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Philippians 1

Philippians book home•Chapter 1 of 4•30 verses

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Philippians 1 Overview

Paul writes from imprisonment with joy and confidence in God’s work among the Philippians. He thanks them for gospel fellowship, explains that his bonds have advanced the gospel, rejoices that Christ is preached even by mixed motives, and urges the church to live worthy of the gospel with one spirit and courageous unity.

PhilippiansBook

1Chapter

30Verses

Pauline EpistlesDivision

Before you read Philippians 1

Coming from

Ephesians 6 closes with the whole armour of God, prayer, and Tychicus’s ministry.

In this chapter

Leads into

Paul calls the church to unity through humility, using Jesus Christ as the supreme example: though in the form of God, He humbled Himself, took the form of a servant, and became obedient unto death on the cross. God highly exalted Him. Paul then urges believers to work out their salvation in reverent obedience because God works in them, and commends Timothy and Epaphroditus.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Philippians is a prison letter, yet joy and gospel advance dominate the chapter rather than self-pity.

Paul’s statement, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain,” expresses devotion and confidence, not a desire for self-harm. He remains willing to live for fruitful ministry.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

God continues His work in believers

Paul is confident the One who began a good work will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Hard circumstances can advance the gospel

Paul’s imprisonment becomes widely known for Christ and emboldens others.

Christ matters more than personal reputation

Paul rejoices that Christ is preached even when some preachers have selfish motives.

Christian conduct should match the gospel

The church is called to stand fast in one spirit and strive together for the faith.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Acts 16:11–40

Acts records the founding of the church at Philippi.

Romans 8:28

God’s ability to work through difficult circumstances harmonizes with Paul’s view of his imprisonment.

2 Timothy 4:6–8

Paul later again speaks calmly of departure and future reward after faithful service.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Do not use Philippians 1:6 as though growth happens without obedience

God is faithful, yet Paul still prays for discernment and fruitful living.

Do not make mixed motives acceptable

Paul rejoices in Christ being preached, not in envy and strife.

Do not read ‘to die is gain’ as permission to seek death

Paul entrusts life and death to Christ and remains willing to serve.

Read Philippians 1 watching for…

Paul’s joy despite imprisonment.

The prayer for love, knowledge, and discernment.

How Paul interprets his bonds.

The difference between bad motives and true gospel content.

The call to stand together for the faith.

Chapter outline4 sections

1-11Paul greets the saints, gives thanks for their fellowship, and prays for their love and discernment 12-18Paul explains that his imprisonment has advanced the gospel and that Christ is preached despite mixed motives 19-26Paul expects deliverance and desires that Christ be magnified whether by life or death 27-30The church is urged to stand fast together and not be terrified by opposition

Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

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:

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.

For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

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.

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

But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

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;

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.

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

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Philippians 1:10

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