Philippians 1

1 Paul and Timotheus, bondmen of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with [the] overseers and ministers;

This letter comes from Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all God's people in Christ Jesus living in Philippi, and to the church leaders and assistants.

2 grace to you, and peace from God our Father and [the] Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 I thank my God for my whole remembrance of you,

When I think of you I'm so thankful to my God,

4 constantly in my every supplication, making the supplication for you all with joy,

and I'm always glad to remember all of you in my prayers,

5 because of your fellowship with the gospel, from the first day until now;

because you've been partners with me in spreading the good news right from the beginning up till now.

6 having confidence of this very thing, that he who has begun in you a good work will complete it unto Jesus Christ's day:

I'm absolutely sure that God who began this good work in you will continue working and bring it to a successful conclusion when Jesus Christ returns.

7 as 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.

It's appropriate for me to be thinking this way about all of you because you mean so much to me. Whether I'm in prison or out there making the good news clear, all of you share God's grace together with me.

8 For God is my witness how I long after you all in [the] bowels of Christ Jesus.

God is my witness as to my great affection for every one of you in the caring love of Christ Jesus.

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in full knowledge and all intelligence,

My prayer is that your love may grow more and more in knowledge and understanding,

10 that 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,

so that you can work out what's really important. That way you can be genuine and blameless when Christ returns,

11 being complete as regards the fruit of righteousness, which [is] by Jesus Christ, to God's glory and praise.

filled with the fruits of living right that come through Jesus Christ and give glory and praise to God.

12 But I would have you know, brethren, that the circumstances in which I am have turned out rather to the furtherance of the glad tidings,

I want you to know, my brothers and sisters, that all I've experienced has worked out to move the good news forward!

13 so that my bonds have become manifest [as being] in Christ in all the praetorium and to all others;

For everyone—including the whole praetorian guard—now knows that I'm in chains for Christ;

14 and that the most of the brethren, trusting in [the] Lord through my bonds, dare more abundantly to speak the word of God fearlessly.

and because of my chains most of the Christians here have been encouraged to speak God's word boldly and fearlessly!

15 Some indeed also for envy and strife, but some also for good will, preach the Christ.

Yes, some speak out of jealousy and rivalry. However, there are those who speak from good motives.

16 These indeed out of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the glad tidings;

They act out of love, because they know that I'm meant to be here to defend the good news.

17 but those out of contention, announce the Christ, not purely, supposing to arouse tribulation for my bonds.

Those others present Christ deceptively because of their selfish ambitions, trying to cause me problems in my imprisonment.

18 What 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;

But so what? All I care about is that Christ is presented every which way, whether just pretending or whether from true convictions. That's what makes me happy—and I will go on being happy!

19 for I know that this shall turn out for me to salvation, through your supplication and [the] supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ;

Why? Because I'm convinced that through your prayers for me, and through the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will turn out to be my salvation.

20 according 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.

For it's my strongest hope and expectation not to do anything of which I would be ashamed. Instead it's my bold hope, as always, that even now Christ will be greatly honored through me, whether I live or die.

21 For for me to live [is] Christ, and to die gain;

As far as I'm concerned, living is for Christ, and dying brings gain.

22 but if to live in flesh [is my lot], this is for me worth the while: and what I shall choose I cannot tell.

But if I'm to go on living here and this would be productive work, then I really don't know what's best to choose!

23 But I am pressed by both, having the desire for departure and being with Christ, [for] [it is] very much better,

For I'm in a dilemma—I really want to leave and be with Christ, which would be far better,

24 but remaining in the flesh [is] more necessary for your sakes;

and yet to remain physically here is more important as far you're concerned.

25 and having confidence of this, I know that I shall remain and abide along with you all, for your progress and joy in faith;

Since I'm absolutely sure of this, I know that I'll stay here, remaining with you all to help you as your trust and delight in God grows,

26 that your boasting may abound in Christ Jesus through me by my presence again with you.

so that when I see you again your praise to Christ Jesus may be even greater because of me.

27 Only 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;

Just be sure that the way you live your lives corresponds to the good news of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or not I can get to hear how you're doing—that you stand firm in full agreement with one another, spiritually united as you work together for the trusting faith of the good news.

28 and not frightened in anything by the opposers, which is to them a demonstration of destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God;

Don't let your enemies scare you. By being brave you will demonstrate to them that they will be lost, but that God himself will save you.

29 because to you has been given, as regards Christ, not only the believing on him but the suffering for him also,

For you have been given the privilege not only of trusting in Jesus, but suffering for him as well.

30 having the same conflict which ye have seen in me, and now hear of in me.

You're experiencing the same struggle you saw me having—a struggle I still have, as you now know.