Philippians 1

Thanksgiving

1 ¹Paul and ²Timothy, ³bond-servants of ⁴Christ Jesus, To ⁵all the ^[a]6saints in Christ Jesus who are in ⁷Philippi, ^[b]including the ⁸overseers and ⁹deacons:

2 ¹⁰Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 ¹¹I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

4 always offering prayer with joy in ¹²my every prayer for you all,

5 in view of your ^[c]13participation in the ¹⁴gospel ¹⁵from the first day until now.

6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until ¹⁶the day of Christ Jesus.

7 ^[d]For ¹⁷it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I ¹⁸have you in my heart, since both in my ^[e]19imprisonment and in the ²⁰defense and confirmation of the ²¹gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.

8 For ²²God is my witness, how I long for you all with the ^[f]affection of ²³Christ Jesus.

9 And this I pray, that ²⁴your love may abound still more and more in ²⁵real knowledge and all discernment,

10 so that you may ^[g]26approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless ^[h]until ²⁷the day of Christ;

11 having been filled with the ²⁸fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

The Gospel Is Preached

12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances * ²⁹have turned out for the greater progress of the ³⁰gospel,

13 so that my ^[i]31imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole ^[j]praetorian guard and to ³²everyone else,

14 and that most of the ^[k]brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my ^[l]33imprisonment, have ³⁴far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.

15 ³⁵Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even ^[m]from envy and strife, but some also ^[n]from good will;

16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the ³⁶gospel;

17 the former * proclaim Christ ³⁷out of selfish ambition ^[o]rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my ^[p]38imprisonment.

18 What 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,

19 for I know that this will turn out for my ^[q]deliverance ³⁹through your ^[r]prayers and the provision of ⁴⁰the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

20 according to my ⁴¹earnest expectation and ⁴²hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with ⁴³all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be ⁴⁴exalted in my body, ⁴⁵whether by life or by death.

To Live Is Christ

21 For to me, ⁴⁶to live is Christ and to die is gain.

22 ^[s]But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean ⁴⁷fruitful labor for me; and I do not know ^[t]which to choose.

23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the ⁴⁸desire to depart and ⁴⁹be with Christ, for that is very much better;

24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.

25 ⁵⁰Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy ^[u]in the faith,

26 so that your ⁵¹proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner ⁵²worthy of the ⁵³gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are ⁵⁴standing firm in ⁵⁵one spirit, with one ^[v]mind ⁵⁶striving together for the faith of the gospel;

28 in no way alarmed by your opponents -which is a ⁵⁷sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.

29 For to you ⁵⁸it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to ⁵⁹suffer for His sake,

30 experiencing the same ⁶⁰conflict which ⁶¹you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Philippians 1 Commentary

Chapter 1

The Philippians felt a very deep interest for the apostle. The scope of the epistle is to confirm them in the faith, to encourage them to walk as becomes the gospel of Christ, to caution them against judaizing teachers, and to express gratitude for their Christian bounty. This epistle is the only one, among those written by St. Paul, in which no censures are implied or expressed. Full commendation and confidence are in every part, and the Philippians are addressed with a peculiar affection, which every serious reader will perceive.

The apostle offers up thanksgivings and prayers, for the good work of grace in the Philippians. (1-7) He expresses affection, and prays for them. (8-11) Fortifies them against being cast down at his sufferings. (12-20) He stood prepared for glorifying Christ by life, or death. (21-26) Exhortations to zeal, and constancy in professing the gospel. (27-30)

Verses 1-7 The highest honour of the most eminent ministers is, to be servants of Christ. And those who are not really saints on earth, never will be saints in heaven. Out of Christ, the best saints are sinners, and unable to stand before God. There is no peace without grace. Inward peace springs from a sense of Divine favour. And there is no grace and peace but from God our Father, the fountain and origin of all blessings. At Philippi the apostle was evil entreated, and saw little fruit of his labour; yet he remembers Philippi with joy. We must thank our God for the graces and comforts, gifts and usefulness of others, as we receive the benefit, and God receives the glory. The work of grace will never be perfected till the day of Jesus Christ, the day of his appearance. But we may always be confident God will perform his good work, in every soul wherein he has really begun it by regeneration; though we must not trust in outward appearances, nor in any thing but a new creation to holiness. People are dear to their ministers, when they receive benefit by their ministry. Fellow-sufferers in the cause of God should be dear one to another.

