Philippians 1
New American Standard Bible
Thanksgiving
1 (A)Paul and (B)Timothy, (C)bond-servants of (D)Christ Jesus,
To (E)all the [a](F)saints in Christ Jesus who are in (G)Philippi, [b]including 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 in view of your [c](M)participation 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 [d]among you will complete it [e]by (P)the day of Christ Jesus. 7 [f]For (Q)it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I (R)have you in my heart, since both in my [g](S)imprisonment and in the (T)defense and confirmation of the (U)gospel, you all are [h]partakers of grace with me. 8 For (V)God is my witness, how I long for you all with the [i]affection of (W)Christ Jesus. 9 And this I pray, that (X)your love may overflow still more and more in (Y)real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may [j](Z)discover the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and blameless for (AA)the day of Christ; 11 having been filled with the (AB)fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, for the glory and praise of God.
The Gospel Is Preached
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my circumstances (AC)have turned out for the greater progress of the (AD)gospel, 13 so that my [k](AE)imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the [l]praetorian guard and to (AF)everyone else, 14 and that most of the brothers and sisters, [m]trusting in the Lord because of my [n](AG)imprisonment, have (AH)far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. 15 (AI)Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even [o]from envy and strife, but some also [p]from goodwill; 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 [q]rather than from pure motives, thinking that they are causing me distress in my [r](AL)imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.
But not only that, I also will rejoice, 19 for I know that this will turn out for my [s]deliverance (AM)through your [t]prayers and the provision of (AN)the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my (AO)eager expectation and (AP)hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with (AQ)all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be (AR)exalted in my body, (AS)whether by life or by death.
To Live Is Christ
21 For to me, (AT)to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 [u]But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean (AU)fruitful labor for me; and I do not know [v]which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the (AV)desire to depart and (AW)be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes. 25 (AX)Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy [w]in the faith, 26 so that your (AY)pride in Christ Jesus may be abundant because of me by my coming to you again.
27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner (AZ)worthy of the (BA)gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are (BB)standing firm in (BC)one spirit, with one [x]mind (BD)striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 and in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a (BE)sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and this too, from God. 29 For to you (BF)it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to (BG)suffer on His behalf, 30 experiencing the same (BH)conflict which (BI)you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Footnotes
- Philippians 1:1 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Philippians 1:1 Lit with
- Philippians 1:5 Or sharing in the preaching of the gospel
- Philippians 1:6 Or in
- Philippians 1:6 Lit until
- Philippians 1:7 Lit Just as it is right
- Philippians 1:7 Lit bonds
- Philippians 1:7 Or partners in
- Philippians 1:8 Lit inward parts
- Philippians 1:10 Or approve the things that matter
- Philippians 1:13 Lit bonds
- Philippians 1:13 Or governor’s palace
- Philippians 1:14 Or in the Lord, trusting because of
- Philippians 1:14 Lit bonds
- Philippians 1:15 Lit because of
- Philippians 1:15 Lit because of
- Philippians 1:17 Lit not sincerely
- Philippians 1:17 Lit bonds
- Philippians 1:19 Or salvation
- 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 1:22 Lit what I shall choose
- Philippians 1:25 Lit of
- Philippians 1:27 Lit soul
Philippians 1
New Century Version
1 From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus.
To all of God’s holy people in Christ Jesus who live in Philippi, including your overseers and deacons:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul’s Prayer
3 I thank my God every time I remember you, 4 always praying with joy for all of you. 5 I thank God for the help you gave me while I preached the Good News—help you gave from the first day you believed until now. 6 God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.
7 And I know that I am right to think like this about all of you, because I have you in my heart. All of you share in God’s grace with me while I am in prison and while I am defending and proving the truth of the Good News. 8 God knows that I want to see you very much, because I love all of you with the love of Christ Jesus.
9 This is my prayer for you: that your love will grow more and more; that you will have knowledge and understanding with your love; 10 that you will see the difference between good and bad and will choose the good; that you will be pure and without wrong for the coming of Christ; 11 that you will be filled with the good things produced in your life by Christ to bring glory and praise to God.
Paul’s Troubles Help the Work
12 I want you brothers and sisters to know that what has happened to me has helped to spread the Good News. 13 All the palace guards and everyone else knows that I am in prison because I am a believer in Christ. 14 Because I am in prison, most of the believers have become more bold in Christ and are not afraid to speak the word of God.
15 It is true that some preach about Christ because they are jealous and ambitious, but others preach about Christ because they want to help. 16 They preach because they have love, and they know that God gave me the work of defending the Good News. 17 But the others preach about Christ for selfish and wrong reasons, wanting to make trouble for me in prison.
