Philippians 1: To Live Is Christ

Philippians 1 opens with the names Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, writing to all the saints at Philippi. Paul thanks God with joy for their partnership in the Good News and is confident that he who began a good work in them will complete it. Paul is in chains, but his bonds have helped the Good News spread, and others have become bold to speak God's word. He says, For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. He asks them to live worthy of the Good News and stand firm together.

Go to worksheets ↓

Bible:

Read Philippians 1

World English Bible · 30 verses

¹ Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and servants:This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ I thank my God whenever I remember you,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ always in every request of mine on behalf of you all, making my requests with joy,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ for your partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ so that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ For I know that this will turn out to my salvation through your prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don’t know what I will choose.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²³ But I am hard pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ Yet to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁵ Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁶ that your boasting may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁷ Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁸ and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁹ Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁰ having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

1Pick a grade below
2Look over the worksheet
3Tap Print worksheet. Print the answer key separately.

Pick a grade:

Answer key (print separately)More print options ↓

Open Preschool on its own page

Philippians 1 · Preschool

Grace and Peace

Name Date

Color the letter and the happy friends!

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Philippians 1:2 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: Paul thanked God for his friends. Thank God for your friends today.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

Philippians 1 · Grade 4

He Who Began a Good Work

Name Date

Read and Think

The first verse names the writers: Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, writing to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi. Paul says, I thank my God whenever I remember you. He prays with joy because they shared in spreading the Good News. He is confident of this: he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Paul prays that their love will keep growing, along with knowledge and wise judgment. Then he shares news. He is in chains, but he writes that the things which happened to him have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News. The whole palace guard knows he is in chains for Christ. Other believers have become bold to speak the word of God without fear. Some preach from wrong motives, but Paul rejoices that Christ is proclaimed.

Paul does not know whether he will live or die. He writes, For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Being with Christ would be far better, but staying would help the believers grow. So he urges them to live in a way worthy of the Good News of Christ and to stand firm in one spirit, striving together for the faith.

Show What You Know

Who does verse 1 name as the writers?
What is Paul confident God will do?
What happened because of Paul's chains?
What does Paul say about living and dying?
How should the believers live?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

loveChristGodjoygood

The first verse names the writers: Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus , writing to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi.
Paul says, I thank my whenever I remember you.
He prays with because they shared in spreading the Good News.
He is confident of this: he who began a work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Paul prays that their will keep growing, along with knowledge and wise judgment.

Think About It

Paul thanked God whenever he remembered his friends. Who is someone you can thank God for today?
Paul's hard situation helped the Good News spread. How has God used something hard in your life for good?

Memory Verse

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Philippians 1:2 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for the joy of knowing Jesus. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

Who is someone you can thank God for?
How can God use hard times?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Philippians 1 · Grade 5

For to Me to Live Is Christ

Name Date

Read and Think

The letter opens: Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and servants. Paul's thanks overflows. I thank my God whenever I remember you. He prays with joy because of their partnership in the Good News from the first day until now. He is confident of this: he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. He says, I have you in my heart.

Paul prays that their love will keep growing in knowledge and wise judgment, so they can approve what is excellent. Then he explains his situation. He is in bonds, yet he writes that the things which happened to him have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News. It has become evident to the whole palace guard that his bonds are in Christ. Some preach Christ from envy, others from good will. Paul's response is generous: What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed.

Paul faces an uncertain future, yet his hope is steady. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Going to be with Christ would be far better, but remaining would mean fruitful work for their progress and joy in the faith. He calls them, Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ. They should stand firm in one spirit and not be frightened by those who oppose them. Paul says it has been granted to them not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for Him.

Show What You Know

Who else is addressed besides the saints?
What does Paul pray their love will abound in?
How did the palace guard learn about Christ?
How does Paul respond when some preach from envy?
What does Paul say would be far better?

Crossword

Across

is proclaimed. I ____ in this, yes

Down

pray, that your ____ may abound yet
to live is ____, and to die
to die is ____.

Think About It

Paul says, For to me to live is Christ. What would it look like for Christ to be at the center of your everyday life?
Paul rejoices that Christ is proclaimed even by people with mixed motives. How can you focus on what God is doing rather than on others' faults?

Memory Verse

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Philippians 1:21 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for the joy of knowing Jesus. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How could your words and actions point others to Christ this week?
How can Christ be your center?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

More print options

Student sheets have no answers on them. The answer key is a separate document for teachers and parents.

This gradeOnly the Preschool sheet

Whole chapterEvery verse of the chapter, in the translation you pickOpen & print

All student sheetsEvery grade, preschool to grade 5Open & print

Answer keyAll grades in one, each grade labeledOpen & print

‹ All Philippians chapters · All books

Philippians 1: To Live Is Christ

Read Philippians 1

Worksheets

Grace and Peace

Prayer

Take It Home

Joy in Jesus

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

A Good Work

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Paul Rejoices

Prayer

Take It Home

Paul Gives Thanks

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

A Good Work in You

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Paul Rejoices

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

He Who Began a Good Work

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

For to Me to Live Is Christ

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

More print options