Philippians 1
New Living Translation
Greetings from Paul
1 This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus.
I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders[a] and deacons.
2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ[b]—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
Paul’s Joy That Christ Is Preached
12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters,[c] that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard,[d] knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers[e] here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message[f] without fear.
15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. 19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.
Paul’s Life for Christ
20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.
25 Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. 26 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.
Live as Citizens of Heaven
27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.
Philippians 1
Legacy Standard Bible
Thanksgiving
1 (A)Paul and (B)Timothy, (C)slaves of (D)Christ Jesus,
To (E)all the [a](F)saints in Christ Jesus who are in (G)Philippi, with the (H)overseers and (I)deacons: 2 (J)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 (K)I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in (L)my every prayer for you all, 5 because of your [b](M)fellowship in the (N)gospel (O)from the first day until now. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until (P)the day of Christ Jesus. 7 [c]For (Q)it is only right for me to think this way about you all, because I (R)have you in my heart, since both in my (S)chains and in the (T)defense and confirmation of the (U)gospel, you all are fellow partakers with me in this grace. 8 For (V)God is my witness, how I long for you all with the [d]affection of (W)Christ Jesus. 9 And this I pray, that (X)your love may abound still more and more in (Y)full knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may [e](Z)approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and without fault [f]until (AA)the day of Christ, 11 having been filled with the (AB)fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
The Progress of the Gospel
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances (AC)have turned out for the greater progress of the (AD)gospel, 13 so that my (AE)chains in Christ have become well known throughout the whole [g]praetorian guard and to (AF)everyone else, 14 and that most of the [h]brothers, having become confident in the Lord because of my (AG)chains, have (AH)far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. 15 (AI)Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even [i]from envy and strife, but some also [j]from good will; 16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the (AJ)gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ (AK)out of selfish ambition [k]rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me affliction in my (AL)chains. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that (AM)this will turn out for my salvation (AN)through your [l]prayers and the provision of (AO)the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my (AP)earnest expectation and (AQ)hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with (AR)all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be (AS)magnified in my body, (AT)whether by life or by death.
To Live Is Christ
21 For to me, (AU)to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 [m]But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean (AV)fruitful labor for me; and I do not know what I will choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed [n]between the two, having the (AW)desire to depart and (AX)be with Christ, for that is very much better, 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 (AY)And convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy [o]in the faith, 26 so that your reason for (AZ)boasting may abound in Christ Jesus in me, through my coming to you again.
27 Only [p]live your lives in a manner (BA)worthy of the (BB)gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about your circumstances, that you are (BC)standing firm in (BD)one spirit, with one [q]mind (BE)contending together for the faith of the gospel, 28 in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a (BF)sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. 29 For to you (BG)it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to (BH)suffer for His sake, 30 having the same (BI)struggle which (BJ)you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Footnotes
- Philippians 1:1 Or holy ones
- Philippians 1:5 Or partnership in the preaching of the gospel
- Philippians 1:7 Lit Just as it is right
- Philippians 1:8 Lit inward parts
- Philippians 1:10 Or discover, distinguish between the things which differ
- Philippians 1:10 Or for
- Philippians 1:13 Or governor’s palace
- Philippians 1:14 Or brothers in the Lord, trusting because of my chains
- Philippians 1:15 Lit because of
- Philippians 1:15 Lit because of
- Philippians 1:17 Lit not sincerely
- Philippians 1:19 Lit supplication
- Philippians 1:22 Or But if to live in the flesh, this will be fruitful labor for me, then I
- Philippians 1:23 Lit from
- Philippians 1:25 Lit of
- Philippians 1:27 To lead one’s life as a citizen, cf. 3:20
- Philippians 1:27 Lit soul
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
Modern English Version
Salutation
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul’s Prayer for the Philippians
3 I thank my God for every reminder of you. 4 In every prayer of mine for you all, I have always made requests with joy, 5 due to your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.
7 It is right for me to think this of you all because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonments and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are fellow partakers of my grace. 8 For God is my witness, how I long after you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all discernment, 10 that you may approve things that are excellent so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruit of righteousness, which comes through Jesus Christ, for the glory and praise of God.
To Live Is Christ
12 But I want you to know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have resulted in advancing the gospel, 13 so that my imprisonments in Christ have become known throughout the entire palace guard and to all the rest. 14 And a great many of the brothers in the Lord, having become confident because of my incarcerations, have dared to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed are preaching Christ out of envy and strife, and some also from good will. 16 The former preach Christ out of contention, not sincerely, intending to add trouble to my circumstance. 17 But the latter preach 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.
Indeed, I will rejoice. 19 For I know that through your prayer and the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will result in my deliverance. 20 Accordingly, it is my earnest expectation and my hope that I shall be ashamed in nothing, but that with all boldness as always, so now also, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death. 21 For to me, to continue living is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor to me. Yet I do not know what I shall choose. 23 I am in a difficult position between the two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake. 25 Having this confidence, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your joyful advancement of the faith, 26 so that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ when I am in your presence again.
27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, that whether or not I come and see you, I may hear of your activities, that you are standing fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel. 28 Do not be frightened by your adversaries. This is a sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and this from God. 29 For to you it was granted on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.