18 But it doesn’t matter. The important thing is that in every way, whether for right or wrong reasons, they are preaching about Christ. So I am happy, and I will continue to be happy. 19 Because you are praying for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ is helping me, I know this trouble will bring my freedom. 20 I expect and hope that I will not fail Christ in anything but that I will have the courage now, as always, to show the greatness of Christ in my life here on earth, whether I live or die. 21 To me the only important thing about living is Christ, and dying would be profit for me. 22 If I continue living in my body, I will be able to work for the Lord. I do not know what to choose—living or dying. 23 It is hard to choose between the two. I want to leave this life and be with Christ, which is much better, 24 but you need me here in my body. 25 Since I am sure of this, I know I will stay with you to help you grow and have joy in your faith. 26 You will be very happy in Christ Jesus when I am with you again.
27 Only one thing concerns me: Be sure that you live in a way that brings honor to the Good News of Christ. Then whether I come and visit you or am away from you, I will hear that you are standing strong with one purpose, that you work together as one for the faith of the Good News, 28 and that you are not afraid of those who are against you. All of this is proof that your enemies will be destroyed but that you will be saved by God. 29 God gave you the honor not only of believing in Christ but also of suffering for him, both of which bring glory to Christ. 30 When I was with you, you saw the struggles I had, and you hear about the struggles I am having now. You yourselves are having the same kind of struggles.
Philippians 1
King James Version
1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
27 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 affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Philippians 1
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Salutation
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops[a] and deacons:[b]
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.(A)
Paul’s Prayer for the Philippians
3 I thank my God for every remembrance of you, 4 always in every one of my prayers for all of you, praying with joy 5 for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.(B) 6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete[c] it until the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart,[d] for all of you are my partners in God’s grace,[e] both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.(C) 8 For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the tender affection of Christ Jesus.(D) 9 And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight(E) 10 to help you to determine what really matters, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, 11 having produced the harvest[f] of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
Paul’s Present Circumstances
12 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the progress of the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard[g] and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ, 14 and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word[h] with greater boldness and without fear.
15 Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry but others from goodwill. 16 These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. 18 What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true, and in that I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my salvation.(F) 20 It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way but that by my speaking with all boldness Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death.(G) 21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me, yet I cannot say which I will choose. 23 I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better,(H) 24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. 25 Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, 26 so that, by my presence again with you, your boast might abound in Christ Jesus because of me.(I)
27 Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel 28 and in no way frightened by those opposing you. For them, this is evidence of their destruction but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing.(J) 29 For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ but of suffering for him as well,(K) 30 since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.(L)
Philippians 1
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Greeting
1 Paul(A) and Timothy,(B) slaves of Christ Jesus:
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi,(C) including the overseers(D) and deacons.(E)
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,[a] 4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day(F) until now.(G) 6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work(H) in you[b] will carry it on to completion(I) until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right(J) for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart,[c] and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment(K) and in the defense(L) and establishment of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness,(M) how deeply I miss all of you(N) with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And I pray this: that your love(O) will keep on growing(P) in knowledge and every kind of discernment,(Q) 10 so that you can approve the things that are superior(R) and can be pure(S) and blameless(T) in[d] the day of Christ,(U) 11 filled with the fruit(V) of righteousness(W) that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory(X) and praise of God.
Advance of the Gospel
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the advance of the gospel,(Y) 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard,[e] and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is in the cause of Christ. 14 Most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the message[f](Z) fearlessly. 15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and strife,(AA) but others out of good will.[g] 16 These do so out of love,(AB) knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of rivalry,(AC) not sincerely, seeking to cause me anxiety in my imprisonment.[h] 18 What does it matter? Just that in every way, whether out of false motives(AD) or true, Christ is proclaimed. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice 19 because I know this will lead to my deliverance[i](AE) through your prayers and help from the Spirit(AF) of Jesus Christ.(AG) 20 My eager expectation and hope(AH) is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life(AI) or by death.(AJ)
Living Is Christ
21 For me, living is Christ(AK) and dying is gain.(AL) 22 Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful(AM) work(AN) for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. 23 I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ(AO)—which is far better(AP)— 24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. 25 Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,(AQ) 26 so that, because of me, your confidence may grow(AR) in Christ Jesus(AS) when I come to you again.
27 Just one thing: Live your life(AT) in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm(AU) in one(AV) spirit, with one mind,[j] working side by side for the faith(AW) that comes from the gospel, 28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents.(AX) This is a sign of destruction for them,(AY) but of your deliverance(AZ)—and this is from God. 29 For it has been given to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe(BA) in Him, but also to suffer for Him, 30 having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.
Footnotes
- Philippians 1:3 Or for your every remembrance of me
- Philippians 1:6 Or work among you
- Philippians 1:7 Or because you have me in your heart
- Philippians 1:10 Or until
- Philippians 1:13 Lit praetorium, a Lat word that can also refer to a military headquarters, to the governor’s palace, or to Herod’s palace.
- Philippians 1:14 Other mss add of God
- Philippians 1:15 The good will of men, or God’s good will or favor
- Philippians 1:17 Lit sincerely, intending to raise tribulation to my bonds
- Philippians 1:19 Or vindication
- Philippians 1:27 Lit soul
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
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New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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