Philippians 1:5

5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,

Philippians 1:5 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
English Standard Version (ESV)
5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
New Living Translation (NLT)
5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.
The Message Bible (MSG)
5 I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present.
American Standard Version (ASV)
5 for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now;
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
5 I can do this because of the partnership we've had with you in the Good News from the first day [you believed] until now.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
5 I am happy because you have joined me in spreading the good news. You have done so from the first day until now.

Philippians 1:5 Meaning and Commentary

Philippians 1:5

For your fellowship in the Gospel
Or "for your communication unto the Gospel"; that is, to the support of it. These Philippians were one of the churches of Macedonia the apostle so highly commends for their liberality in ( 2 Corinthians 8:1-3 ) ; they had been very communicative to him, and those that were with him, from the beginning of the Gospel being preached to them: as the instances of Lydia and the jailer show, and which are taken notice of in this epistle, ( Philippians 4:15 Philippians 4:16 ) ; And this same generous spirit still continued, of which their present by Epaphroditus was an evidence; and for this the apostle gives thanks, not only that they had an ability to support the Gospel, and assist Gospel ministers, but that they were willing to communicate, and did communicate, readily and cheerfully, largely and liberally; or this may intend their "participation in the Gospel", as the Arabic version renders it. The Gospel was in a very wonderful and providential manner brought unto them, and it was attended with mighty power to the conversion of them; they received it with joy and gladness, and cheerfully submitted to the ordinances of it; they had much light into it, and spiritual knowledge of it; and were made partakers of the blessings of grace, which are revealed and exhibited in it, and of the exceeding great and precious promises of it, for which the apostle gives thanks to God; for all this was from him, and a wonderful instance of his grace it was. Moreover, through the Gospel being thus brought unto them, and succeeded among them, they became a Gospel church, and had, through the Gospel, and the ordinances of it, fellowship one with another; yea, they had fellowship with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ, unto which they were called by the Gospel; and in this they remained

from the first day until now;
they continued in the Gospel which they were made partakers of, and in fellowship with one another, in breaking of bread, and in prayer, and in hearing the word, which they constantly attended to, and were blessed with communion with Father, Son, and Spirit, to that time; and therefore the apostle continued from the first of their receiving the Gospel, to that moment, to give thanks to God for them on that account: for this last clause may be connected with the words in ( Philippians 1:3 ) , "I thank my God", as well as with those immediately preceding, "your fellowship in the Gospel"; and shows not only their perseverance in the Gospel, from the first to the present time, as the Ethiopic version renders it, for which he was abundantly thankful; but the continuance of his thankfulness on that account, from his first acquaintance with them to that time.

Philippians 1:5 In-Context

3 I thank my God every time I remember you.
4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Acts 2:42; Philippians 4:15
  • 2. Acts 16:12-40
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.