Imitating Christ’s Humility

2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,^(A) if any tenderness and compassion,^{(B) 2} then make my joy complete^(C) by being like-minded,^(D) having the same love, being one^(E) in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.^(F) Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,^{(G) 4} not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.^(H)

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:^(I)

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,^{(V) 13} for it is God who works in you^(W) to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.^(X)

¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling^(Y) or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless^(Z) and pure, “children of God^(AA) without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”^[c](AB) 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^(AC) that I did not run^(AD) or labor in vain.^{(AE) 17} But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering^(AF) on the sacrifice^(AG) and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.^{(AH) 18} So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

¹⁹ I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy^(AI) to you soon,^(AJ) that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. ²⁰ I have no one else like him,^(AK) who will show genuine concern for your welfare. ²¹ For everyone looks out for their own interests,^(AL) not those of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father^(AM) 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.^{(AN) 24} And I am confident^(AO) 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^(AP) and fellow soldier,^(AQ) who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.^{(AR) 26} For he longs for all of you^(AS) 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,^(AT) 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,^{(AU) 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.^(AV)

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,^(AW) and it is a safeguard for you. ² Watch out for those dogs,^(AX) those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. ³ For it is we who are the circumcision,^(AY) we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus,^(AZ) and who put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴ though I myself have reasons for such confidence.^(BA)

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised^(BB) on the eighth day, of the people of Israel,^(BC) of the tribe of Benjamin,^(BD) a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;^{(BE) 6} as for zeal,^(BF) persecuting the church;^(BG) as for righteousness based on the law,^(BH) faultless.

⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss^(BI) for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing^(BJ) Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ^{(BK) 9} and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,^(BL) but that which is through faith in^[d] Christ—the righteousness^(BM) that comes from God on the basis of faith.^{(BN) 10} I want to know^(BO) Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings,^(BP) becoming like him in his death,^{(BQ) 11} and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection^(BR) from the dead.

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,^(BS) but I press on to take hold^(BT) of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.^{(BU) 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^(BV) and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on^(BW) toward the goal to win the prize^(BX) for which God has called^(BY) me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Following Paul’s Example

¹⁵ All of us, then, who are mature^(BZ) should take such a view of things.^(CA) And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.^{(CB) 16} Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

¹⁷ Join together in following my example,^(CC) brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.^{(CD) 18} For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears,^(CE) many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.^{(CF) 19} Their destiny^(CG) is destruction, their god is their stomach,^(CH) and their glory is in their shame.^(CI) Their mind is set on earthly things.^{(CJ) 20} But our citizenship^(CK) is in heaven.^(CL) And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,^{(CM) 21} who, by the power^(CN) that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies^(CO) so that they will be like his glorious body.^(CP)

Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity

4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for,^(CQ) my joy and crown, stand firm^(CR) in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

² I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind^(CS) 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,^(CT) whose names are in the book of life.^(CU)

Final Exhortations

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!^{(CV) 5} Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.^{(CW) 6} Do not be anxious about anything,^(CX) but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.^{(CY) 7} And the peace of God,^(CZ) which transcends all understanding,^(DA) 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.^(DB) And the God of peace^(DC) will be with you.

Thanks for Their Gifts

¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.^(DD) 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^(DE) 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,^(DF) whether living in plenty or in want.^{(DG) 13} I can do all this through him who gives me strength.^(DH)

¹⁴ Yet it was good of you to share^(DI) in my troubles. ¹⁵ Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days^(DJ) of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia,^(DK) not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;^{(DL) 16} for even when I was in Thessalonica,^(DM) you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.^{(DN) 17} Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.^{(DO) 18} I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus^(DP) the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant^(DQ) offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs^(DR) according to the riches of his glory^(DS) in Christ Jesus.

²⁰ To our God and Father^(DT) be glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(DU)

Final Greetings

²¹ Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me^(DV) send greetings. ²² All God’s people^(DW) here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.

