14:13 Therefore we must not pass judgment on one another, but rather determine never to place an obstacle or a trap before a brother or sister. 3 14:14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean in itself; still, it is unclean to the one who considers it unclean. 14:15 For if your brother or sister 4 is distressed because of what you eat, 5 you are no longer walking in love. 6 Do not destroy by your food someone for whom Christ died.
15:1 But we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not just please ourselves. 7 15:2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good to build him up.
5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; 8 only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, 9 but through love serve one another. 10
6:1 Brothers and sisters, 11 if a person 12 is discovered in some sin, 13 you who are spiritual 14 restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. 15 Pay close attention 16 to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too. 6:2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
2:10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow
– in heaven and on earth and under the earth –
2:1 Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, 24 any affection or mercy, 25
3:17 Be imitators of me, 28 brothers and sisters, 29 and watch carefully those who are living this way, just as you have us as an example.
1 tn Although the Greek word translated “benefit” occurs only once in this verse, the Greek article occurs twice. This indicates an implied repetition of the term, which has been included twice in the translation for the sake of clarity and English style.
2 tc ‡ The words “to God” are absent from some
3 tn Grk “brother.”
4 tn Grk “brother.”
5 tn Grk “on account of food.”
6 tn Grk “according to love.”
7 tn Grk “and not please ourselves.” NT Greek negatives used in contrast like this are often not absolute, but relative: “not so much one as the other.”
8 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:11.
9 tn Grk “as an opportunity for the flesh”; BDAG 915 s.v. σάρξ 2.c.α states: “In Paul’s thought esp., all parts of the body constitute a totality known as σ. or flesh, which is dominated by sin to such a degree that wherever flesh is, all forms of sin are likew. present, and no good thing can live in the σάρξ…Gal 5:13, 24;…Opp. τὸ πνεῦμα…Gal 3:3; 5:16, 17ab; 6:8ab.”
10 tn It is possible that the verb δουλεύετε (douleuete) should be translated “serve one another in a humble manner” here, referring to the way in which slaves serve their masters (see L&N 35.27).
11 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:11.
12 tn Here ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used in a generic sense, referring to both men and women.
13 tn Or “some transgression” (L&N 88.297).
14 sn Who are spiritual refers to people who are controlled and directed by God’s Spirit.
15 tn Or “with a gentle spirit” or “gently.”
16 tn Grk “taking careful notice.”
17 tn Grk “not according to selfish ambition.” There is no main verb in this verse; the subjunctive φρονῆτε (fronhte, “be of the same mind”) is implied here as well. Thus, although most translations supply the verb “do” at the beginning of v. 3 (e.g., “do nothing from selfish ambition”), the idea is even stronger than that: “Don’t even think any thoughts motivated by selfish ambition.”
18 tn On the meaning “be concerned about” for σκοπέω (skopew), see L&N 27.36.
19 tn The word “only” is not in the Greek text, but is implied by the ἀλλὰ καί (alla kai) in the second clause (“but…as well”). The bulk of the Western text dropped the καί, motivated most likely by ascetic concerns.
20 tc The bulk of the Western text (D*,c F G K it) dropped καί (kai) here, most likely due to ascetic concerns. Strong external attestation for its inclusion from excellent witnesses as well as the majority (Ì46 א A B C D2 0278 33 1739 1881 Ï) also marks it as original.
21 tn Grk “Have this attitude in/among yourselves which also [was] in Christ Jesus,” or “Have this attitude in/among yourselves which [you] also [have] in Christ Jesus.”
22 tn Or “and feel the same way,” “and think the same thoughts.” The ἵνα (Jina) clause has been translated “and be of the same mind” to reflect its epexegetical force to the imperative “complete my joy.”
23 tn The Greek word here is σύμψυχοι (sumyucoi, literally “fellow souled”).
24 tn Or “spiritual fellowship” if πνεύματος (pneumato") is an attributive genitive; or “fellowship brought about by the Spirit” if πνεύματος is a genitive of source or production.
25 tn Grk “and any affection and mercy.” The Greek idea, however, is best expressed by “or” in English.
26 tc Although κανόνι (kanoni, “standard, rule”) is found in most witnesses, though in various locations in this verse (א2 D2 Ψ 075 Ï), it is almost surely a motivated reading, for it clarifies the cryptic τῷ αὐτῷ (tw autw, “the same”). Both the fact that the word floats, and that there are other variants which accomplish greater clarity by other means, strongly suggests the secondary nature of any of the longer readings here. Further, the shortest text has excellent and early support in Ì16,46 א* A B Ivid 6 33 1739 co, rendering it decidedly the preferred reading. The translation adds “standard” because of English requirements, not because of textual basis.
27 tn Grk “Nevertheless, to what we have attained, to the same hold fast.”
28 tn Or “become fellow imitators with me [of Christ].”
29 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:12.