Philippians 1:12-30.
Philippians 1.12-30
What Life Means to Paul
"My dear friends, I want you to know that what has happened to me has
helped to spread the good news. The Roman guards and all the others
know that I am here in jail because I serve Christ. Now most of the
Lord's followers have become brave and are fearlessly telling the
message. Some are preaching about Christ because they are jealous and
envious of us. Others are preaching because they want to help. They
love Christ and know that I am here to defend the good news about him.
But the ones who are jealous of us are not sincere. They just want to
cause trouble for me while I am in jail. But that doesn't matter. All
that matters is that people are telling about Christ, whether they are
sincere or not. That is what makes me glad. I will keep on being glad,
because I know that your prayers and the help that comes from the
Spirit of Christ Jesus will keep me safe. I honestly expect and hope
that I will never do anything to be ashamed of. Whether I live or die,
I always want to be as brave as I am now and bring honor to Christ.
If I live, it will be for Christ, and if I die, I will gain even more.
I don't know what to choose. I could keep on living and doing
something useful. It is a hard choice to make. I want to die and be
with Christ, because that would be much better. - But I know that all
of you still need me. That's why I am sure I will stay on to help you
grow and be happy in your faith. Then, when I visit you again, you
will have good reason to take great pride in Christ Jesus because of
me. Above all else, you must live in a way that brings honor to the
good news about Christ. Then, whether I visit you or not, I will hear
that all of you think alike. I will know that you are working together
and that you are struggling side by side to get others to believe the
good news. Be brave when you face your enemies. Your courage will show
them that they are going to be destroyed, and it will show you that
you will be saved. God will make all of this happen, and he has
blessed you. Not only do you have faith in Christ, but you suffer for
him. You saw me suffer, and you still hear about my troubles. Now you
must suffer in the same way."
God bless you.
What Life Means to Paul
"My dear friends, I want you to know that what has happened to me has
helped to spread the good news. The Roman guards and all the others
know that I am here in jail because I serve Christ. Now most of the
Lord's followers have become brave and are fearlessly telling the
message. Some are preaching about Christ because they are jealous and
envious of us. Others are preaching because they want to help. They
love Christ and know that I am here to defend the good news about him.
But the ones who are jealous of us are not sincere. They just want to
cause trouble for me while I am in jail. But that doesn't matter. All
that matters is that people are telling about Christ, whether they are
sincere or not. That is what makes me glad. I will keep on being glad,
because I know that your prayers and the help that comes from the
Spirit of Christ Jesus will keep me safe. I honestly expect and hope
that I will never do anything to be ashamed of. Whether I live or die,
I always want to be as brave as I am now and bring honor to Christ.
If I live, it will be for Christ, and if I die, I will gain even more.
I don't know what to choose. I could keep on living and doing
something useful. It is a hard choice to make. I want to die and be
with Christ, because that would be much better. - But I know that all
of you still need me. That's why I am sure I will stay on to help you
grow and be happy in your faith. Then, when I visit you again, you
will have good reason to take great pride in Christ Jesus because of
me. Above all else, you must live in a way that brings honor to the
good news about Christ. Then, whether I visit you or not, I will hear
that all of you think alike. I will know that you are working together
and that you are struggling side by side to get others to believe the
good news. Be brave when you face your enemies. Your courage will show
them that they are going to be destroyed, and it will show you that
you will be saved. God will make all of this happen, and he has
blessed you. Not only do you have faith in Christ, but you suffer for
him. You saw me suffer, and you still hear about my troubles. Now you
must suffer in the same way."
God bless you.
Comments