Greeting

Paul(A) and Timothy,(B) slaves 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. 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 establishment 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 can approve the things that are superior(R) and can be pure(S) and blameless(T) in[d] 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, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the advance of the gospel,(Y) 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard,[e] and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is in the cause of Christ. 14 Most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the message[f](Z) fearlessly. 15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and strife,(AA) but others out of good will.[g] 16 These do so out of love,(AB) knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of rivalry,(AC) not sincerely, seeking to cause me anxiety in my imprisonment.[h] 18 What does it matter? Just that in every way, whether out of false motives(AD) or true, Christ is proclaimed. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice 19 because I know this will lead to my deliverance[i](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 boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life(AI) or by death.(AJ)

Living Is Christ

21 For me, living is Christ(AK) and dying 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 pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ(AO)—which is far better(AP) 24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. 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 me, your confidence may grow(AR) in Christ Jesus(AS) when I come to you again.

27 Just one thing: Live your life(AT) in a manner 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, with one mind,[j] working side by side for the faith(AW) that comes from 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 deliverance(AZ)—and this is from God. 29 For it has been given to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe(BA) in Him, but also to suffer for Him, 30 having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 1:3 Or for your every remembrance of me
  2. Philippians 1:6 Or work among you
  3. Philippians 1:7 Or because you have me in your heart
  4. Philippians 1:10 Or until
  5. Philippians 1:13 Lit praetorium, a Lat word that can also refer to a military headquarters, to the governor’s palace, or to Herod’s palace.
  6. Philippians 1:14 Other mss add of God
  7. Philippians 1:15 The good will of men, or God’s good will or favor
  8. Philippians 1:17 Lit sincerely, intending to raise tribulation to my bonds
  9. Philippians 1:19 Or vindication
  10. Philippians 1:27 Lit soul

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