Greeting

Paul(A) and Timothy,(B) servants of Christ Jesus:

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi,(C) including the overseers(D) and deacons.(E)

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,[a] always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day(F) until now.(G) I am sure of this, that he who started a good work(H) in you[b] will carry it on to completion(I) until the day of Christ Jesus. Indeed, it is right(J) for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart,[c] and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment(K) and in the defense(L) and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness,(M) how deeply I miss all of you(N) with the affection of Christ Jesus. And I pray this: that your love(O) will keep on growing(P) in knowledge and every kind of discernment,(Q) 10 so that you may approve the things that are superior(R) and may be pure(S) and blameless(T) in the day of Christ,(U) 11 filled with the fruit(V) of righteousness(W) that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory(X) and praise of God.

Advance of the Gospel

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel,(Y) 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. 14 Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word[d](Z) fearlessly. 15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry,(AA) but others out of good will. 16 These preach out of love,(AB) knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition,(AC) not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment. 18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives(AD) or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice 19 because I know this will lead to my salvation[e](AE) through your prayers and help from the Spirit(AF) of Jesus Christ.(AG) 20 My eager expectation and hope(AH) is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life(AI) or by death.(AJ)

Living Is Christ

21 For me, to live is Christ(AK) and to die is gain.(AL) 22 Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful(AM) work(AN) for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. 23 I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ(AO)—which is far better(AP) 24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,(AQ) 26 so that, because of my coming to you again, your boasting(AR) in Christ Jesus(AS) may abound.

27 Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life(AT) worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm(AU) in one(AV) spirit, in one accord,[f] contending together for the faith(AW) of the gospel, 28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents.(AX) This is a sign of destruction for them,(AY) but of your salvation(AZ)—and this is from God. 29 For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe(BA) in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.

Footnotes

  1. 1:3 Or for your every remembrance of me
  2. 1:6 Or work among you
  3. 1:7 Or because you have me in your heart
  4. 1:14 Other mss add of God
  5. 1:19 Or vindication
  6. 1:27 Lit soul

Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ; to all the saints in Christ Jesus, who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.

Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks to my God in every remembrance of you,

Always in all my prayers making supplication for you all, with joy;

For your communication in the gospel of Christ from the first day until now.

Being confident of this very thing, that he, who hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus.

As it is meet for me to think this for you all, for that I have you in my heart; and that in my bands, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my joy.

For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

And this I pray, that your charity may more and more abound in knowledge, and in all understanding:

10 That you may approve the better things, that you may be sincere and without offence unto the day of Christ,

11 Filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

12 Now, brethren, I desire you should know, that the things which have happened to me, have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel:

13 So that my bands are made manifest in Christ, in all the court, and in all other places;

14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, growing confident by my bands, are much more bold to speak the word of God without fear.

15 Some indeed, even out of envy and contention; but some also for good will preach Christ.

16 Some out of charity, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

17 And some out of contention preach Christ not sincerely: supposing that they raise affliction to my bands.

18 But what then? So that by all means, whether by occasion, or by truth, Christ be preached: in this also I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

19 For I know that this shall fall out to me unto salvation, through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

20 According to my expectation and hope; that in nothing I shall be confounded, but with all confidence, as always, so now also shall Christ be magnified in my body, wither it be by life, or by death.

21 For to me, to live is Christ; and to die is gain.

22 And if to live in the flesh, this is to me the fruit of labour, and what I shall choose I know not.

23 But I am straitened between two: having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, a thing by far the better.

24 But to abide still in the flesh, is needful for you.

25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, and continue with you all, for your furtherance and joy of faith:

26 That your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus for me, by my coming to you again.

27 Only let your conversation be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you, or, being absent, may hear of you, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind labouring together for the faith of the gospel.

28 And in nothing be ye terrified by the adversaries: which to them is a cause of perdition, but to you of salvation, and this from God:

29 For unto you it is given for Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.

30 Having the same conflict as that which you have seen in me, and now have heard of me.