Philippians Chapter 1

Philippians Chapter 1

Paul and Timotheus, the servants of good old JC are writing this little mistle to all the saints of JC who are residing in Philippi, with the bishops and the deacons.

Grace be given to y’ll, and peace from God and his boy JC. I think my God every time I think of you (oh Paul, you sweetie!). I always pray joyfully for all of you and for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. I’m confident that everyone who is performing good works will continue to do so until the day old JC returns.

It’s awesome that I can think of yall like this even as I suffer in my bondage as I defend and confirm the gospel, you all are partaking of my grace. (How lovely of you to say Paulie).

God knows how greatly I long for you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ (er? Eh? Bowels?)

I pray that your love will show in all your knowledge and all your judgments, so that you can approve things that are excellent, and so that you can be sincere and without offence until JC comes back to earth.

You are filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are given by JC, and used in the glory and praise of his dad.

I wish you would understand, brethren, that the things that happened to me are actually furtherance of the gospel. My bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace and in all places. Many brethren of the Lord have gained more confidence because of my bondage, and can now speak the word more boldly and without fear. (Yeah, that totally sounds likely and makes perfect sense, right?)

Some folks preach about JC because they’re so jealous of me, but some actually do it out of good will. The one that preaches out of contention with me, things that they are adding affliction to my bondage, but the other who does it out of love knows that I am here to defend the gospel.

What then? (Love Paulie’s rhetorical questions. I missed them, when I took a break from translating this garbage). Well, no matter what the reason for preaching about JC, I am happy and rejoice. I know that I will be saved through your prayer and JC’s Spirit.

According to my earnest expectation and hope, I won’t be ashamed, but will be bold, so that Christ can be magnified in my body whether in life or death. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain (say what now?).

If I live then this is the fruit of my labor, but I don’t know what I will choose (Paul… I hate to break it to you, but I don’t think it’s your choice whether you live or die.)

I am stuck between these two things, because I have a desire to die and be with JC which like the most awesome, but to continue living would better fill your needs. Knowing that I don’t care whether I live or die, I know that I shall stay with you to help further your faith and joy. I think that you’ll love JC more if I can come to you again.

Let your conversation be like the gospel of JC, so that whether I am able to see you again or not, I can hear of what you’re up to. Stand in one spirit and with one mind to further the gospel.

Don’t be scared of your enemies no matter what, because then they’ll know that they’re going to be punished, and you’ll know that you’ll be saved by God.

It’s your job not just to believe in JC, but also to suffer for him. I know you’re going through the same struggle I had, so I’m telling you that I struggled the same as you.