Greetings from Paul and Timothy
1 From:[a] Paul and Timothy, servants of the Messiah[b] Jesus.
To: All the holy ones[c] in Philippi, along with their overseers[d] and ministers,[e] who are in union with the Messiah[f] Jesus.
2 May grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[g] be yours!
Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer for the Philippians
3 I thank my God every time I remember you,[h] 4 always praying joyfully in every one of my prayers for all of you 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am convinced of this, that the one who began a good action among[i] you will bring it to completion by the Day of the Messiah[j] Jesus. 7 For it is only right for me to think this way about all of you, because you’re constantly on my mind.[k] Both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, all of you are partners with me in this privilege.[l] 8 For God is my witness how much I long for all of you with the compassion that the Messiah[m] Jesus provides.
9 And this is my prayer, that your love will keep on growing more and more with full knowledge and insight, 10 so that you may be able to choose what is best and be pure and blameless until the day when the Messiah[n] returns, 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus the Messiah[o] so that God will be glorified and praised.
The Priority of the Gospel in Everything
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually caused the gospel to advance. 13 As a result, it has become clear to the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that I am in prison for preaching about[p] the Messiah.[q] 14 Moreover, because of my imprisonment the Lord has caused most of the brothers to become confident to speak God’s word more boldly and courageously than ever before. 15 Some are preaching the Messiah[r] because of jealousy and dissension, while others do so[s] because of their good will. 16 The latter are motivated[t] by love, because they know that I have been appointed to defend the gospel. 17 The former proclaim the Messiah[u] because they are selfishly ambitious and insincere, thinking that they will stir up trouble for me during my imprisonment.
18 But so what? Just this—that in every way, whether by false or true motives, the Messiah[v] is being proclaimed. Because of this, I rejoice and will continue to rejoice. 19 I know that this will result in my deliverance through your prayers and the help that comes from the Spirit of Jesus the Messiah.[w] 20 I rejoice because I eagerly expect and hope that I will have nothing to be ashamed of, because through my[x] boldness the Messiah[y] will be exalted through me,[z] now as always, whether I live or die.[aa]
21 For to me, to go on living is the Messiah,[ab] and to die is gain. 22 Now if I continue living, fruitful labor is the result, so I do not know which I would prefer. 23 Indeed, I cannot decide between the two. I have the desire to leave this life and be with the Messiah,[ac] for that is far better. 24 But for your sake it is better that I remain alive.[ad]
25 Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will continue to live and be with all of you, so you will mature in the faith and know joy in it. 26 Then your rejoicing in the Messiah[ae] Jesus will increase along with mine[af] when I visit with you again.
Standing Firm in One Spirit
27 The only thing that matters is that you continue to live as good citizens in a manner worthy of the gospel of the Messiah.[ag] Then, whether I come to see you or whether I stay away, I may hear all about you—that you are standing firm in one spirit, struggling with one mind for the faith of the gospel, 28 and that you are not intimidated by your opponents in any way. This is evidence that they will be destroyed and that you will be saved—and all because of[ah] God. 29 For you have been given the privilege[ai] for the Messiah’s[aj] sake not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him. 30 You have the same struggle that you saw in me and now hear that I am still having.[ak]
Footnotes
- Philippians 1:1 The Gk. lacks From
- Philippians 1:1 Or Christ
- Philippians 1:1 Or saints
- Philippians 1:1 Or bishops
- Philippians 1:1 Or deacons
- Philippians 1:1 Or Christ
- Philippians 1:2 Or Christ
- Philippians 1:3 Or every time you remember me
- Philippians 1:6 Or in
- Philippians 1:6 Or Christ
- Philippians 1:7 Lit. because I have you in my heart; or you have me in your heart
- Philippians 1:7 Or grace
- Philippians 1:8 Or Christ
- Philippians 1:10 Or Christ
- Philippians 1:11 Or Christ
- Philippians 1:13 The Gk. lacks preaching about
- Philippians 1:13 Or Christ
- Philippians 1:15 Or Christ
- Philippians 1:15 The Gk. lacks do so
- Philippians 1:16 The Gk. lacks are motivated
- Philippians 1:17 Or Christ
- Philippians 1:18 Or Christ
- Philippians 1:19 Or Christ
- Philippians 1:20 Lit. with all
- Philippians 1:20 Or Christ
- Philippians 1:20 Lit. exalted in my body
- Philippians 1:20 Lit. by life or by death
- Philippians 1:21 Or Christ
- Philippians 1:23 Or Christ
- Philippians 1:24 Lit. remain in this body
- Philippians 1:26 Or Christ
- Philippians 1:26 Lit. in me
- Philippians 1:27 Or Christ
- Philippians 1:28 Lit. and that from
- Philippians 1:29 Lit. it has been given you
- Philippians 1:29 Or Christ’s
- Philippians 1:30 Lit. hear in me