1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ;
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the
overseers*1 and
deacons*2 : 2 Grace to you, and peace from God, our
Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God whenever I remember
you, 4 always in every request of mine on behalf of you all making my
requests with joy, 5 for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from
the first day until now; 6 being confident of this very thing, that he who
began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
7 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 gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.
8 For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies
of Christ Jesus.
9 This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge
and all discernment; 10 so that you may approve the things that are
excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of
Christ; 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are
through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
12 Now I desire to have you know, brothers,*3 that the things which happened to me have turned
out rather to the progress of the gospel; 13 so that it became evident to
the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ;
14 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.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also
out of good will. 16 The former insincerly preach Christ from selfish
ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains; 17 but the
latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the
gospel.
18 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.
19 For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your
supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 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. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die
is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my
work; yet I don’t make known what I will choose. 23 But I am in a dilemma
between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far
better. 24 Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.
25 Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with
you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 that your rejoicing
may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel 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 gospel; 28 and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for
them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
29 Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to
believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf, 30 having the same
conflict which you saw in me, and now hear is in me.
1 The word translated “overseers” (episkopos) can also be
translated superintendents, guardians, curators, or bishops.
2 Or, servants
3 The word for “brothers”
here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and
sisters” or “siblings.”
World English Bible - Public Domain |
|
|