Philippians1
New International Version
1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3I thank my God every time I remember you.
4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.
8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
12Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, 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 and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
14And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
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.
17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
18But 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 and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
21For to me, to live is Christ 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 and be with Christ, 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.
27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy 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 in the one Spirit, striving together 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 on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,
30since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Philippians 1.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The apostle offers up thanksgivings and prayers, for the good work of grace in the Philippians. (1–7). He expresses affection, and prays for them. (8–11). Fortifies them against being cast down at his sufferings. (12–20). He stood prepared for glorifying Christ by life, or death. (21–26). Exhortations to zeal, and constancy in professing the gospel. (27–30).
vv1-7
The highest honour of the most eminent ministers is, to be servants of Christ. And those who are not really saints on earth, never will be saints in heaven. Out of Christ, the best saints are sinners, and unable to stand before God. There is no peace without grace. Inward peace springs from a sense of Divine favour. And there is no grace and peace but from God our Father, the fountain and origin of all blessings. At Philippi the apostle was evil entreated, and saw little fruit of his labour; yet he remembers Philippi with joy. We must thank our God for the graces and comforts, gifts and usefulness of others, as we receive the benefit, and God receives the glory. The work of grace will never be perfected till the day of Jesus Christ, the day of his appearance. But we may always be confident God will perform his good work, in every soul wherein he has really begun it by regeneration; though we must not trust in outward appearances, nor in any thing but a new creation to holiness. People are dear to their ministers, when they receive benefit by their ministry. Fellow-sufferers in the cause of God should be dear one to another.
vv8-11
Shall not we pity and love those souls whom Christ loves and pities? Those who abound in any grace, need to abound more. Try things which differ; that we may approve the things which are excellent. The truths and laws of Christ are excellent; and they recommend themselves as such to any attentive mind. Sincerity is that in which we should have our conversation in the world, and it is the glory of all our graces. Christians should not be apt to take offence, and should be very careful not to offend God or the brethren. The things which most honour God will most benefit us. Let us not leave it doubtful whether any good fruit is found in us or not. A small measure of Christian love, knowledge, and fruitfulness should not satisfy any.
vv12-20
The apostle was a prisoner at Rome; and to take off the offence of the cross, he shows the wisdom and goodness of God in his sufferings. These things made him known, where he would never have otherwise been known; and led some to inquire after the gospel. He suffered from false friends, as well as from enemies. How wretched the temper of those who preached Christ out of envy and contention, and to add affliction to the bonds that oppressed this best of men! The apostle was easy in the midst of all. Since our troubles may tend to the good of many, we ought to rejoice. Whatever turns to our salvation, is by the Spirit of Christ; and prayer is the appointed means of seeking for it. Our earnest expectation and hope should not be to be honoured of men, or to escape the cross, but to be upheld amidst temptation, contempt, and affliction. Let us leave it to Christ, which way he will make us serviceable to his glory, whether by labour or suffering, by diligence or patience, by living to his honour in working for him, or dying to his honour in suffering for him.
Key Words
Παῦλος (Paûlos): (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Τιμόθεος (Timótheos): dear to God; Timotheus, a Christian
δοῦλος (doûlos): a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
Χριστός (Christós): anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
πᾶς (pâs): all, any, every, the whole
ἅγιος (hágios): sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
ὤν (ṓn): being
Cross References
Philippians 1Textual evidence for the synonymy of the offices of 'bishop' (overseer) and 'elder' / 'presbyter'.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Paul's common self-designation as a 'servant' (doulos) of Jesus Christ in his epistles.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Parallels the promise of God confirming believers blameless until 'the day of Jesus Christ'.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Establishes Timothy's presence and historical association with Paul during the founding of the Philippian church.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Historical account of Paul's Roman imprisonment which fell out for the furtherance of the gospel.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallels the concept of living 'in the flesh' by faith and Christ living in the believer.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Expresses the identical desire to be absent from the body and present with Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Paul calling God to witness ('God is my record/witness') regarding his pastoral longing.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels Paul's prayer for believers to abound in knowledge, spiritual understanding, and judgment.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Paul identifies himself as an 'ambassador in bonds' during this same general imprisonment.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Exhortation to walk (or have a conversation) worthy of the calling of the gospel.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Affirms that suffering for Christ is a privilege that produces spiritual fruit and growth.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
A concrete historical example of the apostles rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Paul's final reflection on fighting the 'good fight' or conflict he speaks of here.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole