The Formula for Success: Live for Christ – Philippians 1:12-26
1 (12) Now I want you to know, brothers, that the things that have happened to me have actually resulted in the advancement of the gospel. (13) It has become evident to the whole Praetorian guard and to everyone else that I am a prisoner for Christ. (14) Furthermore, due to my imprisonment, many of the brothers have become much more confident in the Lord, taking it upon themselves to speak the word without fear.
(15) Some are preaching Christ out of envy and for the sake of strife, but others are preaching with good will. (16) The latter are doing so out of love, knowing that I am standing on trial for the defense of the gospel. (17) But the former are proclaiming Christ out of selfish ambition, not with a pure motive; they are seeking to stir up trouble for me in my imprisonment. (18) What about all this? My only concern is that in every way, whether from false motives or in sincerity, Christ is being preached—and in this I rejoice.
Furthermore, I will also rejoice (19) because I know that, through your prayers and the help provided by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the result of all this will be my deliverance. (20) This is in keeping with my heart-felt expectation and hope that in no circumstance will I be put to shame; on the contrary, I have all confidence that as always, so now also, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death—(21) because for me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
(22) But if I continue to live in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me, so I do not know what I shall choose. (23) I am torn between the two. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; (24) but for your sake it is more necessary for me to remain in the body. (25) Being confident of this, I know that I will remain and continue to remain with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, (26) so that by me—that is, through my presence with you again—your confidence in Christ Jesus will abound.
Now proceed to the next section of this study, entitled, Exploring the Passage.
