Philippians1
New King James Version
1Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,
5for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
6being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
7just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.
8For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
9And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,
10that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
11being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
12But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,
13so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;
14and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill:
16The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;
17but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
18What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
19For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
21For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.
23For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
24Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.
25And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,
26that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
27Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
28and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
29For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
30having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.
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