The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
1 3 Having testified his godly and tender affection towards the Philippians, 12 he entreateth of himself and his bands: 22 And pricketh them forward by his own example, 27 and exhorteth them to unity, 28 and patience.
1 Paul [a]and Timothy the servants of JESUS CHRIST, to all the Saints in Christ Jesus, which are at Philippi, with the [b]Bishops, and Deacons:
2 Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ:
3 I thank my God, having you in perfect memory,
4 (Always in all my prayers for all you, praying with gladness)
5 Because of the [c]fellowship which ye have in the Gospel, from the [d]first day unto now.
6 And I am persuaded of this same thing, that he that hath begun this good work in you, will perform it until the [e]day of Jesus Christ,
7 As it becometh me so to judge of you all, because I have you in remembrance, that both in my [f]bands, and in my defense, and confirmation of the Gospel you all were partakers of my [g]grace.
8 [h]For God is my record, how I long after you all from the very heart root in Jesus Christ.
9 [i]And this I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge, and in all judgment,
10 That ye may allow those things which are best, that ye may be pure, and without offense, until the day of Christ,
11 Filled with the [j]fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God.
12 ¶ [k]I would ye understood, brethren, that the things which have come unto me, are turned rather to the furthering of the Gospel,
13 So that my bands [l]in Christ are famous throughout all the [m]judgment hall, and in all other places.
14 Insomuch that many of the brethren in the Lord are boldened through my bands, and dare more frankly speak the [n]Word.
15 Some preach Christ even through envy and strife, and some also of good will.
16 The one part preacheth Christ of contention, and not [o]purely, supposing to add more affliction to my bands.
17 But the others of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the Gospel.
18 [p]What then: yet Christ is preached all manner ways, whether it be under a [q]pretence, or sincerely: and I therein joy: yea, and will joy.
19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and by the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 [r]As I fervently look for, and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all confidence, as always, so now Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death.
21 For Christ is to me both in life and in death advantage.
22 [s]And whether to live in the [t]flesh were profitable for me, and what to choose I know not.
23 For I am distressed between both, desiring to be loosed and to be with Christ, which is best of all.
24 Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh, is more needful for you.
25 And this am I sure of, that I shall abide, and with you all continue, for your furtherance and joy of your faith,
26 That ye may more abundantly rejoice in JESUS CHRIST for me, by my coming to you again.
27 [u]Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your matters, that ye [v]continue in one spirit, and in one mind, fighting together through the faith of the Gospel.
28 [w]And in nothing fear your adversaries, which is to them a token of perdition, and to you of salvation, and that of God.
29 [x]For unto you it is given for Christ, that not only ye should believe in him, but also suffer for his sake,
30 [y]Having the same fight, which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Footnotes
- Philippians 1:1 The mark whereat he shooteth in this Epistle, is to confirm the Philippians by all means possible, not only not to faint, but also to go forward. And first of all, he commendeth their former doings, to exhort them to go forward: which thing he sayeth, he hopeth fully they will do, and that by the testimony of their lively charity, but in the mean season he referreth all things to the grace of God.
- Philippians 1:1 By the Bishops are meant both the Pastors, which have the dispensation of the word and the Elders, that govern: and by Deacons are meant those that were stewards of the treasury of the Church and had to look unto the poor.
- Philippians 1:5 Because that you also are made partakers of the Gospel.
- Philippians 1:5 Ever since I knew you.
- Philippians 1:6 The Spirit of God will not forsake you unto the very latter end, until your mortal bodies shall appear before the judgment of Christ, to be glorified.
- Philippians 1:7 A true proof of a true knitting together with Christ.
- Philippians 1:7 He calleth his bands, grace, as though he had received some singular benefit.
- Philippians 1:8 He declareth his good will towards them, therewithall showing by what means chiefly they may be confirmed, to wit, by continual prayer.
- Philippians 1:9 He showeth what thing we ought chiefly desire, to wit, first of all, that we may increase in the true knowledge of God (so that we may be able to discern things that differ one from another) and also in charity, that even to the end we may give ourselves to good works indeed, to the glory of God by Jesus Christ.
- Philippians 1:11 If righteousness be the tree, and good works the fruits, then must the papists needs be deceived, when they say that works are the cause of righteousness.
- Philippians 1:12 He preventeth the offense that might come by his persecution, whereby divers took occasion to disgrace his Apostleship. To whom he answereth, that God hath blesseth his imprisonment in such wise, that he is by that means become more famous, and the dignity of the Gospel by this occasion is greatly enlarged, although not with like affection in all men, yet indeed.
- Philippians 1:13 For Christ’s sake.
- Philippians 1:13 In the Emperor’s court.
- Philippians 1:14 The Gospel is called the Word, to set forth the excellence of it.
- Philippians 1:16 Not with a pure mind: for otherwise their doctrine was pure.
- Philippians 1:18 He showeth by setting forth his own example, that the end of our affliction is true joy: and that through the virtue of the Spirit of Christ, which he giveth to them that ask it.
- Philippians 1:18 Under a goodly color and show: for they made Christ a cloak for their ambition and envy.
- Philippians 1:20 We must continue even to the end, with great confidence, having nothing before our eyes but Christ’s glory only, whether we live or die.
- Philippians 1:22 An example of a true shepherd, who maketh more acount how he may profit his sheep, than he doth of any commodity of his own whatsoever.
- Philippians 1:22 To live in this mortal body.
- Philippians 1:27 Having set down those things before, in manner of a Preface, he descendeth now to exhortations, warning them first of all, to consent both in doctrine and mind, and afterward, that being thus knit together with those common bands, they continue through the strength of faith to bear all adversity in such sort, that they admit nothing unworthy the profession of the Gospel.
- Philippians 1:27 The word signifieth, to stand fast, and it is proper to wrestlers, that stand fast, and shrink not a foot.
- Philippians 1:28 We ought not to be discouraged, but rather encouraged by the persecutions which the enemies of the Gospel imagine and practice against us: seeing that they are certain witnesses from God himself, both of our salvation, and of the destruction of the wicked.
- Philippians 1:29 He proveth that his saying, that persecution is a token of our salvation, because it is a gift of God to suffer for Christ, which gift he bestoweth upon his own, as he doth the gift of faith.
- Philippians 1:30 Now he showeth for what purpose he made mention of his afflictions.