Filipi 1:23

1:23 I feel torn between the two, ¹  because I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far,

Filipi 1:25

1:25 And since I am sure of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for the sake of your progress ²  and joy in the faith, ³ 

Filipi 2:2

2:2 complete my joy and be of the same mind, ⁴  by having the same love, being united in spirit, ⁵  and having one purpose.

Filipi 2:25

2:25 But for now ⁶  I have considered it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. For he is my brother, ⁷  coworker and fellow soldier, and your messenger ⁸  and minister ⁹  to me in my need. ¹⁰ 

Filipi 3:21--4:1

3:21 who will transform these humble bodies of ours ¹¹  into the likeness of his glorious body by means of that power by which he is able to subject all things to himself.

Christian Practices

4:1 So then, my brothers and sisters, ¹²  dear friends whom I long to see, my joy and crown, stand in the Lord in this way, my dear friends!

[1:23]  ¹ tn Grk “I am hard-pressed between the two.” Cf. L&N 30.18.

[1:25]  ² tn Grk “for your progress.”

[1:25]  ³ sn Paul’s confidence in his release from prison (I know that I will remain and continue with all of you) implies that this Roman imprisonment did not end in his death. Hence, there is the likelihood that he experienced a second Roman imprisonment later on (since the belief of the early church was that Paul died under Nero in Rome). If so, then the pastoral letters (1-2 Tim, Titus) could well fit into a life of Paul that goes beyond any descriptions in the book of Acts (which ends with Paul’s first Roman imprisonment). Some have argued that the pastorals cannot be genuine because they cannot fit into the history of Acts. But this view presupposes that Paul’s first Roman imprisonment was also his last.

[2:2]  ⁴ tn Or “and feel the same way,” “and think the same thoughts.” The ἵνα (Jina) clause has been translated “and be of the same mind” to reflect its epexegetical force to the imperative “complete my joy.”

[2:2]  ⁵ tn The Greek word here is σύμψυχοι (sumyucoi, literally “fellow souled”).

[2:25]  ⁶ tn Grk “But.” The temporal notion (“for now”) is implied in the epistolary aorist (“I have considered”), for Epaphroditus was dispatched with this letter to the Philippians.

[2:25]  ⁷ tn Grk “my brother” instead of “For he is my brother.” Verse 25 constitutes one sentence in Greek, with “my brother…” functioning appositionally to “Epaphroditus.”

[2:25]  sn The reason why Paul refers to Epaphroditus as his brother, coworker, fellow soldier, etc., is because he wants to build up Epaphroditus in the eyes of the Philippians, since Paul is sending him back instead of Timothy. This accent on Epaphroditus’ character and service is implied in the translation “For he is…”

[2:25]  ⁸ tn Grk “apostle.”

[2:25]  ⁹ tn The Greek word translated “minister” here is λειτουργός (leitourgo").

[2:25]  ¹⁰ tn Grk “servant of my need.”

[3:21]  ¹¹ tn Grk “transform the body of our humility.”

[4:1]  ¹² tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:12.