Philippians 1
Wycliffe Bible
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the holy men in Christ Jesus, that be at Philippi, with bishops and deacons,
2 grace and peace to you of God our Father [grace to you and peace of God our Father], and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I do thankings to my God in all mind of you
4 evermore in all my prayers for all you with joy, and make beseeching
5 on your communing in the gospel of Christ, from the first day till now [from the first day unto now];
6 trusting this same thing, that he that began in you a good work, shall perform it till into the day of Jesus Christ.
7 As it is just to me to feel this thing for all you [for you all], for that I have you in heart, and in my bonds, and in defending and confirming of the gospel, that all ye be fellows of my joy.
8 For God is a witness to me, how I covet all you [how I covet you all] in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
9 And this thing I pray, that your charity be plenteous more and more in knowing [that your charity be plenteous more and more in science, or knowing], and in all wit;
10 that ye approve the better things [that ye prove the better things], that ye be clean and without offence in the day of Christ;
11 filled [full-filled] with the fruit of rightwiseness by Jesus Christ, into the glory and praising of God.
12 For, brethren, I will that ye know, that the things that be about me have come more to the profit of the gospel,
13 so that my bonds were made known in Christ, in each moot hall, and in all other places;
14 that more of [the] brethren trusting in the Lord more plenteously for my bonds, durst without dread speak the word of God. [that more of the brethren in the Lord trusting in my bonds, more plenteously durst without dread speak the word of God.]
15 But some for envy and strife, some for good will, preach Christ;
16 and some of charity, witting that I am put in the defence of the gospel.
17 But some of strife [Forsooth some of contention, or strife,] show Christ not cleanly, guessing them(selves) to raise tribulation to my bonds.
18 But what? while on all manner, either by occasion, either by truth, Christ is showed [What soothly? the while on all manner, either by contention, either by truth, Christ is showed]; and in this thing I have joy, but also I shall have joy.
19 And I know, that this thing shall come to me into health by your prayer, and the under-ministering of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 by mine abiding and hope [after mine abiding and hope]. For in nothing I shall be ashamed, but in all trust as evermore and now, Christ shall be magnified in my body, either by life, either by death.
21 For [to] me to live is Christ, and to die is winning.
22 That if to live in flesh, [this] is fruit of work to me, lo! what I shall choose, I know not. [That if to live in flesh, this is fruit of work to me, and what I shall choose, I know not.]
23 But I am constrained of two things, I have desire to be departed [Forsooth I am constrained of two things, having desire to be dissolved, or departed the soul from the body], and to be with Christ, it is much more better;
24 but to dwell in flesh, is needful for you.
25 And I trusting this thing, know that I shall dwell, and perfectly dwell to all you, to your profit and joy of faith,
26 that your thanking abound in Christ Jesus in me, by my coming again to you.
27 Only live ye worthily to the gospel of Christ, that whether when I come and see you, either absent I hear of you [or absent I shall hear of you], that ye stand in one spirit of one will, travailing together to the faith of the gospel.
28 And in nothing be ye afeared of adversaries, which is to them cause of perdition, but to you a cause of health. And this thing is of God.
29 For it is given to you for Christ, that not only ye believe in him, but also that ye suffer for him;
30 having the same strife, which ye saw in me, and now ye have heard of me.
Philippians 1
New Matthew Bible
He exhorts them to increase in love, in knowledge, and in experience of divine things, makes mention of his imprisonment at Rome, is glad to hear Christ preached, and is content either to die or live. He prays them to lead a godly life, to be of one mind, and to fear no persecution.
1 Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.
2 Grace be with you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God with every remembrance of you, 4 always in all my prayers for you, and pray with gladness, 5 because of the fellowship that you have had in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am confident of this: that he who began a good work in you will go forth with it until the day of Jesus Christ – 7 as it is fitting for me so to judge of you all, because I have you in my heart, and have you also every one companions of grace with me, even in my bonds, as I defend and establish the gospel.
8 For God is my witness how greatly I long after you all from the very heart root in Jesus Christ. 9 And this I pray: that your love may increase more and more in knowledge and in all experience, 10 that you may accept the things of most value, that you may be pure, and such as would hurt no man’s conscience until the day of Christ – 11 filled with the fruits of righteousness, which fruits come by Jesus Christ for the glory and laud of God.
