Philippians 1

Paul and Timothy’s Greeting to the Church at Philippi

1 From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus.To God’s people in the city of Philippi and their bishopst and deaconst—to everyone who is united with Christ Jesus.2 Good willt and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are yours!

Paul’s Prayer for the Philippians

3 I thank my God for all the memories I have of you.4 Every time I pray for all of you, I do it with joy.5 I can do this because of the partnership we’ve had with you in the Good News from the first day you believed until now.6 I’m convinced that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it through to completion on the day of Christ Jesus.7 You 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,t whether I’m in prison or defending and confirming the truth of the Good News.

8 God is my witness that, with all the compassion of Christ Jesus, I long to see every one of you.
9 I pray that your love will keep on growing because of your knowledge and insight.10 That way you will be able to determine what is best and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.

11 Jesus 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

12 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what happened to me has helped to spread the Good News.13 As 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.

14 So 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.
15 Some people tell the message about Christ because of their jealousy and envy. Others tell the message about him because of their good will.16 Those who tell the message about Christ out of love know that God has put me here to defend the Good News.17 But 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.

18 But 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.
Yes, I will continue to be happy

Paul Honors Christ Whether He Lives or Dies

19 for 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.20 I 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.21 Christ means everything to me in this life, and when I die I’ll have even more.22 If I continue to live in this life, my work will produce more results. I don’t know which I would prefer.23 I 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.24 But for your sake it’s better that I remain in this life.25 Since 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.

26 So 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

27 Live 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.28 So 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.29 God has given you the privilege not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him.

30 You are involved in the same struggle that you saw me having. Now you hear that I’m still involved in it.

Philippians 1

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.3 I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you,4 always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy,5 for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now;6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ:7 even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace.8 For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.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 of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.12 Now I would have you know, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the progress of the gospel;13 so that my bonds became manifest in Christ throughout the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest;14 and that most of the brethren in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:16 the one do it of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel;17 but the other proclaim Christ of faction, not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction for me in my bonds.18 What then? only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and therein I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.19 For I know that this shall turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.22 But if to live in the flesh, --if this shall bring fruit from my work, then what I shall choose I know not.23 But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better:24 yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake.25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, yea, and abide with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith;26 that your glorying may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you and be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel;28 and in nothing affrighted by the adversaries: which is for them an evident token of perdition, but of your salvation, and that from God;29 because to you it hath been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer in his behalf:30 having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.