Chapter 1

Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving and Prayer

I give thanks to my God in all my remembrance of you,

always in all my prayers making supplications for you all with joy,

because of your association with me in spreading the gospel of Christ from the first day until now.

I am convinced of this, that he who has begun a good work in you will bring it to perfection until the day of Christ Jesus.

And I have the right to feel so about you all, because I have you in my heart, all of you, alike in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, as sharers in my joy.

For God is my witness how I long for you all in the heart of Christ Jesus.

And this I pray, that your charity may more and more abound in knowledge and all discernment,

so that you may approve the better things, that you may be upright and without offense unto the day of Christ,

filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Propagation of the Gospel

Now I wish you to know, brethren, that my experiences have turned out rather for the advancement of the gospel,

so that the chains I bear for the sake of Christ have become manifest as such throughout the praetorium and in all other places.

And the greater number of the brethren in the Lord, gaining courage from my chains, have dared to speak the word of God more freely and without fear.

Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and contentiousness, but some also out of good will.

Some proclaim Christ out of love since they know I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;

but some out of contentiousness, not sincerely, thinking to stir up affliction for me in my chains.

But what of it? Provided only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed; in this I rejoice, yes and I shall rejoice.

For I know that this will turn out for my salvation, thanks to your prayer and the assistance of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

in accord with my eager longing and hope that in nothing I shall be put to shame, but that with complete assurance now as at all times Christ will be glorified in my body, whether through life or through death. Sentiments of St. Paul

For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

But if to live in the flesh is my lot, this means for me fruitful labor, and I do not know which to choose.

Indeed I am hard pressed from both sides---desiring to depart and to be with Christ, a lot by far the better;

yet to stay on in the flesh is necessary for your sake.

And with this conviction I know that I shall stay on and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,

that your rejoicing in my regard may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again. Firmness

Only let your lives be worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that, whether I come and see you, or remain absent, I may hear about you, that you are steadfast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

Do not be terrified in any way by the adversaries; for this is to them a reason for destruction, but to you for salvation, and that from God.

For you have been given the favor on Christ's behalf---not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him,

while engaged in the same struggle in which you have seen me and now have heard of me.