This verse is introduced in Greek by a conjunction meaning “so then,” “therefore,” or “accordingly”; possible equivalents may be “as the result of what I have said” or “the purpose of what I have already said is that….” It is possible to regard this verse as forming the conclusion of the previous paragraph (Phillips La Sainte Bible: Nouvelle version Segond révisée Jerusalem Bible Traduction œcuménique de la Bible UBS Greek text), but it is equally possible to make the verse as an introduction to what follows. The transition is made by referring back to the thoughts presented in the previous paragraph and using them as a basis for the exhortations that follow.

Paul addresses his Philippian brothers with a series of endearing terms, showing his deep affection for them. To capture this feeling Good News Translation transforms the adjectives and nouns into a series of exclamatory clauses, an effective way in English of indicating intense feeling. In some languages, however, such a series of exclamations would be disconcerting to the reader. It would be best, therefore, in certain instances to translate verse 1 as “My dear fellow believers, you are very dear to me, and I miss you greatly. You make me so happy, and I am very proud of you. In view of all that I have said to you, this is how you should stand firm in your life in the Lord…,” or “… what I am going to say to you now is how you should stand firm in your life in the Lord….” Note that in this restructuring of verse 1 brothers (“fellow believers”) is rendered only once since a repetition of the term might seem unnecessarily redundant. Note also that the exclamatory forms are altered so as to make them positive indicative statements.

How dear you are to me, an adjective in the Greek meaning “beloved,” is one of Paul’s favorite words used in reference to his friends. The same adjective, rendered dear brothers, is used again later in the verse to emphasize the deep affection he has toward his friends. How dear you are to me may be rendered as “I love you very much” or “I care about you greatly.”

How I miss you translates another adjective, which means literally “longed for” (King James Version). The word occurs only here in the New Testament, but its cognate verb and nouns appear elsewhere in Paul’s letters. It signifies an intense emotion, what might be called a “homesick tenderness.” In 1.8 its verbal form is rendered deep feeling … comes. How I miss you may be rendered as “how sorrowfully I feel when I am not with you.” In a number of languages a closer equivalent may be “I desire very much to be with you.”

How happy you make me renders another favorite word of Paul in this letter, literally “joy.” How happy you make me may be restructured as “you cause me to be very happy.”

How proud I am of you is literally “you are my crown.” This is not the word generally used for the crown (diadem) worn by a king or queen. It refers, rather, to the crown awarded to a victor in Greek athletic games or to the wreath placed on the head of a guest at a feast. It is a symbol of victory, pride, happiness, and honor (see Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “my crown of victory”). These words recall Paul’s tribute to the church at Thessalonica (cf. 1 Thes 2.19, 20). In some languages one may be able to preserve the figurative usage of “my crown” in a statement such as “you are like a crown for my head.” But this type of rendering has, in some instances, resulted in wrong interpretations; for example, it has been understood in the sense of “you are a weight upon my head,” and thus a mental burden. In some instances how proud I am of you! may be rendered as “I am always glad to tell people about you,” or “I am always boasting about you.”

The adverb rendered this … is how should be taken closely with the opening conjunction so, then. It carries the force of “in view of all that I have said to you” (Barclay).

The imperative rendered you should stand firm is the same word used in 1.27. With this word one can visualize a soldier standing firmly amidst the horrors of a battle. The idea is to remain faithful without giving way (Jerusalem Bible), or to demonstrate unswerving loyalty (Barclay) amidst attacks from without and false teachings within. As in other instances in which the metaphor stand firm is employed, one can sometimes express it better in negative terms, for example, “you should never run away,” “you should never give in,” or “you must never collapse.”

In your life in the Lord is literally “in the Lord.” There can be no closer relation possible than for one to be in another person’s life, “living in another person’s blood stream,” as some languages would phrase it. This thought is vividly expressed in 1.21 (see the discussion there). In your life in the Lord may be rendered in some instances as “as you live in the Lord.” In some instances a literal rendering of “in the Lord” may be rather meaningless, and so it may be better to say, “as you live joined in the Lord,” or “as you live like one person together with the Lord.”

In order to reproduce the proper force and to make it easier to follow the train of thought, this verse may have to be restructured in some languages. Thus, “So then, my brothers, in view of all that I have said to you, you should stand firm in your life in the Lord, dear brothers! How dear you are to me, and how I miss you! how happy you make me, and how proud I am of you!” (cf. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch).