²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ^(DX) be with your spirit.^(DY) Amen.^[e]

1 Paul, an apostle^(A) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,^(B) and Timothy^(C) our brother,

² To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters^[a] in Christ:

Grace^(D) and peace to you from God our Father.^[b](E)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ We always thank God,^(F) the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴ because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love^(G) you have for all God’s people^(H)— ⁵ the faith and love that spring from the hope^(I) stored up for you in heaven^(J) and about which you have already heard in the true message^(K) of the gospel ⁶ that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit^(L) and growing throughout the whole world^(M)—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. ⁷ You learned it from Epaphras,^(N) our dear fellow servant,^[c] who is a faithful minister^(O) of Christ on our^[d] behalf, ⁸ and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.^(P)

⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you,^(Q) we have not stopped praying for you.^(R) We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will^(S) through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,^{[e](T) 10} so that you may live a life worthy^(U) of the Lord and please him^(V) in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,^{(W) 11} being strengthened with all power^(X) according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,^{(Y) 12} and giving joyful thanks to the Father,^(Z) who has qualified you^[f] to share in the inheritance^(AA) of his holy people in the kingdom of light.^{(AB) 13} For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness^(AC) and brought us into the kingdom^(AD) of the Son he loves,^{(AE) 14} in whom we have redemption,^(AF) the forgiveness of sins.^(AG)

The Supremacy of the Son of God

¹⁵ The Son is the image^(AH) of the invisible God,^(AI) the firstborn^(AJ) over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created:^(AK) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;^(AL) all things have been created through him and for him.^{(AM) 17} He is before all things,^(AN) and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head^(AO) of the body, the church;^(AP) he is the beginning and the firstborn^(AQ) from among the dead,^(AR) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased^(AS) to have all his fullness^(AT) dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile^(AU) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,^(AV) by making peace^(AW) through his blood,^(AX) shed on the cross.

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies^(AY) in your minds^(AZ) because of^[g] your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled^(BA) you by Christ’s physical body^(BB) through death to present you^(BC) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation^(BD)— ²³ if you continue^(BE) in your faith, established^(BF) and firm, and do not move from the hope^(BG) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,^(BH) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.^(BI)

Paul’s Labor for the Church

²⁴ Now I rejoice^(BJ) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,^(BK) for the sake of his body, which is the church.^{(BL) 25} I have become its servant^(BM) by the commission God gave me^(BN) to present to you the word of God^(BO) in its fullness— ²⁶ the mystery^(BP) that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known^(BQ) among the Gentiles the glorious riches^(BR) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,^(BS) the hope of glory.

²⁸ He is the one we proclaim, admonishing^(BT) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,^(BU) so that we may present everyone fully mature^(BV) in Christ. ²⁹ To this end I strenuously^(BW) contend^(BX) with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.^(BY)

2 I want you to know how hard I am contending^(BZ) for you and for those at Laodicea,^(CA) and for all who have not met me personally. ² My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart^(CB) and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery^(CC) of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.^{(CD) 4} I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.^{(CE) 5} For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit^(CF) and delight to see how disciplined^(CG) you are and how firm^(CH) your faith in Christ^(CI) is.

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

⁶ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,^(CJ) continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted^(CK) and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught,^(CL) and overflowing with thankfulness.

⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,^(CM) which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces^[h] of this world^(CN) rather than on Christ.

⁹ For in Christ all the fullness^(CO) of the Deity lives in bodily form, ¹⁰ and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head^(CP) over every power and authority.^{(CQ) 11} In him you were also circumcised^(CR) with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh^[i](CS) was put off when you were circumcised by^[j] Christ, ¹² having been buried with him in baptism,^(CT) in which you were also raised with him^(CU) through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.^(CV)

¹³ When you were dead in your sins^(CW) and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you^[k] alive^(CX) with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,^{(CY) 14} having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness,^(CZ) which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.^{(DA) 15} And having disarmed the powers and authorities,^(DB) he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them^(DC) by the cross.^[l]

Freedom From Human Rules

¹⁶ Therefore do not let anyone judge you^(DD) by what you eat or drink,^(DE) or with regard to a religious festival,^(DF) a New Moon celebration^(DG) or a Sabbath day.^{(DH) 17} These are a shadow of the things that were to come;^(DI) the reality, however, is found in Christ. ¹⁸ Do not let anyone who delights in false humility^(DJ) and the worship of angels disqualify you.^(DK) Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. ¹⁹ They have lost connection with the head,^(DL) from whom the whole body,^(DM) supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.^(DN)

²⁰ Since you died with Christ^(DO) to the elemental spiritual forces of this world,^(DP) why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:^{(DQ) 21} “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? ²² These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish^(DR) with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.^{(DS) 23} Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility^(DT) and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.