[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.

May unearned favor and peace be upon you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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].

For God is my witness that I long to see you with the [same] affection that Christ Jesus has [for you].

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],

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

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.

Some people, indeed, are proclaiming Christ out of envy and strife [i.e., out of rivalry], while others do it from goodwill.

But the others preach Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely, hoping to stir up trouble for me while I am in prison.

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.

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].

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.

For life to me is Christ, and if I die, it would be gain.

But if [continuing] to live in my body means accomplishing more work [for Christ], then I do not know which to choose.

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.

so that, by my being with you again, you will be able to rejoice all the more in [our lives together with] Christ Jesus.

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].

Because God has granted you [the privilege], on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in 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]?

You should think about things the way Christ Jesus did.

and that everyone's mouth should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

as you hold out [i.e., offer to people] the message of [never ending] life. Then I will have something to boast about on the day of Christ's [return, See 1:6], that I had not run the race for nothing nor had worked for nothing.

For everyone else is looking out for his own interests, not for those of Jesus Christ.

because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to provide me with what you were not able to.

For we [Christians] are the [true] circumcision [i.e., the real "Jews" in God's eyes. See Rom. 2:28-29]. We worship by means of God's Holy Spirit [i.e., are empowered and motivated by the Holy Spirit], and boast in [the person and work of] Christ Jesus, and [we] place no confidence in the flesh [i.e., in any outward ritual or status for salvation].

However, those things which were [once regarded as] gain to me, I have [now] considered to be loss for [the sake of] Christ.

What is more, I consider everything to be a loss compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus [as] my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things. [I now] consider [all of] them to be trash, in order to gain Christ

and to be found in [fellowship with] Him, not having a righteousness of my own, acquired by observing the law of Moses, but one acquired through believing in Christ. This righteousness, which comes from God, is based on faith.

I want to know Christ [as Savior] and to experience the power [produced] by His resurrection, and to share in His sufferings and become like Him in His death,

[It is] not that I have already arrived at the goal [of spiritual maturity], or have already been made perfectly [righteous], but I am pushing onward in order to take hold of what Christ Jesus took hold of me for [i.e., to receive all that Christ intended for me].

Brothers, I consider that I, myself, have not yet taken hold [of Christ's ultimate purpose for me]. But there is one thing that I am doing; I am forgetting about my past [See verses 5-7], and reaching forward to what lies ahead.

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

For I have often told you before, and am telling you again with tears in my eyes, that many people are living as the enemies of the cross of Christ [i.e., their lives oppose the purpose of Christ's death].

But we are [really] citizens of heaven and we are waiting for a Savior [to return] from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

You should let your gentleness be known to all people. The Lord is near. [Note: This "nearness" could refer to Christ's second coming or to His nearness to His people in a spiritual sense].

And [when you do], the peace from God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and thoughts [from anxiety] in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus.

I can do everything through Christ, who gives me the strength.

And my God will supply all your needs [also], according to His glorious wealth [enjoyed by fellowship] in Christ Jesus.

Greet every saint [i.e., God's holy person] in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me [also] send their greetings to you.

May the favor of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.