And so, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, with reverence and self-distrust work out your own salvation;

Look out for those dogs, those mischief-makers, those self-mutilators!

Doing nothing through envy or through pride, but with low thoughts of self let everyone take others to be better than himself;

and may be found in Him [believing and relying on Him], not having any righteousness of my own derived from [my obedience to] the Law and its rituals, but [possessing] that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.

I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

the former from self-seeking are proclaiming Christ insincerely, thinking that they will add affliction to my bonds.

Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own.

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: