Philippians Chapter 1 Breakdown

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

Paul and Timothy are writing to all the saints in Philippi.

3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.

Paul thanks YHWH every time he remembers to pray for them. He is confident that YHWH will complete the good work He has started within the Philippians. Paul holds these people in his heart.

8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

Paul says he longs for these people with the love of Yeshua.

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Paul prays their love may abound in knowledge and discernment. Before we go further, think about that. Paul wants them to love knowledge and discernment. To love knowledge is to continually seek out the knowledge of YHWH. Many times I am told I focus too much on the knowledge of the Bible and not enough on the “spirit”. I, however, disagree and believe they are closer than most tend to believe. Paul wants this because he wants these people to be able to approve the things considered admirable, in order to be truthful and without offense, as in without sin, until the day Yeshua returns. He then relates that directly with being filled with the fruits of righteousness. So, considering these couple verses, Paul says he prays these men will grow in the knowledge of YHWH, that is knowing all that comes within the Old Testament, in order to discern what YHWH calls right from wrong, so they can live a life without sin, which is to be filled with the fruits of righteousness. How amazing is this that it is never taught this way?

12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Paul wants the Philippians to know all the things that have happened to him have turned out for the continuance of the good news. Everyone now knows Paul’s chains, that is his imprisonment, is due to Christ. Most of the believers are more confident because of his chains. They speak out and are embolden and without fear.

15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

There are people who will preach the word of YHWH, and the good news of Yeshua from the standpoint of jealousy and anger, while other do so out of goodwill. Selfish ambition drives some, that is, they don’t preach Christ out of genuine love for others.

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

Either way, Yeshua is being preached, and because of that Paul says he will rejoice.

19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

Because the word is being preached and Paul is appointed to defend the good news, and Christ is being preached by more people for whatever reason, this will turn into Paul’s salvation. Paul asks for prayer in order to not be ashamed of anything, and to have all boldness to always be magnified in Christ and have Christ magnified in his body, whether this is through Paul’s life or death.

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

To live means to live for Christ, and to die means to gain Christ.

22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.

Reiterating what he just said, living means he will produce more fruit from his labor. But, he doesn’t really know what is better.

23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

It’s a tough decision, either live and produce more fruit or die and be with Yeshua.

24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

Being alive, and remaining here is beneficial for others who need Paul and his teaching to bring them closer to YHWH.

25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

Paul is confident of this, he intends to remain alive and continue working with these believers.

27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.

Your actions must be worthy of the good news of Christ. This means you should act according to the word Yeshua taught. Paul wants to hear of their good deeds as well as be able to witness them if he shows up. These people should be staying together in the one single spirit of YHWH, all having the same mindset working together for the faith of the good news. Do not be frightened by your enemies, this gives them proof of hell. They should be afraid of you and your salvation, that comes from YHWH.

29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

Your salvation has been granted on behalf of Yeshua, not simply to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. You have the same conflict I had and still have.