E)
    he humbled himself,(F)
        becoming obedient to death,
        even death on a cross.[f]
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
    and bestowed on him the name[g]
    that is above every name,(G)
10     that at the name of Jesus
    every knee should bend,[h]
    of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,(H)
11     and every tongue confess that
    Jesus Christ is Lord,[i]
    to the glory of God the Father.(I)

Obedience and Service in the World.[j] 12 (J)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.[k] 13 For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work.(K) 14 Do everything without grumbling or questioning,(L) 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,[l] among whom you shine like lights in the world,(M) 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.(N) 17 But, even if I am poured out as a libation[m] upon the sacrificial service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with all of you.(O) 18 In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me.(P)

IV. Travel Plans of Paul and His Assistants[n]

Timothy and Paul. 19 I hope, in the Lord Jesus, to send Timothy[o] to you soon, so that I too may be heartened by hearing news of you.(Q) 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.(R) 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.[p]

Epaphroditus. 25 With regard to Epaphroditus,[q] my brother and co-worker and fellow soldier, your messenger and minister in my need, I consider it necessary to send him to you.(S) 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,(T) 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.

Footnotes

  1. 2:1–11 The admonition to likemindedness and unity (Phil 2:2–5) is based on the believers’ threefold experience with Christ, God’s love, and the Spirit. The appeal to humility (Phil 2:3) and to obedience (Phil 2:12) is rooted in christology, specifically in a statement about Christ Jesus (Phil 2:6–11) and his humbling of self and obedience to the point of death (Phil 2:8).
  2. 2:5 Have…the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus: or, “that also Christ Jesus had.” While it is often held that Christ here functions as a model for moral imitation, it is not the historical Jesus but the entire Christ event that Phil 2:6–11 depict. Therefore, the appeal is to have in relations among yourselves that same relationship you have in Jesus Christ, i.e., serving one another as you serve Christ (Phil 2:4).
  3. 2:6–11 Perhaps an early Christian hymn quoted here by Paul. The short rhythmic lines fall into two parts, Phil 2:6–8 where the subject of every verb is Christ, and Phil 2:9–11 where the subject is God. The general pattern is thus of Christ’s humiliation and then exaltation. More precise analyses propose a division into six three-line stanzas (Phil 2:6; 7abc, 7d–8, 9, 10, 11) or into three stanzas (Phil 2:6–7ab, 7cd–8, 9–11). Phrases such as even death on a cross (Phil 2:8c) are considered by some to be additions (by Paul) to the hymn, as are Phil 2:10c, 11c.
  4. 2:6 Either a reference to Christ’s preexistence and those aspects of divinity that he was willing to give up in order to serve in human form, or to what the man Jesus refused to grasp at to attain divinity. Many see an allusion to the Genesis story: unlike Adam, Jesus, though…in the form of God (Gn 1:26–27), did not reach out for equality with God, in contrast with the first Adam in Gn 3:5–6.
  5. 2:7 Taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness: or “…taking the form of a slave. Coming in human likeness, and found human in appearance.” While it is common to take Phil 2:6, 7 as dealing with Christ’s preexistence and Phil 2:8 with his incarnate life, so that lines Phil 2:7b, 7c are parallel, it is also possible to interpret so as to exclude any reference to preexistence (see note on Phil 2:6) and to take Phil 2:6–8 as presenting two parallel stanzas about Jesus’ human state (Phil 2:6–7b; 7cd–8); in the latter alternative, coming in human likeness begins the second stanza and parallels 6a to some extent.
  6. 2:8 There may be reflected here language about the servant of the Lord, Is 52:13–53:12 especially Is 53:12.
  7. 2:9 The name: “Lord” (Phil 2:11), revealing the true nature of the one who is named.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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).
  12. 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….”
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 2:19 Timothy: already known to the Philippians (Acts 16:1–15; cf. 1 Cor 4:17; 16:10).
  16. 2:24 I myself will also come soon: cf. Phil 1:19–25 for the significance of this statement.
  17. 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.