Thanks Giving
PAUL and Timothy, the bond-servants of Jesus Christ, to all the holy people of Christ Jesus which are in Philippi, with the overseers and servants:
2 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 ¶ I thank my God on every remembrance of you,
4 At all times, in every prayer of mine, for you all: making request with joy,
5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
6 Being confident of this very thing: that he which has begun a good work in you will complete it, up until the day of Jesus Christ:
7 ¶ Just as it is right for me to think this for all of you, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partakers of my grace.
8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all in the affection of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;
10 That you may approve the things that have worth; and that you may be sincere and blameless till the day of Christ;
11 Being complete with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, for the glory and praise of God.
The Gospel is Preached
12 ¶ And I want you to know brothers: that the things which happened to me, have rather happened to advance the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are made known within all the praetorian guard, and to all the others;
14 And that many of the brothers in the Lord, persuaded by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 ¶ Some on the one hand even preach Christ because of envy and strife; but some also of good will:
16 Those that preach Christ of selfish ambition, not sincerely, suppose to add affliction to my bonds:
17 But the others of love, knowing that I am restrained for the defence of the gospel.
18 ¶ What then? Notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
19 For I know that this will lead to my salvation through your prayer, and the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 According to my earnest expectation and hope: that in nothing will I be put to shame; rather, that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether through life, or through death.
To Live or To Die?
21 ¶ For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 Now if I live in the flesh, my labour will continue to bear fruit: yet what to choose I do not know.
23 For I am conflicted between the two; having the desire to depart, and be with Christ; which is far better:
24 But to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.
25 And having this conviction, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all, for your advancement, and joy of the faith;
26 That your reason for boasting in Jesus Christ may abound through me, in my coming to you again.
27 ¶ Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that if I come and see you, or else am absent; that I may hear of you, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, contending together for the faith of the gospel.
28 And in nothing intimidated by your opponents: which on the one hand, is proof of their destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
29 For you it is given freely, on the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him;
30 Having the same struggle which you saw of me, and now hear of me.