Quoted with permission from Luo, I-Jin. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1977. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

For you have been given the privilege of serving Christ (literally, “because to you it hath been granted in the behalf of Christ” American Standard Version), can be made into an active statement, as in Jerusalem Bible “that he (God) has given you the privilege….” However, since you is in an emphatic position corresponding to the “you” in verse 28, it is better to keep the original passive structure in the receptor language if it is possible to do so.

The final clause of verse 28 introduces an immediate cause, expressed characteristically in English by the conjunction because. A more remote type of cause is expressed in English by the conjunction for. The clause introduced by because gives a specific reason for the immediately preceding expression you will win. The cause introduced in verse 29 is related to the entire content of verse 28. One might argue that the content of verse 29 is simply the cause of God’s giving the believers the victory, but it seems more satisfactory to understand verse 29 as relating to all that has preceded. The relation, however, is of a more general nature. To represent these two levels of causal relations, it is useful to find two different conjunctions in a receptor language which can specify the different degrees of cause and effect relations, just as “because” and “for” do in English. If, however, the receptor language has only one such expression, one can say at the beginning of verse 29: “All this will happen because you have been given the privilege….”

The verb rendered you have been given (literally, “it has been granted [to you]”) is formed on the stem of the noun meaning “grace.” It denotes a free, unmerited favor or kindness from God (Eph 4.32; Rom 8.32); therefore it is a privilege. Most recent translations try to make this meaning explicit, for example, “for you have been granted the privilege” (Goodspeed, New English Bible); “for it is your special privilege…” (New American Bible); and “for you have received the privilege of serving Christ” (Barclay). “In behalf of Christ” is to be taken in the sense of serving Christ (so also Barclay).

In some languages one may wish to change the passive clause you have been given the privilege into an active one, for example, “God has given you the privilege,” “God has made it possible for you,” “God has been good to you in causing you to,” or “… giving you the task of.”

Serving Christ may be rendered as “working for Christ” or “helping Christ.” This type of expression occurs frequently in the New Testament.

Both believing and suffering are present infinitives in Greek, thus indicating that the privilege of believing Christ and suffering for him is not a once for all action but is continuous.

In rendering not only … but also, it is important to avoid expressions which would imply direct negation. The relation is strictly additive, rather that what may be called adversative. Accordingly, in many languages one will need to translate “you may serve Christ by believing in him, and you may also serve him by suffering on his behalf.” In rendering suffering for him, it is important to avoid the implication of “suffering because of him,” that is, because of what Christ has done. The suffering in this context is suffering for the advancement of the cause of Christ.

Quoted with permission from Luo, I-Jin. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1977. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

That there is a break in the flow of thought in this verse is recognized by practically all interpreters and is reflected in various translations, but scholars cannot agree as to whether the break is in the middle of the verse or at the end of it. New English Bible Jerusalem Bible Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch have the break in the middle of the verse, while Phillips and New American Bible have it at the end. While the context seems to indicate a break in the middle of the verse, it is not necessary to consider the first part of verse 1 as the conclusion of the preceding paragraph, as the Greek phrase rendered in conclusion is sometimes loosely used as a marker of transition to a new section or fresh subject matter (cf. 1 Thes 4.1; 2 Thes 3.1). Here Paul is no doubt introducing new subject matter, most likely a concluding remark, and so renderings like “finally” (Revised Standard Version Jerusalem Bible) or in conclusion (Phillips Good News Translation) are quite adequate. This may be expressed in some languages as “now I want to end my letter by saying,” “finally, this is what I say,” or “before stopping my writing I want to say.”

As in other contexts, my brothers may be rendered as “my fellow believers.” Such expressions of direct address must be placed at the beginning of a discourse in some languages, and therefore one may wish to modify the order by saying, “My fellow believers, in finishing this statement I still want to say….”

The exhortation be joyful in your union with the Lord, rendered in most translations as “rejoice in the Lord,” may express a wish (Barclay “… to wish you the joy that comes from being united with the Lord”). Christians are to be joyful, and their joy springs from Christ. In sounding this note Paul picks up the thought of 2.18, and the same phrase is repeated in 4.4.

The phrase “in the Lord” may be understood in the sense of the condition which leads to joy, for example, “be happy because of your union with the Lord” (cf. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). It can also be taken as an indication of the agent which causes the joy, for example, “may the Lord give you much joy,” or “may the Lord cause you to be very happy.” With expressions such as these, it may be necessary to suggest that this is a kind of prayer addressed to the Lord. In this type of interpretation it cannot be understood as an imperative, and therefore one may translate “I pray that the Lord will cause you to be very happy.”

