Philippians 1
1
1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons#1:1 The word deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in Romans 16:1 and 1 Tim. 3:8,12.:
2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and prayer
3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.
Paul’s chains advance the gospel
12Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,#1:12 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 14; and in 3:1, 13, 17; 4:1, 8, 21. that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard#1:13 Or whole palace and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defence of the gospel. 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.#1:19 Or vindication; or salvation 20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
Life worthy of the gospel
27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,#1:27 Or in one spirit striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved – and that by God. 29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
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The Holy Bible, New International Version® (Anglicised), NIV®
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Philippians 1
1
Greeting
1From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus.
To God’s people in the city of Philippi and their bishops and deacons—to everyone who is united with Christ Jesus.
2Good will #1:2 Or “Grace.” and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are yours!
Paul’s Prayer for the Philippians
3I thank my God for all the memories I have of you. 4Every time I pray for all of you, I do it with joy. 5I can do this because of the partnership we’ve had with you in the Good News from the first day ⌞you believed⌟ until now. 6I’m convinced that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it through to completion on the day of Christ Jesus. 7You have a special place in my heart. So it’s right for me to think this way about all of you. All of you are my partners. Together we share God’s favor,#1:7 Or “grace.” whether I’m in prison or defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. 8God is my witness that, with all the compassion of Christ Jesus, I long ⌞to see⌟ every one of you.
9I pray that your love will keep on growing because of your knowledge and insight. 10That way you will be able to determine what is best and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. 11Jesus Christ will fill your lives with everything that God’s approval produces. Your lives will then bring glory and praise to God.
Nothing Matters Except That People Are Told about Christ
12I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what happened to me has helped to spread the Good News. 13As a result, it has become clear to all the soldiers who guard the emperor and to everyone else that I am in prison because of Christ. 14So through my being in prison, the Lord has given most of our brothers and sisters confidence to speak God’s word more boldly and fearlessly than ever.
15Some people tell the message about Christ because of their jealousy and envy. Others tell the message about him because of their good will. 16Those who tell the message about Christ out of love know that God has put me here to defend the Good News. 17But the others are insincere. They tell the message about Christ out of selfish ambition in order to stir up trouble for me while I’m in prison. 18But what does it matter? Nothing matters except that, in one way or another, people are told the message about Christ, whether with honest or dishonest motives, and I’m happy about that.
Paul Honors Christ Whether He Lives or Dies
Yes, I will continue to be happy 19for another reason. I know that I will be set free through your prayers and through the help that comes from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 20I eagerly expect and hope that I will have nothing to be ashamed of. I will speak very boldly and honor Christ in my body, now as always, whether I live or die. 21Christ means everything to me in this life, and when I die I’ll have even more. 22If I continue to live in this life, my work will produce more results. I don’t know which I would prefer. 23I find it hard to choose between the two. I would like to leave this life and be with Christ. That’s by far the better choice. 24But for your sake it’s better that I remain in this life. 25Since I’m convinced of this, I know that I will continue to live and be with all of you. This will help you to grow and be joyful in your faith. 26So by coming to you again, I want to give you even more reason to have pride in Christ Jesus with me.
Fighting for the Faith
27Live as citizens who reflect the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come to see you or whether I stay away, I’ll hear all about you. I’ll hear that you are firmly united in spirit, united in fighting for the faith that the Good News brings. 28So don’t let your opponents intimidate you in any way. This is God’s way of showing them that they will be destroyed and that you will be saved. 29God has given you the privilege not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him. 30You are involved in the same struggle that you saw me having. Now you hear that I’m still involved in it.
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