Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed),

To all the saints (God’s people) in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:

but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

he humbled himself [by] becoming obedient to the point of death, that is, death on a cross.

So that at the name of Jesus every knee may be bent, of those in heaven and those on earth and those in the underworld,

So, my dearly loved friends, as you have always been obedient, so now with reverence and awe keep on working clear down to the finishing point of your salvation not only as though I were with you but much more because I am away;

For it is true that he has been ill, and was apparently at the point of death; but God had pity on him, and not only on him, but also on me, to save me from having sorrow upon sorrow.

because on account of the work of Christ he came near to the point of death, risking his life in order that {he might make up for your inability to serve me}.

in point of ardour a persecutor of the church, immaculate by the standard of legal righteousness.

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.

But whatever be the point that we have already reached, let us persevere in the same course.

Then God's peace, which goes far beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your hearts and minds in union with the Messiah Jesus.

Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances.