Bible Gateway passage: Philippians 1 - New International Version (2024)

1Paul and Timothy,^(A) servants of Christ Jesus,

To all God’s holy people^(B) in Christ Jesus at Philippi,^(C) together with the overseers^(D) and deacons^[a]:^(E)

²Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.^(F)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³I thank my God every time I remember you.^{(G) 4}In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray^(H) with joy ⁵because of your partnership^(I) in the gospel from the first day^(J) until now, ⁶being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion^(K) until the day of Christ Jesus.^(L)

⁷It is right^(M) for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart^(N) and, whether I am in chains^(O) or defending^(P) and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸God can testify^(Q) how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

⁹And this is my prayer: that your love^(R) may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,^{(S) 10}so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,^{(T) 11}filled with the fruit of righteousness^(U) that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel

¹²Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,^[b] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. ¹³As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard^[c] and to everyone else that I am in chains^(V) for Christ. ¹⁴And because of my chains,^(W) most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.^(X)

¹⁵It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. ¹⁶The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.^{(Y) 17}The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition,^(Z) not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.^{(AA) 18}But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, ¹⁹for I know that through your prayers^(AB) and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ^(AC) what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.^{[d](AD) 20}I eagerly expect^(AE) and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage^(AF) so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body,^(AG) whether by life or by death.^{(AH) 21}For to me, to live is Christ^(AI) and to die is gain. ²²If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! ²³I am torn between the two: I desire to depart^(AJ) and be with Christ,^(AK) which is better by far; ²⁴but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. ²⁵Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Life Worthy of the Gospel

²⁷Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy^(AL) of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm^(AM) in the one Spirit,^[e] striving together^(AN) as one for the faith of the gospel ²⁸without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. ²⁹For it has been granted to you^(AO) on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer^(AP) for him, ³⁰since you are going through the same struggle^(AQ) you saw^(AR) I had, and now hear^(AS) that I still have.

Footnotes

1. Philippians 1:1 The word deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in Romans 16:1 and 1 Tim. 3:8,12.
2. Philippians 1:12 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 14; and in 3:1, 13, 17; 4:1, 8, 21.
3. Philippians 1:13 Or whole palace
4. Philippians 1:19 Or vindication; or salvation
5. Philippians 1:27 Or in one spirit

Cross references

1. Philippians 1:1 : S Ac 16:1; 2Co 1:1
2. Philippians 1:1 : S Ac 9:13
3. Philippians 1:1 : S Ac 16:12
4. Philippians 1:1 : S 1Ti 3:1
5. Philippians 1:1 : 1Ti 3:8
6. Philippians 1:2 : S Ro 1:7
7. Philippians 1:3 : S Ro 1:8
8. Philippians 1:4 : S Ro 1:10
9. Philippians 1:5 : Ac 2:42; Php 4:15
10. Philippians 1:5 : Ac 16:12-40
11. Philippians 1:6 : Ps 138:8
12. Philippians 1:6 : ver 10; S 1Co 1:8
13. Philippians 1:7 : 2Pe 1:13
14. Philippians 1:7 : 2Co 7:3
15. Philippians 1:7 : ver 13, 14, 17; S Ac 21:33
16. Philippians 1:7 : ver 16
17. Philippians 1:8 : S Ro 1:9
18. Philippians 1:9 : 1Th 3:12
19. Philippians 1:9 : S Eph 1:17
20. Philippians 1:10 : ver 6; S 1Co 1:8
21. Philippians 1:11 : S Jas 3:18
22. Philippians 1:13 : ver 7, 14, 17; S Ac 21:33
23. Philippians 1:14 : ver 7, 13, 17; S Ac 21:33
24. Philippians 1:14 : S Ac 4:29
25. Philippians 1:16 : ver 7, 12
26. Philippians 1:17 : Php 2:3
27. Philippians 1:17 : ver 7, 13, 14; S Ac 21:33
28. Philippians 1:19 : 2Co 1:11
29. Philippians 1:19 : S Ac 16:7
30. Philippians 1:19 : Phm 22
31. Philippians 1:20 : Ro 8:19
32. Philippians 1:20 : ver 14
33. Philippians 1:20 : 1Co 6:20
34. Philippians 1:20 : Ro 14:8
35. Philippians 1:21 : Gal 2:20
36. Philippians 1:23 : 2Ti 4:6
37. Philippians 1:23 : S Jn 12:26
38. Philippians 1:27 : S Eph 4:1
39. Philippians 1:27 : S 1Co 16:13
40. Philippians 1:27 : Jude 3
41. Philippians 1:29 : Mt 5:11, 12; Ac 5:41
42. Philippians 1:29 : S Ac 14:22
43. Philippians 1:30 : 1Th 2:2; Heb 10:32
44. Philippians 1:30 : Ac 16:19-40
45. Philippians 1:30 : ver 13