Contemplative Bible Reading

Philippians 3:1 (New Living Testament) Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. Simple four words. Rejoice in the Lord. Sad? Tired? Just plain beat and need a nap? Sure. Those days happen. We, however, have something else to do. Let us rejoice. Scream happiness. Jump for joy. Celebrate. Have a cookout. […]

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Philippians 3:3-4 (New Living Translation) 3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others […]

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Philippians 1:17-18 (New Living Translation) 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, […]

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Philippians 3:20 (New Living Translation) But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. I am a citizen of heaven. I am not a citizen of this place—earth. I am stuck here for a while. Jesus, the one anointed to […]

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Philippians 4:5 (New Living Translation) Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. considerate: adjective, careful not to cause inconvenience or hurt to others. If I love my neighbor (goes with the “everyone” in the above verse), how will I act? Will I be careful not […]

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Philippians 2:3-4 (New Living Translation) 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. This may be an odd take on these verses. Let’s say the majority of persons in […]

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Philippians 1:9-11 (American Standard Version) 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; 10 so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ; 11 being filled with the fruits […]

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Philippians 1:9 (American Standard Version) And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; I delve back into the American Standard Version translation as I find its wording fascinating here. It seems that love is part of discernment. I believe that “discernment” here means the ability […]

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Philippians 4:8 (New Living Translation) And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. This is not an admonition to “think nice thoughts and the world will be […]

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Philippians 3:3 (New Living Translation) For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort,… Notice the second and third sentences of this verse. Perhaps there is a mistake in translation. I […]

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