Philippians

A letter of joy and encouragement, emphasizing humility and unity through Christ.

Chapter 2

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

*If there is comfort in Christ, love's comfort, shared Spirit experience, and compassionate kindness,

2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

*Follow my happiness by thinking similarly, loving the same way, and being united in purpose.

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

*Do not do anything through conflict or showing off; instead, humbly consider others as more important than yourselves.

4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

*Don't just think about what's important to you, but also consider what's important to other people.

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

*Have this same thinking in you that was also in Christ Jesus.

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

*Who, having the shape of God, didn't think it was wrong to be the same as God.

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

*But he didn't care about his reputation and became like a servant, taking the shape of humans.

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

*He looked like an ordinary person and willingly submitted to dying on a cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

*Because God has also raised him very high and given him a name greater than any other name.

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

*Everyone and everything - in heaven, on earth, and beneath the earth - should bow down in respect to Jesus' name.

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

*Everyone should admit that Jesus Christ is the boss, bringing honor to God the Father.

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

*So, my dear ones, just like you've listened to me before, especially when I'm not around, be extra careful and do what's needed for your own safety.

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

*God is the one who helps you want to do and actually do what pleases him.

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

*Do everything without complaining and arguing.

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

*So that you can be innocent and safe, like true children of God, without anyone finding fault with you. In a world full of twisted and wrong people, you stand out like bright lights, showing others the way.

16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

*Sharing the life-giving message; so I can be happy when the time of Christ comes, knowing that my efforts and hard work were not for nothing.

17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

*Yes, and if I am accepted as a sacrifice for your belief, I am happy and celebrate with you all.

18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

*You too celebrate for the same reason, and be happy with me.

19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.

*But I trust that the Lord Jesus will soon send Timothy to you. This way, I can be comforted and know how you are doing.

20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

*Because I don't know anyone who thinks like me, who would naturally worry about your situation.

21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.

*Everyone wants what's for them, not what belongs to Jesus Christ.

22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

*But you know the evidence of him, that like a son working with the father, he has helped me spread the good news.

23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.

*I plan to send him soon, once I know how things turn out for me.

24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.

*But I believe in God, so I think I'll be with him soon too.

25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

*I thought it important to send you Epaphroditus, my fellow worker and soldier, who is also a messenger and helper for my needs.

26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

*He missed you greatly and was very sad because you knew he was ill.

27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

*He was very close to dying, but God showed kindness to him - and not just him, but also to me, so that I wouldn't have even more sadness.

28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

*I sent him with more care, so when you see him again, you can be happy, and I'll feel less sad.

29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:

*Welcome him joyfully in the name of the Lord, and respect those people.

30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

*Because for Christ's work, he nearly died, not caring about his life, to help with your lack of service to me.

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