Philippians 1:8

1:8 For God is my witness that I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:23

2:23 So I hope to send him as soon as I know more about my situation,

Philippians 2:7

2:7 but emptied himself

by taking on the form of a slave, ¹ 

by looking like other men, ² 

and by sharing in human nature. ³ 

Philippians 2:22

2:22 But you know his qualifications, that like a son working with his father, he served with me in advancing the gospel.

Philippians 2:15

2:15 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 ⁴ 

Philippians 1:20

1:20 My confident hope ⁵  is that I will in no way be ashamed ⁶  but that with complete boldness, even now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether I live or die. ⁷ 

Philippians 2:12

Lights in the World

2:12 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, ⁸ 

[2:7]  ¹ tn See the note on the word “slaves” in 1:1.

[2:7]  ² tn Grk “by coming in the likeness of people.”

[2:7]  ³ tn Grk “and by being found in form as a man.” The versification of vv. 7 and 8 (so also NRSV) is according to the versification in the NA²⁷ and UBS⁴ editions of the Greek text. Some translations, however, break the verses in front of this phrase (NKJV, NASB, NIV, NLT). The same material has been translated in each case; the only difference is the versification of that material.

[2:15]  ¹ tn Or “as stars in the universe.”

[1:20]  ¹ tn Grk “according to my eager expectation and hope.” The κατά (kata) phrase is taken as governing the following ὅτι (Joti) clause (“that I will not be ashamed…”); the idea could be expressed more verbally as “I confidently hope that I will not be ashamed…”

[1:20]  ² tn Or possibly, “be intimidated, be put to shame.”

[1:20]  ³ tn Grk “whether by life or by death.”

[2:12]  ¹ tn Grk “with fear and trembling.” The Greek words φόβος and τρόμος both imply fear in a negative sense (L&N 25.251 and 16.6 respectively) while the former can also refer to respect and awe for deity (L&N 53.59). Paul’s use of the terms in other contexts refers to “awe and reverence in the presence of God” (P. T. O’Brien, Philippians [NIGTC], 284; see discussion on 282-84). The translation “awe and reverence” was chosen to portray the attitude the believer should have toward God as they consider their behavior in light of God working through Jesus Christ (2:6-11) and in the believer’s life (2:13) to accomplish their salvation.