Chapter 1
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
2Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
5For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
7Even 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.
8For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
9And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
10That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
11Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
12But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
14And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
18What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
19For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20According 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.
21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
23For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
25And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
26That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
27Only 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;
28And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
29For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
30Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Overview
Paul writes to the Philippians from prison, expressing deep affection and thanksgiving for their partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. He shares that his imprisonment has actually served to advance the gospel, as the whole palace guard has heard about Christ. He wrestles with the tension between his desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better, and his recognition that remaining in the flesh is more needful for the Philippians. He urges them to live in a manner worthy of the gospel.
Key Themes
Joy in Partnership
Paul overflows with gratitude for the Philippians' faithful partnership in the gospel, confident that the God who began a good work in them will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
The Advancement of the Gospel Through Suffering
What seemed like a setback — Paul's imprisonment — has actually furthered the gospel, emboldening others to preach and ensuring that Christ is proclaimed even through adversity.
To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain
Paul's life is so consumed by Christ that death holds no terror but only the promise of being with Him, while life means continued fruitful labor for the churches.
Study Questions
What does Paul mean by 'he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ' (v. 6), and how does this encourage perseverance?
How can Paul's example of finding gospel opportunity in imprisonment transform how we view our own difficult circumstances?
What does it mean for 'to live is Christ, and to die is gain' (v. 21), and how does this reshape our priorities?
How should we respond when Christ is preached 'even of envy and strife' (v. 15) — with frustration or with the perspective Paul models?
What does it look like to have a 'conversation' (manner of life) that is 'worthy of the gospel of Christ' (v. 27)?
Connection to Christ
Christ is the consuming passion of Paul's entire existence. To live is Christ — His life is defined by knowing, serving, and proclaiming Jesus. To die is gain — because death ushers Paul into the immediate presence of the Savior he loves. Christ is the beginning, the middle, and the end of everything.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Philippians 1. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?