The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians , Chapter 1 . We , Paul and Timothy , are writing this letter . We serve Christ Jesus . We are sending this letter to you all , god's holy people in Philippi . You belong to Christ Jesus . We are also sending this letter to your leaders and deacons . May God , our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ , give you grace and peace .
I thank my God . Every time I remember you In all my prayers . For all of you , I always pray with joy . I am happy because you have joined me in spreading the good news . You have done so from the first day until now . God began a good work in you and I am sure that he will carry it on until it is completed .
That will be on the day Christ Jesus returns . It is right for me to feel this way about all of you . I love you with all my heart . I may be held by chains or I may be standing up for the truth of the good news . Either way , all of you share in God's grace together with me . God is my witness that I long for all of you .
I love you with the love that Christ Jesus gives . Long for all of you . I love you with the love that Christ Jesus gives . I pray that your love will grow more and more and let it be based on knowledge and understanding . Then you will be able to know what is best . Then you will be pure and without blame .
For the day that Christ returns , you will be filled with the fruit of right living produced by Jesus Christ . All these things bring glory and praise to God . Brothers and sisters , here is what I want you to know . What has happened to me has actually helped to spread the good news .
One thing has become clear I am being held by chains because I am a witness for Christ All the palace guards and everyone else know it and because I am a prisoner . Most of the believers have become bolder in the Lord . They now dare even more to preach the good news without fear .
It's true that some preach about Christ because they are jealous , but others preach about Christ to help me in my work . The last group acts out of love . They know I have been put here to be a witness for the good news . But the others preach about Christ only to get ahead . They preach Christ for the wrong reasons .
They think they can stir up trouble for me while I am being held by chains . But what does it matter ? Here is the important thing . Whether for right or wrong reasons , Christ is being preached about . That makes me very glad and I will continue to be glad . I know that you are praying for me .
I also know that God will give me the Spirit of Jesus Christ to help me . So , no matter what happens , I'm sure I will still be set free . I completely expect and hope that I won't be ashamed in any way . I'm sure I will be brave enough . Now as always , Christ will receive glory because of what happens to me .
He will receive glory whether I live or die . For me , life finds all its meaning in Christ . Death also has its benefits . Suppose I go on living in my body , then I will be able to carry on my work . It will bear a lot of fruit . But what should I choose ? I don't know . I can't decide between the two .
I long to leave this world and be with Christ . That is better by far . But it is more important for you that I stay alive . I'm sure of this . So I know I will remain with you and I will continue with all of you to help you grow in your faith . I will also continue to help you be joyful in what you have been taught .
I'm sure I will be with you again . Then you will be able to boast in Christ Jesus even more because of me . To boast in Christ Jesus even more because of me , no matter what happens . Live in a way that brings honor to the good news about Christ . Then I will know that you remain strong , together in the one spirit .
I will know this if I come and see you or only hear about you . I will know that you work together as one person . I will know that you work to spread the teachings about the good news . So don't be afraid in any way of those who oppose you . This will show them that they will be destroyed and that you will be saved . That's what God will do .
Here is what he has given you to do for Christ . You must not only believe in him , you must also suffer for him . You are going through the same struggle you saw me go through , as you have heard . I am still struggling .