The verb rendered “rejoice” is also the Greek word for “farewell.” For this reason New English Bible, for example, includes both meanings in the translation, “… farewell; I wish you joy in the Lord” (cf. Translator’s New Testament). However, except in 2 Cor 13.11, the word is generally not used in the sense of “farewell” in the New Testament.

I don’t mind repeating what I have written before is literally “to write the same things to you is not irksome to me” (Revised Standard Version). There are several possible interpretations of “the same things.” It is possible to regard the phrase as referring to the repeated call of “rejoicing” in this letter (Moffatt “I am repeating this word ‘rejoice’ in my letter”). But such an exhortation appears to have no direct bearing on the safety of the Philippians. It is also suggested that the words refer to the repeated warnings against disasters within the church mentioned in 4.1 ff. Verses 2-21 of chapter 3 are then of necessity taken as a long digression. The most likely explanation, however, is to take the words as an introduction to what follows in 3.2 ff., that is, a repetition of the warnings against false teachers which the apostle has sent in previous letters. Repeated warnings are necessary for the safety or spiritual well-being of the Philippians.

To avoid the implication that this sentence is merely a reference to the preceding admonition or prayer, it may be important to translate before as “on another occasion.” I don’t mind may be rendered in some instances as “I do not hesitate at all,” or, perhaps, “it doesn’t bother me.”

The word rendered safer means primarily “stable,” and is used of something to be relied on as profitable. Safer may be expressed in some languages as being “in less danger.” Therefore one may say “you will be in less danger if I do so,” or “… if I repeat what I have said.”

Quoted with permission from Luo, I-Jin. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1977. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Now follows an eloquent description of Paul’s sense of self-sufficiency. This verse expands what is said in the second half of verse 11. The repetition of “I know” and the use of five infinitives in the Greek make this verse most impressive.

I know refers to what Paul has experienced (New American Bible “I am experienced”). What it is to be in need (literally, “to be abased”; see 2.8) does not mean “to live humbly,” as some translations seem to suggest. The antithesis of what is said here is to be abundant or prosperous, as indicated in the next infinitive. This Greek word may be used of the dropping of water level in a river, and the reference here is to the needs in one’s daily life (Barclay “I know how to live with less than enough”). The idea is vividly brought out in Bruce’s idiomatic rendering, “I know what it is to scrape the bottom of the barrel.” In this context I know points clearly to experience, for example, “I know by experience.” In fact, it may be better to translate the beginning of this verse as “I have experienced what it is to be in need,” or “… to lack what is necessary.”

As in Greek, I know may be repeated here for emphasis before what it is to have more than enough. This clause translates a Greek infinitive which means literally “to overflow.” The idea is “to have enough and to spare” in the needs of daily life. It may be rendered as “to have more than I need,” to “to have more than what is necessary for me.”

I have learned this secret renders a single Greek verb which means literally “I have been initiated” or “I have been instructed.” Used only here in the New Testament, it is a technical expression often used in the pagan mystery cults to denote the act of initiation into the secrets of those religions. Paul’s initiation was not a secret affair; he learned from the hard experiences in life (New American Bible “I have learned to cope with”). This secret refers back to Paul’s being satisfied with what he had (v. 11). This was really not a “secret” in the sense that it was hidden information. Hence one may translate I have learned this secret simply as “I have learned how to be satisfied,” or “… to be content.”

“In everything and in all things” (American Standard Version) can be taken in the general sense of “in any and all circumstances” (Revised Standard Version; cf. Moffatt “for all sorts and conditions of life,” Goodspeed “in any and all conditions,” New English Bible “whatever my circumstances”). But it is also possible to understand it in the sense of “anything anywhere” (Jerusalem Bible), or anywhere, at any time (Good News Translation), giving the preposition “in” both a local and a temporal sense. Thus, anywhere, at any time may be rendered as “regardless of where I am and regardless of when something happens.” It is also possible to render these expressions as “wherever I happen to be, at any time,” or “it makes no difference where I am, or when I experience such things.”

Since the secret that Paul has learned is to be satisfied with whatever he has, Good News Translation makes this information explicit: I am content.

The kind of life which Paul experienced is described in two pairs of infinitives, literally “both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.” It appears that the focus is not on “how” but on “whether,” not “how to eat well” (which may give a misleading meaning), but “whether I am full.” So Good News Translation renders explicitly whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. The verb rendered I am full is often used of the feeding and fattening of animals, but the context makes clear that what is meant here is simply to have plenty of food. I have too much renders the same verb used in the phrase what it is to have more than enough. I have … too little renders a verb cognate with the word rendered I feel neglected in verse 11. The basic meaning of the term is “to fall behind”; here it is falling behind in the needs of daily life.

