Philippians 1

with
While some translations have “including” the overseers and deacons here, the Greek word is simply σὺν (syn; “with” or “together”). Thus, it is translated literally here as “with.” One of Paul’s chief emphases (and likely the overall theme itself) in Philippians is that of unity within the church. Thus, Paul does not separate the overseers and deacons from the rest of the saints here, but views them “with” the rest of the body of Christ.

fellowship
Because unity is a key theme in Philippians, fellowship is as well. This translation connects verse 5 to 2:1, 3:10, and 4:15, showing how important the theme of fellowship is in the book.

think
The word “think” rather than “feel” is used here to translate the verb φρονέω (phroneō), which literally carries the idea of thinking or considering—a faculty of the mind. This is a major theme in the book of Philippians, as the word occurs 10 times. Paul puts a great emphasis on how believers “think” because it is thinking the same way which leads to the unity the church is to display to honor Christ, and one of Paul’s main goals in the book is to urge for church unity. To help readers notice the emphasis on thinking in Philippians, φρονέω (phroneō) is translated using “think” everywhere it appears (here; 2:2 [2x], 5; 3:15 [2x], 19; 4:2, 10 [2x]). Here, Paul tells the Philippians how he is thinking about them as an example of the love believers should have for one another because they are all fellow partakers in the same grace of the gospel.

chains
“Chains” literally translates δεσμοῖς (desmois), which is better than the more general term “imprisonment” because it gives a more vivid picture of Paul’s restraint and suffering for the cause of the gospel. This heightens both the legitimacy of Paul’s apostleship and his faithful devotion to the gospel despite painful suffering and restraint. The term is translated consistently as “chains” throughout this epistle (cf. 1:14, 17).

fellow partakers
“Fellow partakers” translates συγκοινωνούς (synkoinōnous), with “fellow” added to bring out the sense of the word for “fellowship” (κοινωνία; koinōnia) which is used to form the compound Greek word here. Paul uses a number of key words and phrases throughout this epistle to emphasize unity within the church. A few of the most prominent are σὺν (syn; “with” or “together”; cf. second note on v. 1), κοινωνία (koinōnia; “fellowship”), and φρονέω (phroneō; “think”; cf. previous note). Here, Paul combines σὺν (syn) and κοινωνία (koinōnia) to form συγκοινωνός (synkoinōnos), emphasizing the togetherness and fellowship believers have in gospel. The translation “fellow partakers” helps to bring this idea across more clearly in English.

full knowledge
“Full knowledge” translates the Greek word ἐπίγνωσις (epignōsis), which Is the word for “knowledge” (γνῶσις; gnōsis) with the added prefix ἐπί- (epi-). In Greek, prefixes are often added to intensify the existing word, so in this case, it is translated not just as “knowledge” but as “full knowledge” to bring out the sense of the added prefix. Because Paul is concerned that believers continue to grow in their knowledge of Christ, the force of the added prefix likely does not emphasize the quality of knowledge (as in “real knowledge”) but rather the quantity of knowledge (“full knowledge”). He is always looking forward to when the believers he ministers to will be presented before Christ (v. 10), when they will know Him fully. Paul prays that their love would grow as they come increasingly closer to that point.

brothers
Though some translations retain the older English plural, “brethren,” the translation “brothers” here remains perfectly accurate to the Greek text (ἀδελφοί; adelphoi) and is more natural to modern readers. This language describes the close familial union which all believers have with one another as children of God. Paul employs this term 8x in this letter to emphasize the unity that believers should have together as members of the same spiritual family.

brothers
Refer to the discussion on verse 12 above.

THIS WILL TURN OUT FOR MY SALVATION
These words are formatted in caps because Paul is intentionally quoting Job 13:16 (his Gk construction is a literal Gk translation of the Heb in Job, and also matches the LXX/OG word for word). The formatting of this translation helps readers recognize that Paul is drawing on this logic from the Old Testament so that they may go back and ensure they understand what was taught there in order to better track Paul’s argumentation here. Job was experiencing great suffering, but placed full confidence in God that he would ultimately be saved and Paul demonstrates that he has adopted the same mindset here.

reason for boasting
“Reason for boasting” translates καύχημα (kauchēma) which literally refers to “boasting.” This word and its cognates are consistently translated with “boast” in Philippians to so that the reader can recognize the same root word everywhere it appears in the letter (see 2:16 & 3:3). While Christians are never to boast in themselves, they are right to boast in the Lord, as Paul points out the Philippians have reason to do here.

in Christ Jesus in me
This translation follows the Greek word order. It shows that Paul may be the grounds or instrument that causes boasting, but the boasting abounds to Jesus Christ, as it is in His sphere of work and activity.