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Philippians 1-4
Contemporary English Version
Philippians 1-4
Contemporary English Version
1 (A) From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus.
To all God's people who belong to Christ Jesus at Philippi and to all your bishops and deacons.
2 I pray that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!
Paul's Prayer for the Church in Philippi
3 Every time I think of you, I thank my God. 4 And whenever I mention you in my prayers, it makes me happy. 5 This is because you have taken part with me in spreading the good news from the first day you heard about it. 6 God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won't stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.
7 You have a special place in my heart. So it is only natural for me to feel the way I do. All of you have helped in the work God has given me, as I defend the good news and tell about it here in jail. 8 God himself knows how much I want to see you. He knows I care for you in the same way Christ Jesus does.
9 I pray that your love will keep on growing and you will fully know and understand 10 how to make the right choices. Then you will still be pure and innocent when Christ returns. And until that day, 11 Jesus Christ will keep you busy doing good deeds that bring glory and praise to God.
What Life Means to Paul
12 My dear friends, I want you to know that what has happened to me has helped to spread the good news. 13 (B) The Roman guards and all the others know I am here in jail because I serve Christ. 14 Now most of the Lord's followers have become brave and are fearlessly telling the message.[a]
15 Some are preaching about Christ because they are jealous and envious of us. Others are preaching because they want to help. 16 They love Christ and know I am here to defend the good news about him. 17 But the ones who are jealous of us are not sincere. They just want to cause trouble for me while I am in jail. 18 But that doesn't matter. All that matters is that people are telling about Christ, whether they are sincere or not. This is what makes me glad.
I will keep on being glad, 19 because I know that your prayers and the help that comes from the Spirit of Christ Jesus will keep me safe. 20 I honestly expect and hope I will never do anything to be ashamed of. Whether I live or die, I always want to be as brave as I am now and bring honor to Christ.
21 If I live, it will be for Christ, and if I die, I will gain even more. 22 I don't know what to choose. I could keep on living and doing something useful. 23 It is a hard choice to make. I want to die and be with Christ, because this would be much better. 24-25 But I know that all of you still need me. This is why I am sure I will stay on to help you grow and be happy in your faith. 26 Then, when I visit you again, you will have good reason to take great pride in Christ Jesus because of me.[b]
27 Above all else, you must live in a way that brings honor to the good news about Christ. Then, whether I visit you or not, I will hear that all of you think alike. I will know that you are working together and are struggling side by side to get others to believe the good news.
28 Be brave when you face your enemies. Your courage will show them that they are going to be destroyed, and it will show you that you will be saved. God will make all of this happen, 29 and he has blessed you. Not only do you have faith in Christ, but you suffer for him. 30 (C) You saw me suffer, and you still hear about my troubles. Now you must suffer in the same way.
True Humility
2 Christ encourages you, and his love comforts you. God's Spirit unites you, and you are concerned for others. 2 Now make me completely happy! Live in harmony by showing love for each other. Be united in what you think, as if you were only one person. 3 Don't be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves. 4 Care about them as much as you care about yourselves 5 and think the same way that Christ Jesus thought:[c]
6 Christ was truly God.
But he did not try to remain[d]
equal with God.
7 Instead he gave up everything[e]
and became a slave,
when he became
like one of us.
8 Christ was humble.
He obeyed God and even died
on a cross.
9 Then God gave Christ
the highest place
and honored his name
above all others.
10 (D) So at the name of Jesus
everyone will bow down,
those in heaven, on earth,
and under the earth.
11 And to the glory
of God the Father
everyone will openly agree,
“Jesus Christ is Lord!”
Lights in the World
12 My dear friends, you always obeyed when I was with you. Now that I am away, you should obey even more. So work with fear and trembling to discover what it really means to be saved. 13 God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing. 15 (E) Then you will be the pure and innocent children of God. You live among people who are crooked and evil, but you must not do anything they can say is wrong. Try to shine as lights among the people of this world, 16 as you hold firmly to[f] the message that gives life. Then on the day when Christ returns, I can take pride in you. I can also know that my work and efforts were not useless.
17 Your faith in the Lord and your service are like a sacrifice offered to him. And my own blood may have to be poured out with the sacrifice.[g] If this happens, I will be glad and rejoice with you. 18 In the same way, you should be glad and rejoice with me.
Timothy and Epaphroditus
19 I want to be encouraged by news about you. So I hope the Lord Jesus will soon let me send Timothy to you. 20 I don't have anyone else who cares about you as much as he does. 21 The others think only about what interests them and not about what concerns Christ Jesus. 22 But you know what kind of person Timothy is. He has worked with me like a son in spreading the good news. 23 I hope to send him to you, as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me. 24 And I feel sure the Lord will also let me come soon.
