Philippians Chapter 1
Showing all 30 verses for Philippians Chapter 1.
The People's Bible is written by people, for the people. Each verse below shows:
"Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: "
"Paul and Timothy, who serve Jesus Christ, write to everyone in Philippi who follows Jesus faithfully, including the recognised leaders and helpers of that community."
I call people to serve one another rather than lord it over each other. When you lead - at work, at home, anywhere - lead as someone who serves those around you, not someone who demands to be served.
"Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. "
"May you receive undeserved kindness and inner peace, from God and from Jesus."
True peace doesn't come from proving yourself worthy first. I offer it freely - stop striving to earn what's already given to you.
"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, "
"Every time I think of you, I'm grateful."
Let the people in your life know they cross your mind with thankfulness, not just when you need something from them.
"Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, "
"Whenever I pray for all of you, I do it joyfully."
Do things for the people you care about with a light, joyful heart rather than a heavy sense of duty - it changes everything about how you show up for them.
"For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; "
"Because you've partnered with me in spreading this good news from the very beginning right up to now."
The relationships that matter aren't proven by grand gestures but by showing up for each other, again and again, over years.
"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: "
"I'm confident that whoever started this good work in you will keep at it until it's finished."
Don't judge yourself only by where you are today. If you've begun to change for the better, trust the process - real transformation takes time and isn't abandoned halfway.
"Even 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. "
"It's only right for me to feel this way about you, because you're in my heart - you've shared with me both in my imprisonment and in standing up for this message."
Be the friend who stays close when someone is going through their hardest chapter, not just their easiest one.
"For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. "
"God knows how much I long for all of you, with the deep affection of Jesus Christ himself."
Don't be afraid to feel deeply for people and say so. Genuine affection, openly expressed, is a strength, not a weakness.
"And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; "
"My prayer is that your love keeps growing, guided by good understanding and sound judgement."
Loving someone well sometimes means thinking clearly about what actually helps them, not just what feels good in the moment.
"That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; "
"So that you can recognise what really matters, and live with honest, clear integrity."
Don't settle for 'good enough' when something better and truer is available - take time to work out what actually matters most to you.
"Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. "
"Full of the good outcomes that right living produces, which come through Jesus, bringing honour to God."
Judge a life - including your own - not by good intentions alone but by what it actually produces for others.
"But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; "
"I want you to know that what's happened to me has actually helped spread this message further."
When life traps you somewhere you didn't choose, look for what good can still grow there - your circumstances don't get to decide your purpose.
"So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; "
"As a result, it's become known throughout the whole palace guard, and everywhere else, that I'm imprisoned because of Christ."
You don't need freedom or a big platform to have influence - how you carry hardship is itself a message people notice.
"And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. "
"Seeing my imprisonment has actually made many other believers more confident and bold in speaking out, without fear."
Your resilience in hard times isn't just for you - it gives other people quiet permission to be braver in their own lives.
"Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: "
"Some people are spreading this message out of jealousy and rivalry, while others do it with genuine good intentions."
Watch your own motives honestly. It's possible to do the right thing for the wrong reason - rivalry and ego can hide inside even generous-looking actions.
"The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: "
"Some do it out of rivalry, not sincerely, hoping to make my imprisonment even harder for me."
Expect that even people who seem to be 'on your side' can sometimes act from envy. Don't let that poison your own peace or purpose.
"But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. "
"But others do it out of love, understanding that I've been placed here to defend this message."
Don't let a few people's bad motives make you cynical about everyone. Notice and appreciate those who act out of real love.
"What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. "
"So what? Either way, whether out of fake motives or genuine ones, the message is getting out - and that makes me glad, and I'll keep being glad about it."
You can't control why other people do what they do - only how you respond. Choose peace over resentment whenever you genuinely can.
"For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, "
"I know all this will work out for my deliverance, thanks to your prayers and the help of Jesus's Spirit."
Never underestimate what it means to someone struggling just to know you're thinking of them and rooting for them, even from far away.
"According 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. "
"My hope and expectation is that I won't be ashamed of anything, but that I'll have the courage, now as always, to honour Christ with my whole life - whether I live or die."
Base your sense of purpose on how you live, not on which outcome you get. That's what makes you unshakeable, whatever happens to you.
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. "
"For me, living means following Christ, and dying would actually be a gain, not a loss."
When your life is built around something bigger than just staying comfortable or safe, even your greatest fears lose their grip on you.
"But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. "
"But if I go on living in this body, that means more fruitful work - so honestly, I don't know which I'd choose."
It's alright to be genuinely torn about big decisions. Wisdom isn't always instant clarity - sometimes it's sitting honestly with uncertainty.
"For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: "
"I'm torn between two options - part of me longs to leave this life and be with Christ, which would be far better."
It's healthy to long for rest and peace, but don't let that longing stop you from showing up for the people who still need you today.
"Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. "
"But it's more important for you that I stay alive."
Sometimes the most loving choice isn't what would feel best for you personally, but what will actually help the people who depend on you.
"And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; "
"Being sure of this, I know I'll remain with you, to help your faith grow and your joy increase."
Ask what your presence in someone's life is actually for - let it be there to help them grow and find joy, not just to be needed.
"That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. "
"So that when I come to you again, your joy in Christ will overflow even more because of it."
Don't take reunions with people you love for granted - they're genuine occasions for joy, worth looking forward to and savouring.
"Only let your 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; "
💡 Highlighted words feature Jacobean 1611 tooltips to clarify shifted 17th-century English terms.
"Just make sure your everyday conduct matches this message - so that whether I'm there to see it or just hear about it, I know you're standing firm together, united in spirit and purpose."
Live the same way whether people are watching or not - real character shows up in what you do when no one's checking.
"And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. "
"Don't be frightened by those who oppose you - your calm courage is a sign of their coming downfall and your deliverance, and that's from God."
Don't let anyone's attempt to scare or intimidate you take root. Calm courage in the face of opposition speaks louder than fighting back in fear.
"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to for his sake; "
💡 Highlighted words feature Jacobean 1611 tooltips to clarify shifted 17th-century English terms.
"You've been given the privilege, for Christ's sake, not only to trust him but also to face hardship for his cause."
If living by your values costs you something, that's not proof you're doing it wrong - sometimes it's proof you're doing it right.
"Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. "
"You're facing the same struggle you once saw me go through, and now hear that I'm still going through."
The best support you can give someone struggling is to let them know they're not facing it alone - that you've walked, or are walking, a similar road.