1 Paul and Timotheus the seruants of IESVS CHRIST, to all the Saintes in Christ Iesus which are at Philippi, with the Bishops, and Deacons: 2 Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Iesus Christ. 3 I thanke my God, hauing you in perfect memorie, 4 (Alwayes in all my praiers for all you, praying with gladnesse) 5 Because of the fellowship which ye haue in the Gospel, from the first day vnto nowe. 6 And I am persuaded of this same thing, that he that hath begunne this good worke in you, wil perfourme it vntill the day of Iesus Christ, 7 As it becommeth me so to iudge of you all, because I haue you in remembrance that both in my bands, and in my defence, and confirmation of the Gospell you all were partakers of my grace. 8 For God is my recorde, howe I long after you all from the very heart roote in Iesus Christ. 9 And this I pray, that your loue may abound, yet more and more in knowledge, and in all iudgement, 10 That ye may alowe those things which are best, that ye may be pure, and without offence vntill the day of Christ, 11 Filled with the fruites of righteousnesse, which are by Iesus Christ vnto the glorie and praise of God. 12 I would ye vnderstood, brethren, that the things which haue come vnto me, are turned rather to the furthering of the Gospell, 13 So that my bandes in Christ are famous throughout all the iudgement hall, and in all other places, 14 In so much that many of the brethren in the Lord are boldened through my bandes, and dare more frankely speake the word. 15 Some preache. Christ euen through enuie and strife, and some also of good will. 16 The one part preacheth Christ of contention and not purely, supposing to adde more affliction to my bandes. 17 But the others of loue, knowing that I am set for the defence of the Gospell. 18 What then? yet Christ is preached all maner wayes, whether it be vnder a pretence, or syncerely: and I therein ioye: yea and will ioye. 19 For I knowe that this shall turne to my saluation through your prayer, and by the helpe of the Spirit of Iesus Christ, 20 As I feruently looke for, and hope, that in nothing I shalbe ashamed, but that with all confidence, as alwayes, so nowe Christ shalbe magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death. 21 For Christ is to me both in life, and in death aduantage. 22 And whether to liue in the flesh were profitable for me, and what to chuse I knowe not. 23 For I am distressed betweene both, desiring to be loosed and to be with Christ, which is best of all. 24 Neuerthelesse, to abide in the flesh, is more needefull for you. 25 And this am I sure of, that I shall abide, and with you all continue, for your furtherance and ioy of your faith, 26 That ye may more aboundantly reioyce in IESVS CHRIST for me, by my comming to you againe. 27 Onely let your conuersation be, as it becommeth the Gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you, or els be absent, I may heare of your matters that ye continue in one Spirit, and in one mind, fighting together through the faith of the Gospel. 28 And in nothing feare your aduersaries, which is to them a token of perdition, and to you of saluation, and that of God. 29 For vnto you it is giuen for Christ, that not onely ye should beleeue in him, but also suffer for his sake, 30 Hauing the same fight, which ye sawe in me, and nowe heare to be in me.
1 From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus—
To all God's people in Philippi who are in union with Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and helpers:
2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Paul's Prayer for His Readers
3 I thank my God for you every time I think of you; 4 and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy 5 because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now. 6 And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus. 7 You are always in my heart! And so it is only right for me to feel as I do about you. For you have all shared with me in this privilege that God has given me, both now that I am in prison and also while I was free to defend the gospel and establish it firmly. 8 God is my witness that I tell the truth when I say that my deep feeling for you all comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself.
9 I pray that your love will keep on growing more and more, together with true knowledge and perfect judgment, 10 so that you will be able to choose what is best. Then you will be free from all impurity and blame on the Day of Christ. 11 Your lives will be filled with the truly good qualities which only Jesus Christ can produce, for the glory and praise of God.
To Live Is Christ
12 I want you to know, my friends, that the things that have happened to me have really helped the progress of the gospel. 13 As a result, the whole palace guard and all the others here know that I am in prison because I am a servant of Christ. 14 And my being in prison has given most of the believers more confidence in the Lord, so that they grow bolder all the time to preach the message fearlessly.
15 Of course some of them preach Christ because they are jealous and quarrelsome, but others from genuine good will. 16 These do so from love, because they know that God has given me the work of defending the gospel. 17 The others do not proclaim Christ sincerely, but from a spirit of selfish ambition; they think that they will make more trouble for me while I am in prison.
18 It does not matter! I am happy about it—just so Christ is preached in every way possible, whether from wrong or right motives. And I will continue to be happy, 19 because I know that by means of your prayers and the help which comes from the Spirit of Jesus Christ I shall be set free. 20 My deep desire and hope is that I shall never fail in my duty, but that at all times, and especially right now, I shall be full of courage, so that with my whole being I shall bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For what is life? To me, it is Christ. Death, then, will bring more. 22 But if by continuing to live I can do more worthwhile work, then I am not sure which I should choose. 23 I am pulled in two directions. I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing; 24 but for your sake it is much more important that I remain alive. 25 I am sure of this, and so I know that I will stay. I will stay on with you all, to add to your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that when I am with you again, you will have even more reason to be proud of me in your life in union with Christ Jesus.
27 Now, the important thing is that your way of life should be as the gospel of Christ requires, so that, whether or not I am able to go and see you, I will hear that you are standing firm with one common purpose and that with only one desire you are fighting together for the faith of the gospel. 28 Don't be afraid of your enemies; always be courageous, and this will prove to them that they will lose and that you will win, because it is God who gives you the victory. 29 For you have been given the privilege of serving Christ, not only by believing in him, but also by suffering for him. 30 Now you can take part with me in the battle. It is the same battle you saw me fighting in the past, and as you hear, the one I am fighting still.