I
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God's holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
2Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
3I thank my God every time I remember you.
4Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
5For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
5because of your partnership 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:
6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
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.
7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me.
8For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
10That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
11Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to 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;
12Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.
13So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
14And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
14And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
15Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
16The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
16The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
17But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
18What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
19For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
19for I know that through your prayers and God's provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
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.
20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
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.
22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
23For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
24Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
25And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,
26That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
26so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
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;
27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one 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.
28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by 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;
29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,
30Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
30since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
II
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
1Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
2Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
4not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
5In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
7rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
11and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
13for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
14Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
15That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
15so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
16as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
17Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
18For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
19But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.
20For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
20I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.
21For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.
21For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
22But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
22But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
23Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
23I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.
24But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
24And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
25Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
25But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.
26For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
26For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.
27For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
27Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.
28I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
28Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.
29Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
29So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,
30Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
30because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.
III
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
1Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
2Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
2Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh.
3For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
3For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—
4Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
4though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:
5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;
6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
7But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
8What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
10I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
11and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
15All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
16Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
17Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.
18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
18For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.
20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
IV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
1Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
2I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
2I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
3And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
3Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
8Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
10I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
12I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
13I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
14Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
14Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.
15Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
15Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;
16For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
16for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.
17Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
17Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.
18But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
18I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
19But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
19And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
20Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
20To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
21Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.
21Greet all God's people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings.
22All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.
22All God's people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household.
23The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.