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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) 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)

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

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

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)

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 2:6 Or in the form of
  2. Philippians 2:7 Or the form
  3. Philippians 2:15 Deut. 32:5
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Philippians 2
Contemporary English Version

True Humility

2 Christ encourages you, and his love comforts you. God's Spirit unites you, and you are concerned for others. 2 Now make me completely happy! Live in harmony by showing love for each other. Be united in what you think, as if you were only one person. 3 Don't be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves. 4 Care about them as much as you care about yourselves 5 and think the same way that Christ Jesus thought:[a]

6 Christ was truly God.
But he did not try to remain[b]
    equal with God.
7 Instead he gave up everything[c]
    and became a slave,
when he became
    like one of us.

8 Christ was humble.
He obeyed God and even died
    on a cross.
9 Then God gave Christ
    the highest place
and honored his name
    above all others.

10 (A) So at the name of Jesus
    everyone will bow down,
those in heaven, on earth,
    and under the earth.
11 And to the glory
    of God the Father
everyone will openly agree,
    “Jesus Christ is Lord!”

Lights in the World

12 My dear friends, you always obeyed when I was with you. Now that I am away, you should obey even more. So work with fear and trembling to discover what it really means to be saved. 13 God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him.

14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing. 15 (B) Then you will be the pure and innocent children of God. You live among people who are crooked and evil, but you must not do anything they can say is wrong. Try to shine as lights among the people of this world, 16 as you hold firmly to[d] the message that gives life. Then on the day when Christ returns, I can take pride in you. I can also know that my work and efforts were not useless.

17 Your faith in the Lord and your service are like a sacrifice offered to him. And my own blood may have to be poured out with the sacrifice.[e] If this happens, I will be glad and rejoice with you. 18 In the same way, you should be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

19 I want to be encouraged by news about you. So I hope the Lord Jesus will soon let me send Timothy to you. 20 I don't have anyone else who cares about you as much as he does. 21 The others think only about what interests them and not about what concerns Christ Jesus. 22 But you know what kind of person Timothy is. He has worked with me like a son in spreading the good news. 23 I hope to send him to you, as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me. 24 And I feel sure the Lord will also let me come soon.

25 I think I ought to send my dear friend Epaphroditus back to you. He is a follower and a worker and a soldier of the Lord, just as I am. You sent him to look after me, 26 but now he is eager to see you. He is worried, because you heard he was sick. 27 In fact, he was very sick and almost died. But God was kind to him, and also to me, and he kept me from being burdened down with sorrow.

28 Now I am more eager than ever to send Epaphroditus back again. You will be glad to see him, and I won't have to worry any longer. 29 Be sure to give him a cheerful welcome, just as people who serve the Lord deserve. 30 He almost died working for Christ, and he risked his own life to do for me what you could not.

Footnotes

  1. 2.5 think the same way that Christ Jesus thought: Or “think the way you should because you belong to Christ Jesus.”
  2. 2.6 remain: Or “become.”
  3. 2.7 he gave up everything: Greek, “he emptied himself.”
  4. 2.16 hold firmly to: Or “offer them.”
  5. 2.17 my own blood may have to be poured out with the sacrifice: Offerings of water or wine were sometimes poured out when animals were sacrificed on the altar.
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Philippians 2
New American Standard Bible

Be like Christ

2 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any (A)fellowship of the Spirit, if any [a](B)affection and compassion, 2 (C)make my joy complete [b]by (D)being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing [c]from [d](E)selfishness or (F)empty conceit, but with humility (G)consider one another as more important than yourselves; 4 (H)do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 (I)Have this attitude [e]in yourselves which was also in (J)Christ Jesus, 6 who, as He already (K)existed in the (L)form of God, (M)did not consider equality with God something to be [f]grasped, 7 but [g](N)emptied Himself by taking the form of a (O)bond-servant and [h](P)being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, (Q)He humbled Himself by becoming (R)obedient to the point of death: (S)death [i]on a cross. 9 (T)For this reason also God (U)highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him (V)the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus (W)every knee will bow, of (X)those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is (Y)Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12 So then, my beloved, (Z)just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own (AA)salvation with (AB)fear and trembling; 13 for it is (AC)God who is at work in you, both to [j]desire and to work (AD)for His good pleasure.

14 Do all things without (AE)complaining or arguments; 15 so that you will [k]prove yourselves to be (AF)blameless and innocent, (AG)children of God above reproach in the midst of a (AH)crooked and perverse generation, among whom you [l](AI)appear as [m]lights in the world, 16 holding firmly the word of life, so that on (AJ)the day of Christ I can take pride because I did not (AK)run in vain nor (AL)labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being (AM)poured out as a drink offering upon (AN)the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 18 You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

19 But I hope, [n]in the Lord Jesus, to (AO)send (AP)Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. 20 For I have no one else (AQ)of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all (AR)seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know (AS)of his proven character, that (AT)he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel (AU)like a child serving his father. 23 (AV)Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; 24 and (AW)I trust in the Lord that I myself will also be coming shortly. 25 But I thought it necessary to send to you (AX)Epaphroditus, my brother and (AY)fellow worker and (AZ)fellow soldier, who is also your [o](BA)messenger and (BB)minister to my need, 26 because he was longing [p]for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick to the point of 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 Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly, so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. 29 (BC)Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and (BD)hold people like him in high regard, 30 because he came close to death [q](BE)for the work of Christ, risking his life to (BF)compensate [r]for your absence in your service to me.

