Philippians 1
1 Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ; to all the saints in Christ Jesus, who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.
This letter comes from Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all God's people in Christ Jesus living in Philippi, and to the church leaders and assistants.
2 Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I give thanks to my God in every remembrance of you,
When I think of you I'm so thankful to my God,
4 Always in all my prayers making supplication for you all, with joy;
and I'm always glad to remember all of you in my prayers,
5 For your communication in the gospel of Christ from the first day until now.
because you've been partners with me in spreading the good news right from the beginning up till now.
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he, who hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus.
I'm absolutely sure that God who began this good work in you will continue working and bring it to a successful conclusion when Jesus Christ returns.
7 As it is meet for me to think this for you all, for that I have you in my heart; and that in my bands, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my joy.
It's appropriate for me to be thinking this way about all of you because you mean so much to me. Whether I'm in prison or out there making the good news clear, all of you share God's grace together with me.
8 For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
God is my witness as to my great affection for every one of you in the caring love of Christ Jesus.
9 And this I pray, that your charity may more and more abound in knowledge, and in all understanding:
My prayer is that your love may grow more and more in knowledge and understanding,
10 That you may approve the better things, that you may be sincere and without offence unto the day of Christ,
so that you can work out what's really important. That way you can be genuine and blameless when Christ returns,
11 Filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
filled with the fruits of living right that come through Jesus Christ and give glory and praise to God.
12 Now, brethren, I desire you should know, that the things which have happened to me, have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel:
I want you to know, my brothers and sisters, that all I've experienced has worked out to move the good news forward!
13 So that my bands are made manifest in Christ, in all the court, and in all other places;
For everyone—including the whole praetorian guard—now knows that I'm in chains for Christ;
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, growing confident by my bands, are much more bold to speak the word of God without fear.
and because of my chains most of the Christians here have been encouraged to speak God's word boldly and fearlessly!
15 Some indeed, even out of envy and contention; but some also for good will preach Christ.
Yes, some speak out of jealousy and rivalry. However, there are those who speak from good motives.
16 Some out of charity, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
They act out of love, because they know that I'm meant to be here to defend the good news.
17 And some out of contention preach Christ not sincerely: supposing that they raise affliction to my bands.
Those others present Christ deceptively because of their selfish ambitions, trying to cause me problems in my imprisonment.
18 But what then? So that by all means, whether by occasion, or by truth, Christ be preached: in this also I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
But so what? All I care about is that Christ is presented every which way, whether just pretending or whether from true convictions. That's what makes me happy—and I will go on being happy!
19 For I know that this shall fall out to me unto salvation, through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
Why? Because I'm convinced that through your prayers for me, and through the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will turn out to be my salvation.
20 According to my expectation and hope; that in nothing I shall be confounded, but with all confidence, as always, so now also shall Christ be magnified in my body, wither it be by life, or by death.
For it's my strongest hope and expectation not to do anything of which I would be ashamed. Instead it's my bold hope, as always, that even now Christ will be greatly honored through me, whether I live or die.
21 For to me, to live is Christ; and to die is gain.
As far as I'm concerned, living is for Christ, and dying brings gain.
22 And if to live in the flesh, this is to me the fruit of labour, and what I shall choose I know not.
But if I'm to go on living here and this would be productive work, then I really don't know what's best to choose!
23 But I am straitened between two: having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, a thing by far the better.
For I'm in a dilemma—I really want to leave and be with Christ, which would be far better,
24 But to abide still in the flesh, is needful for you.
and yet to remain physically here is more important as far you're concerned.
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, and continue with you all, for your furtherance and joy of faith:
Since I'm absolutely sure of this, I know that I'll stay here, remaining with you all to help you as your trust and delight in God grows,
26 That your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus for me, by my coming to you again.
so that when I see you again your praise to Christ Jesus may be even greater because of me.
27 Only let your conversation be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you, or, being absent, may hear of you, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind labouring together for the faith of the gospel.
Just be sure that the way you live your lives corresponds to the good news of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or not I can get to hear how you're doing—that you stand firm in full agreement with one another, spiritually united as you work together for the trusting faith of the good news.
28 And in nothing be ye terrified by the adversaries: which to them is a cause of perdition, but to you of salvation, and this from God:
Don't let your enemies scare you. By being brave you will demonstrate to them that they will be lost, but that God himself will save you.
29 For unto you it is given for Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.
For you have been given the privilege not only of trusting in Jesus, but suffering for him as well.
30 Having the same conflict as that which you have seen in me, and now have heard of me.
You're experiencing the same struggle you saw me having—a struggle I still have, as you now know.
