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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[a] 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[b] 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.(A) 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.(B) 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,(C) 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.(D)

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.(E) 29 For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ but of suffering for him as well,(F) 30 since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.(G)

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Footnotes

  1. 1.13 Gk whole praetorium
  2. 1.14 Other ancient authorities read word of God

Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,[a] 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[b] and to everyone else that I am in chains(A) for Christ. 14 And because of my chains,(B) most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.(C)

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.(D) 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition,(E) not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.(F) 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(G) and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ(H) what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[c](I) 20 I eagerly expect(J) and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage(K) so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body,(L) whether by life or by death.(M) 21 For to me, to live is Christ(N) 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(O) and be with Christ,(P) 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(Q) 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(R) in the one Spirit,[d] striving together(S) 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(T) on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer(U) for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle(V) you saw(W) I had, and now hear(X) that I still have.

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Footnotes

  1. 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.
  2. Philippians 1:13 Or whole palace
  3. Philippians 1:19 Or vindication; or salvation
  4. Philippians 1:27 Or in one spirit