Philippians 1:12-30
Read Philippians 1 in full →The Progress of the Gospel
12Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances ahave turned out for the greater progress of the bgospel, 13so that my achains in Christ have become well known throughout the whole 1praetorian guard and to beveryone else, 14and that most of the 1brothers, having become confident in the Lord because of my achains, have bfar more courage to speak the word of God without fear. 15aSome, to be sure, are preaching Christ even 1from envy and strife, but some also 2from good will; 16the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the agospel; 17the former proclaim Christ aout of selfish ambition 1rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me affliction in my bchains. 18What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 19for I know that athis will turn out for my salvation bthrough your 1prayers and the provision of cthe Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20according to my aearnest expectation and bhope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with call boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be dmagnified in my body, ewhether by life or by death.
To Live Is Christ
21For to me, ato live is Christ and to die is gain. 221But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean afruitful labor for me; and I do not know what I will choose. 23But I am hard-pressed 1between the two, having the adesire to depart and bbe with Christ, for that is very much better, 24yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25aAnd convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy 1in the faith, 26so that your reason for aboasting may abound in Christ Jesus in me, through my coming to you again.
27Only 1live your lives in a manner aworthy of the bgospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about your circumstances, that you are cstanding firm in done spirit, with one 2mind econtending together for the faith of the gospel, 28in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a asign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. 29For to you ait has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to bsuffer for His sake, 30having the same astruggle which byou saw in me, and now hear to be in me.