Verses 8-11 Shall not we pity and love those souls whom Christ loves and pities? Those who abound in any grace, need to abound more. Try things which differ; that we may approve the things which are excellent. The truths and laws of Christ are excellent; and they recommend themselves as such to any attentive mind. Sincerity is that in which we should have our conversation in the world, and it is the glory of all our graces. Christians should not be apt to take offence, and should be very careful not to offend God or the brethren. The things which most honour God will most benefit us. Let us not leave it doubtful whether any good fruit is found in us or not. A small measure of Christian love, knowledge, and fruitfulness should not satisfy any.

Verses 12-20 The apostle was a prisoner at Rome; and to take off the offence of the cross, he shows the wisdom and goodness of God in his sufferings. These things made him known, where he would never have otherwise been known; and led some to inquire after the gospel. He suffered from false friends, as well as from enemies. How wretched the temper of those who preached Christ out of envy and contention, and to add affliction to the bonds that oppressed this best of men! The apostle was easy in the midst of all. Since our troubles may tend to the good of many, we ought to rejoice. Whatever turns to our salvation, is by the Spirit of Christ; and prayer is the appointed means of seeking for it. Our earnest expectation and hope should not be to be honoured of men, or to escape the cross, but to be upheld amidst temptation, contempt, and affliction. Let us leave it to Christ, which way he will make us serviceable to his glory, whether by labour or suffering, by diligence or patience, by living to his honour in working for him, or dying to his honour in suffering for him.

Verses 21-26 Death is a great loss to a carnal, worldly man, for he loses all his earthly comforts and all his hopes; but to a true believer it is gain, for it is the end of all his weakness and misery. It delivers him from all the evils of life, and brings him to possess the chief good. The apostle's difficulty was not between living in this world and living in heaven; between these two there is no comparison; but between serving Christ in this world and enjoying him in another. Not between two evil things, but between two good things; living to Christ and being with him. See the power of faith and of Divine grace; it can make us willing to die. In this world we are compassed with sin; but when with Christ, we shall escape sin and temptation, sorrow and death, for ever. But those who have most reason to desire to depart, should be willing to remain in the world as long as God has any work for them to do. And the more unexpected mercies are before they come, the more of God will be seen in them.

