Philippians 2:13

2:13 for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort – for the sake of his good pleasure – is God.

Philippians 1:6

1:6 For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:30

2:30 since it was because of the work of Christ that he almost died. He risked his life so that he could make up for your inability to serve me.

Philippians 2:12

Lights in the World

2:12 So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence,

Philippians 2:22

2:22 But you know his qualifications, that like a son working with his father, he served with me in advancing the gospel.

Philippians 4:3

4:3 Yes, I say also to you, true companion, help them. They have struggled together in the gospel ministry along with me and Clement and my other coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.

Philippians 3:21

3:21 who will transform these humble bodies of ours into the likeness of his glorious body by means of that power by which he is able to subject all things to himself.

Philippians 4:22

4:22 All the saints greet you, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.

Philippians 2:16

2:16 by holding on to 10  the word of life so that on the day of Christ I will have a reason to boast that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.

Philippians 2:2

2:2 complete my joy and be of the same mind, 11  by having the same love, being united in spirit, 12  and having one purpose.

Philippians 4:2

4:2 I appeal to Euodia and to Syntyche to agree in the Lord.

Philippians 1:19

1:19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance 13  through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:22

1:22 Now if I am to go on living in the body, 14  this will mean productive work 15  for me, yet I don’t know which I prefer: 16 

Philippians 2:17

2:17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice together with all of you.

Philippians 4:1

Christian Practices

4:1 So then, my brothers and sisters, 17  dear friends whom I long to see, my joy and crown, stand in the Lord in this way, my dear friends!

Philippians 2:25

2:25 But for now 18  I have considered it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. For he is my brother, 19  coworker and fellow soldier, and your messenger 20  and minister 21  to me in my need. 22 

Philippians 3:12

Keep Going Forward

3:12 Not that I have already attained this – that is, I have not already been perfected – but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me. 23 

Philippians 1:27

1:27 Only conduct yourselves 24  in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that – whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent – I should hear that 25  you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the gospel, 26 


tn Grk “since I am sure of this very thing.” The verse begins with an adverbial participle that is dependent on the main verb in v. 3 (“I thank”). Paul here gives one reason for his thankfulness.

tn The referent is clearly God from the overall context of the paragraph and the mention of “the day of Christ Jesus” at the end, which would be redundant if Christ were referred to here.

tn Or “among.”

tn The word “it” is not in the Greek text but has been supplied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.

tn Grk “make up for your lack of service to me.”

tn Grk “with fear and trembling.” The Greek words φόβος and τρόμος both imply fear in a negative sense (L&N 25.251 and 16.6 respectively) while the former can also refer to respect and awe for deity (L&N 53.59). Paul’s use of the terms in other contexts refers to “awe and reverence in the presence of God” (P. T. O’Brien, Philippians [NIGTC], 284; see discussion on 282-84). The translation “awe and reverence” was chosen to portray the attitude the believer should have toward God as they consider their behavior in light of God working through Jesus Christ (2:6-11) and in the believer’s life (2:13) to accomplish their salvation.

tn Or “faithful fellow worker.” This is more likely a descriptive noun, although some scholars interpret the word σύζυγος (suzugos) here as a proper name (“Syzygos”), L&N 42.45.

tn Grk “in the gospel,” a metonymy in which the gospel itself is substituted for the ministry of making the gospel known.

tn Grk “transform the body of our humility.”

tn Or “holding out, holding forth.”

tn Or “and feel the same way,” “and think the same thoughts.” The ἵνα (Jina) clause has been translated “and be of the same mind” to reflect its epexegetical force to the imperative “complete my joy.”

tn The Greek word here is σύμψυχοι (sumyucoi, literally “fellow souled”).

tn Or “salvation.” Deliverance from prison (i.e., release) is probably what Paul has in view here, although some take this as a reference to his ultimate release from the body, i.e., dying and being with Christ (v. 23).

tn Grk “flesh.”

tn Grk “fruit of work”; the genitive ἔργου (ergou) is taken as an attributed genitive in which the head noun, καρπός (karpos), functions attributively (cf. ExSyn 89-91).

tn Grk “what I shall prefer.” The Greek verb αἱρέω (Jairew) could also mean “choose,” but in this context such a translation is problematic for it suggests that Paul could perhaps choose suicide (cf. L&N 30.86).

tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:12.

tn Grk “But.” The temporal notion (“for now”) is implied in the epistolary aorist (“I have considered”), for Epaphroditus was dispatched with this letter to the Philippians.

tn Grk “my brother” instead of “For he is my brother.” Verse 25 constitutes one sentence in Greek, with “my brother…” functioning appositionally to “Epaphroditus.”

tn Grk “apostle.”

tn The Greek word translated “minister” here is λειτουργός (leitourgo").

tn Grk “servant of my need.”

tn Grk “that for which I also was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.” The passive has been translated as active in keeping with contemporary English style.

tn Grk “live as citizens.” The verb πολιτεύεσθε (politeuesqe) connotes the life of a freeman in a free Roman colony.

tn Grk “the things concerning you, [namely,] that.” The ὅτι (Joti) clause is appositional to τὰ περὶ ὑμῶν (ta peri Jumwn) and therefore “the things concerning you” was not translated.

tn The phrase “the faith of the gospel” could mean one of three things: “the faith that is the gospel” (genitive of apposition), “the faith that originates from the gospel” (genitive of source), or “faith in the gospel” (objective genitive).