Philippians 1
Philippians 1
Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and servants: Verse 2. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 3. I thank my God whenever I remember you, Verse 4. always in every request of mine on behalf of you all, making my requests with joy, Verse 5. for your partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now; Verse 6. being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Verse 7. 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. Verse 8. For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.
Verse 9. This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment, Verse 10. so that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ, Verse 11. being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Verse 12. Now 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, Verse 13. so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ, Verse 14. 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. Verse 15. Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will. Verse 16. The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains; Verse 17. but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.
Verse 18. 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. Verse 19. For I know that this will turn out to my salvation through your prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, Verse 20. 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. Verse 21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Verse 22. But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don’t know what I will choose. Verse 23. But I am hard pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Verse 24. Yet to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake. Verse 25. Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, Verse 26. that your boasting may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.
Verse 27. 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; Verse 28. and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God. Verse 29. Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf, Verse 30. having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.