Philippians 1

Joy in Prayer Philippians 1:3–8

³Verse 3. I thank my God whenever I remember you, ⁴Verse 4. always in every request of mine on behalf of you all, making my requests with joy, ⁵Verse 5. for your partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now; ⁶Verse 6. being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. ⁷Verse 7. It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.

⁸Verse 8. For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.

Prayer for Growth Philippians 1:9–11

⁹Verse 9. This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; ¹⁰Verse 10. so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ; ¹¹Verse 11. being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Advancement of the Gospel Philippians 1:12–18

¹²Verse 12. Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News; ¹³Verse 13. so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ; ¹⁴Verse 14. and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear. ¹⁵Verse 15. Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will. ¹⁶Verse 16. The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;

¹⁷Verse 17. but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News. ¹⁸Verse 18. What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.

Life and Death Dilemma Philippians 1:19–26

¹⁹Verse 19. For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, ²⁰Verse 20. according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death. ²¹Verse 21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²²Verse 22. But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don’t know what I will choose. ²³Verse 23. But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

²⁴Verse 24. Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake. ²⁵Verse 25. Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶Verse 26. that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.

Call for Unity and Courage Philippians 1:27–30

²⁷Verse 27. Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News; ²⁸Verse 28. and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God. ²⁹Verse 29. Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf, ³⁰Verse 30. having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear is in me.