Whether I am full or hungry may be expressed as “if I have plenty to eat or if I am hungry, it makes no difference.” Similarly, whether I have too much or too little may be rendered as “if I have too many things or if I do not have enough to fill my need, that makes no difference.”

Quoted with permission from Luo, I-Jin. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1977. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

In the Greek God is my witness that I tell you the truth is simply “God is my witness.” This expression is used by Paul to convey solemn intense, personal emotion (cf. Rom 1.9; 2 Cor 1.23; 1 Thes 2.5, 10). He appeals to God as the One who knows and who can testify to the truthfulness of his innermost feelings. It may be expressed in some instances as “God knows that what I say is true,” or “… this that I am going to say is true.”

Comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself translates a Greek prepositional phrase, literally “with the entrails of Christ.” The entrails consist of the heart, liver, and lungs. In biblical times these were collectively regarded as the seat of feelings and affections, the equivalent of “heart” in modern usage. Paul identifies himself so closely with Christ that the deep feeling he has towards his Christian friends appears to be nothing other than the love of Christ himself (Jerusalem Bible “loving you as Christ Jesus loves you”).

The final clause of verse 8 may be very difficult to render, for it contains two metaphorical expressions, deep feeling and heart. Furthermore, it is impossible to say in some languages that “a feeling comes.” The meaning here is, of course, that the true source of Paul’s feelings is Christ. But the emphasis is upon the similarity of his affections to Christ’s, and therefore this clause may be rendered as “I love you in the same way that Christ Jesus himself loves you.” Or it may be possible to render this clause as “my love for you all results from the kind of love which Christ Jesus himself has shown.”

Quoted with permission from Luo, I-Jin. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1977. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

The words in verses 10-11 are adapted from Isa 45.23, a passage quoted in Rom 14.11. The context in the Isaiah passage is the proclamation of the unique greatness of the God of Israel and of the universal worship that would be paid to him.

And so states the purpose of the exaltation. Most translations render the particle as “so that.”

In honor of the name of Jesus is literally “in the name of Jesus.” “At the name of Jesus,” as rendered in several translations (Revised Standard Version New English Bible Jerusalem Bible etc.) may be misleading, for it seems to suggest that, whenever the name of Jesus is mentioned, everyone would bend in reverence. The meaning however, is that to Jesus is given the honor that is proper only to God, because Jesus bears the name that carries with it the highest honor. Good News Translation makes the meaning explicit. There is no need to interpret this expression in the sense of “through the name of Jesus,” thus making Jesus the mediator through whom all creatures offer their homage to God. The drift of the passage makes it clear that Jesus is the direct object of worship.

In those languages in which a term such as “name” has no value as a symbol of status or as a substitute for the person himself, it may be useful simply to eliminate any mention of the name. Therefore, in honor of the name of Jesus may be rendered as “in honor of Jesus” or “in order to show honor to Jesus.”

Paul now describes the cosmic and universal power and authority of Jesus Christ by what in Greek are three adjectives which here function as nouns. King James Version and American Standard Version understand the adjectives to be neuter, that is, “things” (“every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth”), but it is more likely that the reference is to rational beings. Good News Translation makes this interpretation explicit and restructures the clause into all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will fall on their knees (cf. Jerusalem Bible Barclay). It is not necessary to identify these rational beings exclusively as “spirits.” It is quite possible that beings in heaven refers to the angels, and those on earth to human beings. The world below refers most likely to the residence of the dead known as Hades. Its equivalent in the Old Testament is Sheol. In ancient times, people believed that there was an underworld where the spirits of the dead carried on a shadowy existence. In any case, the author intends to show that the lordship of Jesus Christ is cosmic and universal (cf. Eph 4.10; Rev 5.3, 13).

In some languages there is no generic term equivalent to beings. The closest natural equivalent may be such a pronoun as “those,” for example, “all those who are in heaven, and on earth, and below the earth.”

It may be misleading in some languages to speak of the world below. This would suggest that there is “an earth beneath the earth.” It may therefore be necessary to say “in the space beneath the earth,” or “in the region below the ground.”

The phrase will fall on their knees is an idiomatic expression referring to reverence and worship, and sometimes prayer (Rom 11.4; Eph 3.14).

Quoted with permission from Luo, I-Jin. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1977. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .