Philippians 1

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, —unto all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with overseers and ministers: —

To all Christ’s People at Philippi, with the Presiding Officers and Assistants, from Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus.

2 Favour unto you, and peace, from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ.

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

3 I am giving thanks unto my God, on occasion of all my remembrance of you,

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

4 At all times, in every supplication of mine, in behalf of you all, with joy, my supplication, making, —

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

5 On account of your contribution unto the glad-message, from the first day until the present:

Because of the share that you have had in spreading the Good News, from the first day that you received it until now.

6 Being persuaded of this very thing—that, he who hath begun in you a good work, will perfect it, until the day of Jesus Christ;

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 According as it is right in me to have this regard in behalf of you all, —because ye have had me in your hearts, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the glad-message, all of you being, joint partakers of my favour.

And, indeed, I am justified in feeling thus 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 For God is, my witness, how I long for you all in the tender affections of Christ Jesus.

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

9 And, this, I pray—that, your love, may be, yet more and more, pre-eminent in personal knowledge and all perception,

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

10 To the end ye may be putting to the test the things that differ, in order that ye may be incorrupt and may give no occasion of stumbling, unto the day of Christ,

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 that fruit of righteousness which is through Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God.

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

12 Howbeit, I am minded, brethren, that ye should be, getting to know, that, the things which relate unto myself, rather, unto an advancement of the glad-message, have fallen out,

Brothers, I want you to realise that what has happened to me has actually served to forward the Good News.

13 So that, my bonds, have become manifest in Christ, in the whole palace, and unto all the rest, —

It has even become evident, not only to all the Imperial Guard, but to every one else, that it is for Christ’s sake that I am in chains.

14 And [so that], the most of the brethren in the Lord, assured by my bonds, are becoming more abundantly bold to be fearlessly speaking the word of God: —

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

15 Some, indeed, by reason of envy and strife—some, however, by reason of good will—are proclaiming, the Christ:

It is true that some do proclaim the Christ out of Jealousy and opposition; but there are others who proclaim him from good-will.

16 These, indeed, out of love, knowing that, for the defence of the glad-message, I am set;

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

17 But, those, out of faction, are declaring, the Christ, not purely—supposing to rouse up, tribulation, with my bonds.

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 What then? That, in any way, whether in pretext, or in truth, Christ, is declared, and, in this, I rejoice—yea, and will rejoice!

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 For I know that, this, shall turn unto me for salvation—through your supplication, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, —

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 According to my eager outlook and hope, that, in nothing, shall I be put to shame, but, with all freedom of speech, as always, now also, shall Christ be magnified in my body, whether through means of life, or of death.

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

21 For, unto me—living, is Christ, and, dying, gain.

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

22 But, if living in flesh, [is Christ], this, unto me, is a fruit of work, —and, what I shall choose, I make not known:

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 I am held in constraint, however, by reason of the two, —having, the coveting, to be released, and to be with, Christ, for it were far better!

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

24 But, to abide still in the flesh, is more needful for your sake;

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

25 And, of, this, being assured, know that I shall abide, —yea abide with you all, for your advancement, and the joy of your faith;

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

26 In order that, your matter of boasting, may be more abundant in Christ Jesus, regarding me, through my own presence again with you.

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 Only, in a manner worthy of the glad-message of the Christ, be using your citizenship; in order that—whether coming and seeing you, or being absent, I may hear of the things which concern you—that ye are standing fast in one spirit, with one soul, joining for the combat along with the faith of the glad-message;

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 And not being affrighted in anything by the opposers, —the which, is, unto them, a token of destruction, although of your salvation, and this from God;

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 Because, unto you, hath it been given as a favour, in behalf of Christ, not only, on him, to believe, but also, in his behalf, to suffer: —

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 Having, the same contest, which ye have seen in me, and now hear to be in me.

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.