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 2:1 Lit inward parts
  2. Philippians 2:2 Lit that you be
  3. Philippians 2:3 Lit according to
  4. Philippians 2:3 Or contentiousness
  5. Philippians 2:5 Or among
  6. Philippians 2:6 Or seized
  7. Philippians 2:7 I.e., set aside His divine rights
  8. Philippians 2:7 Or having come to be
  9. Philippians 2:8 Lit of
  10. Philippians 2:13 Or be willing
  11. Philippians 2:15 Or become
  12. Philippians 2:15 Or shine
  13. Philippians 2:15 Or luminaries, stars
  14. Philippians 2:19 Or trusting in
  15. Philippians 2:25 Lit apostle
  16. Philippians 2:26 One early ms to see you all
  17. Philippians 2:30 Lit because of
  18. Philippians 2:30 Lit your deficiency of service
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Philippians 2
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

Chapter 2

Plea for Unity and Humility.[a] 1 If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing.(A) 3 Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,(B) 4 each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others.(C)

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

6 Who,[c] though he was in the form of God,(D)
    did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.[d]
7     Rather, he emptied himself,
    taking the form of a slave,
    coming in human likeness;[e]
    and found human in appearance,(E)
8     he humbled himself,(F)
        becoming obedient to death,
        even death on a cross.[f]
9 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.
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Filippesi 2
Nuova Riveduta 2006

Cristo, esempio di umiltà

2 (A)Se dunque v’è qualche consolazione in Cristo, se vi è qualche conforto d’amore, se vi è qualche comunione di Spirito, se vi è qualche tenerezza di affetto e qualche compassione, 2 rendete perfetta la mia gioia, avendo un medesimo pensare, un medesimo amore, essendo di un animo solo e di un unico sentimento. 3 Non fate nulla per spirito di parte o per vanagloria, ma ciascuno, con umiltà, stimi gli altri superiori a se stesso, 4 cercando ciascuno non il proprio interesse, ma {anche} quello degli altri. 5 Abbiate in voi lo stesso sentimento che è stato anche in Cristo Gesù, 6 il quale, pur essendo in forma di Dio, non considerò l’essere uguale a Dio qualcosa a cui aggrapparsi gelosamente[a], 7 ma svuotò se stesso, prendendo forma di servo, divenendo simile agli uomini; 8 trovato esteriormente come un uomo, umiliò se stesso, facendosi ubbidiente fino alla morte, e alla morte di croce. 9 Perciò Dio lo ha sovranamente innalzato e gli ha dato il nome[b] che è al di sopra di ogni nome, 10 affinché nel nome di Gesù si pieghi ogni ginocchio nei cieli, sulla terra, e sotto terra, 11 e ogni lingua confessi che Gesù Cristo è il Signore, alla gloria di Dio Padre[c].

Esortazione alla santificazione

12 (B)Così, miei cari, voi che foste sempre ubbidienti, non solo come quando ero presente, ma molto più adesso che sono assente, adoperatevi al compimento della vostra salvezza con timore e tremore; 13 infatti è Dio che produce in voi il volere e l’agire, secondo il suo disegno benevolo. 14 Fate ogni cosa senza mormorii e senza dispute, 15 perché siate irreprensibili e integri, figli di Dio senza biasimo in mezzo a una generazione storta e perversa, nella quale risplendete come astri nel mondo, 16 tenendo alta la parola di vita, in modo che nel giorno di Cristo io possa vantarmi di non aver corso invano, né invano faticato. 17 Ma se anche vengo offerto in libazione sul sacrificio e sul servizio della vostra fede, ne gioisco e me ne rallegro con tutti voi; 18 e nello stesso modo gioitene anche voi e rallegratevene con me.

Missione di Timoteo ed Epafròdito

19 (C)Ora spero nel Signore Gesù di mandarvi presto Timoteo per essere io pure incoraggiato nel ricevere vostre notizie. 20 Infatti non ho nessuno di animo pari al suo che abbia sinceramente a cuore quel che vi concerne. 21 Poiché tutti cercano i loro propri interessi, e non quelli di Cristo Gesù. 22 Voi sapete che egli ha dato buona prova di sé, perché ha servito con me la causa del vangelo, come un figlio con il proprio padre. 23 Spero dunque di mandarvelo appena avrò visto come andrà a finire la mia situazione; 24 ma ho fiducia nel Signore di poter venire presto anch’io.

25 (D)Però ho ritenuto necessario mandarvi Epafròdito, mio fratello, mio compagno di lavoro e di lotta, inviatomi da voi per provvedere alle mie necessità; 26 egli aveva un gran desiderio di vedervi tutti ed era preoccupato perché avevate saputo della sua malattia. 27 È stato ammalato, infatti, e ben vicino alla morte, ma Dio ha avuto pietà di lui; e non soltanto di lui, ma anche di me, perché io non avessi dolore su dolore. 28 Perciò ve l’ho mandato con gran premura, affinché vedendolo di nuovo vi rallegriate, e anch’io sia meno afflitto. 29 Accoglietelo dunque nel Signore con ogni gioia e abbiate stima di uomini simili; 30 perché è per l’opera di Cristo che egli è stato molto vicino alla morte, avendo rischiato la propria vita per supplire ai servizi che non potevate rendermi voi stessi.

Footnotes

  1. Filippesi 2:6 Non considerò l’essere uguale a Dio qualcosa a cui aggrapparsi gelosamente, lett. non ritenne rapina l’essere uguale a Dio.
  2. Filippesi 2:9 TR e M un nome.
  3. Filippesi 2:11 Cfr. Is 45:23.
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