Philippians 1 | » |
1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, together with the overseers and ministers:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 always in every prayer of mine in behalf of you all, with joy,
5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
6 having been persuaded of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus;
7 just as it is right for me to think this concerning you all, because I have you in my heart, both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.
8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all perception,
10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
11 having been filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
12 But I want you to know, brothers, that the things [which happened] to me have come about for the advancement of the gospel,
13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;
14 and most of the brothers in the Lord, having been persuaded by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word fearlessly.
15 Some indeed are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will:
16 The [former] proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;
17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
18 What then? Nevertheless in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice, yet also I will rejoice.
19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I will be ashamed, but with utmost boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me, to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain.
22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this to me will mean fruit from my labor; and what I shall choose I do not know.
23 For I am hard pressed by the two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better.
24 But to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.
25 And having been persuaded of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,
26 that your boasting may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my coming again to you.
27 Only conduct yourselves worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving together for the faith of the gospel,
28 and not being terrified in anything by your enemies, which is to them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and this from God.
29 For to you it has been granted for the sake of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
30 having the same struggle which you saw in me and now you hear is in me.
The Apostles’ Bible Complete (ABC)
The Apostles’ Bible Complete (ABC) is a modern translation of the Bible that strives to offer a clear and faithful rendering of the scriptures in contemporary language. This translation is designed to be accessible to a wide audience, providing an easy-to-read yet accurate version of the biblical text. The ABC translation aims to bridge the gap between the ancient languages in which the Bible was originally written and the modern vernacular, making it an ideal choice for both personal study and public reading.
One of the notable features of the Apostles’ Bible Complete is its dedication to maintaining the integrity of the original manuscripts. The translators of the ABC worked meticulously with the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts to ensure that their translation accurately reflects the original meaning and intent of the scriptures. By employing a balance of formal equivalence (word-for-word) and dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) translation techniques, the ABC aims to preserve the nuances and richness of the original languages while ensuring readability and clarity for modern readers.
The ABC also incorporates extensive cross-references and study aids to enhance the reader’s understanding of the biblical text. These tools include footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, as well as explanations of difficult or ambiguous passages. This approach helps readers to grasp the deeper meanings of the scriptures and to see how different parts of the Bible interconnect. The inclusion of these study aids makes the ABC particularly useful for those who are new to the Bible, as well as for more experienced readers who are looking to deepen their understanding of the text.
Despite its strengths, the Apostles’ Bible Complete has faced some criticisms. Some readers feel that the translation could benefit from further refinement in certain passages, as the balance between formal and dynamic equivalence can sometimes lead to inconsistencies in style and tone. Others have noted that while the study aids are helpful, they can occasionally overwhelm the main text, making it difficult to focus on the scripture itself. Nonetheless, the ABC remains a valuable and respected translation, appreciated for its commitment to accuracy, clarity, and accessibility, and for its ability to bring the ancient words of the Bible to life for contemporary readers.