1FROM PAUL AND TIMOTHY,
servants of Christ Jesus,
to all those of God's people, incorporate in Christ Jesus, who live at Philippi, including their bishops and deacons.
2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3I thank my God whenever I think of you; 4and when I pray for you all, my prayers are always joyful, 5because of the part you have taken in the work of the Gospel from the first day until now. 6Of one thing I am certain: the One who started the good work in you will bring it to completion by the Day of Christ Jesus. 7It is indeed only right that I should feel like this about you all, because you hold me in such affection, and because, when I lie in prison or appear in the dock to vouch for the truth of the Gospel, you all share in the privilege that is mine. 8God knows how I long for you all, with the deep yearning of Christ Jesus himself. 9And this is my prayer, that your love may grow ever richer and richer in knowledge and insight of every kind, 10and may thus bring you the gift of true discrimination. Then on the Day of Christ you will be flawless and without blame, 11reaping the full harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
12Friends, I want you to understand that the work of the Gospel has been helped on, rather than hindered, by this business of mine. 13My imprisonment in Christ's cause has become common knowledge to all at headquarters here, and indeed among the public at large; 14and it has given confidence to most of our fellow-Christians to speak the word of God fearlessly and with extraordinary courage.
15Some, indeed, proclaim Christ in a jealous and quarrelsome spirit; others proclaim him in true good-will, and these are moved by love for me; 16they know that it is to defend the Gospel that I am where I am. 17But the others, moved by personal rivalry, present Christ from mixed motives, meaning to stir up fresh trouble for me as I lie in prison. 18What does it matter? One way or another, in pretence or in sincerity, Christ is set forth, and for that I rejoice.
19Yes, and rejoice I will, knowing well that the issue of it all will be my deliverance, because you are praying for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ is given me for support. 20For, as I passionately hope, I shall have no cause to be ashamed, but shall speak so boldly that now as always the greatness of Christ will shine out clearly in my person, whether through my life or through my death. 21For to me life is Christ, and death gain; 22but what if my living on in the body may serve some good purpose? Which then am I to choose? I cannot tell. 23I am torn two ways: what I should like is to depart and be with Christ; that is better by far; 24but for your sake there is greater need for me to stay on in the body. 25This indeed I know for certain: I shall stay, and stand by you all to help you forward and to add joy to your faith, 26so that when I am with you again, your pride in me may be unbounded in Christ Jesus.
27Only, let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you for myself or hear about you from a distance, I may know that you are standing firm, one in spirit, one in mind, contending as one man for the gospel faith, 28meeting your opponents without so much as a tremor. This is a sure sign to them that their doom is sealed, but a sign of your salvation, and one afforded by God himself; 29for you have been granted the privilege not only of believing in Christ but also of suffering for him. 30You and I are engaged in the same contest; you saw me in it once, and, as you hear, I am in it still.
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