Greetings from Paul and Timothy
(Colossians 1:1–2; Philemon 1:1–3)

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

Thanksgiving and Prayer
(1 Corinthians 1:4–9; Colossians 1:3–14)

3I thank my God for every mention of you, 4always in all my prayer with joy making supplication, 5for your fellowship in the gospel from the first clay until now; 6having confidence as to this same thing, that the one having begun a good work in you will perfect it unto the day of Jesus Christ: 7as it is righteous for me to think in behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, that you are all my fellow-partakers of the grace. 8For God is my witness, how I long after you in the affections of Jesus Christ. 9And I pray this, that your divine love may yet more and more abound in perfect knowledge and all understanding; 10in order that you may distinguish those things which differ; that you may be pure and without offence in the day of Christ; 11being filled with the fruit of righteousness, through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Paul’s Trials Advance the Gospel
(James 1:2–12)

12But I wish you, brethren, to know that the affairs appertaining to me have turned out rather unto the promotion of the gospel. 13So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the pretorian army, and to all the rest; 14and many of the brethren in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are bold to speak the word of God more fluently without fear. 15Some indeed through envy and strife, and some through good will, are preaching Christ: 16the latter from divine love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel: 17the former from self-seeking are proclaiming Christ insincerely, thinking that they will add affliction to my bonds. 18For what is it? moreover that in every place, whether in pretext or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and I rejoice in this, yes, and I will rejoice. 19For I know that this will turn out to me unto salvation, through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall be ashamed in nothing, but with all boldness, as always, even now Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.

To Live Is Christ

21For Christ is my life, and death is my gain. 22But if to live in the flesh, this shall be to me the fruit of the work, indeed I know not what I shall ask. 23But I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ; for this is far better: 24but to remain in the flesh is safer on account of you. 25And having confidence in this, I know that I shall abide with you all, unto your promotion and the joy of your faith; 26in order that your rejoicing in Christ Jesus may abound in me through my coming again unto you.

Worthy of the Gospel

27Only live worthily of the gospel of Christ: in order that, whether coming and seeing you or being absent, I hear those things concerning you, that you are standing in one spirit, with one soul contending for the faith of the gospel; 28and not being intimidated in anything by the adversaries: which is to them the manifestation of destruction, but of your salvation, and this is from God; 29because the blessing is conferred on you in behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but indeed to suffer for him: 30having the same conflict as you saw in me, and now hearing me.