Chapter 2

He recommends to them unity and humility; and to work out their salvation with fear and trembling.

1. 1

   If there be, therefore, any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of charity, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any bowels of commiseration:

2. 2

   Fulfil ye my joy, that you be of one mind, having the same charity, being of one accord, agreeing in sentiment.

3. 3

   Let nothing be done through strife, nor by vain-glory: but in humility, let each esteem others better than themselves.

4. 4

   Each one not considering the things that are his own, but those that are other men's.

5. 5

   For let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6. 6

   Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery, to be himself equal to God:

7. 7

   But debased himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in shape found as a man.

8. 8

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

9. 9

   Wherefore God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a name which is above every name:

10. 10

    That in the name of Jesus, every knee should bow of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth;

11. 11

    And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

12. 12

    Wherefore, my dearly beloved, (as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but much more now in my absence) work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

13. 13

    For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to accomplish, according to the good-will.

14. 14

    And do ye all things without murmurings and hesitations:

15. 15

    That you may be blameless, and sincere children of God, without reproof, in the midst of a depraved and perverse generation: among whom you shine as lights in the world.

16. 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. 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. 18

    And for the self-same thing do you also rejoice, and congratulate with me.

19. 19

    And I hope in the Lord Jesus, to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know the things concerning you.

20. 20

    For I have no man so of the same mind, who with sincere affection is solicitous for you.

21. 21

    For all seek the things that are their own, not the things that are Jesus Christ's.

22. 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. 23

    Him, therefore, I hope to send to you immediately, so soon as I shall see the things which concern me.

24. 24

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

25. 25

    But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and fellow-labourer, and fellow-soldier, but your apostle, and the minister to my wants.

26. 26

    For indeed he longed after you all: and was sad, for that you had heard that he was sick.

27. 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. 28

    Therefore I sent him the more speedily: that seeing him again you may rejoice, and I may be without sorrow.

29. 29

    Receive him, therefore, with all joy in the Lord: and treat with honour such as he is.

30. 30

    Because, for the work of Christ, he came nigh unto death, delivering up his life, that he might fulfil that which was wanting on your part towards my service.