Paul was born in Tarsus of Cilicia and raised as a devout Jew of the tribe of Benjamin. Educated under Rabbi Gamaliel, he became a zealous Pharisee committed to defending Jewish law and tradition. Before his transformation, Paul violently persecuted followers of Jesus, consenting to Stephen’s death and actively seeking to imprison Christians.
His life took a dramatic turn on the road to Damascus, where he encountered the risen Christ in a blinding vision. This encounter converted him from a persecutor into a devoted servant of the very faith he once sought to destroy. Following years of preparation, Paul embarked on extensive missionary journeys, establishing churches throughout Asia Minor and Greece.
The church in Philippi held a special place in Paul’s heart, as it was likely the first church he established in Europe, founded during his second missionary journey after a vision directed him to Macedonia. The dramatic events surrounding its founding, including the conversion of Lydia and the jailer, along with Paul’s own imprisonment there, are recorded in Acts 16. By the time he wrote this letter, Paul was again imprisoned, this time in Rome, awaiting the outcome of his trial before Caesar.
Introduction
Philippians Chapter 1 opens Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi with warmth and gratitude, reflecting the close relationship he shared with this particular congregation. Paul begins with a greeting and expresses his thankfulness for the Philippians, recalling their partnership with him in the gospel from the very beginning. He assures them of his confidence that God, who began a good work in them, will continue to carry it on until the day of Christ. Paul also shares his deep affection for the believers, praying that their love would abound more and more, filled with knowledge and discernment, so that they may live pure and blameless lives until the return of Christ.
The chapter also addresses Paul’s personal circumstances, as he writes from prison, explaining that his imprisonment has actually advanced the gospel, encouraging other believers to boldly proclaim Christ. Paul expresses his mixed feelings about life and death, admitting that while he desires to be with Christ, he also recognizes the value of continuing to serve the Philippians through his life and ministry. He closes the chapter with an exhortation for the believers to live worthy of the gospel, standing firm in unity and courage, even in the face of suffering and opposition, since suffering for Christ is a privilege granted to believers.
Chapter 1 (BBE)
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, with the Bishops and Deacons of the church:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 And in all my prayers for you all, making my request with joy,
5 Because of your help in giving the good news from the first day till now;
6 For I am certain of this very thing, that he by whom the good work was started in you will make it complete till the day of Jesus Christ:
7 So it is right for me to take thought for you all in this way, because I have you in my heart; for in my chains, and in my arguments before the judges in support of the good news, making clear that it is true, you all have your part with me in grace.
8 For God is my witness, how my love goes out to you all in the loving mercies of Christ Jesus.
9 And my prayer is that you may be increased more and more in knowledge and experience;
10 So that you may give your approval to the best things; that you may be true and without wrongdoing till the day of Christ;
11 Being full of the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
12 Now it is my purpose to make clear to you, brothers, that the cause of the good news has been helped by my experiences;
13 So that it became clear through all the Praetorium, and to all the rest, that I was a prisoner on account of Christ;
14 And most of the brothers in the Lord, taking heart because of my chains, are all the stronger to give the word of God without fear.
15 Though some are preaching Christ out of envy and competition, others do it out of a good heart:
16 These do it from love, conscious that I am responsible for the cause of the good news:
17 But those are preaching Christ in a spirit of competition, not from their hearts, but with the purpose of giving me pain in my prison.
18 What then? only that in every way, falsely or truly, the preaching of Christ goes on; and in this I am glad, and will be glad.
19 For I am conscious that this will be for my salvation, through your prayer and the giving out of the stored wealth of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 In the measure of my strong hope and belief that in nothing will I be put to shame, but that without fear, as at all times, so now will Christ have glory in my body, by life or by death.
22 But if I go on living in the flesh–if this is the fruit of my work–then I do not see what decision to make.
23 I am in a hard position between the two, having a desire to go away and be with Christ, which is very much better:
24 Still, to go on in the flesh is more necessary because of you.
25 And being certain of this, I am conscious that I will go on, yes, and go on with you all, for your growth and joy in the faith;
26 So that your pride in me may be increased in Christ Jesus through my being present with you again.
27 Only let your behaviour do credit to the good news of Christ, so that if I come and see you or if I am away from you, I may have news of you that you are strong in one spirit, working together with one soul for the faith of the good news;
28 Having no fear of those who are against you; which is a clear sign of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God;
29 Because to you it has been given in the cause of Christ not only to have faith in him, but to undergo pain on his account:
30 Fighting the same fight which you saw in me, and now have word of in me.
Important Verses
Philippians 1:6 Paul expresses confidence that God, who began a good work in the Philippians, will continue and complete it until the day of Christ.
Philippians 1:9-11 Paul prays that the believers’ love would grow in knowledge and discernment, enabling them to live pure and blameless lives, filled with the fruit of righteousness through Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:12-14 Paul reveals that his imprisonment has actually helped advance the gospel, encouraging others to boldly proclaim Christ without fear.
Philippians 1:21 Paul expresses his deep devotion to Christ, stating that for him, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:27 Paul urges the Philippians to live in a manner worthy of the gospel, standing firm in unity and courage regardless of circumstances.
