so that what you can be proud of may increase because of me in Christ Jesus, when I come back to you.

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that—whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent—I should hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the gospel,

and by not being intimidated in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of their destruction, but of your salvation—a sign which is from God.

For it has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him,

since you are encountering the same conflict that you saw me face and now hear that I am facing.

Christian Unity and Christ’s Humility

Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any affection or mercy,

complete my joy and be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose.

Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself.

Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.

You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had,

who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped,

but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature.

He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death —even death on a cross!

As a result God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow —in heaven and on earth and under the earth—

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Lights in the World

So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence,

for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing,

so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world

by holding on to the word of life so that on the day of Christ I will have a reason to boast that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice together with all of you.

And in the same way you also should be glad and rejoice together with me.

Models for Ministry

Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be encouraged by hearing news about you.

For there is no one here like him who will readily demonstrate his deep concern for you.