Filipenses 2

¹ IfA most earnest request to remove all those things, by which that great and special consent and agreement is commonly broken, that is, contention and pride, by which it comes to pass that they separate themselves from one another.[there be] therefore any consolation inAny Christian comfort.Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if anyIf any seeking of inward love.bowels and mercies,

² Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having theEqual love.same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind.

³ That nothing be done through contention or vaine glory, but that in meekenesse of minde euery man esteeme other better then himselfe.

⁴ Looke not euery man on his owne things, but euery man also on the things of other men.

⁵ He sets before them a most perfect example of all modesty and sweet conduct, Christ Jesus, whom we ought to follow with all our might: who abased himself so much for our sakes, although he is above all, that he took upon himself the form of a servant, that is, our flesh, willingly subject to all weaknesses, even to the death of the cross.Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in theSuch as God himself is, and therefore God, for there is no one in all parts equal to God but God himself.form of God,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 fit for God: yet he chose rather to debase himself.thought it not robbery to beIf the Son is equal with the Father, then is there of necessity an equality, which Arrius that heretic denies: and if the Son is compared to the Father, then is there a distinction of persons, which Sabellius that heretic denies.equal with God:

⁷ But made himself ofHe brought himself from all things, as it were to nothing.no reputation, and took upon him theBy taking our manhood upon him.form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

⁸ He humbled himselfe, and became obedient vnto the death, euen the death of the Crosse.

⁹ He shows the most glorious even of Christ's submission, to teach us that modesty is the true way to true praise and glory.Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him aDignity and high distinction, and that which accompanies it.name which is above every name:

¹⁰ That at the name of JesusAll creatures will at length be subject to Christ.every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth;

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

¹² The conclusion: we must go on to salvation with humility and submission by the way of our vocation.Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,He is said to make an end of his salvation who runs in the race of righteousness.work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

¹³ A most sure and grounded argument against pride, because we have nothing in us praiseworthy, but it comes from the free gift of God, and is outside of us, for we do not have ability or power, so much as to will well (much less to do well), except only by the free mercy of God.For it is God which worketh in you bothThe reason why we are not statues; and yet we do not will well by nature, but only because God has made of our wicked will a good will.to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.

¹⁴ He describes modesty by the contrary effects of pride, teaching us that it is far both from all malicious and secret or inward hatred, and also from open contentions and brawlings.Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

¹⁵ To be short, he requires a life without fault, and pure, so that being enlightened with the word of God, they may shine in the darkness of this world.That ye may be blameless and harmless, 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 theThe Gospel is called the word of life, because of the effects which it produces.word of life;Again he urges them forward, setting before them his true apostolic care that he had for them: in addition comforting them to the end that they should not be sorry for the greatness of his afflictions, no, not even if he should die to make perfect their sacrifice with his blood, as it were with a drink offering.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 offered upon theAs if he said, I brought you Philippians to Christ, and my desire is that you present yourselves a living sacrifice to him, and then it will not grieve me to be offered up as a drink offering, to accomplish this your spiritual offering.sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

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

¹⁹ Moreover, he strengthens and encourages their minds both by sending back Epaphroditus to them, whose fidelity towards them, and great pains in helping him, he commends: and also promising to send Timothy shortly to them, by whose presence they will receive great benefit. And he hopes also himself to come shortly to them, if God wills.But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be ofMay be confirmed in the joy of my mind.good comfort, when I know your state.

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

²¹ ForThe most part.all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

²² But yee knowe the proofe of him, that as a sonne with the father, hee hath serued with me in the Gospel.

²³ Him therefore I hope to send assoone as I knowe howe it will goe with me,

²⁴ And trust in the Lorde, that I also my selfe shall come shortly.

²⁵ But I supposed it necessarie to sende my brother Epaphroditus vnto you, my companion in labour, and fellowe souldier, euen your messenger, and he that ministred vnto me such things as I wanted.

²⁶ For he longed after all you, and was full of heauinesse, because yee had heard that hee had beene sicke.

²⁷ And no doubt he was sicke, very neere vnto death: but God had mercie on him, and not on him onely, but on me also, least I should haue sorowe vpon sorowe.

²⁸ I sent him therefore the more diligently, that when yee shoulde see him againe, yee might reioyce, and I might be the lesse sorowfull.

²⁹ Receiue him therefore in the Lord with all gladnesse, and make much of such:

³⁰ Because for theHe calls here the work of Christ the visiting of Christ, being poor and in bonds in the person of Paul.work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.