Philippians 2

Paul appeals for unity through humility: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Then he sets forth the supreme example in the great hymn: Christ, “though he was in the form of God,” did not cling to His status but “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,” humbling Himself “to the point of death, even death on a cross” — therefore God “highly exalted him” and gave Him “the name that is above every name,” that every knee should bow and every tongue confess “that Jesus Christ is Lord.” Paul urges them to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you,” to shine “as lights in the world,” and commends Timothy’s genuine care and Epaphroditus’s near-fatal service.