1 Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ {Christos, Source Of Encouragement}, if there is any comfort from love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit {pneuma, Bond Of Fellowship}, if there is any tenderness and compassion,
2 Fulfill my joy {charan: inner delight} by thinking the same thing, having the same love, being united in soul, thinking as one {hen: single purpose}.
3 Do nothing according to selfish ambition or according to empty glory, but in humility {tapeinophrosyne: lowliness of mind}, considering one another {allelous: fellow believers} as surpassing yourselves.
4 Let each one not look out for his own interests {heauton: personal concerns}, but also for the interests of others {heteron: others’ well-being}.
5 Let this mind {phroneite: inner resolve} be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus {Christos Iesous, Humble Lord}.
6 Who, existing in the form of God {Theos, Supreme Majesty}, did not consider the being equal with God a thing to be grasped {harpagmos: seized advantage}.
7 But He {Christos, Self-Emptying Lord} emptied Himself, taking the form {morphe: true inner nature} of a servant, having become in the likeness of men, and being found in appearance as a man.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He {Christos, Obedient Redeemer} humbled Himself by becoming obedient {hupekoos: willing submission} as far as death—yes, death on a cross.
9 Therefore God {Theos, Supreme Exalter} also highly exalted Him and graciously gave to Him the name {onoma: supreme dignity} that is above every name.
10 So that at the name of Jesus {Iesous, Exalted Lord} every knee should bend—of those in heaven {epouranion: heavenly realm} and on earth and under the earth.
11 And every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord {Kyrios, Sovereign Ruler}, for the glory of God the Father {Theos Pater, Supreme Source}.
12 Therefore, my beloved {agapetoi: deeply loved ones}, just as you have always obeyed, not only when I was present but now much more in my absence, keep working out your own salvation with fear {phobos: awe-filled reverence} and trembling.
13 For it is God {Theos, Indwelling Worker} who is working in you, both to will and to work for the sake of His good pleasure {eudokias: gracious purpose}.
14 Do all things without murmurings {gongusmon: discontented complaints} or disputings {dialogismon: argumentative doubts}.
15 In order that you may become blameless and pure, children of God {Theos, Holy Father} without blemish {amoma: moral defect} in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
16 Holding forth the word of life, as a ground of boasting to me in the day of Christ {Christos, Returning Reward-Giver}, that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain {kenos: without lasting fruit}.
17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering {spendomai: sacrificial outpouring} upon the sacrifice and service {leitourgia: priestly ministry} of your faith, I rejoice and I rejoice together with all of you.
18 But in the same way {auto: same response shared}, you also rejoice {chairete: express genuine gladness}, and rejoice together with me.
19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus {Kyrios Iesous, Sovereign Guide} to send Timothy to you soon, so that I also may be encouraged {eupsycho: strengthened in spirit} when I have learned about your condition.
20 For I have no one like-minded {isopsychos: kindred in spirit}, who will genuinely {gnesios: sincere, unfeigned} care for the things concerning you.
21 For they all seek their own {heauton: personal concerns} interests, not the interests of Jesus Christ {Iesous Christos, Supreme Example}.
22 But you know his proven character, that as a child with a father, he has served {edouleusen: slave-like service} with me for the gospel {euangelion: good news message}.
23 Therefore indeed I hope to send this one {touton: trusted coworker} as soon as I see how things will go concerning me, without delay {exautes: without delay}.
24 But I am confident in the Lord {Kyrios, Sovereign Overseer} that I myself also will come quickly {tacheos: without delay}.
25 But I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus {Epaphroditos: Faithful Emissary}, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and servant of my need {chreia: urgent necessity}.
26 Because he was longing for all of you and was distressed {ademonon: intensely troubled} because you heard that he was sick {esthenesen: weakened in body}.
27 For indeed he was sick, almost to death, but God {Theos, Merciful Rescuer} had mercy on him—not on him only, but also on me—so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow {lupen: deep grief}.
28 Therefore I sent {epemsa: deliberate caring choice} him more eagerly, so that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful {alypoteros: eased inner grief}.
29 Therefore, receive him in the Lord {Kyrios, Bond Of Fellowship} with all joy {chara: deep gladness}, and hold such people as honorable.
30 Because for the sake of the work of Christ {Christos, Mission-Giving Lord}, he came near to death, having risked his life {psuche: whole life}, so that he might complete what was lacking in your ministry to me.