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Philippians 1
New International Version

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,[b] 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[c] and to everyone else that I am in chains(V) for Christ. 14 And because of my chains,(W) most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.(X)

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.(Y) 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition,(Z) not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.(AA) 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(AB) and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ(AC) what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[d](AD) 20 I eagerly expect(AE) and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage(AF) so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body,(AG) whether by life or by death.(AH) 21 For to me, to live is Christ(AI) 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(AJ) and be with Christ,(AK) 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(AL) 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(AM) in the one Spirit,[e] striving together(AN) 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(AO) on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer(AP) for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle(AQ) you saw(AR) I had, and now hear(AS) that I still have.

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 1:1 The word deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in Romans 16:1 and 1 Tim. 3:8,12.
  2. 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.
  3. Philippians 1:13 Or whole palace
  4. Philippians 1:19 Or vindication; or salvation
  5. Philippians 1:27 Or in one spirit
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Philippians 1
International Standard Version

Greetings from Paul and Timothy

1 From:[a] Paul and Timothy, servants of the Messiah[b] Jesus.

To: All the holy ones[c] in Philippi, along with their overseers[d] and ministers,[e] who are in union with the Messiah[f] Jesus.

2 May grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[g] be yours!

Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer for the Philippians

3 I thank my God every time I remember you,[h] 4 always praying joyfully in every one of my prayers for all of you 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am convinced of this, that the one who began a good action among[i] you will bring it to completion by the Day of the Messiah[j] Jesus. 7 For it is only right for me to think this way about all of you, because you’re constantly on my mind.[k] Both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, all of you are partners with me in this privilege.[l] 8 For God is my witness how much I long for all of you with the compassion that the Messiah[m] Jesus provides.

9 And this is my prayer, that your love will keep on growing more and more with full knowledge and insight, 10 so that you may be able to choose what is best and be pure and blameless until the day when the Messiah[n] returns, 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus the Messiah[o] so that God will be glorified and praised.

The Priority of the Gospel in Everything

12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually caused the gospel to advance. 13 As a result, it has become clear to the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that I am in prison for preaching about[p] the Messiah.[q] 14 Moreover, because of my imprisonment the Lord has caused most of the brothers to become confident to speak God’s word more boldly and courageously than ever before. 15 Some are preaching the Messiah[r] because of jealousy and dissension, while others do so[s] because of their good will. 16 The latter are motivated[t] by love, because they know that I have been appointed to defend the gospel. 17 The former proclaim the Messiah[u] because they are selfishly ambitious and insincere, thinking that they will stir up trouble for me during my imprisonment.

18 But so what? Just this—that in every way, whether by false or true motives, the Messiah[v] is being proclaimed. Because of this, I rejoice and will continue to rejoice. 19 I know that this will result in my deliverance through your prayers and the help that comes from the Spirit of Jesus the Messiah.[w] 20 I rejoice because I eagerly expect and hope that I will have nothing to be ashamed of, because through my[x] boldness the Messiah[y] will be exalted through me,[z] now as always, whether I live or die.[aa]

21 For to me, to go on living is the Messiah,[ab] and to die is gain. 22 Now if I continue living, fruitful labor is the result, so I do not know which I would prefer. 23 Indeed, I cannot decide between the two. I have the desire to leave this life and be with the Messiah,[ac] for that is far better. 24 But for your sake it is better that I remain alive.[ad]

25 Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will continue to live and be with all of you, so you will mature in the faith and know joy in it. 26 Then your rejoicing in the Messiah[ae] Jesus will increase along with mine[af] when I visit with you again.

Standing Firm in One Spirit

27 The only thing that matters is that you continue to live as good citizens in a manner worthy of the gospel of the Messiah.[ag] Then, whether I come to see you or whether I stay away, I may hear all about you—that you are standing firm in one spirit, struggling with one mind for the faith of the gospel, 28 and that you are not intimidated by your opponents in any way. This is evidence that they will be destroyed and that you will be saved—and all because of[ah] God. 29 For you have been given the privilege[ai] for the Messiah’s[aj] sake not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him. 30 You have the same struggle that you saw in me and now hear that I am still having.[ak]

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 1:1 The Gk. lacks From
  2. Philippians 1:1 Or Christ
  3. Philippians 1:1 Or saints
  4. Philippians 1:1 Or bishops
  5. Philippians 1:1 Or deacons
  6. Philippians 1:1 Or Christ
  7. Philippians 1:2 Or Christ
  8. Philippians 1:3 Or every time you remember me
  9. Philippians 1:6 Or in
  10. Philippians 1:6 Or Christ
  11. Philippians 1:7 Lit. because I have you in my heart; or you have me in your heart
  12. Philippians 1:7 Or grace
  13. Philippians 1:8 Or Christ
  14. Philippians 1:10 Or Christ
  15. Philippians 1:11 Or Christ
  16. Philippians 1:13 The Gk. lacks preaching about
  17. Philippians 1:13 Or Christ
  18. Philippians 1:15 Or Christ
  19. Philippians 1:15 The Gk. lacks do so
  20. Philippians 1:16 The Gk. lacks are motivated
  21. Philippians 1:17 Or Christ
  22. Philippians 1:18 Or Christ
  23. Philippians 1:19 Or Christ
  24. Philippians 1:20 Lit. with all
  25. Philippians 1:20 Or Christ
  26. Philippians 1:20 Lit. exalted in my body
  27. Philippians 1:20 Lit. by life or by death
  28. Philippians 1:21 Or Christ
  29. Philippians 1:23 Or Christ
  30. Philippians 1:24 Lit. remain in this body
  31. Philippians 1:26 Or Christ
  32. Philippians 1:26 Lit. in me
  33. Philippians 1:27 Or Christ
  34. Philippians 1:28 Lit. and that from
  35. Philippians 1:29 Lit. it has been given you
  36. Philippians 1:29 Or Christ’s
  37. Philippians 1:30 Lit. hear in me
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Philippians 2
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