The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians

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- Chapter 1 -

(Colossians 1:1–2; Philemon 1:1–3)

Paul and Timotheus the seruants of IESVS CHRIST, to all the Saintes in Christ Iesus which are at Philippi, with the Bishops, and Deacons:

Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Iesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

(1 Corinthians 1:4–9; Colossians 1:3–14)

I thanke my God, hauing you in perfect memorie,

(Alwayes in all my praiers for all you, praying with gladnesse)

Because of the fellowship which ye haue in the Gospel, from the first day vnto nowe.

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,

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.

For God is my recorde, howe I long after you all from the very heart roote in Iesus Christ.

And this I pray, that your loue may abound, yet more and more in knowledge, and in all iudgement,

That ye may alowe those things which are best, that ye may be pure, and without offence vntill the day of Christ,

Filled with the fruites of righteousnesse, which are by Iesus Christ vnto the glorie and praise of God.

Paul’s Trials Advance the Gospel

(James 1:2–12)

I would ye vnderstood, brethren, that the things which haue come vnto me, are turned rather to the furthering of the Gospell,

So that my bandes in Christ are famous throughout all the iudgement hall, and in all other places,

In so much that many of the brethren in the Lord are boldened through my bandes, and dare more frankely speake the word.

Some preache. Christ euen through enuie and strife, and some also of good will.

The one part preacheth Christ of contention and not purely, supposing to adde more affliction to my bandes.

But the others of loue, knowing that I am set for the defence of the Gospell.

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.

For I knowe that this shall turne to my saluation through your prayer, and by the helpe of the Spirit of Iesus Christ,

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.

To Live Is Christ

For Christ is to me both in life, and in death aduantage.

And whether to liue in the flesh were profitable for me, and what to chuse I knowe not.

For I am distressed betweene both, desiring to be loosed and to be with Christ, which is best of all.

Neuerthelesse, to abide in the flesh, is more needefull for you.

And this am I sure of, that I shall abide, and with you all continue, for your furtherance and ioy of your faith,

That ye may more aboundantly reioyce in IESVS CHRIST for me, by my comming to you againe.

Worthy of the Gospel

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.

And in nothing feare your aduersaries, which is to them a token of perdition, and to you of saluation, and that of God.

For vnto you it is giuen for Christ, that not onely ye should beleeue in him, but also suffer for his sake,

Hauing the same fight, which ye sawe in me, and nowe heare to be in me.

(Colossians 1:1–2; Philemon 1:1–3)

Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ,(a) to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers

(b)

and servants:(c)

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

Thanksgiving and Prayer

(1 Corinthians 1:4–9; Colossians 1:3–14)

I thank my God whenever I remember you,

always in every request of mine on behalf of you all, making my requests with joy,

for your partnership(d) in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now;

being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.

For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.

This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment,

so that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ,

being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Paul’s Trials Advance the Gospel

(James 1:2–12)

Now I desire to have you know, brothers,(e) that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News,

so that it became evident to the whole palace

(f)

guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ,

and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.

Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.

The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;

but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.

What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.

For I know that this will turn out to my salvation through your prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

To Live Is Christ

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don’t know what I will choose.

But I am hard pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

Yet to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.

Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,

that your boasting

(g)

may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.

Worthy of the Gospel

Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;

and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God.

Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf,

having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

Footnotes

(a)1:1 “Christ” means “Anointed One”.

(b)1:1 or, superintendents, or bishops

(d)1:5 The word translated “partnership” (κοινωνίᾳ) also means “fellowship” and “sharing”.

(e)1:12 The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”

(f)1:13 or, praetorian

(g)1:26 or, rejoicing