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

1Paul (humble) and Timothy (honoring God), servants {douloi} of Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves),

To all the saints (holy ones) in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons {diakonois}:

2Grace and peace to you⁺ from God {Theou} our Father and the Lord {Kyriou} Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One).

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

3I thank my God {Theō} every time I remember you⁺. 4In every prayer for all of you⁺, I always pray with joy, 5because of your⁺ partnership {koinōnia} in the gospel (good news) from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you⁺ will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves).

7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you⁺, since I have you⁺ in my heart. For in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel (good news), you⁺ are all partners in grace with me. 8God is my witness how I long for all of you⁺ with the affection of Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves).

9And this is my prayer: that your⁺ love {agapē} may abound more and more in knowledge (discernment) and depth of insight, 10so that you⁺ may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ (the Anointed One), 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One), to the glory {doxan} and praise (approval) of God {Theou}.

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

12Now I want you⁺ to know, brothers (and sisters), that my circumstances have actually served to advance the gospel (good news). 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard (all the Praetorium)a and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ (the Anointed One). 14And most of the brothers (and sisters), confident in the Lord {Kyriō} by my chains, now dare more greatly to speak the word [the word of God]b without fear.

15It is true that some preach Christ (the Anointed One) out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so in love {agapēs}, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel (good news).c 17The former, however, preach Christ (the Anointed One) out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can add to the distress of my chains.

18What then is the issue \What then?/?d Just this: that in every way, whether by false motives or true, Christ (the Anointed One) is preached. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19because I know that through your⁺ prayers and the provision of the Spirit {Pneumatos} of Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One), my distress will turn out for my deliverance. 20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ (the Anointed One) will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

To Live Is Christ

21For to me, to live is Christ (the Anointed One), and to die is gain. 22But if I go on living in the body (flesh), this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know. 23I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ (the Anointed One), which is far better indeed. 24But it is more necessary for you⁺ that I remain in the body (flesh).

25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and will continue with all of you⁺ for your⁺ progress and joy in the faith, 26so that through my coming to you⁺ again your⁺ exultation in Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves) will resound on account of me.

Worthy of the Gospel

27Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel (good news) of Christ (the Anointed One). Then, whether I come and see you⁺ or only hear about you⁺ in my absence, I will know that you⁺ stand firm in one spirit {pneumati}, contending together as one (striving together with one mind)e for the faith of the gospel, 28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction (ruin) but of your⁺ salvation, and it is from God {Theou}. 29For it has been granted to you⁺ on behalf of Christ (the Anointed One) not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, 30since you are encountering the same struggle you⁺ saw I had, and now hear that I still have.