Instructions for Christian Living

¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer^(A) live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.^{(B) 18} They are darkened in their understanding^(C) and separated from the life of God^(D) because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.^{(E) 19} Having lost all sensitivity,^(F) they have given themselves over^(G) to sensuality^(H) so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off^(I) your old self,^(J) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;^{(K) 23} to be made new in the attitude of your minds;^{(L) 24} and to put on^(M) the new self,^(N) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.^(O)

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully^(P) to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.^{(Q) 26} “In your anger do not sin”^[a]:^(R) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold.^{(S) 28} Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,^(T) doing something useful with their own hands,^(U) that they may have something to share with those in need.^(V)

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,^(W) but only what is helpful for building others up^(X) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,^(Y) with whom you were sealed^(Z) for the day of redemption.^{(AA) 31} Get rid of^(AB) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.^{(AC) 32} Be kind and compassionate to one another,^(AD) forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.^(AE)

5 ¹ Follow God’s example,^(A) therefore, as dearly loved children^{(B) 2} and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us^(C) and gave himself up for us^(D) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.^(E)

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,^(F) or of any kind of impurity, or of greed,^(G) because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk^(H) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.^{(I) 5} For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater^(J)—has any inheritance^(K) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^{[a](L) 6} Let no one deceive you^(M) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath^(N) comes on those who are disobedient.^{(O) 7} Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸ For you were once^(P) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light^{(Q) 9} (for the fruit^(R) of the light consists in all goodness,^(S) righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord.^{(T) 11} Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,^(U) but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light^(V) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live^(Z)—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity,^(AA) because the days are evil.^{(AB) 17} Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.^{(AC) 18} Do not get drunk on wine,^(AD) which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,^{(AE) 19} speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.^(AF) Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks^(AG) to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Instructions for Christian Households^(A)

²¹ Submit to one another^(B) out of reverence for Christ.

²² Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands^(C) as you do to the Lord.^{(D) 23} For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church,^(E) his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands^(F) in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives,^(G) just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her^{(H) 26} to make her holy,^(I) cleansing^[a] her by the washing^(J) with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself^(K) as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.^{(L) 28} In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives^(M) as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— ³⁰ for we are members of his body.^{(N) 31} “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”^{[b](O) 32} This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³ However, each one of you also must love his wife^(P) as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.^{(Q) 2} “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”^[c](R)

⁴ Fathers,^[d] do not exasperate your children;^(S) instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.^(T)

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect^(U) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,^(V) just as you would obey Christ.^{(W) 6} Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,^(X) doing the will of God from your heart. ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,^{(Y) 8} because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,^(Z) whether they are slave or free.

⁹ And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours^(AA) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism^(AB) with him.

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord^(A) and in his mighty power.^{(B) 11} Put on the full armor of God,^(C) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,^(D) but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(E) against the powers^(F) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.^{(G) 13} Therefore put on the full armor of God,^(H) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,^(I) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,^{(J) 15} and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.^{(K) 16} In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,^(L) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(M) 17} Take the helmet of salvation^(N) and the sword of the Spirit,^(O) which is the word of God.^(P)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit^(Q) on all occasions^(R) with all kinds of prayers and requests.^(S) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying^(T) for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me,^(U) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly^(V) make known the mystery^(W) of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador^(X) in chains.^(Y) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

²¹ Tychicus,^(Z) the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. ²² I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are,^(AA) and that he may encourage you.^(AB)

²³ Peace^(AC) to the brothers and sisters,^[a] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.^[b]

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,^[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^(A) for Christ. ¹⁴ And because of my chains,^(B) most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.^(C)

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.^{(D) 17} The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition,^(E) not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.^{(F) 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^(G) and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ^(H) what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.^{[c](I) 20} I eagerly expect^(J) and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage^(K) so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body,^(L) whether by life or by death.^{(M) 21} For to me, to live is Christ^(N) 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^(O) and be with Christ,^(P) 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^(Q) 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^(R) in the one Spirit,^[d] striving together^(S) 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^(T) on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer^(U) for him, ³⁰ since you are going through the same struggle^(V) you saw^(W) I had, and now hear^(X) that I still have.