Philippians 2
1 Since Christ encourages us, since he loves us and comforts us, since God’s Spirit fellowships with [us, and] since [Christ] is very merciful [DOU] to us,
If there be, therefore, any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of spirit, if any tender affections and compassions,
2 make me completely happy [by doing the following things]: Agree with one another, love one another, be closely united with one another, and [live] harmoniously with one another [DOU].
Fill ye up my joy—that, the same thing, ye esteem, the same love, possessing, joined in soul, the one thing, esteeming, —
3 Never try to selfishly make yourselves more important than [others] nor boast [about what you are doing]. Instead, be humble, [and in particular], honor one another more than you honor yourselves.
Nothing by way of faction, nothing by way of vain-glory, —but, in lowliness of mind, accounting, one another, superior to yourselves, —
4 Each one of you should not [only] be concerned about your own affairs. Instead, each of you should also be concerned (that you help/about the needs of) one another.
Not, to your own things, severally looking, but, to the things of others, severally: —
5 You should think/act just like Christ Jesus [thought/acted].
The same thing, esteem, in yourselves, which also, in Christ Jesus, [ye esteem], —
6 [Although] he has the same nature as God has, he did not insist on keeping all the privileges of being equal with God.
Who, in form of God, subsisting, not, a thing to be seized, accounted the being equal with God,
7 Instead, he [willingly] gave up divine privileges. [Specifically], he became a human being and took the attitude of a servant. When he had become a human being,
But, himself, emptied, taking, a servant’s form, coming to be, in men’s likeness;
8 he humbled himself [even more. Specifically], he obeyed [God] even to the extent of [being willing to] die. [He was even willing to] be nailed to a cross, [to die as though he were a criminal].
And, in fashion, being found, as a man, humbled himself, becoming obedient as far as death, yea, death upon a cross.
9 As a result, God promoted him [to a] rank [that] is above every [other] rank.
Wherefore also, God, uplifted him far on high, and favoured him with the name which is above every name, —
10 [God did that] in order that every being [SYN] in heaven and on earth and under the earth should worship [MTY] Jesus,
In order that, in the name of Jesus, every knee might bow—of beings in heaven, and on earth, and underground, —
11 and in order that every person [SYN] should declare that Jesus Christ is Lord. [As a result of everyone doing that, they will] honor God, [his] Father.
And, every tongue, might openly confess—that Jesus Christ is, Lord, unto the glory of God the Father.
12 My dear friends, as you consider this, since you have always obeyed [God], each of you should very reverentially [DOU] try to do those things [that are proper for people whom God has] saved. [You should do those things] not only when I am with you. [Instead, you should try] even more [to do them] now when I am not with you.
So, then, my beloved—even as ye have always obeyed, not [as] in my presence only, but, now, much more, in my absence, with fear and trembling, your own salvation, be working out;
13 [You are able to do these things], since God [himself] causes you to desire to do what he wants you to do, and he also enables you to do what he wants you to do.
For it is, God, who energiseth within you, both the desiring and the energising, in behalf of his good pleasure.
14 Do everything [God or your leaders ask you to do]. Never complain about what they want you to do, or argue with them.
All things, be doing, apart from murmurings and disputings;
15 Behave like that in order that you may be completely faultless [DOU] and may be perfect children of God [DOU] while you live in the midst of people who are wicked and do very wicked things [DOU]. As you live among them, show them clearly [MET] [the way they ought to behave], just like the sun, moon, and stars [show the road clearly to us] [SIM].
In order that ye may become faultless and inviolate, children of God, blameless amidst a crooked and perverted generation, amongst whom ye appear as luminaries in the world,
16 Tell them how [to] have eternal life. I [ask that you do that] in order that on the day Christ [returns] I may be able to rejoice [MTY], that I did not labor [DOU] so hard among you in vain.
