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, 2 Fulfil ye
my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one
accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through
strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man
also on the things of others. 5 † Let this mind be in
you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of
God, thought it not robbery to be equal with 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: 8 And being found in fashiona
as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of
the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and
given him a name which is above every 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; 11 And that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of 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. 13
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good
pleasure.
14 Do all
things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be
blameless and harmlessb, the sons of God, without rebuke, in
the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in
the world; 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. 17
Yea, and if I be offeredc upon the sacrifice and service of
your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same
cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. 19 Butd
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. 20 For I have no man
likemindede, who will naturally care for your state. 21
For all seek their own, not the things which are 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 presently,
so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. 24 But I trust in
the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. 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. 26
For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had
heard that he had been sick. 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. 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. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all
gladness; and holdf such in reputation: 30 Because for the
work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your
lack of service toward me.
The
Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems,
Inc.
†
A Greek word occurs that is not directly translated in the King
James Version.
a
fashion: or habit
b
harmless: or, sincere
c
offered: Gr. poured forth
d
But: or, Moreover
e
likeminded: or, so dear unto me
f
hold...: or, honour such
