Philippians 1
Paul expresses his gratitude to the Philippians for their support and partnership in the Gospel, and he is confident that God will continue to work in them until the day of Christ. He prays for their love to abound with knowledge and understanding, so they may be sincere and blameless on the day of Christ. Paul's imprisonment has actually advanced the Gospel, as many have become bolder in speaking the Word of God, and he rejoices that Christ is being proclaimed, regardless of the motives of those doing so. Paul is torn between his desire to be with Christ and his need to remain in the flesh for the sake of the Philippians, but he is confident that he will remain with them to continue their advancement and joy in the faith.
Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deaconsGrace and peace to you, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus ChristI give thanks to my God, with every remembrance of youalways, in all my prayers, making supplication for all of you with joybecause of your communion in the Gospel of Christ, from the first day even until nowI am confident of this very thing: that he who has begun this good work in you will perfect it, unto the day of Christ JesusSo 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 joyFor God is my witness how, within the heart of Jesus Christ, I long for all of youAnd this I pray: that your charity may abound more and more, with knowledge and with all understandingso that you may be confirmed in what is better, in order that you may be sincere and without offense on the day of Christfilled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, in the glory and praise of GodNow, brothers, I want you to know that the things concerning me happened for the advancement of the Gospelin such a way that my chains have become manifest in Christ in every place of judgment and in all other such placesAnd many from among the brothers in the Lord, becoming confident through my chains, are now much bolder in speaking the Word of God without fearCertainly, some do so even because of envy and contention; and others, too, do so because of a good will to preach ChristSome act out of charity, knowing that I have been appointed for the defense of the GospelBut others, out of contention, announce Christ insincerely, claiming that their difficulties lift them up to my chainsBut 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 rejoiceFor I know that this will bring me to salvation, through your prayers and under the ministration of the Spirit of Jesus Christby 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 deathFor to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gainAnd while I live in the flesh, for me, there is the fruit of works. But I do not know which I would chooseFor I am constrained between the two: having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, which is the far better thingbut then to remain in the flesh is necessary for your sakeAnd 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 faithso that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus for me, through my return to you againOnly 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 GospelAnd 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 GodFor 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 himengaging in the same struggle, of a kind which you also have seen in me, and which you now have heard from me
Share this chapter