Greeting
1 From Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all in Philippi set apart with Christ, together with the guardians and servants: 2 Favor and peace to you from God our Father and Master Jesus Christ!
Gratitude and prayer
3 I thank my God every time I think of you, 4 always making requests for your sakes with great joy, 5 because of your partnership in the good news from the first day until now. 6 And I am confident that the One who initiated a good work in you will keep making installments on it to the very Day of Christ Jesus.
7 It is appropriate for me to have this attitude toward all of you, because you have all kept me in your hearts, whether I was in prison or defending and confirming the good news. You are all equal partners with me of this favor, 8 for God is my witness that I ache for you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. 9 And I pray that your love will overflow more and more in understanding and perception 10 so that you can test various things, being sincere and inoffensive all the way up to the Day of Christ, 11 and being filled with righteousness by means of Jesus Christ— to the honor and praise of God!
Persecution advances the good news
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has in fact served to advance the good news, 13 because it became obvious to the whole palace guard and everyone else that my imprisonment was only because of Christ. 14 Not only that, but now most of those who trust the Master, seeing my imprisonment, have become bold, daring to fearlessly spread the Word. 15 Of course, some proclaim Christ only to stir up trouble or try to make me envy them, but others do so out of love 16 because they know I’m here for defending the good news. 17 Some tell about Christ only because they think they can make things worse for me here in prison, 18 but so what? The most important thing is that no matter what the method or motivation, Christ is being proclaimed, and that’s a good thing.
And I continue to be happy 19 because I know that I will be rescued eventually, through your requests and the supply of the Spirit of Christ Jesus. 20 It is my greatest hope that I will have nothing to be ashamed of but will go on boldly as always. And now Christ will be more greatly honored in my body, whether through life or death. 21 For while I am alive I have Christ, yet if I die I have even more, 22 but on the other hand if I am to go on living in the flesh I can still get work done. I don’t know which is better! 23 I am torn between the two: to break away and be together with Christ (which would definitely be better for me), 24 or to stay in the flesh (which is better for you). 25 Yet I am completely confident that I will stay and be with you all, for your progress and the joy of the faith, 26 so that your boasting about Christ Jesus will overflow due to my coming to you again.
High standards for believers
27 The most important thing is that you are worthy citizens of the good news of Christ, so that whether I come to see you or not, I hear that you stand firm in one spirit and soul, contending side-by-side for the faith of the good news. 28 Don’t be spooked by those who oppose you, by which they prove their condemnation and your acquittal by God. 29 For you have been graciously given, for Christ’s sake, not only to put your trust in him but also to suffer for him, 30 having the same struggle you saw and heard that I have.