Philippians 1-4

Christian Standard Bible

Greeting

1 Paul^(A) and Timothy,^(B) servants 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 Indeed, 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 confirmation 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 may approve the things that are superior^(R) and may be pure^(S) and blameless^(T) in 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 and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel,^{(Y) 13} so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. ¹⁴ Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word^[d](Z) fearlessly. ¹⁵ To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry,^(AA) but others out of good will. ¹⁶ These preach out of love,^(AB) knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; ¹⁷ the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition,^(AC) not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment. ¹⁸ What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives^(AD) or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice ¹⁹ because I know this will lead to my salvation^[e](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 courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life^(AI) or by death.^(AJ)

Living Is Christ

²¹ For me, to live is Christ^(AK) and to die 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 torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ^(AO)—which is far better^(AP)— ²⁴ but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 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 my coming to you again, your boasting^(AR) in Christ Jesus^(AS) may abound.

²⁷ Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life^(AT) 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, in one accord,^[f] contending together for the faith^(AW) of 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 salvation^(AZ)—and this is from God. ²⁹ For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe^(BA) in him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰ since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.

Christian Humility

2 If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love,^(BB) if any fellowship with the Spirit,^(BC) if any affection and mercy,^{(BD) 2} make my joy complete by thinking the same way,^(BE) having the same love,^(BF) united in spirit, intent on one^(BG) purpose. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition^(BH) or conceit,^(BI) but in humility^(BJ) consider others as more important^(BK) than yourselves. ⁴ Everyone should look not to his own interests,^(BL) but rather to the interests of others.^(BM)

Christ’s Humility and Exaltation

⁵ Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,

Lights in the World

¹² Therefore, my dear friends,^(BY) just as you have always obeyed,^(BZ) so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ¹³ For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. ¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling^(CA) and arguing,^{(CB) 15} so that you may be blameless^(CC) and pure,^(CD) children of God who are faultless^(CE) in a crooked^(CF) and perverted^(CG) generation,^(CH) among whom you shine like stars in the world, ¹⁶ by holding firm to the word^(CI) of life. Then I can boast^(CJ) in the day of Christ^(CK) that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. ¹⁷ But even if I am poured out^(CL) as a drink offering^(CM) on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. ¹⁸ In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

¹⁹ Now I hope in the Lord Jesus^(CN) to send Timothy^(CO) to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you. ²⁰ For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; ²¹ all seek their own interests,^(CP) not those of Jesus Christ.^{(CQ) 22} But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father. ²³ Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. ²⁴ I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.^(CR)

²⁵ But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus^(CS)—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need^(CT)— ²⁶ since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. ²⁷ Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice again when you see him and I may be less anxious. ²⁹ Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor, ³⁰ because he came close to death for the work^(CU) of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.

Knowing Christ

3 In addition, my brothers and sisters, rejoice^(CV) in the Lord. To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a safeguard for you.

² Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil^(CW) workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh. ³ For we are the circumcision,^(CX) the ones who worship by the Spirit^(CY) of God, boast in Christ Jesus,^(CZ) and do not put confidence in the flesh— ⁴ although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised the eighth day;^(DA) of the nation of Israel,^(DB) of the tribe of Benjamin,^(DC) a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law,^(DD) a Pharisee; ⁶ regarding zeal,^(DE) persecuting^(DF) the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law,^(DG) blameless.^(DH)

⁷ But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. ⁸ More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value^(DI) of knowing Christ^(DJ) Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ^{(DK) 9} and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law,^(DL) but one that is through faith in Christ^[h]—the righteousness from God based on faith.^{(DM) 10} My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings,^(DN) being conformed to his death,^{(DO) 11} assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.

Reaching Forward to God’s Goal

¹² Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold^(DP) of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not^[i] consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind^(DQ) and reaching forward to what is ahead, ¹⁴ I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly^[j] call in Christ Jesus.^{(DR) 15} Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal^(DS) this also to you. ¹⁶ In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained. ¹⁷ Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us. ¹⁸ For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross^(DT) of Christ. ¹⁹ Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory^(DU) is in their shame; and they are focused on earthly things. ²⁰ Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. ²¹ He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious^(DV) body,^(DW) by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself.

4 So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown,^(DX) in this manner stand firm^(DY) in the Lord, dear friends.

Practical Counsel

² I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. ³ Yes, I also ask you, true partner,^[k] to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life. ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your graciousness^[l] be known to everyone. The Lord is near.^{(DZ) 6} Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses^(EA) all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.^(EB)

⁸ Finally^[m] brothers and sisters, whatever is true,^(EC) whatever is honorable,^(ED) whatever is just,^(EE) whatever is pure,^(EF) whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence^(EG) and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. ⁹ Do what you have learned and received^(EH) and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Appreciation of Support

¹⁰ I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again^(EI) you renewed your care for me.^(EJ) You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. ¹² I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot.^(EK) In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. ¹³ I am able to do all things through him^[n] who strengthens me.^{(EL) 14} Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship.

¹⁵ And you Philippians^(EM) know that in the early days of the gospel,^(EN) when I left Macedonia,^(EO) no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. ¹⁶ For even in Thessalonica^(EP) you sent gifts for my need^(EQ) several times. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit^[o](ER) that is increasing to your account. ¹⁸ But I have received everything in full,^(ES) and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied,^[p] having received from Epaphroditus^(ET) what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing^(EU) to God. ¹⁹ And my God^(EV) will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now to our God and Father^(EW) be glory forever and ever.^(EX) Amen.^(EY)

Final Greetings

²¹ Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you greetings. ²² All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s^(EZ) household.^{(FA) 23} The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.^[q](FB)