Greeting
1 [This letter is from] Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, [and is being sent] to all the saints [i.e., God's holy people] who are at Philippi [Note: This is a town in present-day northeastern Greece, and the first place in Europe where Paul established Christianity], along with the overseers [Note: These men were also called elders, shepherds or pastors] and deacons.
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:
1 (A)Paul and (B)Timothy, (C)bond-servants of (D)Christ Jesus,To (E)all the (a)(F)saints in Christ Jesus who are in (G)Philippi, (b)including the (H)overseers and (I)deacons:
1 Paul(A) and Timothy,(B) slaves of Christ Jesus:To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi,(C) including the overseers(D) and deacons.(E)
1 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.
2 May unearned favor and peace be upon you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 May grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, be yours!
Thanksgiving
6 I am confident of this very thing, that God, who began something good among you, will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ's [return].
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:
6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until (P)the day of Christ Jesus.
6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work(H) in you(b) will carry it on to completion(I) until the day of Christ Jesus.
6 I am convinced of this, that the one who began a good action among you will bring it to completion by the Day of the Messiah Jesus.
7 It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart [i.e., you are dear to me], for you people are sharing in God's unearned favor with me [Note: Paul here refers to his ministry], both in my imprisonment and in my defense and confirmation of the Gospel [i.e., in my efforts to give proof of the Gospel's truth].
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.
7 (d)For (Q)it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I (R)have you in my heart, since both in my (e)(S)imprisonment and in the (T)defense and confirmation of the (U)gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.
7 It is right(J) for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart,(c) and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment(K) and in the defense(L) and establishment of the gospel.
7 For it is only right for me to think this way about all of you, because you're constantly on my mind. Both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, all of you are partners with me in this privilege.
8 For God is my witness that I long to see you with the [same] affection that Christ Jesus has [for you].
8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
8 For God is my witness how much I long for all of you with the compassion that the Messiah Jesus provides.
Prayer For Spiritual Maturity
9 And I pray that your love may grow stronger and stronger, [along] with how much you know, and [that you may grow] in your ability to comprehend things.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
9 And this I pray, that (X)your love may abound still more and more in (Y)real knowledge and all discernment,
9 And I pray this: that your love(O) will keep on growing(P) in knowledge and every kind of discernment,(Q)
9 And this is my prayer, that your love will keep on growing more and more with full knowledge and insight,
10 Then you will be able to approve of [only] what is best and be sincere and without just blame on the day of Christ's [return],
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
10 so that you may (g)(Z)approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless (h)until (AA)the day of Christ;
10 so that you can approve the things that are superior(R) and can be pure(S) and blameless(T) in(d) the day of Christ,(U)
10 so that you may be able to choose what is best and be pure and blameless until the day when the Messiah returns,
11 having been full of qualities of righteousness, which come from Jesus Christ and produce honor and praise to God.
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
11 having been filled with the (AB)fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
11 filled with the fruit(V) of righteousness(W) that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory(X) and praise of God.
11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus the Messiah so that God will be glorified and praised.
The Progress Of The Gospel
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that the things that happened to me have resulted in the advancement [of the influence] of the Gospel rather [than hindering it],
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;
12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances (AC)have turned out for the greater progress of the (AD)gospel,
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the advance of the gospel,(Y)
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually caused the gospel to advance.
13 so that my imprisonment for Christ became known throughout the entire headquarters of the governor [i.e., among all his personnel], and to everyone else.
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
13 so that my (i)(AE)imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole (j)praetorian guard and to (AF)everyone else,
13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard,(e) and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is in the cause of Christ.
13 As a result, it has become clear to the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that I am in prison for preaching about the Messiah.
14 And most of the brothers in the Lord's [service], through my imprisonment, gained confidence to speak out God's message with greater courage and without fear.
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
14 and that most of the (k)brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my (l)(AG)imprisonment, have (AH)far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.
14 Most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the message(f)(Z) fearlessly.
14 Moreover, because of my imprisonment the Lord has caused most of the brothers to become confident to speak God's word more boldly and courageously than ever before.
15 Some people, indeed, are proclaiming Christ out of envy and strife [i.e., out of rivalry], while others do it from goodwill.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
15 (AI)Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even (m)from envy and strife, but some also (n)from good will;
15 Some are preaching the Messiah because of jealousy and dissension, while others do so because of their good will.
16 Those who do it out of love [for me] know that I am prepared to defend the Gospel [i.e., before government authorities].
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
16 The latter are motivated by love, because they know that I have been appointed to defend the gospel.
17 But the others preach Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely, hoping to stir up trouble for me while I am in prison.
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
17 the former proclaim Christ (AK)out of selfish ambition (o)rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my (p)(AL)imprisonment.
