Translation by Matthew Jones
koinefoundationa@gmail.com
Completed October 2025
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Translation
1:1 Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus.
To all of God’s holy people in Christ Jesus there in Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons.
1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:3 I give thanks to my God every time I think of you, 1:4 always interceding with joy in every prayer I make for all of you, 1:5 because you have been my partners in advancing the Good News, from the first day until now, 1:6 so I am confident of this very thing – that the One who began a good work among you will continue it until it is finished on the day of Christ Jesus. 1:7 It is, after all, quite right for me to feel this way about all of you because I have you in my heart, seeing that both in my imprisonment and in the defense and validation of the Good News, all of you are my fellow partners in this grace. 1:8 For God is my witness that I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
1:9 And this is what I pray, that your love might abound even more and more shaped by full knowledge and every kind of moral discernment, 1:10 so that you can determine what is best, and so be pure in motive and not a cause of offense with the day of Christ in view, 1:11 having been filled with the fruit produced by righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – for the glory and praise of God.
1:12 Now I want you to know, fellow believers, that my circumstances have actually come about for the advancement of the Good News, 1:13 so that my chains are clearly seen to be for the cause of Christ throughout the entire Praetorian Guard and to everyone else, 1:14 and many of the fellow believers, having become confident in the Lord by means of my chains, are much more daring to fearlessly speak the Word. 1:15 Some of these, in fact, are proclaiming Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. 1:16 The latter do so motivated by love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the Good News. 1:17 But the former are proclaiming Christ out of self-serving ambition, rather than from pure motives, because they think they are increasing the hardship of my chains. 1:18 What then is the crux of this? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is being proclaimed. It is in this I rejoice!
What/s more, I will keep on rejoicing, 1:19 for I know that this situation will turn out for my salvation through your intercession and the full supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 1:20 consistent with my earnest expectation and hope that in no possible way will I be put to shame, but in every way that boldness can be exhibited, as always, also now, Christ will be exalted in my physical body, whether through life or through death.
1:21 For as I see it, to continue living is Christ and to die is gain. 1:22 Now if I continue living in the flesh, this is fruitful labor for me. And which do I prefer? I don’t know. 1:23 But I am torn between the two, desiring to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far, 1:24 yet staying on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 1:25 And because I am confident of this, I know that I will remain alive and will remain with all of you for your joyful progress in the faith, 1:26 so that your reason for celebrating will overflow in Christ Jesus because of me, through my presence among you again.
1:27 Above all, conduct yourself as heavenly citizens in a way that is worthy of the Good News about Christ, so that whether I come and see you or I am not there, I will hear regarding your situation that you are standing firm in the one Spirit, as one person engaging side by side for the faith, which is the Good News, 1:28 and in no way terrified by those who are opposing you. For them these things are an omen of eternal destruction, but a sign of salvation for you, and this is from God, 1:29 because on Christ’s behalf this has been graciously given to you – not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on His behalf, 1:30 experiencing the same kind of struggle you saw I had and now hear I have.
2:1 Therefore, if there is any comforting encouragement from being in Christ, if there is any solace from God’s love, if there is any partnership in the Spirit, if there is any tenderness and compassion, 2:2 then complete my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 2:3 Do nothing that embodies self-serving ambition or an exaggerated self-opinion, rather, humbly value one another as superior to yourselves 2:4 by each one looking out, not for your own affairs, but rather for the affairs of others. 2:5 Keep this mindset among you, which was also embodied in Christ Jesus:
2:6 Although He existed in the form of God, He did not regard His equality with God as something He needed to cling to. 2:7 But He emptied Himself by taking the form of a slave, coming into existence in the likeness of human beings. 2:8 And being found in outward appearance as a human, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient, going as far as death, even death by crucifixion.
2:9 Therefore also, God exalted Him to the highest possible degree by gracing Him with the name that is exalted above every name, 2:10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bend, of those in the heavens and on the earth and under the earth, 2:11 and every tongue will declare, “Jesus Christ is Lord!,” to the glory of God the Father.
2:12 So then my beloved ones, just as you always obeyed, not only while in my presence, but now all the more so in my absence, with fear and trembling actively engage in living out your salvation, 2:13 for the one at work among you is God, giving both the resolve and the power to do what pleases Him.
2:14 Do all things without grumbling and arguing, 2:15 so that you might be blameless and pure, spotless children of God, in the midst of a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, 2:16 giving full attention to the life producing Word, so that I can be proud on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. 2:17 But if indeed, as is the case, I am being poured out as a drink offering that accompanies the sacrifice and service stemming from your faith, then I rejoice and I rejoice with all of you. 2:18 And you also, in the same way, should rejoice and rejoice with me.
2:19 Now I hope in Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you as soon as possible, so that I personally might be encouraged when I know about your situation. 2:20 For I have no one else here who sees things like I do, who genuinely will be concerned about your situation. 2:21 For all of them are focused on achieving what matters to them, not what matters to Jesus Christ. 2:22 But you know his proven character, how as a child with a father, he slaved with me in advancing the Good News. 2:23 Therefore, when I find out about my situation, he is the one I hope to send soon after, 2:24 and I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.
