The Advance of the Gospel

12 I want you to know, brothers,[a] that what has happened to me has really (A)served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard[b] and (B)to all the rest that (C)my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold (D)to speak the word[c] without fear.

15 (E)Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, (F)knowing that I am put here for (G)the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ (H)out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

To Live Is Christ

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that (I)through your prayers and (J)the help of (K)the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope (L)that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full (M)courage now as always Christ (N)will be honored in my body, (O)whether by life or by death. 21 For to me (P)to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 (Q)I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is (R)to depart and (S)be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 (T)Convinced of this, (U)I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your (V)progress and (W)joy in the faith, 26 so that in me (X)you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

27 Only (Y)let your manner of life be (Z)worthy[d] of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you (AA)that you are standing firm in one spirit, with (AB)one mind (AC)striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

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Footnotes

  1. Philippians 1:12 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verse 14
  2. Philippians 1:13 Greek in the whole praetorium
  3. Philippians 1:14 Some manuscripts add of God
  4. Philippians 1:27 Greek Only behave as citizens worthy

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

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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