12 I would you understood, brethren, that my trouble has served for the great furthering of the gospel. 13 For my bonds in Christ are manifest throughout all the judgment hall and in all other places, 14 and many of the brethren in the Lord are emboldened through my bonds, and dare to more freely speak the word without fear. 15 Some there are who preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, and some of goodwill. 16 The one part preach Christ out of rivalry, and not purely, supposing to add more adversity to my bonds, 17 but the other part out of love, because they see that I am set to defend the gospel. 18 What then? If only Christ be preached – whatever the way, whether through opportunism or of a true intent – I rejoice.
19 Yea, and I will rejoice, because I know that these circumstances will bear toward my salvation (through your prayer and ministering of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 as I heartily look for), and hope that in nothing I will be ashamed, but that with all confidence, as always in times past, so now Christ may be magnified in my body, whether it be through life or death. 21 For Christ is to me life, and death is to me gain.
22 If it happens that I live in the flesh, it means fruitful work for me, and what to choose I do not know. 23 I am constrained by two things: I desire to be released and to be with Christ, which thing is best of all. 24 Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And this I am sure of: that I will abide, and continue with you all for the furtherance and joy of your faith, 26 so that you may more abundantly rejoice in Jesus Christ through me, by my coming to you again.
27 Only be sure that you live worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may yet hear of you that you continue in one spirit and in one soul, labouring as we do to maintain the faith of the gospel – 28 and in nothing fearing your adversaries, which is to them a sign of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it is given not only to believe on Christ, but also to suffer for his sake, 30 and to have even the same fight which you saw me have and now hear of me.
Philippians 1
1599 Geneva Bible
The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
1 3 Having testified his godly and tender affection towards the Philippians, 12 he entreateth of himself and his bands: 22 And pricketh them forward by his own example, 27 and exhorteth them to unity, 28 and patience.
1 Paul [a]and Timothy the servants of JESUS CHRIST, to all the Saints in Christ Jesus, which are at Philippi, with the [b]Bishops, and Deacons:
2 Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ:
3 I thank my God, having you in perfect memory,
4 (Always in all my prayers for all you, praying with gladness)
5 Because of the [c]fellowship which ye have in the Gospel, from the [d]first day unto now.
6 And I am persuaded of this same thing, that he that hath begun this good work in you, will perform it until the [e]day of Jesus Christ,
7 As it becometh me so to judge of you all, because I have you in remembrance, that both in my [f]bands, and in my defense, and confirmation of the Gospel you all were partakers of my [g]grace.
8 [h]For God is my record, how I long after you all from the very heart root in Jesus Christ.
9 [i]And this I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge, and in all judgment,
10 That ye may allow those things which are best, that ye may be pure, and without offense, until the day of Christ,
11 Filled with the [j]fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God.
12 ¶ [k]I would ye understood, brethren, that the things which have come unto me, are turned rather to the furthering of the Gospel,
13 So that my bands [l]in Christ are famous throughout all the [m]judgment hall, and in all other places.
14 Insomuch that many of the brethren in the Lord are boldened through my bands, and dare more frankly speak the [n]Word.
15 Some preach Christ even through envy and strife, and some also of good will.
16 The one part preacheth Christ of contention, and not [o]purely, supposing to add more affliction to my bands.
17 But the others of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the Gospel.
18 [p]What then: yet Christ is preached all manner ways, whether it be under a [q]pretence, or sincerely: and I therein joy: yea, and will joy.
19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and by the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 [r]As I fervently look for, and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all confidence, as always, so now Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death.
21 For Christ is to me both in life and in death advantage.
22 [s]And whether to live in the [t]flesh were profitable for me, and what to choose I know not.
23 For I am distressed between both, desiring to be loosed and to be with Christ, which is best of all.
24 Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh, is more needful for you.
25 And this am I sure of, that I shall abide, and with you all continue, for your furtherance and joy of your faith,
26 That ye may more abundantly rejoice in JESUS CHRIST for me, by my coming to you again.
27 [u]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 matters, that ye [v]continue in one spirit, and in one mind, fighting together through the faith of the Gospel.
