Philippians Chapter 1

Salutation

1^:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ^Messiah Jesus, to the saints in Philippi and their bishops and deacons. ² Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.                                                                                         Phil 1:1-2

Prayer for the Philippians

³ I’m grateful for the memories I have of you. ⁴ I gladly mention you in my prayers ⁵ because of your fellowship in the gospel since day one. ⁶ I’m confident that the good work God began in you he’ll keep perfecting till Christ comes. ⁷ It’s right for me to regard you that way because in my imprisonment and defense of the gospel, you’ve shared your grace with me. ⁸ God is witness, I long for you with the affections Jesus has. ⁹ I pray that your love will keep growing along with knowledge and insight ¹⁰ so you’ll approve what’s excellent, be sincere, and keep your conscience clear till Christ comes. ¹¹ That way the fruit that comes from goodness will fill you, the fruit that comes through Jesus Christ to God’s glory and praise.                                                                                                                                               

Phil 1:3-11

Progress Despite Limiting Circumstances

¹² I want you to know that what’s happened to me has turned out to promote the good news. ¹³ My imprisonment has become well-known throughout the Praetorian Guard and elsewhere. ¹⁴ More believers have trusted in the Lord and because of my imprisonment have dared to speak the message more boldly. ¹⁵ Some people are preaching Christ out of spite and strife; others out of good will. ¹⁶ Some do it out of love because they know I’m set to defend the good news. ¹⁷ The others present him out of rivalry, not sincerely. They think they can stir up trouble for me in my imprisonment. ¹⁸ What then? Whether in pretense or truth, Christ is getting presented and I’m glad. ¹⁹ I know it’ll lead to my release through your prayer and the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. ²⁰ That fits with my deep desire and hope that I’ll never be ashamed, but hold Christ in high honor in my body whether by life or death—as always, so now. ²¹ For me, to live is Christ, to die is gain. ²² But if living means productive work, I don’t know what to choose. ²³ I’m torn between wanting to leave and be with Christ (better for me) ²⁴ and wanting to stay (more necessary for you). ²⁵ I’m convinced I’ll stay and stand with you for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so the pride you have in Christ Jesus will increase in connection with me when I can be with you again.

Phil 1:12-26

Living in a Way Fit for Christ

²⁷ Make sure you conduct yourselves in a way that’s appropriate for the good news about Christ. Then, whether I can come to see you or not, I can hear that you’re standing firm in one spirit with one mind, that you’re striving together by trusting in the good news, ²⁸ and that you’re not alarmed by your opponents. Their opposition is evidence for their destruction and your salvation—a situation that comes from God. ²⁹ For the sake of Christ, you’ve had the opportunity to believe in him and suffer for him. ³⁰ You’re facing the same struggle you saw me face and hear that I’m facing now.                                                                                                                        Phil 1:27-30