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

1Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus, which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2grace be unto you, and peace from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

3I give thanks unto my God upon every mention of you, 4(always making supplication for you all with joy 5in every prayer of mine) for your attachment to the gospel, from the first day even till now; 6being confident of this, that He who hath begun a good work in you will continue to perfect it till the day of Jesus Christ. 7As it is just for me to think this of you all, because ye have me in your heart, both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, being all of you partakers of the same grace with me. 8For God is my witness, how much I long for you all, as with the bowels of Jesus Christ. 9And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all discernment; 10that ye may try things that differ, that ye may be sincere and without offence until the day of Christ; 11being full of the fruits of righteousness which are through Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God.

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

12But I would have you know, my brethren, that the things, which have befallen me, have proved rather to the advancement of the gospel: 13so that my bonds are manifest in all the palace, and all other places, to be for the sake of Christ; 14and many of the brethren in the Lord, encouraged by my bonds, are much more bold to publish the word without fear. 15Some indeed through envy and strife, and some also through good-will: 16the former preach Christ out of contention, not sincerely, thinking to add affliction to my bonds; 17the others out of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18What then? yet every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached: and in this I rejoice, yea and I will rejoice; 19for I know that this shall turn to my safety through your prayer, and the aid of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 20According to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall be put to shame in nothing; but that with all freedom of speech, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

To Live Is Christ

21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain: and if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: 22so that I know not what to chuse; 23for I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is much preferable: 24but to abide in the flesh is more necessary for you. 25And as I am confident of this, I know that I shall abide and shall continue with you all, for your improvement and the joy of your faith: 26that your rejoicing in Christ Jesus may abound through me, by my coming to you again.

Worthy of the Gospel

27Only behave worthy of the gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you, or be absent, I may hear of you, that ye stand firm in one Spirit, striving together as with one soul for the saith of the gospel; 28and are in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is a demonstration of ruin to them, but to you of salvation, and this from God. 29For to you it is granted as a favor from Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for his sake: 30having the same conflict as ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.