Philippians1

Paul and Timotheus greet the Philippian saints, expressing gratitude for their fellowship in the gospel and confidence in God's work among them. Paul prays for their abounding love, knowledge, and righteousness, then explains how his imprisonment has furthered the gospel, causing him to rejoice that Christ is preached. He declares, "to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain," yet chooses to remain for their spiritual benefit, urging them to stand firm in unity against adversaries.

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Greeting and Salutation

¶ Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

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

Thanksgiving for the Philippians' Partnership

¶ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

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

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:

¶ 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.

For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Spiritual Discernment and Growth

¶ And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Paul's Imprisonment Advances the Gospel

¶ But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

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.

To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain

¶ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

Exhortation to Live Worthy of the Gospel

¶ 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;

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.

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Study Notes for Philippians 1

Verse 1

The inclusion of 'bishops' (overseers/elders) and 'deacons' suggests an organized church structure already existed in Philippi, one of the earliest established churches in Europe.

Verse 5

The word 'fellowship' (Greek: *koinonia*) signifies a deep and active partnership in the spread of the gospel, demonstrated by the Philippians’ financial and practical support of Paul’s ministry.

Verse 6

This verse expresses Paul’s theological certainty regarding God’s faithfulness. The 'good work' (sanctification and spiritual maturity) begun by God will be completed at Christ’s return ('the day of Jesus Christ').

Verse 7

Paul affirms that the Philippians share in his 'grace' (the favor and strength given for ministry), evidenced by their support of him during his imprisonment ('bonds') and his legal work of gospel defense.

Verse 9

Paul prays that their love will not be sentimental, but informed by 'knowledge' and 'judgment' (practical ethical insight), allowing them to make wise moral choices and distinguish good from evil.

Verse 12

Paul addresses the natural concern of the Philippians regarding his imprisonment, assuring them that his suffering has paradoxically served to advance the gospel rather than hinder it.

Verse 13

The 'palace' (Greek: *Praitorion*) likely refers to the barracks of the Praetorian Guard in Rome, where Paul was confined. His chains became a famous testimony within the emperor’s elite military unit.

Verse 15

Paul acknowledges that some preachers were motivated by rivalry and malicious intent, perhaps hoping their success would exacerbate Paul’s suffering while he was sidelined.

Verse 18

This statement reveals Paul’s Christocentric focus: the character of the message (Christ preached) outweighs the impure motives of the messenger, allowing him to rejoice regardless of the circumstances.

Verse 20

'Christ shall be magnified in my body' is Paul’s ultimate ambition. Whether he lives to continue his mission or dies as a martyr, his physical existence is solely for displaying the greatness of Christ.

Verse 21

This foundational verse summarizes Paul's entire worldview: life has meaning only insofar as it is devoted to Christ, and death is 'gain' because it brings immediate union with him.

Verse 23

Paul expresses the tension between his personal desire for eternal reward ('to be with Christ') and his vocational duty to the church ('to abide in the flesh is more needful for you').

Verse 27

The phrase 'let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel' uses the Greek word *politeuomai*, meaning 'to live as a citizen.' Paul urges them to conduct themselves as citizens of the heavenly commonwealth.

Verse 29

Paul views suffering not as a misfortune, but as a divine gift (a privilege) granted to believers. It is an integral part of the Christian life, linking them directly to Christ’s experience.

Verse 30

The Philippians are encouraged by realizing that the opposition they face is the 'same conflict' (Greek: *agōn*) that Paul endured while he was first establishing their church (Acts 16) and which he now suffers in Rome.

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Philippians1

Greeting and Salutation

Thanksgiving for the Philippians' Partnership

Prayer for Spiritual Discernment and Growth

Paul's Imprisonment Advances the Gospel

To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain

Exhortation to Live Worthy of the Gospel

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