2:25 Now I thought it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. He is my fellow believer and fellow worker and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need. 2:26 I sent him because he was longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. 2:27 For indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, that I might not have sorrow stacked on sorrow. 2:28 For this reason I sent him all the more eagerly, so that when you see him you can again rejoice, and I also can be less sorrowful. 2:29 Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with fullness of joy and have high esteem for people like him, 2:30 because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to supply the service you could not render me in your absence.
3:1 Regarding the following matters, my fellow believers, rejoice in the Lord. I do not hesitate to write these same things to you, because they contribute to your security.
3:2 Watch out for the dogs. Watch out for the evil workers. Watch out for the mutilators. 3:3 For we are the circumcision, the ones who minister by the Spirit of God and celebrate in Christ Jesus and whose confidence is not in the flesh – 3:4 although I myself could have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:
3:5 Circumcised when eight days old,
An Israelite by birth,
Of the tribe of Benjamin,
A Hebrew born of Hebrews;
With respect to the Law, a Pharisee,
3:6 With respect to zeal, persecuting the church,
With respect to righteousness that is in the Law, being blameless.
3:7 Whatever things were gains for me, these things I have come to assess as a loss because of Christ. 3:8 Indeed, even more than that, I assess all things to be a loss because of the overwhelming gain of knowing Christ Jesus, the One who is my Lord; because of whom I have suffered the loss of all things and assess them as garbage that I may gain Christ 3:9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own making derived from the Law, but righteousness which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God which is based on faith, 3:10 so that I may know Him, that is, the power of His resurrection and the partnership of His sufferings, as I am being conformed to His death, 3:11 and so, in one way or another, I may reach the goal of the resurrection from among the dead.
3:12 This is not to say that I have already taken hold of this or have already reached the goal, but I engage in the pursuit so that I can seize the very thing I was seized for by Christ Jesus. 3:13 Fellow believers, I do not consider myself to have seized it. But my singular focus is this – disregarding what is behind and stretching out to what is ahead, 3:14 I engage in the pursuit to reach the goal of gaining the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
3:15 Therefore, all who are mature should have this mindset, and if you think differently about anything, this also God will disclose to you. 3:16 In any case, we must conform our conduct to what we have already attained.
3:17 Fellow believers, be united in imitating me and be on the lookout for those who walk in the same way, just as you have a role model in us. 3:18 For many, whom I often told you about, and now even tearfully say, are walking as enemies of the cross of Christ – 3:19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their fleshly desires, and whose glory is based on their shameful deeds – those who set their minds on earthly things. 3:20 For our homeland really exists in heaven, from where also we await eagerly the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 3:21 who will transform the body of our humbled state to be like the body of His glorified state, consistent with the active expression of His ability also to subject all things to Himself. 4:1 So then, my fellow believers, beloved and yearned for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved.
4:2 I urge Euodia and I urge and Syntyche to be like-minded in the Lord. 4:3 Yes, I ask you as well, true companion, to assist them, seeing that they are among those who engaged side by side with me in the Good News, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers whose names are in the Book of Life.
4:4 Rejoice always in the Lord. Let me say again, “Rejoice”.
4:5 Let your gentle forbearance be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
4:6 Don’t be anxious about anything, but by your prayer and petition about everything let your requests be made known before God with thanksgiving. 4:7 Then the peace that comes from God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
4:8 Finally, fellow believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, indeed if anything has excellence and if anything is praiseworthy, fix your thoughts on these things. 4:9 What you both learned and received, and heard and saw in me, practice these things. Then the God of peace will be with you.
4:10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord because your concern for my affairs has now at last blossomed again. Indeed, you were concerned all along about them but had no opportunity to act. 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need. For I have learned to be content in my circumstances. 4:12 I know both scarcity and abundance. I have been taught in everything and in all things – both being well fed and hungry, both abounding and in need. 4:13 I am able to endure all this in the One who strengthens me. 4:14 Nevertheless, you did good as fellow partners in my affliction. 4:15 And as you yourselves know, Philippians, that at the beginning of the Good News, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. 4:16 For even when I was in Thessalonica, several times you sent support to me to address a need. 4:17 I do not seek after the gift itself, rather I seek after the fruit that is accumulating in your account. 4:18 But in fact, I have received the full amount and have an abundance. I am fully supplied having received through Epaphroditus the gifts from you – a fragrant aroma, a favorable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 4:19 So, my God will meet every need of yours in keeping with the wealth that is His in glory, made available in Christ Jesus.
4:20 And so, to our God and Father belongs glory into the eternal ages. Amen.
4:21 Greetings in Christ Jesus to each one of God’s holy people. The fellow believers who are with me greet you. 4:22 All of God’s holy people greet you, but most of all those from Caesar’s household.
4:23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with the spirit of each one of you.
Koine Foundations 
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