A word of light, holding forth, —as a matter of boasting unto me, for the day of Christ, —that, not in vain, I ran, nor, in vain, I toiled: —
17 Perhaps [the Roman authorities] will execute me, [and my blood will pour out] [MET] [as the] wine pours out when the priest offers it to God [MET]. [For your part], you believe [in Christ firmly]. As a result, you have given yourselves completely to God in order that you might do what he wills [MET], [just like a priest] offers a sacrifice [completely to God] [MET]. [Because I dedicate myself wholly to God] together with you, even if [they are about to execute me], I will greatly rejoice [DOU], [because I am giving myself wholly to God], and because you all [are giving yourselves wholly to God].
Nay! if I am even to be poured out as a drink-offering, upon the sacrifice and public ministry of your faith, I rejoice, yea rejoice together with you all, —
18 Similarly, you too should rejoice [because you are giving yourselves wholly to God], and you should rejoice because I [am giving myself wholly to God].
For the same cause, moreover, do, ye also, rejoice, yea rejoice together with me.
19 My relationship with the Lord Jesus [leads me] to confidently expect that [he will enable me] to send Timothy to you soon, in order that [his telling you the news about me will encourage you. But] I also expect that [his returning to me and] telling me the news about you will encourage me.
I am hoping, however, in the Lord Jesus—Timothy, shortly, to send unto you, in order that, I also, may be of cheerful soul, when I have ascertained the things that concern you.
20 [Keep in mind that] I have no one [else] like him who genuinely cares for you.
For, no one, have I, of equal soul, who, genuinely, as to the things that concern you, will be anxious;
21 All the others [whom I have considered that I might send to you] are concerned [only] about their own matters. They are not concerned about what Jesus Christ [considers important].
For, they all, their own things, do seek, not the things of Christ Jesus;
22 But you know that Timothy has proved that he [serves the Lord and others faithfully. You know] that he has served [the Lord closely together] with me in [proclaiming to people] the message about Christ as though he were [SIM] my son and I were his [own] father.
But, of the proof of him, be taking note, —that, as child, with father, with me, hath he done service for the glad-message;
23 So then he is the one I confidently expect to send [to you] as soon as I know what will happen to me.
Him, indeed, therefore, am I hoping to send—as soon as I can look off from the things that concern myself, —forthwith.
24 And I am confident that I will soon be released {[the authorities will soon release me]} [so that] the Lord will enable me also to come/go [to you] soon.
I am assured, however, in the Lord, —that I, myself, shall shortly come.
25 I have concluded that it is [really] necessary that I send Epaphroditus [back] to you. He is a fellow believer and my fellow worker, and he [endures difficulties together with me] [MET], [just like] soldiers [endure difficulties together]. You sent him [to me] in order that he might help me when I was needy [EUP].
Needful, nevertheless have I accounted it—Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, but your apostle and public minister to my need, to send unto you;
26 [But I have concluded that I must send him back to you] because he has been longing to see you all. Furthermore, he has been [very] distressed because [he knows that] you heard that he had become sick.
Since he hath been longing to see, you all, and hath been in great distress, because ye had heard he was sick; —
27 Indeed, he was so sick that he almost died. However, [he did not die]. Instead, God pitied him and he also pitied me, [and as a result he healed him. God pitied me] because he did not want me to be even more sorrowful than I already was.
And, in fact, he was sick, nigh unto death; but, God, had mercy on him, —and, not on him only, but, on me also, lest, sorrow upon sorrow, I should have.
28 So, I am sending him [back to you] as quickly as possible, in order that you may rejoice [when you see him again] and in order that I may be less sorrowful [than I was].
The more promptly, therefore, have I sent him, that, seeing him again, ye may rejoice, and, I, the less sorrowful, may be.
29 Welcome him very joyfully [just like believers] in [our] Lord [Jesus should welcome one another. While he was] working for Christ, he was helping me in place of you [because you were far away]. He knew that he might die as a result of helping me, and [truly] he nearly did die. So honor [him, and honor all] those who are like him.
Be giving him welcome, therefore, in the Lord, with all joy; and, such as he, in honour, be holding, —
Because, for the sake of the work of the Lord, unto death, he drew nigh, running hazard with his life, that he might fill up your lack of the public service, towards me.
