Greetings from Paul

(2 Samuel 6:12-15; 1 Chronicles 15:1-14; Colossians 1:1-2)

1Paul and Timotheus, bondmen of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with [the] overseers and ministers; 2grace to you, and peace from God our Father and [the] Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

(1 Corinthians 1:4-9; Colossians 1:3-14; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4)

3I thank my God for my whole remembrance of you, 4constantly in my every supplication, making the supplication for you all with joy, 5because of your fellowship with the gospel, from the first day until now; 6having confidence of this very thing, that he who has begun in you a good work will complete it unto Jesus Christ's day: 7as it is righteous for me to think this as to you all, because ye have me in your hearts, and that both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the glad tidings ye are all participators in my grace. 8For God is my witness how I long after you all in [the] bowels of Christ Jesus. 9And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in full knowledge and all intelligence, 10that ye may judge of and approve the things that are more excellent, in order that ye may be pure and without offence for Christ's day, 11being complete as regards the fruit of righteousness, which [is] by Jesus Christ, to God's glory and praise.

Paul's Trials Advance the Gospel

(James 1:2-8)

12But I would have you know, brethren, that the circumstances in which I am have turned out rather to the furtherance of the glad tidings, 13so that my bonds have become manifest [as being] in Christ in all the praetorium and to all others; 14and that the most of the brethren, trusting in [the] Lord through my bonds, dare more abundantly to speak the word of God fearlessly. 15Some indeed also for envy and strife, but some also for good will, preach the Christ. 16These indeed out of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the glad tidings; 17but those out of contention, announce the Christ, not purely, supposing to arouse tribulation for my bonds. 18What is it then? at any rate, in every way, whether in pretext or in truth, Christ is announced; and in this I rejoice, yea, also I will rejoice; 19for I know that this shall turn out for me to salvation, through your supplication and [the] supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ; 20according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but in all boldness, as always, now also Christ shall be magnified in my body whether by life or by death.

To Live is Christ

21For for me to live [is] Christ, and to die gain; 22but if to live in flesh [is my lot], this is for me worth the while: and what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23But I am pressed by both, having the desire for departure and being with Christ, [for] [it is] very much better, 24but remaining in the flesh [is] more necessary for your sakes; 25and having confidence of this, I know that I shall remain and abide along with you all, for your progress and joy in faith; 26that your boasting may abound in Christ Jesus through me by my presence again with you.

Be Worthy of the Gospel

27Only conduct yourselves worthily of the glad tidings of the Christ, in order that whether coming and seeing you, or absent, I may hear of what concerns you, that ye stand firm in one spirit, with one soul, labouring together in the same conflict with the faith of the glad tidings; 28and not frightened in anything by the opposers, which is to them a demonstration of destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God; 29because to you has been given, as regards Christ, not only the believing on him but the suffering for him also, 30having the same conflict which ye have seen in me, and now hear of in me.