28 [w]And in nothing fear your adversaries, which is to them a token of perdition, and to you of salvation, and that of God.
29 [x]For unto you it is given for Christ, that not only ye should believe in him, but also suffer for his sake,
30 [y]Having the same fight, which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Footnotes
- Philippians 1:1 The mark whereat he shooteth in this Epistle, is to confirm the Philippians by all means possible, not only not to faint, but also to go forward. And first of all, he commendeth their former doings, to exhort them to go forward: which thing he sayeth, he hopeth fully they will do, and that by the testimony of their lively charity, but in the mean season he referreth all things to the grace of God.
- Philippians 1:1 By the Bishops are meant both the Pastors, which have the dispensation of the word and the Elders, that govern: and by Deacons are meant those that were stewards of the treasury of the Church and had to look unto the poor.
- Philippians 1:5 Because that you also are made partakers of the Gospel.
- Philippians 1:5 Ever since I knew you.
- Philippians 1:6 The Spirit of God will not forsake you unto the very latter end, until your mortal bodies shall appear before the judgment of Christ, to be glorified.
- Philippians 1:7 A true proof of a true knitting together with Christ.
- Philippians 1:7 He calleth his bands, grace, as though he had received some singular benefit.
- Philippians 1:8 He declareth his good will towards them, therewithall showing by what means chiefly they may be confirmed, to wit, by continual prayer.
- Philippians 1:9 He showeth what thing we ought chiefly desire, to wit, first of all, that we may increase in the true knowledge of God (so that we may be able to discern things that differ one from another) and also in charity, that even to the end we may give ourselves to good works indeed, to the glory of God by Jesus Christ.
- Philippians 1:11 If righteousness be the tree, and good works the fruits, then must the papists needs be deceived, when they say that works are the cause of righteousness.
- Philippians 1:12 He preventeth the offense that might come by his persecution, whereby divers took occasion to disgrace his Apostleship. To whom he answereth, that God hath blesseth his imprisonment in such wise, that he is by that means become more famous, and the dignity of the Gospel by this occasion is greatly enlarged, although not with like affection in all men, yet indeed.
- Philippians 1:13 For Christ’s sake.
- Philippians 1:13 In the Emperor’s court.
- Philippians 1:14 The Gospel is called the Word, to set forth the excellence of it.
- Philippians 1:16 Not with a pure mind: for otherwise their doctrine was pure.
- Philippians 1:18 He showeth by setting forth his own example, that the end of our affliction is true joy: and that through the virtue of the Spirit of Christ, which he giveth to them that ask it.
- Philippians 1:18 Under a goodly color and show: for they made Christ a cloak for their ambition and envy.
- Philippians 1:20 We must continue even to the end, with great confidence, having nothing before our eyes but Christ’s glory only, whether we live or die.
- Philippians 1:22 An example of a true shepherd, who maketh more acount how he may profit his sheep, than he doth of any commodity of his own whatsoever.
- Philippians 1:22 To live in this mortal body.
- Philippians 1:27 Having set down those things before, in manner of a Preface, he descendeth now to exhortations, warning them first of all, to consent both in doctrine and mind, and afterward, that being thus knit together with those common bands, they continue through the strength of faith to bear all adversity in such sort, that they admit nothing unworthy the profession of the Gospel.
- Philippians 1:27 The word signifieth, to stand fast, and it is proper to wrestlers, that stand fast, and shrink not a foot.
- Philippians 1:28 We ought not to be discouraged, but rather encouraged by the persecutions which the enemies of the Gospel imagine and practice against us: seeing that they are certain witnesses from God himself, both of our salvation, and of the destruction of the wicked.
- Philippians 1:29 He proveth that his saying, that persecution is a token of our salvation, because it is a gift of God to suffer for Christ, which gift he bestoweth upon his own, as he doth the gift of faith.
- Philippians 1:30 Now he showeth for what purpose he made mention of his afflictions.
Philippians 1
Authorized (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.
2001 by Terence P. Noble
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
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