Philippians 1

Christian Standard Bible

Greeting

1 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)

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,^{[a] 4} always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day^(F) until now.^{(G) 6} 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. ⁷ 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. ⁸ For God is my witness,^(M) how deeply I miss all of you^(N) with the affection of Christ Jesus. ⁹ 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.