Reading Philippians 1:12-30, NIV
Map: Paul…advance the gospel, chains for Christ..speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly; some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry…Christ is preached…rejoice (vs 15-18), xref: Luke 9:50; Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain (vs 20, 21, NIV), torn in his choice..be with Christ, which is better by far;…conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him..(vs 29)
Philippians 1:12-30, GNB
[12]I want you to know, my brothers and sisters, that the things that have happened to me have really helped the progress of the gospel.
[13]As a result, the whole palace guard and all the others here know that I am in prison because I am a servant of Christ.
[14]And my being in prison has given most of the brothers and sisters more confidence in the Lord, so that they grow bolder all the time to preach the message fearlessly.
[15]Of course some of them preach Christ because they are jealous and quarrelsome, but others from genuine goodwill.
[16]These do so from love, because they know that God has given me the work of defending the gospel.
[17]The others do not proclaim Christ sincerely, but from a spirit of selfish ambition; they think that they will make more trouble for me while I am in prison.
[18]It does not matter! I am happy about it — so long as Christ is preached in every way possible, whether from wrong or right motives. And I will continue to be happy,
[19]because I know that by means of your prayers and the help which comes from the Spirit of Jesus Christ I shall be set free.
[20]My deep desire and hope is that I shall never fail in my duty, but that at all times, and especially just now, I shall be full of courage, so that with my whole being I shall bring honour to Christ, whether I live or die.
[21]For what is life? To me, it is Christ. Death, then, will bring more.
[22]But if by continuing to live I can do more worthwhile work, then I am not sure which I should choose.
[23]I am pulled in two directions. I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing;
[24]but for your sake it is much more important that I remain alive.
[25]I am sure of this, and so I know that I will stay. I will stay on with you all, to add to your progress and joy in the faith,
[26]so that when I am with you again, you will have even more reason to be proud of me in your life in union with Christ Jesus.
[27]Now, the important thing is that your way of life should be as the gospel of Christ requires, so that, whether or not I am able to go and see you, I will hear that you are standing firm with one common purpose and that with only one desire you are fighting together for the faith of the gospel.
[28]Don’t be afraid of your enemies; always be courageous, and this will prove to them that they will lose and that you will win, because it is God who gives you the victory.
[29]For you have been given the privilege of serving Christ, not only by believing in him, but also by suffering for him.
[30]Now you can take part with me in the battle. It is the same battle you saw me fighting in the past, and as you hear, the one I am fighting still.