1
|
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
|
2
|
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
|
3
|
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
|
4
|
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
|
5
|
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 made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
|
8
|
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
|
9
|
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
|
10
|
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
|
11
|
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
|
12
|
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
|
13
|
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
|
14
|
Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
|
15
|
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 the word of life; 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 the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
|
18
|
For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
|
19
|
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
|
20
|
For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
|
21
|
For all seek their own, not the things which are 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 presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
|
24
|
But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
|
25
|
Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
|
26
|
For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
|
27
|
For indeed he was sick nigh 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 carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
|
29
|
Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
|
30
|
Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
|