Philippians
Chapter 1
Overview
Paul and Timothy address the community of Jesus’ followers in Philippi, including its leaders and helpers. Paul is writing from prison, but confinement has not made his world smaller; surprisingly, it has opened new doors for the good news about Jesus. He thanks the Philippians for standing with him, prays that their love will grow wiser, and explains his mixed feelings about living and dying. He then turns from his own struggle to theirs, urging them to stay united, courageous, and faithful when opposition comes. Prison bars can hold a person, he suggests, but not necessarily a message.
1From Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus the Messiah, to all God’s holy people in Philippi who are united with Jesus the Messiah, together with the community’s overseers and assistants.
2May God our Father and the Lord Jesus the Messiah give you generous favor and peace.
3Whenever I remember you, I thank my God.
4Every time I pray for all of you, I pray with joy.
5I am joyful because you have worked with me to spread the good news, from the first day until now.
6I am confident of this: God, who began a good work among you, will bring it to completion by the day Jesus the Messiah returns.
7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you because I carry you in my heart. You all share with me in God’s favor, both during my imprisonment and in my work of defending and confirming the good news.
8God can confirm how deeply I long for all of you with the tender affection of Jesus the Messiah himself.
9This is my prayer: May your love overflow more and more, guided by true knowledge and every kind of insight.
10Then you will be able to recognize what really matters and live pure, blameless lives until the day the Messiah returns.
11May you be filled with the fruit of doing what is right, which comes through Jesus the Messiah, so that God is honored and praised.
12My brothers and sisters, I want you to know that what has happened to me has actually helped the good news advance.
13The entire imperial guard and everyone else now know that I am imprisoned because I serve the Messiah.
14Because of my imprisonment, most of our brothers and sisters have gained confidence in the Lord and have become even more courageous in speaking the message without fear.
15Some proclaim the Messiah because of envy and rivalry, while others do so from goodwill.
16Those acting from goodwill do it out of love, knowing that I am here to defend the good news.
17The others announce the Messiah from selfish ambition, not from sincere motives. They think they can make my imprisonment more painful.
18But what does that matter? Whether the motives are false or sincere, the Messiah is being proclaimed in every case, and that makes me rejoice. Yes, I will continue to rejoice,
19because I know that this will result in my deliverance through your prayers and the help supplied by the Spirit of Jesus the Messiah.
20I eagerly expect and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way. Instead, I will have complete courage, so that now, as always, the Messiah will be honored through what happens to my body, whether I live or die.
21For me, living means the Messiah, and dying is gain.
22But if I continue living in this body, I will be able to do fruitful work. Which would I choose? I cannot say.
23I feel pulled in both directions. I long to leave this life and be with the Messiah, because that is far better.
24But for your sake, it is more necessary that I remain alive.
25Because I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you, helping you grow and find joy in your trust in Jesus.
26Then, when I am with you again, you will have abundant reason because of me to take pride in Jesus the Messiah.
27Above all, live in a way worthy of the good news about the Messiah. Then, whether I come and see you or remain away and only hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm with one spirit and one purpose, striving side by side for faith in the good news.
28Do not be frightened in any way by those who oppose you. Your courage is a sign that they are headed for destruction, while you will be saved—and this comes from God.
29For God has graciously granted you, for the Messiah’s sake, not only to trust in him but also to suffer for him.
30You are engaged in the same struggle that you once saw me face and now hear that I am still facing.