1:1. Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ: to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons. 1:2. Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 1:3. I give thanks to my God in every remembrance of you: 1:4. Always in all my prayers making supplication for you all with joy: 1:5. For your communication in the gospel of Christ, from the first day unto now. 1:6. Being confident of this very thing: that he who hath begun a good work in you will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus. 1:7. As it is meet for me to think this for you all, for that I have you in my heart; and that, in my bands and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my joy. 1:8. For God is my witness how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. 1:9. And this I pray: That your charity may more and more abound in knowledge and in all understanding: 1:10. That you may approve the better things: that you may be sincere and without offence unto the day of Christ: 1:11. Filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. 1:12. Now, brethren, I desire you should know that the things which have happened to me have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel: 1:13. So that my bands are made manifest in Christ, in all the court and in all other places. 1:14. And many of the brethren in the Lord, growing confident by my bands, are much more bold to speak the word of God without fear. 1:15. Some indeed, even out of envy and contention: but some also for good will preach Christ. 1:16. Some out of charity, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 1:17. And some out of contention preach Christ not sincerely: supposing that they raise affliction to my bands. 1:18. But what then? So that by all means, whether by occasion or by truth, Christ be preached: in this also I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 1:19. For I know that this shall fall out to me unto salvation, through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 1:20. According to my expectation and hope; that in nothing I shall be confounded: but with all confidence, as always, so now also, shall Christ be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death. 1:21. For to me, to live is Christ: and to die is gain. 1:22. And if to live in the flesh: this is to me the fruit of labour. And what I shall choose I know not. This is to me, etc. . .His meaning is, that although his dying immediately for Christ would be his gain, by putting him presently in possession of heaven; yet he is doubtful what he should choose, because by staying longer in the flesh, he should be more beneficial to the souls of his neighbours. 1:23. But I am straitened between two: having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, a thing by far the better. 1:24. But to abide still in the flesh is needful for you.