Philippians 2

New International Version

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) ²then make my joy complete^(C) by being like-minded,^(D) having the same love, being one^(E) in spirit and of one mind. ³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.^(F) Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,^(G) ⁴not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.^(H)

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

⁶Who, being in very nature^[a] God,^(J)
    did not consider equality with God^(K) something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷rather, he made himself nothing^(L)
    by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,^(M)
    being made in human likeness.^(N)
⁸And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death^(O)—
        even death on a cross!^(P)

⁹Therefore God exalted him^(Q) to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,^(R)
¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,^(S)
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,^(T)
¹¹and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,^(U)
    to the glory of God the Father.

Do Everything Without Grumbling

¹²Therefore, 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) ¹³for it is God who works in you^(W) to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.^(X)

¹⁴Do everything without grumbling^(Y) or arguing, ¹⁵so 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 ¹⁶as 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) ¹⁷But 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) ¹⁸So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

¹⁹I 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. ²⁰I have no one else like him,^(AK) who will show genuine concern for your welfare. ²¹For everyone looks out for their own interests,^(AL) not those of Jesus Christ. ²²But 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. ²³I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.^(AN) ²⁴And I am confident^(AO) in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

²⁵But 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) ²⁶For he longs for all of you^(AS) and is distressed because you heard he was ill. ²⁷Indeed 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. ²⁸Therefore 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. ²⁹So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,^(AU) ³⁰because 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)

Footnotes

Philippians 2:6 Or in the form of
Philippians 2:7 Or the form
Philippians 2:15 Deut. 32:5

Romans 13

New International Version

Submission to Governing Authorities

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities,^(A) for there is no authority except that which God has established.^(B) The authorities that exist have been established by God. ²Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted,^(C) and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.^(D) ⁴For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.^(E) ⁵Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.^(F)

⁶This is also why you pay taxes,^(G) for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes;^(H) if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Love Fulfills the Law

⁸Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.^(I) ⁹The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”^[a]^(J) and whatever other command there may be, are summed up^(K) in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^[b]^(L) ¹⁰Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.^(M)

The Day Is Near

¹¹And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come^(N) for you to wake up from your slumber,^(O) because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. ¹²The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.^(P) So let us put aside the deeds of darkness^(Q) and put on the armor^(R) of light. ¹³Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness,^(S) not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.^(T) ¹⁴Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ,^(U) and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.^[c]^(V)

Footnotes

Romans 13:9 Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deut. 5:17-19,21
Romans 13:9 Lev. 19:18
Romans 13:14 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.