1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
2 Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:
7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and [in] all judgment;
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things [which happened] unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other [places];
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 According to my earnest expectation and [my] hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but [that] with all boldness, as always, [so] now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether [it be] by life, or by death.
21 For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain.
22 But if I live in the flesh, this [is] the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh [is] more needful for you.
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear [to be] in me.
Overview of Philippians Chapter 1
Philippians Chapter 1 is a letter from the Apostle Paul to the church in Philippi, expressing gratitude, encouragement, and guidance. The chapter sets the tone for the entire epistle, highlighting themes of joy, partnership in the Gospel, and the importance of living a life worthy of the Gospel of Christ.
Structure of the Chapter
- Greeting (Verses 1-2)
- Paul identifies himself and Timothy as servants of Christ Jesus.
- The letter is addressed to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.
- A customary greeting of grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ is included.
- Thanksgiving and Prayer (Verses 3-11)
- Paul expresses gratitude for the Philippians, recalling their partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now.
- He emphasizes his confidence that God will complete the good work He began in them.
- Paul prays for their love to abound more and more in knowledge and discernment.
- The ultimate goal of his prayer is that they may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.
- Paul’s Circumstances (Verses 12-20)
- Paul shares how his imprisonment has served to advance the Gospel.
- He notes that his chains have become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that his imprisonment is for Christ.
- Paul discusses the mixed motivations of those preaching Christ, some out of envy and rivalry, others out of goodwill.
- Despite the circumstances, Paul rejoices that Christ is preached.
- Living for Christ (Verses 21-26)
- Paul declares that to live is Christ, and to die is gain, reflecting his deep commitment to Christ.
- He contemplates the tension between continuing to live in the flesh for the sake of the Philippians and the desire to depart and be with Christ.
- Paul expresses his confidence that he will remain and continue with them for their progress and joy in the faith.
- Exhortation to Unity (Verses 27-30)
- Paul urges the Philippians to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel.
- He emphasizes the importance of standing firm in one spirit and striving together as one for the faith of the Gospel.
- Paul reassures them that their suffering is a sign of their salvation and that they are granted not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for His sake.
Thematic Analysis
- Partnership in the Gospel
Paul highlights the deep connection he shares with the Philippians, emphasizing their mutual support and collaboration in spreading the Gospel.
- Joy and Rejoicing
Despite his imprisonment, Paul maintains a tone of joy, illustrating that true joy comes from the relationship with Christ and the advancement of the Gospel.
- Confidence in God’s Work
Paul expresses unwavering confidence in God’s faithfulness to complete the work He has begun in the believers, encouraging them to trust in His plans.
- Living Worthy of the Gospel
The call to live a life worthy of the Gospel serves as a central theme, urging believers to embody the teachings of Christ in their daily lives.
- Unity and Striving Together
Paul emphasizes the need for unity among believers, encouraging them to work together in faith, especially in the face of opposition and suffering.
Conclusion
Philippians Chapter 1 serves as a foundational passage that encapsulates Paul’s affection for the Philippians, his commitment to the Gospel, and his encouragement for them to live in a manner that reflects their faith. The themes of joy, partnership, and unity resonate throughout the chapter, providing timeless lessons for believers today.
