Humble Service in the Body of Christ

For by the grace given me(A) I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

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If anyone thinks they are something(A) when they are not, they deceive themselves.(B)

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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.(A) Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,(B) not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.(C)

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

Who, being in very nature[a] God,(E)
    did not consider equality with God(F) something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing(G)
    by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,(H)
    being made in human likeness.(I)
And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death(J)
        even death on a cross!(K)

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Footnotes

  1. Philippians 2:6 Or in the form of
  2. Philippians 2:7 Or the form

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves(A) to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility(B) toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[a](C)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 5:5 Prov. 3:34

12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?(A)
    There is more hope for a fool than for them.(B)

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16 Live in harmony with one another.(A) Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:16 Or willing to do menial work

Be alert and of sober mind.(A) Your enemy the devil prowls around(B) like a roaring lion(C) looking for someone to devour.

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16 Do not be overrighteous,
    neither be overwise—
    why destroy yourself?

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11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.(A) If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides,(B) so that in all things God may be praised(C) through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.(D)

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The end of all things is near.(A) Therefore be alert and of sober mind(B) so that you may pray.

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But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[a](A)

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Footnotes

  1. James 4:6 Prov. 3:34

18 Pride(A) goes before destruction,
    a haughty spirit(B) before a fall.(C)

19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
    than to share plunder with the proud.

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He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly(A) and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly[a](B) with your God.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. Micah 6:8 Or prudently

Concerning Change of Status

17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them.(A) This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.(B)

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12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions,(A) and to live self-controlled,(B) upright and godly lives(C) in this present age,

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Teach the older men(A) to be temperate,(B) worthy of respect, self-controlled,(C) and sound in faith,(D) in love and in endurance.

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But to each one of us(A) grace(B) has been given(C) as Christ apportioned it. This is why it[a] says:

“When he ascended on high,
    he took many captives(D)
    and gave gifts to his people.”[b](E)

(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended(F) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)(G) 11 So Christ himself gave(H) the apostles,(I) the prophets,(J) the evangelists,(K) the pastors and teachers,(L) 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ(M) may be built up(N) 13 until we all reach unity(O) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God(P) and become mature,(Q) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.(R)

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:8 Or God
  2. Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
  3. Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth

We have different gifts,(A) according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying,(B) then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith;(C) if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;(D) if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;(E) if it is giving, then give generously;(F) if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:6 Or the
  2. Romans 12:8 Or to provide for others

The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven(A)

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children,(B) you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.(C) Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.(D)

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or because of these surpassingly great revelations.(A) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,(B) a messenger of Satan,(C) to torment me.

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Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.(A) To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom,(B) to another a message of knowledge(C) by means of the same Spirit, to another faith(D) by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing(E) by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers,(F) to another prophecy,(G) to another distinguishing between spirits,(H) to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a](I) and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,(J) and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or languages; also in verse 28
  2. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or languages; also in verse 28

20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith.(A) Do not be arrogant,(B) but tremble.(C)

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Through him we received grace(A) and apostleship to call all the Gentiles(B) to the obedience that comes from[a] faith(C) for his name’s sake.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 1:5 Or that is

Be Holy

13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober,(A) set your hope(B) on the grace to be brought to you(C) when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.(D)

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Then they can urge the younger women(A) to love their husbands and children,

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