that you think the same way
This phrase is a purpose clause with a main verb (ἵνα…φρονῆτε; hina…phronēte), followed by a series of participles. In other words, Paul’s joy would be fulfilled if the Philippians were to think the same way. The following participles (“by maintaining the same love, being united in spirit,” etc.) then describe how believers can think the same way.

think…thinking
The phrase “think the same way” rather than “being of the same mind” is used here to translate the verb φρονέω (phroneō), which literally carries the idea of thinking or considering—a faculty of the mind. This is a major theme in the book of Philippians, as the word occurs 10 times. Paul puts a great emphasis on how believers “think” because it is thinking the same way which leads to the unity the church is to display to honor Christ, and one of Paul’s main goals in the book is to urge for church unity. To help readers notice the emphasis on thinking in Philippians, φρονέω (phroneō) is translated using “think” everywhere it appears (1:7; here [2x], 2:5; 3:15 [2x], 19; 4:2, 10 [2x]).

doing
The phrase “doing,” rather than the imperative “do,” helps to indicate that the underlying Greek construction is a participial phrase and not a finite verb. Participles play a supporting role to the main verb of a sentence, and are thus intentionally translated in such a way that readers can clearly recognize the main idea of a verse and how the modifying words like participles support that idea. Here, the main command is to “think the same way” (τὸ αὐτὸ φρονῆτε; to auto phronēte), modified by the following six participial phrases “maintaining the same love,” “being united in spirit,” “thinking on one purpose,” “doing nothing from selfish…,” “regarding…more important,” “not merely looking out.” Thus the main idea of this verse is thinking in unity, and that is worked out by practicing what is pictured in these following phrases.

regarding
The word for “regarding” is also a participle (ἡγούμενοι; hēhoumenoi). See previous note.

not merely looking out
The word for “looking out” is a participle (σκοποῦντες; skopountes). Refer to the discussion on verse 3 above.

thinking
Refer to the discussion on verse 2 above. Here, Paul makes it obvious that Christ’s way of thinking is the perfect model for how believers are to think, which will lead to unity through humility and regarding others as more important than oneself.

slave
The Greek word δοῦλος (doulos) is consistently rendered as “slave” in this translation. Usually, the New Testament writers use this term to apply to themselves as slaves of Christ (e.g., Phil 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Pet 1:1). They often refer to Jesus using a different word (παῖς; pais; “servant”) to show that He is the Suffering Servant and Messiah promised in the Old Testament (e.g., Acts 3:13). However, that does not mean that New Testament writers cannot also apply δούλος (doulos) to Jesus. Paul does that here, as he writes that Jesus voluntarily gave up His pre-incarnate glory to take on Himself the “form of a slave” in His incarnation. In amazing humility and condescension, the παῖς (pais) Messiah humbled Himself as the δούλος (doulos) Man.

Therefore
“Therefore” translates the Greek word διὸ (dio), which stands on its own here, as the καὶ (kai) fits better with the phrase immediately following: “God also highly exalted Him” rather than “For this reason also, God…” Had Paul wanted a conjunction to go along with “Therefore” or “For this reason” he likely would have used δὲ (de) instead. The present construction emphasizes that Jesus both experienced the greatest humility and also received the greatest exaltation, for in God’s economy, it is those who humble themselves who will be exalted by God (cf. Matt 23:12; Luke 14:11; 18:14; James 4:10; 1 Pet 5:6).

EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS…LORD
These words are formatted in caps because Paul is intentionally alluding to Isaiah 45:23–25. The formatting of this translation helps readers recognize that Paul is drawing on this logic from the Old Testament so that they may go back and ensure they understand what was taught there in order to better track Paul’s argumentation here. In the Isaiah passage, Yahweh is the One before whom every knee will bow and every tongue confess. In this passage, “LORD” is translated in caps to inform the reader that Jesus is associated with Yahweh in the Isaiah text quoted. The strongest arguments for the Divine identity of Jesus are how these Old Testament texts in which “Yahweh” is used are applied in the New Testament to Jesus (see also Rom 10:13; Joel 2:32). Paul is clearly stating here that Jesus Himself will be confessed as Yahweh.

reason to boast
“Reason to boast” translates καύχημα (kauchēma), a Greek word which literally refers to “boasting.” While Christians are never to boast in themselves, they are right to boast in the Lord. This word and its cognates are consistently translated with “boast” in Philippians to so that the reader can recognize the same root word everywhere it appears in the letter (see 1:26 & 3:3). Here, Paul says he will have reason to boast if the Philippians hold fast the word of life, not because of their own work, but because God is the one working in them (cf. v. 13). Their good testimony in the world and firm commitment to God’s word demonstrates His work in their hearts and gives reason to boast in Him because of His good work being perfected in them.

good spirits
“Good spirits” has the same “spirit” root as “kindred spirit” in the next verse. It is a person of kindred spirit who can truly put another in good spirits.

your circumstances
The phrase “your circumstances” translates τὰ περὶ ὑμῶν (ta peri hymōn; lit. “the things concerning you”). This accurately carries over the plural form of the the article τὰ (ta). Thus, this translation provides the closest rendering of the phrase in English, providing a clearer window into the Greek text.

your circumstances
“Your circumstances” translates the same phrase as that in verse 19 (τὰ περὶ ὑμῶν; ta peri hymōn). This helps to show the unity in thinking between Timothy and Paul, as they had the same concerns, spirits, and aims.

my own circumstances
The phrase “my own circumstances” is used here for τὰ περὶ ἐμὲ ἐξαυτῆς (ta peri eme exautēs). This provides consistency with the previous occurrences where a similar construction is used (vv. 19, 20).

lacking
“Lacking” provides a better and more literal translation of ὑστέρημα (hysterēma) than something like “deficient,” which communicates too negative a connotation. Paul does not mean to communicate that their service was not good enough for him, but that Epaphras effectively provided what they could not have accomplished for Paul without him. Paul wants them to welcome him back joyfully and with great respect because of his effective work for Paul and for the gospel.