Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

He exhorts them to unite in brotherly love, and to beware of rivalry and vainglory. For a trustworthy example, he sets Christ before them.

2 If there is among you any consolation in Christ, if there is any comforting love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if there is any compassion or mercy, ² fulfil my joy and all draw one way, having one love and being of one accord and of one mind. ³ Let nothing be done through rivalry or vainglory, but in meekness of mind let everyone esteem the other better than himself. ⁴ And look not every person on his own things, but every person on the things of others.

⁵ Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, counted it not a prize to be equal to God, ⁷ but made himself of no reputation, and took on him the form of a servant, and became like humankind, ⁸ and was found in his appearance as a man. He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ For this God has exalted him, and given him a name above all names, ¹⁰ so that in the name of Jesus every knee will bow, both of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth, ¹¹ and so that all tongues will confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father.