From: Paul and Timothy, servants of the Messiah Jesus. To: All the holy ones in Philippi, along with their overseers and ministers, who are in union with the Messiah Jesus.

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you??4 always, in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all, making supplication with joy??5 on account of your fellowship for the Gospel, from the first day until now;

For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

For God beareth me record how greatly I long after you all from the very heart-root in Jesus Christ.

having been full of qualities of righteousness, which come from Jesus Christ and produce honor and praise to God.

Most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the message fearlessly.

Some indeed actually preach Christ out of envy and contentiousness but there are also others who do it from good will.

The latter [do so] from love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction in my imprisonment.

But what difference does it make? All that matters is that, in one way or another, from false motives or honest ones, Christ is being made known; I am glad of that. Yes, and I expect to be glad,

because I know this will lead to my deliverance through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

according to my firm expectation and hope, that I shall be confounded by no event, but that with all boldness, as always hitherto, Christ shall now also be magnified in my body, whether by my life or death.

But if to live in the flesh, -- if this shall bring fruit from my work, then what I shall choose I know not.

But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;

Only conduct yourselves worthily of the glad tidings of the Christ, in order that whether coming and seeing you, or absent, I may hear of what concerns you, that ye stand firm in one spirit, with one soul, labouring together in the same conflict with the faith of the glad tidings;

and in nothing affrighted by the adversaries: which is for them an evident token of perdition, but of your salvation, and that from God;

For to you it is granted as a favor from Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for his sake:

Is there anything to be encouraged about by being in [fellowship with] Christ? Is there any comfort from His love? Is there any sharing with the Holy Spirit? [Have you received] any affection and compassion [from Christ]?

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves.

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

After He was found in [terms of His] outward appearance as a man [for a divinely-appointed time], He humbled Himself [still further] by becoming obedient [to the Father] to the point of death, even death on a cross.

So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].

All things, be doing, apart from murmurings and disputings;

Holding firm the word of life, for a boast by me in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.

But I hope in [harmony with the wishes of] the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I could be encouraged when I learn of your situation [i.e., when Timothy returns with news from Philippi].

Him, indeed, therefore, am I hoping to send - as soon as I can look off from the things that concern myself, - forthwith.

But I am fully persuaded in [harmony with the wishes of] the Lord that I, myself, also will go to you soon. [Note: Paul here expresses the hope of being released from imprisonment, in spite of previous hints that he might be put to death. See 1:20; 2:17].

For it is true that he has been ill, and was apparently at the point of death; but God had pity on him, and not only on him, but also on me, to save me from having sorrow upon sorrow.

Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you can rejoice and I can be free from anxiety.

because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me [which distance prevented you from rendering personally].

{circumcised on the eighth day}, from the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew [born] from Hebrews, according to the law a Pharisee,

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith:

And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did];

if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead.

I am pushing onward toward the goal for the prize of the upward call [i.e., to heaven] from God in [fellowship with] Christ.

Copy me, brothers, one and all of you, and notice those who live by the example you get from me.

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

it is he, that will change our vile body into a like form with his glorious body, by displaying that power which is able to subdue all things unto himself.

Therefore, my fellow believers, whom I love and long for, my delight and crown [my wreath of victory], in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

You people should do those things which you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and [then] the God [who gives] peace will be with you.

Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever [circumstances] I am.

Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

Not that I crave for gifts from you, but I do want to see abundant fruit bring you honour.

But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

And my God will give you all you have need of from the wealth of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Now to God, even our Father, be glory from age to age. Amen.

All the saints greet you, but especially those from Caesar’s household.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. {Sent from Rome by Epaphroditus.}