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Paul[a] and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus being in Philippi, together-with the overseers[b] and deacons[c]: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I Thank God For Your Partnership With Me In The Gospel

I am giving-thanks to my God upon every remembrance of you, always in my every petition for you all making the petition with joy on-the-basis-of your partnership[d] for the good-news from the first day until the present, being confident-of this very thing: that the One having begun a good work in you will perfect[e] it until the day of Christ— just as it is right for me to think this about you all because of my having you[f] in my heart, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation[g] of the good-news, you all being my co-partners[h] of grace. For God is my witness how I am yearning-for you all with the deep-feelings[i] of Christ Jesus.

May Your Love Abound Still More In Knowledge Leading To Holiness

And I am praying this: that your love may be abounding still more and more in knowledge and all perception[j] 10 so that you may be approving the things mattering[k], in-order-that[l] you might be pure and blameless[m] for[n] the day of Christ, 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

Things Are Turning Out For The Good of The Gospel

12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that the things concerning me have come rather for the advancement of the good-news—

The Brothers Are More Fearlessly Speaking The Word

13 ... so that my imprisonment in[o] Christ became visible[p] in the whole Praetorium[q] and to all the rest, 14 and so that the majority of the brothers, being confident[r] in the Lord because-of my imprisonment, are more daring to fearlessly speak the word.

Whatever Their Motives, Christ Is Being Proclaimed

15 Some indeed speak because of envy and strife, but some also are proclaiming Christ because of good-will. 16 The ones speak out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the good-news; 17 but the others are proclaiming Christ out of selfish-interest, not purely, supposing to raise trouble in my imprisonment. 18 What indeed does it matter except that[s] in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed!

Christ Will Be Magnified In Me, Whether I Live or Die

And I am rejoicing in this. But I also will rejoice, 19 for I know that this will turn-out for me for deliverance through your prayer and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 in-accordance-with my eager-expectation and hope that I will in no way be put-to-shame, but that with all boldness, as always, even now Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death— 21 for to me, the living is Christ, and the dying[t] is gain.

Death Would Be Much Better For Me, But I Know I Will Continue To Live For Your Sake

22 Now if it is the living in the flesh, this for me means fruit from work. And I do not know[u] what I shall choose, 23 but am gripped[v] by the two— having the desire that I might depart and be with Christ, for that is better by much more, 24 but the remaining in the flesh is more-necessary for your sake. 25 And being confident-of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your advancement and joy of faith, 26 in order that your boast may be abounding in Christ Jesus in me through my presence again with you.

But Conduct Yourselves Worthily of The Gospel, And Don’t Be Frightened

27 Only be conducting-yourselves[w] worthily of the good-news of Christ in order that whether having come and seen you or being absent, I may be hearing-of the things concerning you— that you are standing-firm in one spirit, contending-together with one soul for the faith of the good-news, 28 and not being frightened[x] in any way by the ones opposing you— which is a sign[y] of destruction for them, but of your salvation, and this from God.

God Has Granted That We Should Both Believe In Christ And Suffer For Him

29 Because to you was granted the thing[z] for Christ’s sake— not only the believing in Him, but also the suffering for His sake, 30 having the same struggle[aa] such as you saw in me and now are hearing to be in me.

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 1:1 On when this book was written, see Acts 28:30.
  2. Philippians 1:1 Or, superintendents, guardians.
  3. Philippians 1:1 Or, servants, assistants, ministers.
  4. Philippians 1:5 Or, fellowship, participation, sharing, contribution.
  5. Philippians 1:6 Or, complete, accomplish.
  6. Philippians 1:7 Or, your having me in your heart.
  7. Philippians 1:7 Or, establishment.
  8. Philippians 1:7 Or, fellow-sharers, co-participants.
  9. Philippians 1:8 Or, the affections; or the heart, as the location of these feelings or affections.
  10. Philippians 1:9 Or, insight, discernment.
  11. Philippians 1:10 Or, being worth more, and thus, being excellent, superior, or essential.
  12. Philippians 1:10 Or, that, making this a second request, parallel with ‘that your love’.
  13. Philippians 1:10 Or, without an opportunity for stumbling.
  14. Philippians 1:10 Or, in, until.
  15. Philippians 1:13 That is, in connection with.
  16. Philippians 1:13 Or, known.
  17. Philippians 1:13 Or, palace, governor’s residence.
  18. Philippians 1:14 Or, putting confidence, trusting.
  19. Philippians 1:18 What... that. Or, What then? Only that.
  20. Philippians 1:21 That is, the death-event.
  21. Philippians 1:22 Or, make-known.
  22. Philippians 1:23 Or, controlled, governed.
  23. Philippians 1:27 Or, living your citizenship, performing your duties as citizens (of heaven).
  24. Philippians 1:28 Or, startled, scared, intimidated.
  25. Philippians 1:28 Or, a proof of, a pointing to.
  26. Philippians 1:29 That is, the two-fold thing following; or, the suffering in particular, emphasized by contrast to the believing.
  27. Philippians 1:30 Or, conflict, fight.

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

To all God’s holy people(B) in Christ Jesus at Philippi,(C) together with the overseers(D) and deacons[a]:(E)

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

Thanksgiving and Prayer

I thank my God every time I remember you.(G) In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray(H) with joy because of your partnership(I) in the gospel from the first day(J) until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion(K) until the day of Christ Jesus.(L)

It is right(M) for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart(N) and, whether I am in chains(O) or defending(P) and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify(Q) how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

And this is my prayer: that your love(R) may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,(S) 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,(T) 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness(U) that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,[b] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[c] and to everyone else that I am in chains(V) for Christ. 14 And because of my chains,(W) most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.(X)

15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.(Y) 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition,(Z) not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.(AA) 18 But 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, 19 for I know that through your prayers(AB) and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ(AC) what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[d](AD) 20 I eagerly expect(AE) and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage(AF) so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body,(AG) whether by life or by death.(AH) 21 For to me, to live is Christ(AI) and to die is gain. 22 If 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! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart(AJ) and be with Christ,(AK) which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Life Worthy of the Gospel

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy(AL) 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(AM) in the one Spirit,[e] striving together(AN) as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without 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. 29 For it has been granted to you(AO) on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer(AP) for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle(AQ) you saw(AR) I had, and now hear(AS) that I still have.

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 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.
  2. Philippians 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.
  3. Philippians 1:13 Or whole palace
  4. Philippians 1:19 Or vindication; or salvation
  5. Philippians 1:27 Or in one spirit