Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, - unto all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with overseers and ministers: -

Being persuaded of this very thing - that, he who hath begun in you a good work, will perfect it, until the day of Jesus Christ;

As it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, who were all partakers of my grace, both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel.

it is true, there are some who preach Christ out of a spirit of envy and contention; but others do it out of pure affection.

Those who do it out of love [for me] know that I am prepared to defend the Gospel [i.e., before government authorities].

but they who are of a factious spirit preach Christ with no pure intent, thinking to stir up affliction to my bonds.

And not being frightened in anything by those who oppose, which is indeed a sign of destruction to them, but to you of salvation, and this from God.

who, although He existed in the form and unchanging essence of God [as One with Him, possessing the fullness of all the divine attributes—the entire nature of deity], did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped or asserted [as if He did not already possess it, or was afraid of losing it];

so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow—
of those who are in heaven and on earth
and under the earth—

For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.

so that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish in the midst of a [morally] crooked and [spiritually] perverted generation, among whom you are seen as bright lights [beacons shining out clearly] in the world [of darkness],

you, who display the doctrine of eternal life) that in the day of Christ I may have the satisfaction of not having pursued my laborious course in vain.

I hope, however, as one who trusts in the Lord Jesus, to send Timothy to you before long, so that I may myself be cheered by receiving news of you.

For I have no one else [like him who is] so kindred a spirit who will be genuinely concerned for your [spiritual] welfare.

It is Timothy, then, whom I hope to send, as soon as ever I can foresee how it will go with me.

And I am confident, as one who trusts in the Lord Jesus, that before long I myself shall follow.

But it seemed to me necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, who has taken part with me in the work and in the fight, and your servant, sent by you for help in my need;

Look out for the dogs [the Judaizers, the legalists], look out for the troublemakers, look out for the false circumcision [those who claim circumcision is necessary for salvation];

for we [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, set apart for His purpose and] are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory and take pride and exult in Christ Jesus and place no confidence [in what we have or who we are] in the flesh—

But indeed therefore I even consider all things to be loss because of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, because of whom I suffered the loss of all things, and consider them to be rubbish, so that I may gain C

the justification which God grants to those who acknowledge Christ and the power of his resurrection, who suffer after his example, and die to sin, as he died to the world,

All of us who are mature [pursuing spiritual perfection] should have this attitude. And if in any respect you have a different attitude, that too God will make clear to you.

Brothers and sisters, together follow my example and observe those who live by the pattern we gave you.

For there are many, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears, who live as enemies of the cross of Christ [rejecting and opposing His way of salvation],

whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and the glory in their shame, who mind earthly things.

For our country is in heaven; from where the Saviour for whom we are waiting will come, even the Lord Jesus Christ:

who, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself, will [not only] transform [but completely refashion] our earthly bodies so that they will be like His glorious resurrected body.

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.

Yes, I ask thee also, genuine yokefellow, help them--the women who labored with me in the good-news--with Clement also, and the rest of my co-workmen whose names are in the book of life.

Practice the things you learned, received, and heard from me, things that you saw me do, and then the God who gives us peace will be with you.

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last {you have renewed your concern for me}, for whom also you were thinking, but you had no opportunity [to express it].

Not that I speak concerning want; for I have learned, among whom I am, to be satisfied with my condition.

I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

Remember me to every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.

All the saints send their love to you, specially those who are of Caesar's house.