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Philippians 1
New International Version
Philippians 1
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.
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 1
The Message
Philippians 1
The Message
1 1-2 Paul and Timothy, both of us committed servants of Christ Jesus, write this letter to all the followers of Jesus in Philippi, pastors and ministers included. We greet you with the grace and peace that comes from God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ.
A Love That Will Grow
3-6 Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.
7-8 It’s not at all fanciful for me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God. He knows how much I love and miss you these days. Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does!
9-11 So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
They Can’t Imprison the Message
12-14 I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered. All the soldiers here, and everyone else, too, found out that I’m in jail because of this Messiah. That piqued their curiosity, and now they’ve learned all about him. Not only that, but most of the followers of Jesus here have become far more sure of themselves in the faith than ever, speaking out fearlessly about God, about the Messiah.
15-17 It’s true that some here preach Christ because with me out of the way, they think they’ll step right into the spotlight. But the others do it with the best heart in the world. One group is motivated by pure love, knowing that I am here defending the Message, wanting to help. The others, now that I’m out of the picture, are merely greedy, hoping to get something out of it for themselves. Their motives are bad. They see me as their competition, and so the worse it goes for me, the better—they think—for them.
18-21 So how am I to respond? I’ve decided that I really don’t care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on!
And I’m going to keep that celebration going because I know how it’s going to turn out. Through your faithful prayers and the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything he wants to do in and through me will be done. I can hardly wait to continue on my course. I don’t expect to be embarrassed in the least. On the contrary, everything happening to me in this jail only serves to make Christ more accurately known, regardless of whether I live or die. They didn’t shut me up; they gave me a platform! Alive, I’m Christ’s messenger; dead, I’m his prize. Life versus even more life! I can’t lose.
22-26 As long as I’m alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I’d choose. Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better. But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it’s better for me to stick it out here. So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues. You can start looking forward to a great reunion when I come visit you again. We’ll be praising Christ, enjoying each other.
27-30 Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ. Let nothing in your conduct hang on whether I come or not. Your conduct must be the same whether I show up to see things for myself or hear of it from a distance. Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people’s trust in the Message, the good news, not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition. Your courage and unity will show them what they’re up against: defeat for them, victory for you—and both because of God. There’s far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There’s also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting. You’re involved in the same kind of struggle you saw me go through, on which you are now getting an updated report in this letter.
Philippians 1
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
Philippians 1
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
1 Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ; to all the saints in Christ Jesus, who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.
2 Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I give thanks to my God in every remembrance of you,
4 Always in all my prayers making supplication for you all, with joy;
5 For your communication in the gospel of Christ from the first day until now.
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he, who hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus.
7 As it is meet for me to think this for you all, for that I have you in my heart; and that in my bands, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my joy.
8 For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your charity may more and more abound in knowledge, and in all understanding:
10 That you may approve the better things, that you may be sincere and without offence unto the day of Christ,
11 Filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
12 Now, brethren, I desire you should know, that the things which have happened to me, have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel:
13 So that my bands are made manifest in Christ, in all the court, and in all other places;
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, growing confident by my bands, are much more bold to speak the word of God without fear.
15 Some indeed, even out of envy and contention; but some also for good will preach Christ.
16 Some out of charity, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
17 And some out of contention preach Christ not sincerely: supposing that they raise affliction to my bands.
18 But what then? So that by all means, whether by occasion, or by truth, Christ be preached: in this also I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
19 For I know that this shall fall out to me unto salvation, through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 According to my expectation and hope; that in nothing I shall be confounded, but with all confidence, as always, so now also shall Christ be magnified in my body, wither it be by life, or by death.
21 For to me, to live is Christ; and to die is gain.
22 And if to live in the flesh, this is to me the fruit of labour, and what I shall choose I know not.
23 But I am straitened between two: having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, a thing by far the better.
24 But to abide still in the flesh, is needful for you.
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, and continue with you all, for your furtherance and joy of faith:
26 That your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus for me, by my coming to you again.
27 Only let your conversation be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you, or, being absent, may hear of you, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind labouring together for the faith of the gospel.
28 And in nothing be ye terrified by the adversaries: which to them is a cause of perdition, but to you of salvation, and this from God:
29 For unto you it is given for Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.
30 Having the same conflict as that which you have seen in me, and now have heard of me.
Philippians 1
Expanded Bible
Philippians 1
Expanded Bible
1 From Paul and Timothy [2:19–24; Acts 16:1–5; 1 Cor. 16:10–11; 1 and 2 Timothy], ·servants [slaves; bondservants] of Christ Jesus.
