THE EPISTLE
OF
PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO THE
PHILIPPIANS
Philippians 2 ©
1 The apostle exhorts the Philippians very movingly unto unity. 3 And unto humility and serviceableness. 5 For that end, setting before them the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. 6 Who, being true God, made Himself empty as such, that He took our human nature upon Him, and died for us on the cross. 9 And afterward was again exceedingly exalted. 12 Adds thereunto a common exhortation to obedience, the fear of God, and all manner of Christian virtues. 15 To show themselves as lights in the midst of unbelievers. 17 Declares that if he should be put to death at Rome, he should rejoice at it, and that they also ought to do the same. 19 Promises that he will speedily send Timothy unto them. 24 And hopes also to come unto them himself. 25 Very earnestly commends their pastor Epaphroditus unto them, who brought them this epistle. 26 Declares that he had been very sick, yet by the Lord strengthened again. 29 Exhorts the Philippians that they would receive him joyfully, seeing for their service’ sake he had been in peril of his life.
IF there 1be therefore any 2consolation 3in Christ, if any 4comfort 5of love, if any 6fellowship of the Spirit, if any 7bowels and 8mercies,
9Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be 10likeminded,a having the same love, being 11of one accord, of one mind.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory;b butc in lowliness of mind let each esteem other 12better than themselves.
13Lookd not every man on his 14own things, but every man also on the 15things of others.
Lete16this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who,f being in the 17form of God, thought it 18not robbery to be equal 19with God:
Butg20made 21himself of no reputation, and took upon him 22theh form of a servant, 23and was made in the likeness of men:
Andi being 24found 25in fashion 26as a man, he humbledj27himself, and became 28obedient 29unto death, even 30the death of the cross.
31Whereforek32God also hath 33highly exalted him, and 34given him 35a namel which is 36above every name:
37Thatm38at the name of Jesus every knee should 39bow, of things 40in heaven, and things 41in earth, and things 42under the earth;
Andnthat 43every tongue should confess 44that Jesus Christ is Lord, 45to the glory of God the Father.
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always 46obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, 47work out your own salvation 48with fear and trembling.
Foro it is God 49which worketh in you both 50to will and 51to do 52of his good pleasure.
Dop53all things 54withoutq murmurings and 55disputings:
That ye may be 56blameless and 57harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of 58a crooked and perverse nation, amongr59whom 60ye shine 61as lights in the world;
62Holding forth the word 63of life; that I may rejoice 64in the day of Christ, that Is have not 65run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Yea, and if 66I be 67offered 68upon the sacrifice and 69service of your faith, It joy, and rejoice with you all.
For the same cause also 70do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
But I trust 71in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheusu shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
For I have no man 72likeminded, who will 73naturally care for 74your state.
Forv75all seek 76their own, 77not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
But ye know 78the proof of him, that, as 79a son with the father, he hath served 80with me in the gospel.
81Him therefore I hope to send 82presently, so soon as I shall see how 83it will go with me.
But I 84trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
Yet I supposed it necessary to send 85to you 86Epaphroditus, 87my brother, and 88companion in labour, and 89fellowsoldier, but your 90messenger, and he that 91ministered to my wants.
For he longed 92after you all, and was full of 93heaviness, because that 94ye had heard that he had been sick.
For indeed he was sick 95nigh unto death: but God had mercy on 96him; and not on him only, but on 97me also, lest I should have 98sorrow upon 99sorrow.
I sent him therefore 100the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be 101the less sorrowful.
Receive him therefore 102in the Lord with all gladness; andw hold 103such 104in reputation:
Because 105for the work of Christ he was 106nigh unto death, 107not regarding 108his life, to supply 109your lack of service toward me.