Philippians 1

1 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.

To all Christ’s people at Philippi, with the supervisors and assistants, from Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus.

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

May God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ bless you, and give you peace.

3 When I think of you I'm so thankful to my God,

Every recollection that I have of you is a cause of thanksgiving to God,

4 and I'm always glad to remember all of you in my prayers,

always, in every prayer that I offer for you all – my prayers are full of joy –

5 because you've been partners with me in spreading the good news right from the beginning up till now.

because of the share that you have had in spreading the good news, from the first day that you received it until now.

6 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.

For of this I am confident, that he who began a good work in you will complete it in readiness for the day of Jesus Christ.

7 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.

And, indeed, I am justified in feeling like this about you all; because you have a warm place in my heart – you who all, both in my imprisonment and in the work of defending and establishing the good news, shared my privilege with me.

8 God is my witness as to my great affection for every one of you in the caring love of Christ Jesus.

God will bear me witness how I yearn for you all with the tenderness of Christ Jesus.

9 My prayer is that your love may grow more and more in knowledge and understanding,

And what I pray for is this – that your love may grow yet stronger and stronger, with increasing knowledge and all discernment,

10 so that you can work out what's really important. That way you can be genuine and blameless when Christ returns,

until you are able to appreciate all moral distinctions. And I pray, too, that you may be kept pure and blameless against the day of Christ,

11 filled with the fruits of living right that come through Jesus Christ and give glory and praise to God.

bearing a rich harvest of that righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

12 I want you to know, my brothers and sisters, that all I've experienced has worked out to move the good news forward!

Friends, I want you to realise that what has happened to me has actually served to forward the good news.

13 For everyone—including the whole praetorian guard—now knows that I'm in chains for Christ;

It has even become evident, not only to all the imperial guard, but to everyone else, that it is for Christ’s sake that I am in chains.

14 and because of my chains most of the Christians here have been encouraged to speak God's word boldly and fearlessly!

And besides this, most of our fellow followers have gained confidence in the Lord through my chains, and now venture with far greater freedom to speak of God’s message fearlessly.

15 Yes, some speak out of jealousy and rivalry. However, there are those who speak from good motives.

It is true that some do proclaim the Christ out of jealousy and opposition, but there are others who proclaim him from goodwill.

16 They act out of love, because they know that I'm meant to be here to defend the good news.

The latter do it from love for me, knowing that I have been appointed to plead the cause of the good news.

17 Those others present Christ deceptively because of their selfish ambitions, trying to cause me problems in my imprisonment.

The former spread the news of the Christ in a factious spirit, and not sincerely, thinking to add to the pain of my chains.

18 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!

But what of that? Only that in some way or other, either with assumed or with real earnestness, Christ is being made known; and at that I rejoice.

19 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.

Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that, through your prayers and through a rich supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, all this will make for my salvation.

20 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.

And this will fulfil my earnest expectation and hope that I will have no cause for shame, but that, with unfailing courage, now as before, Christ will be honoured in my body, whether by my life or by my death,

21 As far as I'm concerned, living is for Christ, and dying brings gain.

for to me life is Christ, and death is gain.

22 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!

But what if the life here in the body – if this brings me fruit from my labours? Then which to choose I cannot tell! I am sorely perplexed either way!

23 For I'm in a dilemma—I really want to leave and be with Christ, which would be far better,

My own desire is to depart and be with Christ, for this would be far better.

24 and yet to remain physically here is more important as far you're concerned.

But, for your sakes, it may be more needful that I should still remain here in the body.

25 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,

Yes, I am confident that this is so, and therefore I am sure that I will stay, and stay near you all, to promote your progress and joy in the faith;

26 so that when I see you again your praise to Christ Jesus may be even greater because of me.

so that, when you once more have me among you, you, in your union with Christ Jesus, may find in me fresh cause for exultation.

27 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.

Under all circumstances let your lives be worthy of the good news of the Christ: so that, whether I come and see you, or whether I hear of your affairs at a distance, I may know that you are standing firm, animated by one spirit, and joining with one heart in a common struggle for the faith taught by the good news,

28 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.

without ever shrinking from your opponents. To them this will be a sign of their destruction and of your salvation – a sign from God.

29 For you have been given the privilege not only of trusting in Jesus, but suffering for him as well.

For, on behalf of Christ, you have had the privilege granted you, not only of trusting in him, but also of suffering on his behalf.

30 You're experiencing the same struggle you saw me having—a struggle I still have, as you now know.

You will be engaged in the same hard struggle as that which you once saw me waging, and which you hear that I am waging still.