1 He exhorteth them above all things, 3 to humility,  6 and that by the example of Christ. 19 He promiseth to send Timothy shortly unto them, 26 and excuseth the long tarrying of Epaphroditus.

[a]If there be therefore any consolation in [b]Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any [c]compassion and mercy,

Fulfill my joy, that ye be like minded, having the [d]same love, being of one accord, and of one judgment,

That nothing be done through contention or vainglory, but that in meekness of mind every man esteem others better than himself.

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of other men.

[e]Let the same mind be in you that was even in Christ Jesus,

Who being in the [f]form of God, [g]thought it no robbery to be [h]equal with God:

But he made himself of [i]no reputation, and took on him the [j]form of a servant, and was made like unto men, and was found in shape as a man.

He humbled himself, and became obedient unto the death, even the death of the cross.

[k]Wherefore God hath also highly exalted him, and given him a [l]name above every name.

10 That at the Name of Jesus should [m]every knee bow, both of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.

11 And that [n]every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, unto the glory of God the Father.

12 [o]Wherefore my beloved, as ye have always obeyed me, not as in my presence only, but now much more in mine absence, so [p]make an end of your own salvation with fear and trembling.

13 [q]For it is God which worketh in you both [r]the will and the deed, even of his good pleasure.

14 [s]Do all things without (A)murmuring and reasonings,

15 [t]That ye may be blameless, and pure, and the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a naughty and crooked nation, among whom ye shine as (B)lights in the world,

16 Holding forth the [u]word of life, [v]that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither have labored in vain.

17 Yea, and though I be offered up upon the [w]sacrifice, and service of your faith, I am glad, and rejoice with you all.

18 For the same cause also be ye glad, and rejoice with me.

19 [x]And I trust in the Lord Jesus, to send (C)Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of [y]good comfort, when I know your state.

20 For I have no man like-minded, who will faithfully care for your matters.

21 (D)For [z]all seek their own, and not that which is 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 as soon as I know how it will go with me,

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

25 But I supposed it necessary to send my brother Epaphroditus unto you my companion in labor, and fellow soldier, even your messenger, and he that ministered unto me such things as I wanted.

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

27 And no doubt he was sick, very near 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 diligently, that when ye should see him again, ye might rejoice, and I might be the less sorrowful.

29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and make much of such:

30 Because that for the [aa]work of Christ he was near unto death, and regarded not his life, to fulfill that service which was lacking on your part toward me.

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 2:1 A most earnest request to remove all those things, whereby that great and special consent and agreement is commonly broken, to wit, contention and pride, whereby it cometh to pass, that they separate themselves one from another.
  2. Philippians 2:1 Any Christian comfort.
  3. Philippians 2:1 If any feeling of inward love.
  4. Philippians 2:2 Like love.
  5. Philippians 2:5 He setteth before them a most perfect example of all modesty and sweet conversation, Christ Jesus, whom we ought to follow with all our might: who abased himself so far for our sakes, although he be above all, that he took upon him the form of a servant, to wit, our flesh willingly, subject to all infirmities, even to the death of the cross.
  6. Philippians 2:6 Such as God himself is, and therefore God, for there is none in all parts like to God, but God himself.
  7. Philippians 2:6 Christ, that glorious and everlasting God, knew that he might rightfully and lawfully not appear in the base flesh of man, but remain with majesty meet for God: yet he chose rather to debase himself.
  8. Philippians 2:6 If the Son be equal to the Father, then is there of necessity an equality, which Arrius, that Heretic, denieth: and if the Son be compared with the Father, then is there a distinction of persons, which Sabellius, that heretic, denieth.
  9. Philippians 2:7 He brought himself from all things, as it were to nothing.
  10. Philippians 2:7 By taking our manhood upon him.
  11. Philippians 2:9 He showeth the most glorious event of Christ’s submission, to teach us, that modesty is the true way to true praise and glory.
  12. Philippians 2:9 Dignity and renown, and the matter with it.
  13. Philippians 2:10 All creatures shall at length be subject to Christ.
  14. Philippians 2:11 Every nation.
  15. Philippians 2:12 The conclusion: We must go on to salvation with humility and submission, by the way of our vocation.
  16. Philippians 2:12 He is said to make an end of his salvation, which runneth in the race of righteousness.
  17. Philippians 2:13 A most sure and grounded argument against pride, for that we have nothing in us praiseworthy but it cometh of the free gift of God, and is without us, for we have no ability or power, so much as to will well (much less to do well) but only of the free mercy of God.
  18. Philippians 2:13 Why then, we are not stocks, but yet we do not will well of nature, but only because God hath made of our naughty will a good will.
  19. Philippians 2:14 He describeth modesty by the contrary effects of pride, teaching us, that it is far both from all malicious, and close or inward hatred and also from open contentions and brawlings.
  20. Philippians 2:15 To be short, he requireth a life without fault, and pure, that being lightened with the word of God, they may shine in the darkness of this world.
  21. Philippians 2:16 The Gospel is called the word of life, because of the effects which it worketh.
  22. Philippians 2:16 Again he pricketh them forward, setting before them his true Apostolic care that he had of them, comforting them moreover, to the end they should not be sorry for the greatness of his afflictions, no not although he should die to make perfect their oblation with his blood, as it were with a drink offering.
  23. Philippians 2:17 As if he said, I brought you Philippians to Christ, my desire is that you present yourselves a lively sacrifice to him, and then shall it not grieve me to be offered up as a drink offering, to accomplish this your spiritual offering.
  24. Philippians 2:19 Moreover he confirmeth their minds both by sending back Epaphroditus unto them, whose fidelity towards them, and great pains in helping him, he commendeth: and also promising to send Timothy shortly unto them, by whose presence they shall receive great commodity, and hoping also to come himself shortly unto them, if God wills.
  25. Philippians 2:19 May be confirmed in my joy of mind.
  26. Philippians 2:21 The most part.
  27. Philippians 2:30 He calleth it here the work of Christ, to visit Christ, being poor and in bands in the person of Paul.

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