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Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
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Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Thanksgiving and Prayer
I thank my God every time I remember you.
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because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
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It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.
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God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
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And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
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so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
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filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
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Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.
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It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
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The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
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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,
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for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
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I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
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For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
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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!
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I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
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but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
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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.
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For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,
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since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
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Imitating Christ’s Humility
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
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not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
