Philippians 1
1599 Geneva Bible
The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
1 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.
1 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:
2 Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ:
3 I thank my God, having you in perfect memory,
4 (Always in all my prayers for all you, praying with gladness)
5 Because of the [c]fellowship which ye have in the Gospel, from the [d]first day unto now.
6 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,
7 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.
8 [h]For God is my record, how I long after you all from the very heart root in Jesus Christ.
9 [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
- 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.
- 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.
- Philippians 1:5 Because that you also are made partakers of the Gospel.
- Philippians 1:5 Ever since I knew you.
- 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.
- Philippians 1:7 A true proof of a true knitting together with Christ.
- Philippians 1:7 He calleth his bands, grace, as though he had received some singular benefit.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Philippians 1:13 For Christ’s sake.
- Philippians 1:13 In the Emperor’s court.
- Philippians 1:14 The Gospel is called the Word, to set forth the excellence of it.
- Philippians 1:16 Not with a pure mind: for otherwise their doctrine was pure.
- 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.
- Philippians 1:18 Under a goodly color and show: for they made Christ a cloak for their ambition and envy.
- 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.
- 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.
- Philippians 1:22 To live in this mortal body.
- 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.
- Philippians 1:27 The word signifieth, to stand fast, and it is proper to wrestlers, that stand fast, and shrink not a foot.
- 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.
- 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.
- Philippians 1:30 Now he showeth for what purpose he made mention of his afflictions.
Philippians 1
New King James Version
Greeting
1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the [a]bishops and (A)deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thankfulness and Prayer
3 (B)I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in (C)every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 (D)for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun (E)a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness (F)which are by Jesus Christ, (G)to the glory and praise of God.
Christ Is Preached
12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident (H)to the whole [b]palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 [c]The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
To Live Is Christ
19 For I know that (I)this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but (J)with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life (K)or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I [d]cannot tell. 23 [e]For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a (L)desire to depart and be with Christ, which is (M)far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that (N)your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
Striving and Suffering for Christ
27 Only (O)let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, (P)with one mind (Q)striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but [f]to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you (R)it has been granted on behalf of Christ, (S)not only to believe in Him, but also to (T)suffer for His sake, 30 (U)having the same conflict (V)which you saw in me and now hear is in me.
Footnotes
- Philippians 1:1 Lit. overseers
- Philippians 1:13 Or Praetorium
- Philippians 1:16 NU reverses vv. 16 and 17.
- Philippians 1:22 do not know
- Philippians 1:23 NU, M But
- Philippians 1:28 NU of your salvation
Philippians 1
English Standard Version
Greeting
1 Paul and Timothy, servants[a] of Christ Jesus,
To all the (A)saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the (B)overseers[b] and (C)deacons:[c]
2 (D)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 (E)I thank my God (F)in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 (G)because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began (H)a good work in you (I)will bring it to completion at (J)the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you (K)in my heart, for you are all (L)partakers with me of grace,[d] both (M)in my imprisonment and in (N)the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For (O)God is my witness, (P)how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that (Q)your love may abound more and more, (R)with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, (S)and so be pure and blameless (T)for the day of Christ, 11 filled (U)with the fruit of righteousness that comes (V)through Jesus Christ, (W)to the glory and praise of God.
The Advance of the Gospel
12 I want you to know, brothers,[e] that what has happened to me has really (X)served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard[f] and (Y)to all the rest that (Z)my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold (AA)to speak the word[g] without fear.
15 (AB)Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, (AC)knowing that I am put here for (AD)the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ (AE)out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
To Live Is Christ
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that (AF)through your prayers and (AG)the help of (AH)the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope (AI)that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full (AJ)courage now as always Christ (AK)will be honored in my body, (AL)whether by life or by death. 21 For to me (AM)to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 (AN)I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is (AO)to depart and (AP)be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 (AQ)Convinced of this, (AR)I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your (AS)progress and (AT)joy in the faith, 26 so that in me (AU)you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
27 Only (AV)let your manner of life be (AW)worthy[h] of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you (AX)that you are standing firm in one spirit, with (AY)one mind (AZ)striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is (BA)a clear sign to them of their destruction, but (BB)of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For (BC)it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also (BD)suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same (BE)conflict that (BF)you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
Footnotes
- Philippians 1:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface
- Philippians 1:1 Or bishops; Greek episkopoi
- Philippians 1:1 Or servants, or ministers; Greek diakonoi
- Philippians 1:7 Or you all have fellowship with me in grace
- Philippians 1:12 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verse 14
- Philippians 1:13 Greek in the whole praetorium
- Philippians 1:14 Some manuscripts add of God
- Philippians 1:27 Greek Only behave as citizens worthy
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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