18 What then? uOnly that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
To Live Is Christ
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that vthrough your prayers and the help of the wSpirit of Jesus Christ xthis will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and yhope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full zcourage now as always Christ will be ahonored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 bFor to me to live is Christ, and to die is cgain. 22 dIf I am to live in the flesh, that means efruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. fMy desire is to gdepart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 hConvinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your iprogress and joy in the faith, 26 so that jin me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
27 Only klet your manner of life be worthy1 of the gospel of Christ, so that lwhether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are mstanding firm in one spirit, nwith one mind ostriving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a pclear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For qit has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict rthat you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
Christ’s Example of Humility
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any sparticipation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 tcomplete my joy by ubeing of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from vselfish ambition or wconceit, xbut in yhumility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 zLet each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 aHave this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,1 6 bwho, cthough dhe was in the form of God, edid not count fequality with God a thing to be grasped,2 7 but gemptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,3 hbeing born iin the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he jhumbled himself by becoming kobedient to the point of death, leven death on a cross. 9 mTherefore God has highly nexalted him and bestowed on him the name that is oabove every name, 10 so that at the pname of Jesus qevery knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue rconfess that sJesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Lights in the World
12 Therefore, my beloved, tas you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, uwork out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who vworks in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14 Do all things wwithout grumbling or xdisputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a ycrooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as zlights in the world, 16 holding fast to the aword of life, so that in the day of Christ bI may be proud that I did not crun din vain or labor in vain. 17 eEven if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, fI am glad and grejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
