ISV - Philippians - 1

1:1  The Letter of Paul to the PhilippiansGreetings from Paul and TimothyFromThe Gk. lacks From Paul and Timothy, servantsOr slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the holy onesOr saints in Philippi who are united with Christ Jesus, with their overseersOr bishops and deacons.Or ministers

1:2  May grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be yours!

1:3  Paul's Thanksgiving and Prayer for the PhilippiansI thank my God every time I remember you,Or every time you remember me

1:4  always praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you

1:5  because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

1:6  I am convinced of this, that the one who began a good work amongOr in you will bring it to completion by the day of Christ Jesus.

1:7  For it is only right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart.Or you have me in your heart Both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, all of you are partners with me in grace.

1:8  For God is my witness how much I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus.

1:9  And this is my prayer, that your love will keep on growing more and more in full knowledge and perfect insight,

1:10  so that you may be able to determine what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,

1:11  having been filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

1:12  The Priority of the Gospel in EverythingNow I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually turned out for the progress of the gospel.

1:13  As a result, it has become clear to the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that I am in prison because of Christ.

1:14  Moreover, because of my imprisonment most of the brothers have been made confident in the Lord to speak God's word more boldly and courageously than ever before.

1:15  Some are preaching Christ because of their envy and rivalry, while others do soThe Gk. lacks do so because of their good will.

1:16  The latter are motivatedThe Gk. lacks are motivated by love, because they know that I have been appointed for the defense of the gospel.

1:17  The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition and without sincerity, thinking that they will stir up trouble for me during my imprisonment.

1:18  But what does it matter?Lit. What then? Just this, that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and because of this I rejoice. Yes, I will continue to rejoice,

1:19  because I know that this will result in my deliverance through your prayers and the help that comes from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

1:20  This is according to my eager expectation and hope that I will have nothing to be ashamed of. Instead, because of myLit. with all boldness Christ will be exalted in my body, now as always, whether I live or die.Lit. by life or by death

1:21  For to me, to go on living is Christ, and to die is gain.

1:22  Now if I go on living in this body, that will produce more results,Lit. that to me is fruitful labor yet I do not know which I would prefer.

1:23  Indeed, I cannot decide between the two. I have the desire to leave this life and be with Christ, for that is far better.

1:24  But for your sake it is better that I remain in this body.

1:25  Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will continue to live and be with all of you for the sake of your progress and joy in the faith.

1:26  Then your boasting in Christ Jesus will increase along with mineLit. in me through my coming again to you.

1:27  Standing Firm in One SpiritThe only thing that matters is that you continue to live as good citizens in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come to see you or whether I stay away, I may hear all about you—that you are standing firm in one spirit, struggling with one mind for the faith of the gospel,

1:28  and that you are not intimidated by your opponents in any way. This is evidence that they will be destroyed and that you will be saved—and all because ofLit. and that from God.

1:29  For you have been given the privilegeLit. it has been given you for Christ's sake not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him.

1:30  You have the same struggle that you saw in me and now hear that I am still having.Lit. hear in me