Philippians, 2
He recommends them to unity and humility, and to work out their salvation with fear and trembling.
[1] If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of charity, if any society of the spirit, if any bowels of commiseration: •
[2] Fulfil ye my joy, that you be of one mind, having the same charity, being of one accord, agreeing in sentiment.
[3] Let nothing be done through contention: neither by vain glory. But in humility, let each esteem others better than themselves: •
[4] Each one not considering the things that are his own, but those that are other men's. •
[5] For 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 emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. •
Emptied himself, exinanivit: made himself as of no account.
[8] He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. •
[9] For which cause, God also hath exalted him and hath given him a name which is above all names: •
[10] That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: •
[11] And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.
[12] Wherefore, my dearly beloved, (as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only but much more now in my absence) with fear 1 and trembling work out your salvation. •
With fear: This is against the false faith, and presumptuous security of modern sectaries.
[13] For it is God who worketh in you, both to will and to accomplish, according to his good will. •
[14] And do ye all things without murmurings and hesitations: •
[15] That you may be blameless and sincere children of God, without reproof, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation: among whom you shine as lights in the world.
[16] Holding forth the word of life to my glory in the day of Christ: because I have not run in vain, nor laboured in vain. •
[17] Yea, and if I be made a victim upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and congratulate with you all. •
[18] And for the selfsame thing, do you also rejoice and congratulate with me.
[19] And I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy unto you shortly, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know the things concerning you. •
[20] For I have no man so of the same mind, who with sincere affection is solicitous for you.
[21] For all seek the things that are their own not the things that are Jesus Christ's. •
[22] Now know ye the proof of him: that as a son with the father, so hath he served with me in the gospel.
[23] Him therefore I hope to send unto you immediately: so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
[24] And I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall come to you shortly. •
[25] But I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow labourer and fellow soldier, but your apostle: and he that hath ministered to my wants. •
[26] For indeed he longed after you all: and was sad, for that you had heard that he was sick. •
[27] For indeed he was sick, nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him. And not only on him, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
[28] Therefore, I sent him the more speedily: that seeing him again, you may rejoice, and I may be without sorrow. •
[29] Receive him therefore with all joy in the Lord: and treat with honour such as he is.
[30] Because for the work of Christ he came to the point of death: delivering his life, that he might fulfil that which on your part was wanting towards my service. •