The Epistles · Chapter 1 of 4

Philippians 1

Paul writes with warmth and joy to the church at Philippi, thanking God for their partnership in the gospel and expressing confidence that God will complete the good work he began in them. He shares that his imprisonment has actually advanced the gospel. Torn between staying and departing to be with Christ, he chooses to remain for their sake, urging them to live worthy of the gospel and stand firm together.

What happens in Philippians 1

Paul and Timothy greet the saints at Philippi with grace and peace. Paul thanks God for them with joy and is confident that God, who began a good work in them, will complete it until the day of Christ. He prays that their love would abound in knowledge and discernment. Paul reports that his imprisonment has actually advanced the gospel: his bonds are known throughout the palace, and other believers have grown bold to speak the word. Some preach Christ from envy, others from love, yet Paul rejoices that Christ is preached either way.

His earnest hope is that Christ will be magnified in his body, whether by life or death, for to him to live is Christ and to die is gain. Torn between departing to be with Christ and remaining for their growth, he trusts he will stay. He urges them to live worthy of the gospel, standing fast in one spirit, unafraid of opponents, and willing to suffer for Christ.

Philippians 1 in context

Philippians is a joyful letter Paul wrote from prison to a beloved church he had planted in the Roman colony of Philippi. The Philippians had sent him support, and Paul writes partly to thank them and update them on his situation. Chapter one sets the tone of joy and partnership that runs through the letter, and reveals Paul's remarkable perspective on suffering, imprisonment, and even the prospect of death, all viewed through his consuming attachment to Christ.

Main themes of Philippians 1

Philippians 1 (KJV)

1Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. 8For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. 9And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. 12But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 19For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. 25And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. 27Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 30Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Verses to carry from Philippians 1

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”Philippians 1:6

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”Philippians 1:21

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”Philippians 1:27

Reflection

Paul shows that joy can survive prison when life is anchored in Christ rather than circumstances. Ask what truly defines your existence. If to live is Christ, then hardship becomes an occasion for the gospel and death itself becomes gain. Let your aim today be that Christ would be magnified in whatever you face.

A prayer from Philippians 1