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 I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ,

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

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

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

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.

Therefore let those of us who are “perfect” embrace this point of view. If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways.

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

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.

Not that I have already attained this – that is, I have not already been perfected – but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me.

Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.

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

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

I thank my God every time I remember you.

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

because of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.

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

For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

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