25 I think I ought to send my dear friend Epaphroditus back to you. He is a follower and a worker and a soldier of the Lord, just as I am. You sent him to look after me, 26 but now he is eager to see you. He is worried, because you heard he was sick. 27 In fact, he was very sick and almost died. But God was kind to him, and also to me, and he kept me from being burdened down with sorrow.
28 Now I am more eager than ever to send Epaphroditus back again. You will be glad to see him, and I won't have to worry any longer. 29 Be sure to give him a cheerful welcome, just as people who serve the Lord deserve. 30 He almost died working for Christ, and he risked his own life to do for me what you could not.
Being Acceptable to God
3 Finally, my dear friends, be glad that you belong to the Lord. It doesn't bother me to write the same things to you that I have written before. In fact, it is for your own good.
2 Watch out for those people who behave like dogs! They are evil and want to do more than just circumcise you. 3 But we are the ones who are truly circumcised, because we worship by the power of God's Spirit[h] and take pride in Christ Jesus. We don't brag about what we have done, 4 although I could. Others may brag about themselves, but I have more reason to brag than anyone else. 5 (F) I was circumcised when I was eight days old,[i] and I am from the nation of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. I am a true Hebrew. As a Pharisee, I strictly obeyed the Law of Moses. 6 (G) And I was so eager I even made trouble for the church. I did everything the Law demands in order to please God.
7 But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. 8 Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ 9 and to know that I belong to him. I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ. 10 All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life. I want to suffer and die as he did, 11 so that somehow I also may be raised to life.
Running toward the Goal
12 I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. 13 My friends, I don't feel I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. 14 I run toward the goal, so I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done. 15 All of us who are mature should think in this same way. And if any of you think differently, God will make it clear to you. 16 But we must keep going in the direction that we are now headed.
17 (H) My friends, I want you to follow my example and learn from others who closely follow the example we set for you. 18 I often warned you that many people are living as enemies of the cross of Christ. And now with tears in my eyes, I warn you again 19 that they are headed for hell! They worship their stomachs and brag about the disgusting things they do. All they can think about are the things of this world.
20 But we are citizens of heaven and are eagerly waiting for our Savior to come from there. Our Lord Jesus Christ 21 (I) has power over everything, and he will make these poor bodies of ours like his own glorious body.
4 Dear friends, I love you and long to see you. Please keep on being faithful to the Lord. You are my pride and joy.
Paul Encourages the Lord's Followers
2 Euodia and Syntyche, you belong to the Lord, so I beg you to stop arguing with each other. 3 And, my true partner,[j] I ask you to help them. These women have worked together with me and with Clement and with the others in spreading the good news. Their names are now written in the book of life.[k]
4 Always be glad because of the Lord! I will say it again: Be glad. 5 Always be gentle with others. The Lord will soon be here. 6 Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.
8 Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don't ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. 9 You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you.
Paul Gives Thanks for the Gifts He Was Given
10 The Lord has made me very grateful that at last you have thought about me once again. Actually, you were thinking about me all along, but you didn't have any chance to show it. 11 I am not complaining about having too little. I have learned to be satisfied with[l] whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to be poor or to have plenty, and I have lived under all kinds of conditions. I know what it means to be full or to be hungry, to have too much or too little. 13 Christ gives me the strength to face anything.
14 It was good of you to help me when I was having such a hard time. 15 (J) My friends at Philippi, you remember what it was like when I started preaching the good news in Macedonia.[m] After I left there, you were the only church that became my partner by giving blessings and by receiving them in return. 16 (K) Even when I was in Thessalonica, you helped me more than once. 17 I am not trying to get something from you, but I want you to receive the blessings that come from giving.
18 (L) I have been paid back everything, and with interest. I am completely satisfied with the gifts you sent with Epaphroditus. They are like a sweet-smelling offering or like the right kind of sacrifice that pleases God. 19 I pray that God will take care of all your needs with the wonderful blessings that come from Christ Jesus! 20 May God our Father be praised forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
21 Give my greetings to all who are God's people because of Christ Jesus.
The Lord's followers here with me send you their greetings.
22 All of God's people send their greetings, especially those in the service of the Emperor.
23 I pray that our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless your life!
Footnotes
- 1.14 the message: Some manuscripts have “the Lord's message,” and others have “God's message.”
- 1.26 take great pride in Christ Jesus because of me: Or “take great pride in me because of Christ Jesus.”
- 2.5 think the same way that Christ Jesus thought: Or “think the way you should because you belong to Christ Jesus.”
- 2.6 remain: Or “become.”
- 2.7 he gave up everything: Greek, “he emptied himself.”
- 2.16 hold firmly to: Or “offer them.”
- 2.17 my own blood may have to be poured out with the sacrifice: Offerings of water or wine were sometimes poured out when animals were sacrificed on the altar.
- 3.3 by the power of God's Spirit: Some manuscripts have “sincerely.”
