New Testament in a Year
2 1 He exhorteth them above all things, 3 to humility, 6 and that by the example of Christ. 19 He promiseth to send Timothy shortly unto them, 26 and excuseth the long tarrying of Epaphroditus.
1 [a]If there be therefore any consolation in [b]Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any [c]compassion and mercy,
2 Fulfill my joy, that ye be like minded, having the [d]same love, being of one accord, and of one judgment,
3 That nothing be done through contention or vainglory, but that in meekness of mind every man esteem others better than himself.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of other men.
5 [e]Let the same mind be in you that was even in Christ Jesus,
6 Who being in the [f]form of God, [g]thought it no robbery to be [h]equal with God:
7 But he made himself of [i]no reputation, and took on him the [j]form of a servant, and was made like unto men, and was found in shape as a man.
8 He humbled himself, and became obedient unto the death, even the death of the cross.
9 [k]Wherefore God hath also highly exalted him, and given him a [l]name above every name.
10 That at the Name of Jesus should [m]every knee bow, both of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.
11 And that [n]every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, unto the glory of God the Father.
12 [o]Wherefore my beloved, as ye have always obeyed me, not as in my presence only, but now much more in mine absence, so [p]make an end of your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 [q]For it is God which worketh in you both [r]the will and the deed, even of his good pleasure.
14 [s]Do all things without (A)murmuring and reasonings,
15 [t]That ye may be blameless, and pure, and the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a naughty and crooked nation, among whom ye shine as (B)lights in the world,
16 Holding forth the [u]word of life, [v]that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither have labored in vain.
17 Yea, and though I be offered up upon the [w]sacrifice, and service of your faith, I am glad, and rejoice with you all.
18 For the same cause also be ye glad, and rejoice with me.
19 [x]And I trust in the Lord Jesus, to send (C)Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of [y]good comfort, when I know your state.
20 For I have no man like-minded, who will faithfully care for your matters.
21 (D)For [z]all seek their own, and not that which is Jesus Christ’s.
22 But ye know the proof of him, that as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the Gospel.
23 Him therefore I hope to send as soon as I know how it will go with me,
24 And I trust in the Lord, that I also myself shall come shortly.
25 But I supposed it necessary to send my brother Epaphroditus unto you my companion in labor, and fellow soldier, even your messenger, and he that ministered unto me such things as I wanted.
26 For he longed after all you, and was full of heaviness, because ye had heard that he had been sick.
27 And no doubt he was sick, very near unto death: but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
28 I sent him therefore the more diligently, that when ye should see him again, ye might rejoice, and I might be the less sorrowful.
29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and make much of such:
30 Because that for the [aa]work of Christ he was near unto death, and regarded not his life, to fulfill that service which was lacking on your part toward me.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.