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THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE
PHILIPPIANS.
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CHAPTER 1.
AUL and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the
saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops
and deacons:
2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and
from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request
with joy,
5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until
now;
"Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality
(Rom., 12:13)."
"But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain
contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem
(Rom., 15:25, 26)."
"Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on
the churches of Macedonia;
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and
their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their
power they were willing of themselves;
Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and
take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints
(II. Cor., 8:1-4)."
"Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my
affliction.
Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when
I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning
giving and receiving, but ye only (Phil., 4:14, 15)."
6 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:
7 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.
8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the
bowels of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more
in knowledge and in all judgment;
"And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward
another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you
(I. Thess., 3:12)."
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may
be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by
Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
"For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and
righteousness and truth (Eph., 5:9)."
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things
which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the
furtherance of the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace,
and in all other places;
"And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that
hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except
these bonds (Acts, 26:29)."
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my
bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some
also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely,
supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence
of the gospel.
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18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence,
or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea,
and will rejoice.
19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your
prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the
Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of
Christ, he is none of his.
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin;
but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in
you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your
mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you (Rom., 8:9-11)."
20 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.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
"Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are
at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord (II. Cor., 5:6)."
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my
labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart,
and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for
you.
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and
continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for
me by my coming to you again.
27 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;
"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being
fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God
(Col., 1:10)."
"God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of
his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that
ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions
among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same
mind and in the same judgment (I. Cor., 1:9, 10)."
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps
(I. Pet., 2:21)."
"He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as
he walked (I. Jno., 2:6)."
"Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one
toward another according to Christ Jesus:
That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom., 15:5, 6)."
28 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.
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only
to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye
believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins
(Jno., 8:24)."
30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear
to be in me.
CHAPTER 2.
F there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any
comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels
and mercies,
"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one
mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you
(II. Cor., 13:11)."
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same
love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in
lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on
the things of others.
"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil;
cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in
honour preferring one another (Rom., 12:9, 10)."
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
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"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls (Matt., 11:29)."
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be
equal with God:
"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which
believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is
the image of God, should shine unto them (II. Cor., 4:3, 4)."
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form
of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
"But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of
the people (Ps., 22:6)."
"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted
with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was
despised, and we esteemed him not (Isa., 53:3)."
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace
and truth (Jno., 1:14)."
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and
became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I
might take it again.
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to
lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have
I received of my Father (Jno., 10:17, 18)."
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a
name which is above every name:
"This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received
of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath shed forth this,
which ye now see and hear (Acts, 2:32, 33)."
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things
in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
"Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set
him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and
every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that
which is to come (Eph., 1:20, 21)."
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ
is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
"Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am
(Jno., 13:13)."
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in
my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your
own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of
his good pleasure.
"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of
ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God (II. Cor., 3:5)."
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God,
without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,
among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what
we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like
him; for we shall see him as he is (I. Jno., 3:2)."
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the
day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in
vain.
17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of
your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto
you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for
your state.
21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus
Christ's.
"Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth
(I. Cor., 10:24)."
22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the
father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
23 Him therefore I hope to send
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presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come
shortly.
25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my
brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your
messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness,
because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on
him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have
sorrow upon sorrow.
28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see
him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and
hold such in reputation:
30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not
regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
CHAPTER 3.
INALLY, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to
you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is
safe.
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the
concision.
"But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not
consumed one of another (Gal., 5:15)."
3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit,
and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any
other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the
flesh, I more:
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor
uncircumcision, but a new creature (Gal., 6:15)."
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the
tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law,
a Pharisee;
"And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every
man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought
with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed
(Gen., 17:22)."
"For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel,
nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both (Acts, 23:8)."
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the
righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
"For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews'
religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and
wasted it:
And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own
nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers
(Gal., 1:13, 14)."
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for
Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the
excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I
have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but
dung, that I may win Christ,
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the
which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and
selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field (Matt., 13:44)."
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which
is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is of God by faith:
"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they
might be saved.
For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according
to knowledge.
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to
establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto
the righteousness of God.
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one
that believeth.
For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the
man which doeth those things shall live by them (Rom., 10:1-5)."
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and
the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his
death;
"It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we
shall also live with him:
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny
him, he also will deny us (II. Tim., 2:11, 12)."
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the
dead.
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12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already
perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for
which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this
one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and
reaching forth unto those things which are before,
"And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God
unto our fathers:
Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving
God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king
Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should
raise the dead (Acts, 26:6-8)?"
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of
God in Christ Jesus.
"And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough,
and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God (Luke, 9:62)."
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your
labour is not in vain in the Lord (I. Cor., 15:58)."
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and
if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even
this unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk
by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
"And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them,
and mercy, and upon the Israel of God (Gal., 6:16)."
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which
walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
"We then, as workers together with him, beseech
you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain
(II. Cor., 6:1)."
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell
you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of
Christ:
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the
world (Gal., 6:14)."
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and
whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
"For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own
belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the
simple (Rom., 16:18)."
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look
for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
"And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all
things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets
since the world began (Acts, 3:20, 21)."
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned
like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he
is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we
shall all be changed,
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the
trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we
shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal
must put on immortality (I. Cor., 15:51-53)."
CHAPTER 4.
HEREFORE, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown,
so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
"For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels
of Jesus Christ (Phil., 1:8)."
"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be
formed in you (Gal., 4:19)."
2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the
same mind in the Lord.
3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women
which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and
with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of
life.
"I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church
which is at Cenchrea:
That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist
her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a
succourer of many, and of myself also.
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Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I
give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles
(Rom., 16:1-4)."
"Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto
you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven
(Luke, 10:20)."
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at
hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known
unto God.
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and
watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all
saints (Eph., 6:18)."
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall
keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if
there be any praise, think on these things.
"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and
to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to
patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity
(II. Pet., 1:5-7)."
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and
heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with
you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last
your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also
careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in
whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound:
every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and
to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who
can be against us (Rom., 8:31)?"
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (I. Pet., 5:7)."
14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate
with my affliction.
15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the
gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated
with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my
necessity.
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may
abound to your account.
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of
Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a
sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his
riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of
love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered
to the saints, and do minister (Heb., 6:10)."
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are
with me greet you.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new
(II. Cor., 5:17)."
22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's
household.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
¶ It was written to the Philippians from Rome by Epaphroditus.
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