2:1  Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,

2:2  fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

2:3  Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

2:4  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

2:5  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

2:6  who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

2:7  but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

2:8  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

2:9  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,

2:10  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

2:11  and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2:12  Therefore, my beloved, as you 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;

2:13  for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

2:14  Do all things without complaining and disputing,

2:15  that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

2:16  holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

2:17  Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

2:18  For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

2:19  But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.

2:20  For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.

2:21  For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.

2:22  But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.

2:23  Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me.

2:24  But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.

2:25  Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need;

2:26  since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.

2:27  For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

2:28  Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful.

2:29  Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem;

2:30  because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.