Philippians 1
1
1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all Godʼs 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 Godʼs 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.
Paulʼs 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 Godʼs 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 defense 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 Godʼs 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 labor 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 Books of the Bible™
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Philippians 1
1
1Paul and Timotheus, bondmen of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and ministers; 2grace to you, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3I thank my God for my whole remembrance of you, 4constantly in my every supplication, making the supplication for you all with joy, 5because of your fellowship with the gospel, from the first day until now; 6having confidence of this very thing, that he who has begun in you a good work will complete it unto Jesus Christ's day:
7as it is righteous for me to think this as to you all, because ye have me in your hearts, and that both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the glad tidings ye are all participators in my grace. 8For God is my witness how I long after you all in the bowels of Christ Jesus.
9And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in full knowledge and all intelligence, 10that ye may judge of and approve the things that are more excellent, in order that ye may be pure and without offence for Christ's day, 11being complete as regards the fruit of righteousness, which is by Jesus Christ, to God's glory and praise.
12But I would have you know, brethren, that the circumstances in which I am have turned out rather to the furtherance of the glad tidings, 13so that my bonds have become manifest as being in Christ in all the praetorium and to all others; 14and that the most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord through my bonds, dare more abundantly to speak the word of God fearlessly. 15Some indeed also for envy and strife, but some also for good will, preach the Christ. 16These indeed out of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the glad tidings; 17but those out of contention, announce the Christ, not purely, supposing to arouse tribulation for my bonds. 18What is it then? at any rate, in every way, whether in pretext or in truth, Christ is announced; and in this I rejoice, yea, also I will rejoice; 19for I know that this shall turn out for me to salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ; 20according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but in all boldness, as always, now also Christ shall be magnified in my body whether by life or by death.
21For for me to live is Christ, and to die gain; 22but if to live in flesh is my lot, this is for me worth the while: and what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23But I am pressed by both, having the desire for departure and being with Christ, for it is very much better, 24but remaining in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes; 25and having confidence of this, I know that I shall remain and abide along with you all, for your progress and joy in faith; 26that your boasting may abound in Christ Jesus through me by my presence again with you.
27Only conduct yourselves worthily of the glad tidings of the Christ, in order that whether coming and seeing you, or absent, I may hear of what concerns you, that ye stand firm in one spirit, with one soul, labouring together in the same conflict with the faith of the glad tidings; 28and not frightened in anything by the opposers, which is to them a demonstration of destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God; 29because to you has been given, as regards Christ, not only the believing on him but the suffering for him also, 30having the same conflict which ye have seen in me, and now hear of in me.
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First published in 1890. This edition is maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.