Philippians 1:17-2:15

English Standard Version

¹⁷ The former proclaim Christ ^(A)out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. ¹⁸ What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

To Live Is Christ

Yes, and I will rejoice, ¹⁹ for I know that ^(B)through your prayers and ^(C)the help of ^(D)the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, ²⁰ as it is my eager expectation and hope ^(E)that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full ^(F)courage now as always Christ ^(G)will be honored in my body, ^(H)whether by life or by death. ²¹ For to me ^(I)to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. ^23 (J)I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is ^(K)to depart and ^(L)be with Christ, for that is far better. ²⁴ But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. ^25 (M)Convinced of this, ^(N)I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your ^(O)progress and ^(P)joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that in me ^(Q)you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

²⁷ Only ^(R)let your manner of life be ^(S)worthy^[a] of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you ^(T)that you are standing firm in one spirit, with ^(U)one mind ^(V)striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸ and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is ^(W)a clear sign to them of their destruction, but ^(X)of your salvation, and that from God. ²⁹ For ^(Y)it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also ^(Z)suffer for his sake, ³⁰ engaged in the same ^(AA)conflict that ^(AB)you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Christ's Example of Humility

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from ^(AC)love, any ^(AD)participation in the Spirit, any ^(AE)affection and sympathy, ^2 (AF)complete my joy by being ^(AG)of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. ³ Do nothing from ^(AH)selfish ambition or ^(AI)conceit, but in ^(AJ)humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you ^(AK)look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ^5 (AL)Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,^{[b] 6 (AM)}who, though he was in ^(AN)the form of God, did not count equality with God ^(AO)a thing to be grasped,^{[c] 7} but ^(AP)emptied himself, by taking the form of a ^(AQ)servant,^{[d] (AR)}being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by ^(AS)becoming obedient to the point of death, ^(AT)even death on a cross. ^9 (AU)Therefore ^(AV)God has ^(AW)highly exalted him and bestowed on him ^(AX)the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus ^(AY)every knee should bow, ^(AZ)in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and ^(BA)every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is ^(BB)Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Lights in the World

¹² Therefore, my beloved, ^(BC)as you have always ^(BD)obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for ^(BE)it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for ^(BF)his good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things ^(BG)without grumbling or ^(BH)disputing, ¹⁵ that you may be blameless and innocent, ^(BI)children of God ^(BJ)without blemish ^(BK)in the midst of ^(BL)a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine ^(BM)as lights in the world,