To all of ·God’s holy people [T the saints] in Christ Jesus who live in Philippi [C a city located in Macedonia, present-day northern Greece; Acts 16], including your ·overseers [T bishops; C perhaps the same as elders] and ·deacons [servants; ministers]:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul’s Prayer
3 I thank my God every time I remember you, 4 always praying with joy for all of you. 5 I thank God for ·the help you gave me [L your partnership/participation] in ·spreading the Good News [L the Good News/Gospel] from the first day you believed until now. 6 God began doing a good work in you, and I am ·sure [confident; persuaded] he will continue it until it is ·finished [completed; perfected] ·when Jesus Christ comes again [L on the day of Christ Jesus; C the final day of judgment and reward].
7 And I know that I am right to think like this about all of you, because ·I have you in my [or you have me in your] heart. All of you ·share [are partners/co-sharers] in God’s grace with me while I am in ·prison [chains; C Paul is probably writing from house arrest in Rome, about ad 60; see Acts 28:30–31] and while I am defending and ·proving the truth of [confirming] the ·Good News [Gospel]. 8 [L For] God ·knows [L is my witness] that I ·want [long] to see you very much, because I love all of you with the ·love [affection] of Christ Jesus.
9 This is my prayer for you: that your love will ·grow [increase; abound] more and more; that you will have knowledge and ·understanding [insight; discernment] with your love; 10 that you will ·see the difference between good and bad and will choose the good [L discern/test and prove what is best]; that you will be pure and ·without wrong [blameless] ·for the coming [in the day; v. 6] of Christ; 11 that you will be filled with the ·good things produced in your life by Christ [L fruit of righteousness that comes through Christ] to bring glory and praise to God.
Paul’s Troubles Help the Work
12 I want you brothers and sisters to know that what has happened to me has helped to ·spread [advance] the ·Good News [Gospel]. 13 All the ·palace guards [imperial guard; L praetorium; C Caesar’s elite troops] and everyone else knows that I am in ·prison [chains] ·because I am a believer in [or for the cause of] Christ. 14 Because I am in prison, most of the ·believers [L brothers (and sisters)] have become more ·bold [confident] in the Lord and ·are not afraid [L dare without fear] to speak the word of God.
15 It is true that some preach about Christ because of ·jealousy [envy] and ·ambition [rivalry], but others preach about Christ because ·they want to help [of good will/intentions]. 16 They preach because they have love, and they know that ·God gave me the work of [I have been appointed for; or I have been put here (in prison) for] defending the ·Good News [Gospel]. 17 But the others preach about Christ for ·selfish [selfish ambition; or rivalry] and ·wrong reasons [not sincerely], wanting to make trouble for me in ·prison [my chains].
18 ·But it doesn’t matter [What difference does it make? or What is the result? L For what?]. The important thing is that in every way, whether ·for right or wrong reasons [from false motives or true], they are preaching about Christ. So ·I am happy [L in this I rejoice], ·and [indeed] I will continue to ·be happy [rejoice]. 19 Because I know ·this trouble [L this] will ·bring my [result in] ·freedom [deliverance; or salvation], through your prayers and the ·help of [support from] the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 20 I expect and hope that I will not ·fail Christ in [L be ashamed about] anything but that I will have the ·courage [boldness] now, as always, ·to show the greatness of Christ [or so that Christ will be exalted] in my ·life here on earth [L body], whether I live or die. 21 [L For] To me ·the only important thing about living [L to live] is Christ, and ·dying would be profit for me [L to die is gain/profit]. 22 If I continue living in my ·body [flesh], ·I will be able to work for the Lord [L this is productive/fruitful work for me]. I do not know what to choose—living or dying. 23 ·It is hard to choose [I am torn/hard pressed] between the two. I ·want [desire; long] to leave this life and be with Christ, which is much better, 24 but ·you need me here [or it is better for you that I remain] in ·my body [the flesh]. 25 Since I am sure of this, I know I will stay with you ·to help you grow and have [L for your progress/success and] joy in your faith. 26 [L …so that] ·You will be very happy [or Because of me, your confidence/pride will increase; L Your boasting in me will abound] in Christ Jesus when I am with you again.
27 ·Only one thing concerns me [or Whatever happens; L Only]: Be sure that you ·live [conduct yourselves; live as citizens] in a way that ·brings honor to [is worthy of] the ·Good News [Gospel] of Christ. ·Then [L …so that] whether I come and ·visit [see] you or am away from you, I will hear that you are standing strong ·with one purpose [with one spirit; or in the one Spirit], that you work together ·as one [with one mind/soul] for the faith ·of [or that is; or in] the ·Good News [Gospel], 28 and that you are not ·frightened [intimidated] in any way by ·those who are against you [your opponents]. All of this is ·proof [evidence; a sign] that ·your enemies [they] will be destroyed but that you will be saved. And ·this salvation [or this proof/evidence/sign; L this] is from God. 29 ·God gave you the honor [L For it has been granted/given to you] not only of believing in Christ but also of suffering for him. 30 You yourselves are having the same kind of struggles that you saw ·I had when I was with you [L in me], and ·you hear that I am still having now [L now hear in me].
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