17 the others proclaim Christ out of rivalry,(AC) not sincerely, seeking to cause me anxiety in my imprisonment.(h)
17 The former proclaim the Messiah because they are selfishly ambitious and insincere, thinking that they will stir up trouble for me during my imprisonment.
To Live Is Christ
18 So, what [should I think about the situation]? Just this: I am happy and will continue to be happy that, in every way, Christ is being preached, [regardless of] whether it is in pretense or with sincerity.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.Yes, and I will rejoice,
18 What does it matter? Just that in every way, whether out of false motives(AD) or true, Christ is proclaimed. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice
18 But so what? Just this that in every way, whether by false or true motives, the Messiah is being proclaimed. Because of this, I rejoice and will continue to rejoice.
Paul Honors Christ Whether He Lives Or Dies
19 For I know that, through your requests [in prayer] for me and the help provided by the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ, this situation will result in my being rescued [i.e., released from imprisonment].
19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
19 for I know that this will turn out for my (q)deliverance (AM)through your (r)prayers and the provision of (AN)the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
19 because I know this will lead to my deliverance(i)(AE) through your prayers and help from the Spirit(AF) of Jesus Christ.(AG)
19 I know that this will result in my deliverance through your prayers and the help that comes from the Spirit of Jesus the Messiah.
Paul's Life For Christ
20 It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not have to be ashamed about anything, but that I will have the courage, [both] now and always, [to so live] that Christ will be exalted [i.e., honored] in my body, whether I live or die.
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.
20 according to my (AO)earnest expectation and (AP)hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with (AQ)all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be (AR)exalted in my body, (AS)whether by life or by death.
20 My eager expectation and hope(AH) is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life(AI) or by death.(AJ)
20 I rejoice because I eagerly expect and hope that I will have nothing to be ashamed of, because through my boldness the Messiah will be exalted through me, now as always, whether I live or die.
Living Is Christ
22 But if [continuing] to live in my body means accomplishing more work [for Christ], then I do not know which to choose.
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
22 (s)But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean (AU)fruitful labor for me; and I do not know (t)which to choose.
22 Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful(AM) work(AN) for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose.
22 Now if I continue living, fruitful labor is the result, so I do not know which I would prefer.
23 So, I am in a dilemma between the two choices. [On the one hand] I have the desire to depart [from this life] and be with Christ [in heaven], which would be far better.
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the (AV)desire to depart and (AW)be with Christ, for that is very much better;
23 I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ(AO)—which is far better(AP)—
23 Indeed, I cannot decide between the two. I have the desire to leave this life and be with the Messiah, for that is far better.
24 Yet [on the other hand], to remain in my body is more necessary for your sakes.
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.
24 But for your sake it is better that I remain alive.
25 So, being convinced of this, I know I will remain [in my body] and continue with all of you for your spiritual progress and joy in the faith,
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
25 (AX)Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy (u)in the faith,
25 Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,(AQ)
25 Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will continue to live and be with all of you, so you will mature in the faith and know joy in it.
26 so that, by my being with you again, you will be able to rejoice all the more in [our lives together with] Christ Jesus.
26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
26 so that your (AY)proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.
26 so that, because of me, your confidence may grow(AR) in Christ Jesus(AS) when I come to you again.
26 Then your rejoicing in the Messiah Jesus will increase along with mine when I visit with you again.
Stand Firm For The Gospel
27 So, [whatever happens], live your daily lives in such a way as to be worthy of the Gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or remain absent from you, I will hear about you, that you are standing firm in one spirit [i.e., united in purpose, and] contending with one mind for the faith of the Gospel [i.e., for the body of Christian teaching].
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;
27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner (AZ)worthy of the (BA)gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are (BB)standing firm in (BC)one spirit, with one (v)mind (BD)striving together for the faith of the gospel;
27 Just one thing: Live your life(AT) in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm(AU) in one(AV) spirit, with one mind,(j) working side by side for the faith(AW) that comes from the gospel,
27 The only thing that matters is that you continue to live as good citizens in a manner worthy of the gospel of the Messiah. 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,
28 [I also want to hear] that you are not being frightened by those who oppose you, which [opposition] is proof that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved, and this will [all] be done by God.
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.
28 in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a (BE)sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.
28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents.(AX) This is a sign of destruction for them,(AY) but of your deliverance(AZ)—and this is from God.
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 of God.
29 Because God has granted you [the privilege], on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.
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;
29 For to you (BF)it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to (BG)suffer for His sake,
29 For it has been given to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe(BA) in Him, but also to suffer for Him,
29 For you have been given the privilege for the Messiah's sake not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him.
30 [So], you are now experiencing the same struggle you [once] saw me going through, and now are hearing that I still am.
30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
30 having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.
30 You have the same struggle that you saw in me and now hear that I am still having.