1 We, Paul and Timothy, are writing this letter. We serve Christ Jesus.

We are sending this letter to you, all God’s holy people in Philippi. You belong to Christ Jesus. We are also sending this letter to your leaders and deacons.

² May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Paul Prays and Gives Thanks

³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. ⁵ I am happy because you have joined me in spreading the good news. You have done so from the first day until now. ⁶ God began a good work in you. And I am sure that he will carry it on until it is completed. That will be on the day Christ Jesus returns.

⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about all of you. I love you with all my heart. I may be held by chains, or I may be standing up for the truth of the good news. Either way, all of you share in God’s grace together with me. ⁸ God is my witness that I long for all of you. I love you with the love that Christ Jesus gives.

⁹ I pray that your love will grow more and more. And let it be based on knowledge and understanding. ¹⁰ Then you will be able to know what is best. Then you will be pure and without blame for the day that Christ returns. ¹¹ You will be filled with the fruit of right living produced by Jesus Christ. All these things bring glory and praise to God.

Paul Spreads the Good News While in Prison

¹² Brothers and sisters, here is what I want you to know. What has happened to me has actually helped to spread the good news. ¹³ One thing has become clear. I am being held by chains because I am a witness for Christ. All the palace guards and everyone else know it. ¹⁴ And because I am a prisoner, most of the believers have become bolder in the Lord. They now dare even more to preach the good news without fear.

Living to Honor the Good News

²⁷ No matter what happens, live in a way that brings honor to the good news about Christ. Then I will know that you remain strong together in the one Spirit. I will know this if I come and see you or only hear about you. I will know that you work together as one person. I will know that you work to spread the teachings about the good news. ²⁸ So don’t be afraid in any way of those who oppose you. This will show them that they will be destroyed and that you will be saved. That’s what God will do. ²⁹ Here is what he has given you to do for Christ. You must not only believe in him. You must also suffer for him. ³⁰ You are going through the same struggle you saw me go through. As you have heard, I am still struggling.