Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling
NIV
Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).
AMP
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
KJV
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion
NIV
SO BY whatever [appeal to you there is in our mutual dwelling in Christ, by whatever] strengthening and consoling and encouraging [our relationship] in Him [affords], by whatever persuasive incentive there is in love, by whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy
AMP
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
KJV
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage
NIV
Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained
AMP
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
KJV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves
NIV
Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].
AMP
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
KJV
For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
NIV
[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.
AMP
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
KJV
Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
NIV
But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.
AMP
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
KJV
And being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!
NIV
And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!
AMP
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
KJV
