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

Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill.

The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, because they think they can cause trouble for me in my imprisonment.

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

For even in Thessalonica on more than one occasion you sent something for my need.

But for now I have considered it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. For he is my brother, coworker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to me in my need.

I always pray with joy in my every prayer for all of you

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

My aim is to know him, to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, and to be like him in his death,

I have great joy in the Lord because now at last you have again expressed your concern for me. (Now I know you were concerned before but had no opportunity to do anything.)

I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment, whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing.

I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my situation has actually turned out to advance the gospel:

Be imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and watch carefully those who are living this way, just as you have us as an example.

for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

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.

– though mine too are significant. If someone thinks he has good reasons to put confidence in human credentials, I have more:

And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

And as you Philippians know, at the beginning of my gospel ministry, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in this matter of giving and receiving except you alone.

For it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel all of you became partners in God’s grace together with me.

More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things – indeed, I regard them as dung! – that I may gain Christ,