Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of Philippians
Chapter 1: To Live Is Christ
Philippians is Paul's letter of joy, and remarkably, he writes it from prison. Chains have not dimmed his confidence or his gladness. He is sure that the God who began a good work in the Philippians will finish it, and he holds his own life loosely, for to him, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Whether by life or by death, his one desire is that Christ be magnified. Philippians 1 is a masterclass in joy that does not depend on circumstances but on Christ.
About This Commentary
This is a verse-by-verse study of Philippians chapter 1. For each section you will find the KJV text, the Greek words that sharpen the meaning, plain explanation, and a Gospel Focus. Philippians is Paul's letter of joy in Christ, written from prison. Every Scripture quotation is from the King James Version.
Setting the Stage
The Letter of Joy
Philippians overflows with joy and rejoicing, though Paul writes as a prisoner. Its theme is a Christ-centered gladness that circumstances cannot touch, and a mind shaped by the humility of Christ.
The Apostle Paul
Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, his beloved partners in the gospel, from prison, likely in Rome around AD 61, to thank them and encourage them in joy and unity.
Joy in Chains
Chapter 1 opens the letter with thanksgiving and prayer, then shows how Paul's imprisonment has actually advanced the gospel, and how he views life and death through the lens of Christ.
Christ Is Everything
When Christ is your life, joy does not depend on comfort. Whether in freedom or chains, in life or death, the believer's aim is that Christ be magnified.
A Good Work Begun (Philippians 1:6)
Paul grounds his confidence not in the Philippians' strength but in God's faithfulness to finish what He starts.
He Who Began Will Complete It
"Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death."
Greek Study
Paul's confidence rests on two verbs: "he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." "Begun" is enarchomai, to make a beginning, and "perform" is epiteleō, to carry a thing through to full completion — the same verb Paul uses for "perfecting holiness" (2 Corinthians 7:1) and for a work brought entirely to its end. The Christian life is a work God started and God will finish; He does not lay a foundation He means to abandon.
Explanation
This verse is the anchor of the believer's assurance. The "good work" of salvation was God's initiative, not ours, and its completion is God's responsibility, not ours — He "will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Our perseverance rests finally on His faithfulness: the God who saved us has pledged Himself to carry us through to the end. Paul is not expressing a wish but a settled confidence, and it frees the believer from the fear that a work God began might yet fall short.
Gospel Focus
Here is a promise to steady every wavering heart. The salvation God works in us is His project, and He finishes what He begins. Paul is "confident" not in the Philippians' willpower but in God's faithfulness: "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it." The Christian life is not our achievement that we must sustain by gritted teeth; it is God's work of grace that He carries through to "the day of Jesus Christ." This does not excuse passivity, for God works in us "both to will and to do" (Philippians 2:13), but it does banish despair. When you feel your own weakness, remember whose work your salvation is. The One who started it will see it through to the end.
To Live Is Christ (Philippians 1:20-21)
Paul reveals the single passion that frees him from the fear of death and the love of comfort.
To Die Is Gain
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again."
Greek Study
Paul writes with "earnest expectation" — apokaradokia, a vivid word picturing a watcher craning his neck toward the horizon. His life-motto follows: "to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (kerdos, profit). For Paul, death is not loss but increase — more of the Christ who is already his whole life. Living or dying, the sum of his existence is one name: Christ.
Explanation
Paul faces a genuine dilemma from prison, and it is a wonderful one to have: he is "in a strait betwixt two." To depart is "far better," for it means being "with Christ"; to remain is more fruitful for the churches he loves. Either way he cannot lose, because either way he has Christ. "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" is the summary of a life so wholly given to the Lord that death can only add to it. Whether by life or by death, his one aim is "that Christ shall be magnified" in his body.
