Philippians 1
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Philippians

Greetings from Paul and Timothy

Colossians 1:1–2; Philemon 1:1–3

1Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and servants:+ 2Grace 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

3I thank my God whenever I remember you,+ 4always in every request of mine on behalf of you all, making my requests with joy,+ 5for your partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now;+ 6being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.+ 7It 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 defence and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.+ 8For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.+ 9This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment,+ 10so that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offence to the day of Christ,+ 11being 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

12Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News,+ 13so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ,+ 14and 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.+ 15Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.+ 16The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;+ 17but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defence of the Good News.+ 18What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.+ 19For I know that this will turn out to my salvation through your prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,+ 20according 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

21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.+ 22But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don’t know what I will choose.+ 23But I am hard pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.+ 24Yet to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.+ 25Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,+ 26that your boasting may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.+

Worthy of the Gospel

27Only 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;+ 28and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God.+ 29Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf,+ 30having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.+
Footnotes (7)
  1. a 1:1 1:1 “Christ” means “Anointed One”.
  2. b 1:1 1:1 or, superintendents, or bishops
  3. c 1:1 1:1 Or, deacons
  4. d 1:5 1:5 The word translated “partnership” (κοινωνίᾳ) also means “fellowship” and “sharing”.
  5. e 1:12 1:12 The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”
  6. f 1:13 1:13 or, praetorian
  7. g 1:26 1:26 or, rejoicing

World English Bible (British)

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