JMNT(i)
1 If, then, [there exists] any calling-alongside to receive relief, aid, encouragement, consolation, comfort or supporting influence (or: any receiving of the work of a paraclete) within Christ or in union with [the] Anointing, if [there is] any spoken comfort and consolation of love (belonging to love; having a source in love; or: which is love), if any common being and existence (common participation; fellowship; partnership; communion; sharing) of Breath-effect (or: belonging to spirit; from the result of [the] Breath), if any tender emotions (literally: upper internal organs) and compassions (or: pities),
2 fill my joy full, so that you folks may be continually having the same frame of mind (may be mutually disposed; may have the same opinion; may mind the same thing), habitually holding (or: having) the same Love: folks joined together in soul (inner life of feelings, will, heart and mind), continuously minding The One (or: habitually holding one opinion; constantly thinking one thing; regularly disposed to one [purpose]; [other MSS: the same]) –
3 nothing down from (or: along the line of; corresponding to; or: descending to) party interests (hireling-like contention; faction; self-serving; or: from a motive of financial gain, or to enhance one's career) nor down from (or: along the line of; corresponding to; or: descending to) empty reputation (futile opinion; vainglory; fruitless appearance) – but rather, in humility (or: by an attitude of being in a low station; in humbleness of disposition and way of thinking) constantly considering one another (or: each other) [as] those habitually holding [a position] above yourselves (or: [as] being superior in regard to yourselves),
4 not each one continuing to attentively view (keep an eye on and look out for) the things or interests pertaining to themselves, but to the contrary, each one also [looking out for] the things and interests pertaining to others (or: of different folks; of people that are different).
5 You see, this way of thinking (this attitude and disposition) is continuously within and among you folks (or, as an imperative: So let this minding be habitually within you folks) – which [is] also within Christ Jesus,
6 Who, starting and continuing as inherently existing (or: beginning under; subsisting) within God's form (or: in an outward mold which is God), He does not consider the [situation] to be equals in and by God a plunder (or: a pillaging; a robbery; a snatching; or: a thing or situation seized and held), (or: Who, [although] constantly humbly and supportively ruling in union with an external shape and an outward appearance from God, did not give consideration to a seizure: the [situation] to continuously exist being the same things with God, even on the same levels in God, or equal [things; aspects] to God,)
7 but to the contrary, He empties Himself (or: removed the contents of Himself; made Himself empty), receiving (or: taking; accepting) a slave's form (external shape; outward mold), coming to be (or: birthing Himself) within an effect of humanity's (mankind's; people's) likeness.
8 And so, being found in an outward fashion, mode of circumstance, condition, form-appearance (or: character, role, phase, configuration, manner) as a human (a person; a man), He lowers Himself (or: humbled Himself; made Himself low; degrades Himself; levels Himself off), coming to be (or: birthing Himself) a submissive, obedient One (one who gives the ear and listens) as far as (or: to the point of; until) death – but death of a cross (torture stake)!
9 For this reason, God also lifts Him up above (or: highly exalted Him; elevates Him over) and by grace gives to Him (or: joyously favors on Him) the Name – the one over and above every name! –
10 to the end that within The Name: Jesus! (or: in union with the name of Jesus; in the midst of the Name belonging to [Yahweh-the-Savior]), every knee (= person) – of the folks upon the heaven (of those belonging to the super-heaven, or [situated] upon the atmosphere) and of the people existing upon the earth and of the folks dwelling down under the ground (or: on the level of or pertaining to subterranean ones; [comment: note the ancient science of the day – a three-tiered universe]) – may bend (or: would bow) in worship, prayer or allegiance,
11 and every tongue (= person) may speak out the same thing (should and would openly agree, confess, avow and acclaim) that Jesus Christ [is] Lord (Master; Owner) – [leading] into [the] glory of Father God (or: unto Father God's good reputation; [progressing] into a manifestation which calls forth praise unto God [the] Father)!
