The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians

3 Having testified his godly and tender affection towards the Philippians, 12 he entreateth of himself and his bands: 22 And pricketh them forward by his own example, 27 and exhorteth them to unity, 28 and patience.

Paul [a]and Timothy the servants of JESUS CHRIST, to all the Saints in Christ Jesus, which are at Philippi, with the [b]Bishops, and Deacons:

Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ:

I thank my God, having you in perfect memory,

(Always in all my prayers for all you, praying with gladness)

Because of the [c]fellowship which ye have in the Gospel, from the [d]first day unto now.

And I am persuaded of this same thing, that he that hath begun this good work in you, will perform it until the [e]day of Jesus Christ,

As it becometh me so to judge of you all, because I have you in remembrance, that both in my [f]bands, and in my defense, and confirmation of the Gospel you all were partakers of my [g]grace.

[h]For God is my record, how I long after you all from the very heart root in Jesus Christ.

[i]And this I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge, and in all judgment,

10 That ye may allow those things which are best, that ye may be pure, and without offense, until the day of Christ,

11 Filled with the [j]fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God.

12 [k]I would ye understood, brethren, that the things which have come unto me, are turned rather to the furthering of the Gospel,

13 So that my bands [l]in Christ are famous throughout all the [m]judgment hall, and in all other places.

14 Insomuch that many of the brethren in the Lord are boldened through my bands, and dare more frankly speak the [n]Word.

15 Some preach Christ even through envy and strife, and some also of good will.

16 The one part preacheth Christ of contention, and not [o]purely, supposing to add more affliction to my bands.

17 But the others of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the Gospel.

18 [p]What then: yet Christ is preached all manner ways, whether it be under a [q]pretence, or sincerely: and I therein joy: yea, and will joy.

19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and by the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

20 [r]As I fervently look for, and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all confidence, as always, so now Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death.

21 For Christ is to me both in life and in death advantage.

22 [s]And whether to live in the [t]flesh were profitable for me, and what to choose I know not.

23 For I am distressed between both, desiring to be loosed and to be with Christ, which is best of all.

24 Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh, is more needful for you.

25 And this am I sure of, that I shall abide, and with you all continue, for your furtherance and joy of your faith,

26 That ye may more abundantly rejoice in JESUS CHRIST for me, by my coming to you again.

27 [u]Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your matters, that ye [v]continue in one spirit, and in one mind, fighting together through the faith of the Gospel.

28 [w]And in nothing fear your adversaries, which is to them a token of perdition, and to you of salvation, and that of God.

29 [x]For unto you it is given for Christ, that not only ye should believe in him, but also suffer for his sake,

30 [y]Having the same fight, which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 1:1 The mark whereat he shooteth in this Epistle, is to confirm the Philippians by all means possible, not only not to faint, but also to go forward. And first of all, he commendeth their former doings, to exhort them to go forward: which thing he sayeth, he hopeth fully they will do, and that by the testimony of their lively charity, but in the mean season he referreth all things to the grace of God.
  2. Philippians 1:1 By the Bishops are meant both the Pastors, which have the dispensation of the word and the Elders, that govern: and by Deacons are meant those that were stewards of the treasury of the Church and had to look unto the poor.
  3. Philippians 1:5 Because that you also are made partakers of the Gospel.
  4. Philippians 1:5 Ever since I knew you.
  5. Philippians 1:6 The Spirit of God will not forsake you unto the very latter end, until your mortal bodies shall appear before the judgment of Christ, to be glorified.
  6. Philippians 1:7 A true proof of a true knitting together with Christ.
  7. Philippians 1:7 He calleth his bands, grace, as though he had received some singular benefit.
  8. Philippians 1:8 He declareth his good will towards them, therewithall showing by what means chiefly they may be confirmed, to wit, by continual prayer.
  9. Philippians 1:9 He showeth what thing we ought chiefly desire, to wit, first of all, that we may increase in the true knowledge of God (so that we may be able to discern things that differ one from another) and also in charity, that even to the end we may give ourselves to good works indeed, to the glory of God by Jesus Christ.
  10. Philippians 1:11 If righteousness be the tree, and good works the fruits, then must the papists needs be deceived, when they say that works are the cause of righteousness.
  11. Philippians 1:12 He preventeth the offense that might come by his persecution, whereby divers took occasion to disgrace his Apostleship. To whom he answereth, that God hath blesseth his imprisonment in such wise, that he is by that means become more famous, and the dignity of the Gospel by this occasion is greatly enlarged, although not with like affection in all men, yet indeed.
  12. Philippians 1:13 For Christ’s sake.
  13. Philippians 1:13 In the Emperor’s court.
  14. Philippians 1:14 The Gospel is called the Word, to set forth the excellence of it.
  15. Philippians 1:16 Not with a pure mind: for otherwise their doctrine was pure.
  16. Philippians 1:18 He showeth by setting forth his own example, that the end of our affliction is true joy: and that through the virtue of the Spirit of Christ, which he giveth to them that ask it.
  17. Philippians 1:18 Under a goodly color and show: for they made Christ a cloak for their ambition and envy.
  18. Philippians 1:20 We must continue even to the end, with great confidence, having nothing before our eyes but Christ’s glory only, whether we live or die.
  19. Philippians 1:22 An example of a true shepherd, who maketh more acount how he may profit his sheep, than he doth of any commodity of his own whatsoever.
  20. Philippians 1:22 To live in this mortal body.
  21. Philippians 1:27 Having set down those things before, in manner of a Preface, he descendeth now to exhortations, warning them first of all, to consent both in doctrine and mind, and afterward, that being thus knit together with those common bands, they continue through the strength of faith to bear all adversity in such sort, that they admit nothing unworthy the profession of the Gospel.
  22. Philippians 1:27 The word signifieth, to stand fast, and it is proper to wrestlers, that stand fast, and shrink not a foot.
  23. Philippians 1:28 We ought not to be discouraged, but rather encouraged by the persecutions which the enemies of the Gospel imagine and practice against us: seeing that they are certain witnesses from God himself, both of our salvation, and of the destruction of the wicked.
  24. Philippians 1:29 He proveth that his saying, that persecution is a token of our salvation, because it is a gift of God to suffer for Christ, which gift he bestoweth upon his own, as he doth the gift of faith.
  25. Philippians 1:30 Now he showeth for what purpose he made mention of his afflictions.

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