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Greeting

¹ Paul^(C1) and Timothy,^(C2) servants of Christ Jesus:

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi,^(C3) including the overseers^(C4) and deacons.^(C5)

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,^{(F1) 4} always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day^(C1) until now.^{(C2) 6} I am sure of this, that he who started a good work^(C1) in you^(F1) will carry it on to completion^(C2) until the day of Christ Jesus. ⁷ Indeed, it is right^(C1) for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart,^(F1) and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment^(C2) and in the defense^(C3) and confirmation of the gospel. ⁸ For God is my witness,^(C1) how deeply I miss all of you^(C2) with the affection of Christ Jesus. ⁹ And I pray this: that your love^(C1) will keep on growing^(C2) in knowledge and every kind of discernment,^{(C3) 10} so that you may approve the things that are superior^(C1) and may be pure^(C2) and blameless^(C3) in the day of Christ,^{(C4) 11} filled with the fruit^(C1) of righteousness^(C2) that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory^(C3) and praise of God.

Advance of the Gospel

¹² Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel,^{(C1) 13} so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. ¹⁴ Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word^(F1)(C1) fearlessly. ¹⁵ To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry,^(C1) but others out of good will. ¹⁶ These preach out of love,^(C1) knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; ¹⁷ the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition,^(C1) not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment. ¹⁸ What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives^(C1) or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice ¹⁹ because I know this will lead to my salvation^(F1)(C1) through your prayers and help from the Spirit^(C2) of Jesus Christ.^{(C3) 20} My eager expectation and hope^(C1) is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life^(C2) or by death.^(C3)

Living Is Christ

²¹ For me, to live is Christ^(C1) and to die is gain.^{(C2) 22} Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful^(C1) work^(C2) for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. ²³ I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ^(C1)—which is far better^(C2)— ²⁴ but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. ²⁵ Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,^{(C1) 26} so that, because of my coming to you again, your boasting^(C1) in Christ Jesus^(C2) may abound.

²⁷ Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life^(C1) worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm^(C2) in one^(C3) spirit, in one accord,^(F1) contending together for the faith^(C4) of the gospel, ²⁸ not being frightened in any way by your opponents.^(C1) This is a sign of destruction for them,^(C2) but of your salvation^(C3)—and this is from God. ²⁹ For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe^(C1) in him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰ since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.