Greetings from Paul

(2 Samuel 6:12-15; 1 Chronicles 15:1-14; Colossians 1:1-2)

1Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ: to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons. 2Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

(1 Corinthians 1:4-9; Colossians 1:3-14; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4)

3I give thanks to my God in every remembrance of you: 4Always in all my prayers making supplication for you all with joy: 5For your communication in the gospel of Christ, from the first day unto now. 6Being confident of this very thing: that he who hath begun a good work in you will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus. 7As 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. 8For God is my witness how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. 9And this I pray: That your charity may more and more abound in knowledge and in all understanding: 10That you may approve the better things: that you may be sincere and without offence unto the day of Christ: 11Filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Paul's Trials Advance the Gospel

(James 1:2-8)

12Now, brethren, I desire you should know that the things which have happened to me have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel: 13So that my bands are made manifest in Christ, in all the court and in all other places. 14And many of the brethren in the Lord, growing confident by my bands, are much more bold to speak the word of God without fear. 15Some indeed, even out of envy and contention: but some also for good will preach Christ. 16Some out of charity, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 17And some out of contention preach Christ not sincerely: supposing that they raise affliction to my bands. 18But 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. 19For I know that this shall fall out to me unto salvation, through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20According 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.

To Live is Christ

21For to me, to live is Christ: and to die is gain. 22And if to live in the flesh: this is to me the fruit of labour. And what I shall choose I know not. 23But I am straitened between two: having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, a thing by far the better. 24But to abide still in the flesh is 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 abound in Christ Jesus for me, by my coming to you again.

Be Worthy of the Gospel

27Only let your conversation be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you, or, being absent, may hear of you, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind labouring together for the faith of the gospel. 28And in nothing be ye terrified by the adversaries: which to them is a cause of perdition, but to you of salvation, and this from God. 29For unto you it is given for Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him: 30Having the same conflict as that which you have seen in me and now have heard of me.