¹²Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the advance of the gospel, ^c¹³so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, ^dand to everyone else, that my imprisonment is in the cause of Christ. ¹⁴Most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the message ^e^ffearlessly. ¹⁵To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and strife, ^gbut others out of good will. ^h¹⁶These do so out of love, ⁱknowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; ¹⁷the others proclaim Christ out of rivalry, ^jnot sincerely, seeking to cause me anxiety in my imprisonment. ^k¹⁸What does it matter? Just that in every way, whether out of false motives ^lor true, Christ is proclaimed. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice ¹⁹because I know this will lead to my deliverance ^mⁿthrough your prayers and help from the Spirit ^oof Jesus Christ. ^p²⁰My eager expectation and hope ^qis that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life ^ror by death. ^s

Living Is Christ

²¹For me, living is Christ ^tand dying is gain. ^u²²Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful ^vwork ^wfor me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. ²³I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ ^x—which is far better ^y— ²⁴but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. ²⁵Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, ^z²⁶so that, because of me, your confidence may grow ^ain Christ Jesus ^bwhen I come to you again.

²⁷Just one thing: Live your life ^cin a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm ^din one ^espirit, with one mind, ^fworking side by side for the faith ^gthat comes from the gospel, ²⁸not being frightened in any way by your opponents. ^hThis is a sign of destruction for them, ⁱbut of your deliverance ^j—and this is from God. ²⁹For it has been given to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe ^kin Him, but also to suffer for Him, ³⁰having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.

Read in Logos

Philippians 1:21: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Footnotes

d1:13 praetorium, a word that can also refer to a military headquarters, to the governor’s palace, or to Herod’s palace.
e1:14 Other add of God
h1:15 The good will of men, or God’s good will or favor
k1:17 sincerely, intending to raise tribulation to my bonds
m1:19 Or vindication
f1:27 soul

Cross references

c1:12 Mk 13:9; Ac 21–26
f1:14 Lk 8:21; Jn 18:32; Ac 17:11; Heb 4:12
g1:15 Rm 1:29; Ti 3:9
i1:16 1Co 13:1
j1:17 Rm 2:8
l1:18 1Th 2:5
n1:19 Jb 13:16–18
o1:19 Gl 5:25
p1:19 Ac 16:7; Rm 8:9; 1Pt 1:11
q1:20 Ac 23:6; 1Th 1:3
r1:20 1Jn 5:12
s1:20 Jn 8:51
t1:21 Rm 14:7–9; Gl 2:19–20; Php 1:11, 15; Col 2:6–3:11
u1:21 Rm 8:38–39; Php 3:7
v1:22 Mt 3:8; Rm 1:13; Gl 5:22
w1:22 Mk 14:6; Gl 3:10; Jms 2:14–26
x1:23 Rm 6:8; 2Co 4:14; 13:4–5; 1Th 4:14; 5:9–10
y1:23 Jn 12:26
z1:25 Mt 8:10; Ac 3:16; Rm 1:8; 1Co 2:5; Gl 2:16; 1Tm 1:2; Heb 4:2; Jd 3
a1:26 1Co 15:58
b1:26 Rm 16:7; Eph 2:6; 1Pt 5:14
c1:27 Ac 23:1
d1:27 1Co 16:13; Gl 5:1; Eph 6:13–17; Php 4:1; 2Th 2:15
e1:27 Jn 11:52
g1:27 1Tm 3:9; 4:1, 6; 5:8; 6:10, 21
h1:28 1Co 16:9
i1:28 Mt 7:13; Rm 9:22
j1:28 Ac 4:12; 2Co 7:10; Heb 5:9
k1:29 Mk 11:24; Jn 3:16; Ac 10:43; Rm 10:9; 1Pt 1:8–10