Verses 27-30 Those who profess the gospel of Christ, should live as becomes those who believe gospel truths, submit to gospel laws, and depend upon gospel promises. The original word "conversation" denotes the conduct of citizens who seek the credit, safety, peace, and prosperity of their city. There is that in the faith of the gospel, which is worth striving for; there is much opposition, and there is need of striving. A man may sleep and go to hell; but he who would go to heaven, must look about him and be diligent. There may be oneness of heart and affection among Christians, where there is diversity of judgment about many things. Faith is God's gift on the behalf of Christ; the ability and disposition to believe are from God. And if we suffer reproach and loss for Christ, we are to reckon them a gift, and prize them accordingly. Yet salvation must not be ascribed to bodily afflictions, as though afflictions and worldly persecutions deserved it; but from God only is salvation: faith and patience are his gifts.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Corinthians 1:1
• 2. Acts 16:1
• 3. Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:10
• 4. Galatians 3:26
• 5. 2 Corinthians 1:1; Colossians 1:2
• 6. Acts 9:13
• 7. Acts 16:12
• 8. Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1; Titus 1:7
• 9. 1 Timothy 3:8f
• 10. Romans 1:7
• 11. Romans 1:8
• 12. Romans 1:9
• 13. Acts 2:42; Philippians 4:15
• 14. Philippians 1:7; Philippians 2:22; Philippians 4:3, 15
• 15. Acts 16:12-40; Philippians 2:12; Philippians 4:15
• 16. 1 Corinthians 1:8; Philippians 1:10; Philippians 2:16
• 17. 2 Peter 1:13
• 18. 2 Corinthians 7:3
• 19. Acts 21:33; Ephesians 6:20; Phil 1:13f, 17
• 20. Philippians 1:16
• 21. Phil 1:5, 12, 16, 27; Philippians 2:22; Philippians 4:3, 15
• 22. Romans 1:9
• 23. Galatians 3:26
• 24. 1 Thessalonians 3:12
• 25. Colossians 1:9
• 26. Romans 2:18
• 27. 1 Corinthians 1:8; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 2:16
• 28. James 3:18
• 29. Luke 21:13
• 30. Phil 1:5, 7, 16, 27; Philippians 2:22; Philippians 4:3, 15
• 31. Philippians 1:7; 2 Timothy 2:9
• 32. Acts 28:30
• 33. Philippians 1:7; 2 Timothy 2:9
• 34. Acts 4:31; 2 Corinthians 3:12; 2 Corinthians 7:4; Philippians 1:20
• 35. 2 Corinthians 11:13
• 36. Phil 1:5, 7, 12, 27; Philippians 2:22; Philippians 4:3, 15
• 37. Romans 2:8; Philippians 2:3
• 38. Philippians 1:7; 2 Timothy 2:9
• 39. 2 Corinthians 1:11
• 40. Acts 16:7
• 41. Romans 8:19
• 42. Romans 5:5; 1 Peter 4:16
• 43. Acts 4:31; 2 Corinthians 3:12; 2 Corinthians 7:4; Philippians 1:14
• 44. 1 Corinthians 6:20
• 45. Romans 14:8
• 46. Galatians 2:20
• 47. Romans 1:13
• 48. 2 Corinthians 5:8; 2 Timothy 4:6
• 49. John 12:26
• 50. Philippians 2:24
• 51. 2 Corinthians 5:12; 2 Corinthians 7:4; Philippians 2:16
• 52. Ephesians 4:1
• 53. Philippians 1:5
• 54. 1 Corinthians 16:13; Philippians 4:1
• 55. Acts 4:32
• 56. Jude 3
• 57. 2 Thessalonians 1:5
• 58. Matthew 5:11, 12
• 59. Acts 14:22
• 60. Colossians 1:29; Colossians 2:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:2; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7; Hebrews 10:32; 1Colossians 2:1
• 61. Acts 16:19-40; Philippians 1:13

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "holy ones"
• [b]. Lit "with"
• [c]. Or "sharing in the preaching of the gospel"
• [d]. Lit "Just as it is right"
• [e]. Lit "bonds"
• [f]. Lit "inward parts"
• [g]. Or "discover;" or "distinguish between the things which differ"
• [h]. Or "for"
• [i]. Lit "bonds"
• [j]. Or "governor's palace"
• [k]. Or "brethren in the Lord, trusting because of my bonds"
• [l]. Lit "bonds"
• [m]. Lit "because of"
• [n]. Lit "because of"
• [o]. Lit "not sincerely"
• [p]. Lit "bonds"
• [q]. Or "salvation"
• [r]. Lit "supplication"
• [s]. Or "But if to live in the flesh, this will be fruitful labor for me, then I"
• [t]. Lit "what I shall choose"
• [u]. Lit "of"
• [v]. Lit "soul"

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPIANS

Philippi was a Roman colony, and the chief city of one part of Macedonia, Ac 16:12, it is by Appianus called Datos which was its original name; and by Diodorus Siculus it is called Crenidae {a}, from, the fountains about it; and it took its name Philippi, from Philip king of Macedon, father of Alexander the great, who rebuilt and fortified it; near this place a famous battle was fought, and a victory obtained by Augustus Caesar and Mark Antony, over Brutus and Cassius; it is now called Chrixopolis, properly Chrysopolis, from the plenty of golden mines near it: here the apostle was directed by a vision, to go and preach the Gospel; and which was succeeded, to the conversion of Lydia, and the jailer, and their families; which laid the foundation of a Gospel church in this place, to whom this epistle is written; and which was written by the apostle when he was a prisoner at Rome, as many things in it show; for he more than once makes mention of his bonds, and of these being made manifest in Caesar's palace, and of some of Caesar's household sending their Christian salutations to this church: Dr. Hammond makes the date of this epistle to be the year 59, and Dr. Lightfoot places it in the year 60, and the sixth of Nero; the occasion of it was this, the Philippians, to whom the apostle was very dear, he being the first preacher of the Gospel to them, and the instrument of their conversion, hearing that he was a prisoner at Rome, send their minister and pastor Epaphroditus to him, to visit him, and by him a present to support him under his afflicted circumstances, and who related to him the case of this church; and at his departure he sent by him this letter; the design of which is, to express his love and affection to them; to give them an account of his bonds, and the usefulness of them, and how he was supported under them; to encourage them under all the afflictions and persecutions, they endured for the sake of Christ; to excite them to love, unity, and peace, among themselves; to caution them against false teachers, judaizing Christians, that were for joining Moses and Christ, law and Gospel, works and grace together, in the business of salvation; to exhort them to a holy life and conversation, and to return them thanks for their kind present.

