Philippians 1

What’s happening

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, write to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: grace and peace. Paul thanks God every time he remembers them, always praying with joy for their partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, "being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." It is right for him to think this of them all, because he holds them in his heart, since both in his imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel they are all partakers with him of grace. God is his witness how he longs for them all "with the affection of Christ Jesus." His prayer is that their love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment, so that they may approve the things that are excellent and be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness. Then Paul reports his circumstances: what has happened to him has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that his imprisonment is for Christ, and most of the brothers have become confident in the Lord because of it and dare to speak the word without fear. Some preach Christ from envy and rivalry, others from goodwill; some out of love, knowing he is put here for the defense of the gospel, others out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking to cause him trouble in his imprisonment. "What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice." He knows this will turn out for his deliverance through their prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, as it is his eager expectation and hope that he will not be ashamed but that Christ will be honored in his body, whether by life or by death. "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." If he is to live on in the flesh, that means fruitful labor, and he does not know which to choose; he is hard pressed between the two: his desire is to depart and be with Christ, which is far better, but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for them. Convinced of this, he knows that he will remain and continue with them all for their progress and joy in the faith, so that their boasting in Christ Jesus may abound because of him when he comes to them again. Only let their manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether he comes and sees them or is absent, he may hear of them that they are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by their opponents, which is a sign of destruction for them but of salvation for the Philippians, from God. "For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf, having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me."

Who’s in this chapter

Talk it through

1. Paul says he is "confident that he who began a good work in you will complete it." What gives him that confidence?
2. He rejoices even when some preach Christ from rivalry. What does that say about what matters most to him?
3. "To live is Christ and to die is gain." What do you notice about how he actually decides between the two?
4. He says it has been "granted" to them both to believe and to suffer for Christ. How does he make suffering sound like a gift?