Philippians 1 | » |
1 Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.
2 Grace to you, and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 always in every prayer of mine making my request for you all with joy
5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ,
7 even as it is righteous for me to think this of you all, because you have me in your heart, inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partakers of my grace.
8 For God is my witness how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in full knowledge and in all perception;
10 that you may distinguish between things that differ, that you may be sincere and without offense until the day of Jesus Christ,
11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
12 But I desire that you should understand, brothers, that the things which happened to me have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel;
13 so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places.
14 And most of the brothers in the Lord, becoming confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the Word without fear.
15 Some indeed even preach Christ because of envy and strife, and some also of good will.
16 Those, indeed, preach Christ out of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds.
17 But these others preach in love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.
18 What then? Nevertheless, in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached. And I rejoice in this. Yet, also I will rejoice.
19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that I shall be ashamed in nothing, but as always now Christ shall be magnified in my body with all boldness, whether it is by life or by death.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor. Yet I do not know what I shall choose.
23 For I am pressed together 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 you.
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all, for your advancement and joy of faith,
26 so that your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
27 Only let your conduct be as becomes the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you, or else am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, striving together with one mind for the faith of the gospel,
28 and terrified in nothing by your adversaries. For this is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
29 For to you it is given on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
30 having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
The Modern King James Version (MKJV)
The Modern King James Version (MKJV) is a contemporary English translation of the Bible that aims to preserve the majesty and accuracy of the original King James Version (KJV) while updating its language for modern readers. Developed by Jay P. Green Sr. and first published in 1990, the MKJV seeks to maintain the literary beauty and doctrinal reliability of the KJV, making only necessary adjustments to archaic terms and phrases to enhance readability. This careful balance allows the MKJV to retain the classic feel of the KJV while making it more accessible to today’s audience.
One of the standout features of the MKJV is its commitment to formal equivalence, or word-for-word translation. The translators have meticulously preserved the structure and vocabulary of the KJV, only updating words and phrases that have become outdated or whose meanings have shifted over time. This approach ensures that the MKJV remains faithful to the original texts and maintains the theological and literary integrity of the KJV. By preserving the cadence and phrasing of the original, the MKJV offers a reading experience that is both familiar and refreshed for modern readers.
The MKJV also pays special attention to the textual basis of the translation. Like the KJV, it relies on the Textus Receptus for the New Testament and the Masoretic Text for the Old Testament. This adherence to traditional source texts underscores the MKJV’s commitment to continuity with the historic Christian tradition. The translation is designed to serve both devotional and scholarly purposes, providing a text that is suitable for study, teaching, and public reading in a variety of settings.
Despite its strengths, the Modern King James Version has faced some criticism. Some scholars and readers argue that the translation could benefit from a more extensive revision to fully embrace contemporary language, suggesting that the MKJV’s adherence to the structure and style of the KJV may still pose challenges for modern readers. Others appreciate the balance it strikes but note that it occupies a niche space, appealing primarily to those who have a strong attachment to the KJV. Nonetheless, the MKJV remains a respected and valued translation for those seeking a modern update of the KJV that honors its rich heritage and timeless message.