{a} Vid. Ptolom. Geograph. l. 3. c. 13.

\\INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPIANS 1\\

This chapter contains the inscription of the epistle; the apostle's salutation of the Philippians; an account of his thanksgivings, prayers, and affection for them, and confidence of them; a narrative of his sufferings, and the use of them; and an exhortation to a conversation becoming the Gospel, to abide by it, and suffer cheerfully for it. The inscription is in Php 1:1, in which are mentioned by name the persons that subscribed the epistle, Paul and Timothy; and who are described by their character, servants of Jesus Christ; and also the persons to whom the epistle was sent, by the place of their abode, Philippi; the members of the church by their general character, saints in Christ Jesus; and the officers of it, by those that are peculiar to them as such, bishops and deacons: the salutation is in Php 1:2, and then follows a thanksgiving for them to God, which was made in prayer, and upon every remembrance of them at the throne of grace, and that for their constant fellowship in the Gospel, Php 1:3-5, and the apostle expresses his strong confidence of the good work of grace being begun in them, and of the performance of it, until the day of Christ; grounded upon a judgment of charity, and a belief of their being partakers of the same grace with himself, Php 1:6,7, and declares the most tender and affectionate love to them, for the truth of which he calls God to witness, Php 1:8, and as a proof of it, puts up several petitions for them; that they might have an increase of love, and spiritual knowledge, judgment, and sense, that so they might be capable of trying and approving things that differ, and which are the most excellent of them; that they might be sincere and harmless in their lives, and always doing good works in the strength of Christ, and to the glory of God, Php 1:9-11, next follows an account of his bonds and imprisonment, and the usefulness of them, as that they were for the further spread of the Gospel in many places, and even in Caesar's palace, Php 1:12,13, yea, by means of them several of the ministering brethren were the more emboldened to preach the Gospel without fear of men; though there was a difference among them, some preached Christ of envy, strife, and contention, thinking to add to the apostle's troubles, and others, of good will, and of love to the apostle, who they knew was set for the defence of the Gospel, Php 1:14-17, upon all which the apostle gives his sentiments, and makes his reflections, that whatever were the views of some men in preaching, it was, and ever would be, constant matter of joy to him that Christ was preached, Php 1:18, yea, he was satisfied, that the ill designed by some to him would be overruled for his good, by means of the prayers of the saints, and the supply of the Spirit; for he had a pure and well grounded hope and expectation, that he should never be brought to shame and confusion, but that Christ would be magnified in him living and dying; for he knew that both his life, and his death, would be gain to Christ, or that it would be for the glory of Christ for him to live, and his own gain should he die, Php 1:19-21, which put him in a strait what was most eligible in this case, whether, to live in the flesh, or depart out of the world; seeing to live in the flesh, and labour in the ministry, were fruitful and profitable, and more necessary and useful for the churches of Christ, and to die, and be with Christ, were better for himself, Php 1:22-24, but upon maturely weighing things on both sides, like one of a truly noble public spirit, he inclines to the former; nay, is persuaded, that he should continue longer to be an instrument of increasing the faith and joy of the Lord's people, which he knew would abound in Christ on his account, should he be restored again, Php 1:25,26, and then he concludes the chapter with an exhortation to the Philippians, to order their conversation agreeably to the Gospel of Christ, and to continue firm and unanimous in it, and use their utmost endeavours to keep it themselves, and spread it among others, Php 1:27, being not daunted and intimidated by the persecutions of men, which to the persecutors was a sign of perdition, looked darkly, and with an ill aspect upon them, but to the persecuted was a token that they had an interest in that salvation which is of God, Php 1:28, for as it is a gift of grace to believe in Christ, so likewise to suffer for him, Php 1:29, to which the apostle animates them by his own example, that which they were called unto being no other than what they had seen endured by him, and had heard concerning high, Php 1:30.