我所祈求的就是:你们的爱心随着属灵知识的增加和辨别力的提高而日益增长, 10 使你们知道怎样择善而从,做诚实无过的人,一直到基督再来的日子, 11 并靠着耶稣基督结满仁义的果子,使上帝得到荣耀与颂赞。

为基督而活

12 弟兄姊妹,我希望你们知道,我的遭遇反而会使福音传得更广, 13 连所有的皇家卫兵和其他众人都知道我是为了基督的缘故而受囚禁。 14 大多数主内的弟兄姊妹看见我为主被囚,信心受到鼓舞,更加放胆无惧地传扬上帝的道。 15 当然,有些人宣讲基督是出于嫉妒和争强好胜,也有些人是出于善意。 16 后者是出于爱心,知道我是上帝派来维护福音的。 17 前者传讲基督是出于个人野心,动机不纯,以为可以增加我在狱中的痛苦。 18 那又怎样呢?无论他们传福音是真心还是假意,基督的福音毕竟传开了,因此我很欢喜,而且欢喜不已。 19 因为我知道,借着你们的祷告和耶稣基督之灵的帮助,我终会得到释放。

20 我殷切地期待和盼望:我不会感到任何羞愧,而是放胆无惧,不管是生是死,都要一如既往地使基督在我身上得到尊崇。

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And this is my prayer: that your love(A) may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,(B) 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,(C) 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness(D) 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,[a] 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[b] and to everyone else that I am in chains(E) for Christ. 14 And because of my chains,(F) most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.(G)

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.(H) 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition,(I) not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.(J) 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(K) and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ(L) what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[c](M) 20 I eagerly expect(N) and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage(O) so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body,(P) whether by life or by death.(Q)

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Footnotes

  1. 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.
  2. Philippians 1:13 Or whole palace
  3. Philippians 1:19 Or vindication; or salvation