Philippians1
New Living Translation
1This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons.
2May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
3Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.
4Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy,
5for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.
6And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
7So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News.
8God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
9I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.
10For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.
11May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
12And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.
13For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ.
14And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.
15It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives.
16They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News.
17Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me.
18But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.
19For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.
20For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.
21For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.
22But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better.
23I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.
24But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.
25Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith.
26And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.
27Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.
28Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.
29For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.
30We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.
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