Greeting
Philippians 1Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to y’all from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving Prayer
I thank my God every time I remember y’all. In every prayer for all y’all, I always pray with joy, because of y’all’s partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that ʜᴇ who began a good work in y’all will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all y’all, because I have you* in my heart, since both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, all y’all are partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness, how I long for y’all in the affection of Christ Jesus.
This I pray, that y’all’s love may abound even more and more in knowledge and insight, so that y’all may discern the things what is best, that y’all may be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ, being filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
The Advance of the Gospel
Now I want y’all to know, siblings, that what has happened to me actually advanced the gospel. It became evident to the whole palace guard and everyone else that my chains are for Christ, and most of the siblings, having confidence in the Lord because of my imprisonment, dare all the more to speak the word of God without fear. It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and infighting, but some also from good pleasure. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I have been placed here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking that they add oppression to my chains.
But what really matters? Only that in every way, whether from pretense or truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through y’all’s prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. My expectation and hope is that I will in no way be ashamed, but that with total boldness, Christ will be magnified in my body, now and always, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I continue to live in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet I don’t know which to choose. I am squeezed between the two! I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Yet to remain in the flesh is necessary for y’all’s sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all y’all for your* progress and joy in the faith, so that your* confidence might increase in Christ Jesus when I am present with y’all again.
Only y’all should conduct yourselves* in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come to see y’all or remain absent, I will hear that y’all are standing firm in one spirit and one mind, striving for the faith of the gospel; not being frightened by those who oppose y’all. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for y’all, and that from God. For it has been granted to y’all on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf, having the same conflict which y’all saw in me and now y’all hear is still with me.