The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians

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- Chapter 1 -

(Colossians 1:1–2; Philemon 1:1–3)

Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.

Grace and peace to you, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

(1 Corinthians 1:4–9; Colossians 1:3–14)

I give thanks to my God, with every remembrance of you,

always, in all my prayers, making supplication for all of you with joy,

because of your communion in the Gospel of Christ, from the first day even until now.

I am confident of this very thing: that he who has begun this good work in you will perfect it, unto the day of Christ Jesus.

So then, it is right for me to feel this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart, and because, in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel, you all are partakers of my joy.

For God is my witness how, within the heart of Jesus Christ, I long for all of you.

And this I pray: that your charity may abound more and more, with knowledge and with all understanding,

so that you may be confirmed in what is better, in order that you may be sincere and without offense on the day of Christ:

filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, in the glory and praise of God.

Paul’s Trials Advance the Gospel

(James 1:2–12)

Now, brothers, I want you to know that the things concerning me happened for the advancement of the Gospel,

in such a way that my chains have become manifest in Christ in every place of judgment and in all other such places.

And many from among the brothers in the Lord, becoming confident through my chains, are now much bolder in speaking the Word of God without fear.

Certainly, some do so even because of envy and contention; and others, too, do so because of a good will to preach Christ.

Some act out of charity, knowing that I have been appointed for the defense of the Gospel.

But others, out of contention, announce Christ insincerely, claiming that their difficulties lift them up to my chains.

But what does it matter? As long as, by every means, whether under pretext or in truthfulness, Christ is announced. And about this, I rejoice, and moreover, I will continue to rejoice.(a)

For I know that this will bring me to salvation, through your prayers and under the ministration of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

by means of my own expectation and hope. For in nothing shall I be confounded. Instead, with all confidence, now just as always, Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

To Live Is Christ

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

And while I live in the flesh, for me, there is the fruit of works. But I do not know which I would choose.(b)

For I am constrained between the two: having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, which is the far better thing,

but then to remain in the flesh is necessary for your sake.

And having this confidence, I know that I shall remain and that I shall continue to remain with all of you, for your advancement and for your joy in the faith,

so that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus for me, through my return to you again.

Worthy of the Gospel

Only let your behavior be worthy of the Gospel of Christ, so that, whether I return and see you, or whether, being absent, I hear about you, still you may stand firm with one spirit, with one mind, laboring together for the faith of the Gospel.

And in nothing be terrified by the adversaries. For what is to them an occasion of perdition, is to you an occasion of salvation, and this is from God.

For this has been given to you on behalf of Christ, not only so that you may believe in him, but even so that you may suffer with him,

engaging in the same struggle, of a kind which you also have seen in me, and which you now have heard from me.

Footnotes

(a)1:18 The word ‘occasionem,’ in this context, refers to acting under a pretext; it does not refer to an occasion or an opportunity. Thus, ‘veritatem’ is not so much ‘the truth’ as preaching or announcing Christ with truthfulness, that is, out of sincere motives.(Conte)

(b)1:22 This is to me, etc:His meaning is, that although his dying immediately for Christ would be his gain, by putting him presently in possession of heaven; yet he is doubtful what he should choose, because by staying longer in the flesh, he should be more beneficial to the souls of his neighbours.(Challoner)

(Colossians 1:1–2; Philemon 1:1–3)

Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ,(a) to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers

(b)

and servants:(c)

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

(1 Corinthians 1:4–9; Colossians 1:3–14)

I thank my God whenever I remember you,

always in every request of mine on behalf of you all, making my requests with joy,

for your partnership(d) in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now;

being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.

For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.

This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment,

so that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ,

being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Paul’s Trials Advance the Gospel

(James 1:2–12)

Now I desire to have you know, brothers,(e) that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News,

so that it became evident to the whole palace

(f)

guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ,

and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.

Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.

The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;

but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.

What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.

For I know that this will turn out to my salvation through your prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

To Live Is Christ

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don’t know what I will choose.

But I am hard pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

Yet to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.

Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,

that your boasting

(g)

may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.

Worthy of the Gospel

Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;

and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God.

Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf,

having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

Footnotes

(a)1:1 “Christ” means “Anointed One”.

(b)1:1 or, superintendents, or bishops

(d)1:5 The word translated “partnership” (κοινωνίᾳ) also means “fellowship” and “sharing”.

(e)1:12 The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”

(f)1:13 or, praetorian

(g)1:26 or, rejoicing