Philippians 2

Imitating Christ’s Humility

1 Listen, if you got any encouragement from being in Christ, any comfort from His love, any connection through the Spirit, or any compassion and mercy,

2 then make my joy complete by being united: same mind, same love, same spirit, and on the same team.

3 Do not do stuff out of selfish ambition or ego. Be humble and treat others like they are more important than you.

4 Do not just look out for yourself; look out for others too.

5 Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Even though He was God, He did not flex His God-status.

7 Instead, He emptied Himself, took on the form of a servant, and became human.

8 He humbled Himself even more, obeying to the point of death, death on a cross.

9 That is why God lifted Him up and gave Him a name above every name,

10 so that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth,

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

Shining as Lights in the World

12 So, my people, just like you have always obeyed, not just when I am around, but even more when I am not, keep working out your salvation with fear and trembling.

13 Because God’s working in you, helping you want what He wants and giving you the power to make it happen.

14 Do everything without complaining or arguing.

15 That way, you will be blameless and pure, children of God in a messed-up, crooked world. You will shine like stars in the night.

16 Hold tight to the Word of life so that when Christ comes back, I will be proud I did not waste my time or energy.

17 Even if I am being poured out like a drink offering, sacrificing myself for your faith, I am cool with that. I will celebrate with you all.

18 And you should celebrate too, rejoice with me!

Timothy and Epaphroditus

19 I hope the Lord lets me send Timothy to you soon so I can hear how you all are doing and be encouraged.

20 Nobody is else like him; he genuinely cares about you all.

21 Everybody else is chasing their own interests, not Jesus Christ’s.

22 But you know Timothy, he is like my son in the faith, and we have been grinding together for the gospel.

23 I am hoping to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.

24 And I trust the Lord that I will get to visit you all myself soon.

25 I felt it was necessary to send you all Epaphroditus, my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier. He is your messenger, and he has been taking care of me.

26 He has been missing you all and was worried because you heard he was sick.

27 And yeah, he was real sick, almost died. But God had mercy on him, and on me too, so I would not have to deal with that kind of sorrow.

28 So I am sending him back to you all ASAP, so when you see him, you will be happy, and I will have less stress.

29 Welcome him with joy in the Lord and honor people like him.

30 Because he risked his life for the work of Christ, almost dying to help me when you all could not.