- 3.5 when I was eight days old: Jewish boys are circumcised eight days after birth.
- 4.3 partner: Or “Syzygus,” a person's name.
- 4.3 the book of life: A book in which the names of God's people are written.
- 4.11 be satisfied with: Or “get by on.”
- 4.15 when I started preaching the good news in Macedonia: Paul is talking about his first visit to Philippi (see Acts 16.12-40).
Philippians 1-4
New International Version
Philippians 1-4
New International Version
1 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)
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.(F)
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God every time I remember you.(G) 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray(H) with joy 5 because of your partnership(I) in the gospel from the first day(J) until now, 6 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)
7 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. 8 God can testify(Q) how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 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.
Imitating Christ’s Humility
2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,(AT) if any tenderness and compassion,(AU) 2 then make my joy complete(AV) by being like-minded,(AW) having the same love, being one(AX) in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.(AY) Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,(AZ) 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.(BA)
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:(BB)
6 Who, being in very nature[f] God,(BC)
did not consider equality with God(BD) something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing(BE)
by taking the very nature[g] of a servant,(BF)
being made in human likeness.(BG)
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death(BH)—
even death on a cross!(BI)
9 Therefore God exalted him(BJ) to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,(BK)
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,(BL)
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,(BM)
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,(BN)
to the glory of God the Father.
Do Everything Without Grumbling
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,(BO) 13 for it is God who works in you(BP) to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.(BQ)
14 Do everything without grumbling(BR) or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless(BS) and pure, “children of God(BT) without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[h](BU) Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ(BV) that I did not run(BW) or labor in vain.(BX) 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering(BY) on the sacrifice(BZ) and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.(CA) 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Timothy and Epaphroditus
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy(CB) to you soon,(CC) that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him,(CD) who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests,(CE) not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father(CF) he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.(CG) 24 And I am confident(CH) in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker(CI) and fellow soldier,(CJ) who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.(CK) 26 For he longs for all of you(CL) and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him,(CM) so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,(CN) 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.(CO)
No Confidence in the Flesh
3 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again,(CP) and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs,(CQ) those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision,(CR) we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus,(CS) and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.(CT)
If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised(CU) on the eighth day, of the people of Israel,(CV) of the tribe of Benjamin,(CW) a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;(CX) 6 as for zeal,(CY) persecuting the church;(CZ) as for righteousness based on the law,(DA) faultless.
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss(DB) for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing(DC) Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ(DD) 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,(DE) but that which is through faith in[i] Christ—the righteousness(DF) that comes from God on the basis of faith.(DG) 10 I want to know(DH) Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings,(DI) becoming like him in his death,(DJ) 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection(DK) from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,(DL) but I press on to take hold(DM) of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.(DN) 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind(DO) and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on(DP) toward the goal to win the prize(DQ) for which God has called(DR) me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Following Paul’s Example
15 All of us, then, who are mature(DS) should take such a view of things.(DT) And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.(DU) 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17 Join together in following my example,(DV) brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.(DW) 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears,(DX) many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.(DY) 19 Their destiny(DZ) is destruction, their god is their stomach,(EA) and their glory is in their shame.(EB) Their mind is set on earthly things.(EC) 20 But our citizenship(ED) is in heaven.(EE) And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,(EF) 21 who, by the power(EG) that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies(EH) so that they will be like his glorious body.(EI)
Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity
4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for,(EJ) my joy and crown, stand firm(EK) in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind(EL) in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers,(EM) whose names are in the book of life.(EN)
Final Exhortations
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!(EO) 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.(EP) 6 Do not be anxious about anything,(EQ) but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.(ER) 7 And the peace of God,(ES) which transcends all understanding,(ET) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.(EU) And the God of peace(EV) will be with you.
Thanks for Their Gifts
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.(EW) Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content(EX) whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,(EY) whether living in plenty or in want.(EZ) 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.(FA)
14 Yet it was good of you to share(FB) in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days(FC) of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia,(FD) not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;(FE) 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica,(FF) you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.(FG) 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.(FH) 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus(FI) the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant(FJ) offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs(FK) according to the riches of his glory(FL) in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father(FM) be glory for ever and ever. Amen.(FN)
Final Greetings
21 Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me(FO) send greetings. 22 All God’s people(FP) here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ(FQ) be with your spirit.(FR) Amen.[j]
Footnotes
- 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.
- 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.
- Philippians 1:13 Or whole palace
- Philippians 1:19 Or vindication; or salvation
- Philippians 1:27 Or in one spirit
- Philippians 2:6 Or in the form of
- Philippians 2:7 Or the form
- Philippians 2:15 Deut. 32:5
- Philippians 3:9 Or through the faithfulness of
- Philippians 4:23 Some manuscripts do not have Amen.
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