Philippians 1

1From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus who live in Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons. 2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3Each time I remember you, I give thanks to my God. 4In every prayer I offer for all of you, I always pray with joy, 5because from the very first day until now you have been partners with me in the gospel. 6Of this I am convinced: the one who started a good work in you will keep working at it until it is finished on the day of Christ Jesus. 7It is only right for me to think this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart. All of you are partners with me in God’s grace, both in my chains and as I defend the gospel and show that it stands firm. 8God is my witness how much I long for every one of you with the deep love of Christ Jesus. 9And this is what I pray: that your love will overflow more and more, with full knowledge and every kind of insight, 10so that you can test and recognize what really matters. Then on the day of Christ you will be pure and free from stumbling, 11full of the fruit of righteousness that is produced through Jesus Christ, so that God receives glory and praise.

12I want you to understand, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has moved the gospel forward rather than holding it back. 13As a result, the whole imperial guard and everyone else here have come to see that I am in chains for the sake of Christ. 14And my chains have given most of the brothers and sisters confidence in the Lord, so that they dare to speak the word far more boldly and without fear.

15Some, to be sure, are proclaiming Christ from jealousy and a spirit of rivalry; others do it from goodwill. 16These act out of love, because they know I am stationed here to defend the gospel. 17The others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, with motives that are not pure. They think they can make my time in chains more painful. 18What does it matter? All that matters is that in every way, whether as a pretext or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will go on rejoicing, 19for I know that through your prayers and the help supplied by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will turn out for my salvation. 20I eagerly expect and hope that I will not be put to shame in anything. Instead, with all boldness, now as always, Christ will be shown to be great in my body, whether through my life or through my death. 21For me, living is Christ, and dying is gain. 22But if my life in the body continues, that means fruit from my work. So which would I choose? I cannot say. 23I am pulled in two directions. My desire is to leave this life and be with Christ, for that is far, far better. 24But for your sake it is more needful that I stay on in the body. 25Since I am sure of this, I know that I will stay, and stay on with all of you, to help you move forward and find joy in the faith. 26Then, when I come back to you, you will have even more reason to boast in Christ Jesus because of me.

27Just one thing: live as citizens in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am away and only hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side as one for the faith of the gospel, 28and not letting your opponents frighten you in any way. This courage is a sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and it comes from God. 29For God has given you the gift, for the sake of Christ, not only of believing in him but also of suffering for him. 30You are in the same contest that you once watched me face, and that you now hear I am facing still.