Philippians 1
1
1This letter comes from Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all God's people in Christ Jesus living in Philippi, and to the church leaders and assistants. 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3When I think of you I'm so thankful to my God, 4and I'm always glad to remember all of you in my prayers, 5because you've been partners with me in spreading the good news right from the beginning up till now. 6I'm absolutely sure that God who began this good work in you will continue working and bring it to a successful conclusion when Jesus Christ returns.
7It's appropriate for me to be thinking this way about all of you because you mean so much to me. Whether I'm in prison or out there making the good news clear, all of you share God's grace together with me. 8God is my witness as to my great affection for every one of you in the caring love of Christ Jesus.
9My prayer is that your love may grow more and more in knowledge and understanding, 10so that you can work out what's really important. That way you can be genuine and blameless when Christ returns, 11filled with the fruits of living right that come through Jesus Christ and give glory and praise to God.
12I want you to know, my brothers and sisters, that all I've experienced has worked out to move the good news forward! 13For everyone—including the whole praetorian guard#1:13. Bodyguards to the Roman Emperor.—now knows that I'm in chains for Christ; 14and because of my chains most of the Christians here have been encouraged to speak God's word boldly and fearlessly! 15Yes, some speak out of jealousy and rivalry. However, there are those who speak from good motives. 16They act out of love, because they know that I'm meant to be here to defend the good news. 17Those others present Christ deceptively because of their selfish ambitions, trying to cause me problems in my imprisonment.
18But so what? All I care about is that Christ is presented every which way, whether just pretending or whether from true convictions. That's what makes me happy—and I will go on being happy! 19Why? Because I'm convinced that through your prayers for me, and through the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will turn out to be my salvation.#1:19. Paul may be referring to salvation from his immediate situation or his ultimate salvation, or both. 20For it's my strongest hope and expectation not to do anything of which I would be ashamed. Instead it's my bold hope, as always, that even now Christ will be greatly honored through me, whether I live or die.
21As far as I'm concerned, living is for Christ, and dying brings gain. 22But if I'm to go on living here and this would be productive work, then I really don't know what's best to choose! 23For I'm in a dilemma—I really want to leave and be with Christ, which would be far better, 24and yet to remain physically here is more important as far as you're concerned. 25Since I'm absolutely sure of this, I know that I'll stay here, remaining with you all to help you as your trust and delight in God grows, 26so that when I see you again your praise to Christ Jesus may be even greater because of me.
27Just be sure that the way you live your lives corresponds to the good news of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or not I can get to hear how you're doing—that you stand firm in full agreement with one another, spiritually united as you work together for the trusting faith of the good news. 28Don't let your enemies scare you. By being brave you will demonstrate to them that they will be lost, but that God himself will save you. 29For you have been given the privilege not only of trusting in Jesus, but suffering for him as well. 30You're experiencing the same struggle you saw me having—a struggle I still have, as you now know.
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Dr. Jonathan Gallagher. Released under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Unported License. Version 4.3. For corrections send email to jonathangallagherfbv@gmail.com
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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