Greeting

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

The Advance of the Gospel

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,

so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.

And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.

The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.

for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,

If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.

so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.

For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Christ's Example of Humility

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

Lights in the World

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.