1 1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the holy ones in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grateful for Partners in the Gospel
3 I thank my Father every time I remember you, 4 always praying for all of you with joy in every prayer, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this very thing: that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partners with me in grace, both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For our Father is my witness, how I long for you all with the deep affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may discern what is best and be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of our Father.
Chains That Advance the Gospel
12 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my chains are for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers and sisters, grown confident in the Lord because of my chains, dare all the more to speak the word without fear. 15 Some, it is true, preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 These do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me in my chains.
18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed; and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will turn out for my deliverance. 20 It is my eager expectation and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet I cannot tell which I would choose. 23 I am torn between the two: I long to depart and be with Christ, which is far better; 24 but to remain in the body is more necessary for your sake. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my coming to you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
Standing Worthy of the Gospel
27 Only live in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving together with one mind for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened by your opponents in any way. This is a sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from our Father. 29 For it has been graciously granted to you, for the sake of Christ, not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him, 30 going through the same struggle you saw me face, and now hear that I still face.