12 Consequently, my loved ones, according as at all times (or: as always) you folks submissively listened, paid attention and humbly obeyed, not as only in my presence, but further, now (at this moment) much more in my absence – in company with fear and trembling (or: = earnestness and concern) – be habitually working commensurately with the deliverance (or: be constantly producing on the level and sphere of the wholeness and well-being which are the outcome of the rescue and salvation) of, or pertaining to, yourselves,
13 for you see, God is the One habitually being inwardly active, constantly working and progressively effecting [results] within you folks – both the willing (intending; purposing; resolving) and the [situation] to be continuously effecting the action and inward work – above the thing that pleases (or: over [the situation of] well-thinking and delight; for the sake of [His] good pleasure).
14 Be habitually doing (accomplishing; constructing; producing) all things apart from grumbling complaints (or: murmurings) and reasoned considerations (or: designing thoughts; divided reckonings unto the settlements of accounts; arguments which permeate the environment or go in every direction),
15 so that you folks may come to be blameless ones (those without defect), even unmixed (unblended; artless and sincere) children of God – unblemished (flawless) people in the midst of a crooked and distorted (as having been misshaped on the potter's wheel) generation (or: a twisted family which has been altered and turned in different ways so as to be dislocated), within which (or: among whom) you folks are continuously shining (giving light; or: appearing; made visible by light) as illuminators (causes of light; or: luminaries) within [the] ordered System (world of secular culture, religion, economics and government),
16 constantly holding upon (or: having added; keeping a good grip on) Life's Word (or: a message which is life), [leading you] into loud-tongued exulting-effects (boasting; vaunting) for me (or: in me), on into Christ's Day (a day of [the] Anointed; or: a day which is anointed), because I do not (or: did not) run into emptiness (that which is without content), nor do I (or: did I) become weary or struggle in labor into emptiness (that which is without content).
17 But even more, since (or: if) I am also repeatedly poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering and public service pertaining to your faith (or: which comes from your trust; in regard to the faithful loyalty which comprises you people), I am constantly rejoicing (or: glad) – even continually rejoicing (glad) together with all of you!
18 Now in the same way, you yourselves also be constantly rejoicing – even continually rejoicing together with me.
19 Now I continue expecting – in the Lord Jesus – to quickly send Timothy to you folks, so that I also may continue well in soul (in good cheer; in good spirits), knowing the [situations and circumstances] concerning (or: the things about) you folks.
20 You see, I presently have no one equal-souled (of the same soul; = equally sensitive) who will proceed to legitimately (or: genuinely) divide his mind so as to continue having his thoughts anxious about your interests and to keep on caring for the [circumstances] concerning (or: the things about) you folks.
21 For all those [others] are constantly concerned with (looking out for; are seeking) their own interests (or: things), not with the interests and things pertaining to and belonging to, or having the qualities and characteristics of, Jesus Christ.
22 Yet you folks continue knowing by experience his proof by scrutinized examination and testing, that as a child for a father, he slaves (performs as a slave) together with me, into the message of goodness, ease and well-being.
23 I continue expecting, indeed then, to send this one immediately (out of the very time or situation) – as soon as I can look away from the things around me (or: see-off the [situations and] things concerning me).
24 So I have been persuaded and am confident within [the] Lord [= Christ or Yahweh] that I myself, also, shall quickly proceed in coming to you folks.
25 Now I consider it necessary and pressing to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and co-worker (joint-operative) and fellow soldier, yet your envoy (representative; emissary; sent-forth agent), and a public servant of my need,
26 since he had been continuously having great affection and longing to see all of you folks, even being repeatedly dejected and deeply troubled because you heard (or: hear) that he fell sick (or: is ill).
27 For he even fell sick (or: also is ill) as being a consort near alongside of death. But contrariwise, God had mercy on (or: mercies) him – yet not only him, but further, me also – to the end that I should not have pain and sadness upon pain and sadness (or: = major and added sorrow).
28 More diligently (earnestly; eagerly), then, I send (or: sent) him, so that in seeing him again, you may be glad and rejoice – and I may be more relieved of pain and sadness.
29 Be focusing on him, then, to welcome and continue receiving him within the Lord with all joy, and be constantly holding such people in honor and value,
30 because through Christ's work (with other MSS: on account of [the] Lord's Act) he drew (or: draws) near, as far as death, with [his] soul casting himself to the side (or: in [his] inner being handing himself over and risking [his] life; = throwing self aside, he gambled [his] life), so that he might fill back up your deficiency (your lack; your coming too late; = what you were unable to do) in the area of public service toward me (= civic sponsorship and funding me).