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Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the elders and deacons:

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

I thank my God with every remembrance of you,

(always, in all my prayers for all you, praying with joy),

because of the fellowship which you have in the Gospel, from the first day until now.

And I am persuaded of this same thing: that He who has begun this good work in you will perfect it until the Day of Jesus Christ;

just as it is right for me to think this way of you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel you all were fellow partakers of grace with me.

For God is my witness how I long after you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

10 so that you may test those things which are better; that you may be pure and without offense until the Day of Christ,

11 filled with the fruit of righteousness which is by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

12 Brothers, I desire that you understand that the things which are against me have really caused a furthering of the Gospel.

13 So, as for my bonds in Christ, they are famous throughout all the Praetorium and in all other places;

14 so much so that many of the brothers in the Lord are emboldened by my bonds and dare speak the word of God more frankly.

15 Indeed, some preach Christ out of envy and strife, but some also out of goodwill.

16 Indeed, the former preaches Christ out of rivalry (and not purely, supposing to add more affliction to my bonds),

17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Gospel.

18 What then? Christ is still preached in all manner of ways, whether under a pretense or sincerely. And I rejoice in that! Indeed, and I will rejoice!

19 For I know that this shall cause my deliverance (through your prayer and by the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ)

20 as I fervently expect and hope that in nothing shall I 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, to me, Christ is life and death is gain.

22 But if living in the flesh brings fruit from my labor, what shall I choose? I do not know!

23 For I am caught between both desiring to be released and to be with Christ (which is best of all).

24 Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.

25 And of this I am sure: that I shall stay and continue with you all for the progress and joy of your faith,

26 so that by my coming to you again your boasting in Jesus Christ may abound through me.

27 Only conduct yourselves as it becomes the Gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your matters that you continue in one spirit and in one mind, striving together for the faith of the Gospel.

28 And be frightened in nothing by your adversaries (which is to them a proof of destruction - but to you of salvation - and this from God!).

29 For to you it is given concerning Christ that not only should you believe in Him, but also to suffer concerning Him,

30 having the same fight which you saw in me and now hear of in me.

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