Philippians 2:1–18

Imitating Christ’s Humility

2Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,^t if any tenderness and compassion,^{u 2}then make my joy complete^v by being like-minded,^w having the same love, being one^x in spirit and of one mind. ³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.^y Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,^{z 4}not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.^a

⁵In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:^b

⁶Who, being in very nature^a God,^c

did not consider equality with God^d something to be used to his own advantage;

⁷rather, he made himself nothing^e

by taking the very nature^b of a servant,^f

being made in human likeness.^g

⁸And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

by becoming obedient to death^h—

even death on a cross!ⁱ

⁹Therefore God exalted him^j to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,^k

¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,^l

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,^m

¹¹and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,ⁿ

to the glory of God the Father.

Do Everything Without Grumbling

¹²Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,^{o 13}for it is God who works in you^p to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.^q

¹⁴Do everything without grumbling^r or arguing, ¹⁵so that you may become blameless^s and pure, “children of God^t without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”^cu Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ^v that I did not run^w or labor in vain.^{x 17}But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering^y on the sacrifice^z and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.^{a 18}So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.