Gospel Focus
In seven words Paul lays bare the secret of his joy and his freedom: "to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Christ is the sum and center of his life, so living means more of Christ and serving Him, and dying means being with Christ, "which is far better" (verse 23). Death holds no terror for the one whose life is Christ, because it only brings him closer to the One he loves. This is why the prison cannot steal Paul's joy: they can take his freedom, but not his Christ. For the believer, both sides of the ledger are gain, to live is to have Christ here, and to die is to have Him fully. The question this verse presses is searching: can you honestly say, "to live is Christ"? Whatever fills the blank, "to live is ______," is what you will call gain and fear to lose.
Let Your Conduct Be Worthy (Philippians 1:27-29)
Paul turns from his own situation to how the Philippians should live, and even reframes suffering as a gift.
Granted to Suffer for His Sake
"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me."
Greek Study
"Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel" — the word is politeuomai, "to live as a citizen." Paul, writing to a proud Roman colony, tells the church to live as citizens of a higher commonwealth. And they are to be "striving together" (synathleō, an athletic term — teammates contending side by side) "for the faith of the gospel." Christian living is public citizenship and united struggle, not private religion.
Explanation
Paul's concern is a church that stands "in one spirit, with one mind striving together" — unity under pressure. Against their adversaries, such fearless oneness is itself "a token of perdition" to the enemy and of salvation to the church. Then comes a startling reframe of suffering: "unto you it is given... not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." Persecution is not merely permitted but granted as a gift and privilege. To suffer for Christ is a mark of favor, not abandonment.
Gospel Focus
Paul calls the Philippians to lives "worthy of the gospel", a walk that matches the message we profess. And then he says something the world would never understand: that suffering for Christ has been "granted" to us, the word means given as a gift of grace. To suffer for Jesus is not a sign of God's abandonment but a privilege, a share in the fellowship of His sufferings. The early apostles understood this, rejoicing "that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name" (Acts 5:41). This does not make suffering pleasant, but it transforms its meaning: what we endure for Christ is not wasted or random but a gracious calling. A life worthy of the gospel holds fast in joy even through hardship, counting it an honor to belong to Him.
Chapter 1 in Review
Philippians 1 sets the tone for Paul's letter of joy, written remarkably from prison. He gives thanks for the Philippians and expresses confidence that the God who began a good work in them will complete it. He shows how even his chains have advanced the gospel, and lays bare the passion that frees him from all fear: "to live is Christ, and to die is gain." He then calls the Philippians to conduct worthy of the gospel, reframing even suffering for Christ as a gift of grace.
For the Apostolic reader, this chapter teaches a joy that circumstances cannot touch. Our confidence rests not in ourselves but in God's faithfulness to finish His work. When Christ is our life, death loses its terror and comfort loses its grip, for both living and dying become gain. And a life truly worthy of the gospel counts it an honor to suffer for Christ. Paul's chains preached this louder than his words: they could imprison the apostle, but they could not touch his Christ or his joy.
- God finishes what He begins; our confidence rests in His faithfulness, not our strength.
- "To live is Christ, and to die is gain": when Christ is our life, death holds no terror.
- A life worthy of the gospel matches our walk to our profession.
- Suffering for Christ is "granted" as a gracious privilege, not a sign of abandonment (Acts 5:41).
Questions for Reflection
- Paul's confidence was in God's faithfulness to finish His work. Where do you need that assurance today?
- "To live is ______." How would you honestly fill in the blank, and what does that reveal?
- Suffering for Christ is called a gift. Does that reframe any hardship you are facing for His sake?
References & Sources
Scripture is quoted from the King James Version (KJV). The Greek terms are standard and can be checked in any lexicon. Supporting passages are listed so every claim can be verified in its own setting. If anything here does not look right, a verse, a reference, or a wording, please tell us at info@FruitBearers.net. Thank you for helping us keep Bible Learning error free.
- God completing the good work He began: Philippians 1:6; 2:13.
- The gospel advancing even through Paul's chains: Philippians 1:12-14.
- To live is Christ, to die is gain, to depart and be with Christ: Philippians 1:21-23.
- Conduct worthy of the gospel: Philippians 1:27; Ephesians 4:1.
- Suffering for Christ granted as a privilege: Philippians 1:29; Acts 5:41.