Philippians 1:1-18

Paul wrote this epistle from his imprisonment in Rome areound 60-62 AD. It was a church Paul planted in what is now Greece. He left Luke there as its first pastor. Paul loved this church.

Philippians 1:1-2 Greetings from Paul and Timothy, “grace and peace to you.” We can have nothing better than grace and peace in this life.
v3-5 I remember you often and thank God for the memories I have of you. I remember you in prayer, you brought me joy and fellowship always.
v6 Confidence in Jesus ability to finish what He started, salvation is not a ”once and done” event, but a continual refining to make us more like Jesus. That is we are save when we accept what He did for us on the cross and that He rose from the dead to give us everlasting life; but that is not the end, He wants us to have victory in this life and after. So, He continues to work on us to make us more like Him. (Romans 8:28-29)
v7 You are all part of my afflictions, as I share the gospel of grace.
v8 I desire to be with you all, with the love of Jesus.
v9-11 I pray that you may abound in knowledge, agree with things that are right in God’s Word, that you are sincere in your salvation, that you are filled with the fruits of righteousness (fruits of the Spirit [Gal 5:22-26]).
v12-13 The tribulations Paul was going through, actually play a part in furthering the kingdom. So that, everyone around him know that he believes in Jesus Christ.
v14 Most believers now have been given a spirit of courage after seeing Paul’s witness in chains, his courage was contagious!.
v15-18 Some preached out of envy for Paul, some out of love. Those who were envious, preached to make a name for themselves. The others out of love, seeking to please the Lord.
Regardless, the gospel was preached and Paul rejoiced!

Philippians 1: 1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops[a] and deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thankfulness and Prayer
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 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; 7 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. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
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, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former[b] preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 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.


• Paul loved this church.
• Paul wanted them to grow in every way in the Lord.
• Paul saw his afflictions as a way to advance the gospel.
• Many preached the Lord because for this, some for the right reason; some out of ambition.
Either way, the gospel went out!