Philippians 1 5

Philippians 1:5 kjv

For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

Philippians 1:5 nkjv

for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,

Philippians 1:5 niv

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

Philippians 1:5 esv

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

Philippians 1:5 nlt

for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.

Philippians 1 verses

Philippians 1 5 Meaning

Paul expresses profound gratitude to the Philippian believers for their sustained, active participation and fellowship in the propagation of the gospel message. This partnership encompasses shared effort, resources, and commitment to the spread of Christ's good news, evident from the very inception of their faith community in Philippi and continuing without cessation to the present moment of Paul's writing. Their faithful engagement has been a foundational pillar in the advancement of God's Kingdom.

Philippians 1 5 Context

Philippians is a deeply personal and joyful letter written by the Apostle Paul while in prison, likely in Rome. Despite his imprisonment (Phil 1:7, 13), Paul overflows with gratitude and affection for the church at Philippi. This verse, Philippians 1:5, directly follows Paul's opening greeting and affirmation of thanks to God "every time I remember you." It establishes the very reason for his gratitude and the strong bond between him and the Philippian believers. The church in Philippi, founded by Paul (Acts 16), was distinct in its consistent financial and spiritual support for his ministry. This enduring partnership formed the bedrock of Paul's confidence, expressed in the subsequent verse, that God would continue and complete the work He began in them. The "partnership" described here sets the stage for Paul's appeal for unity, humility, and steadfastness later in the letter.

Philippians 1 5 Word analysis

• for (Gk: epi - ἐπί): In this context, it functions as "because of" or "on account of," indicating the basis or reason for Paul's thanksgiving. His gratitude stems directly from their involvement.
• your (Gk: humon - ὑμῶν): Emphasizes the specific relationship Paul had with the Philippians, distinguishing their unique and consistent support.
• partnership (Gk: koinōnia - κοινωνία): This is a rich and crucial term. It signifies far more than mere financial contribution. It means "fellowship," "sharing," "participation," "communion," and "joint undertaking." It implies a deep bond and mutual involvement. Here, it denotes their active participation, common interest, and contribution to the gospel mission, reflecting shared spiritual and practical commitment. It suggests they shared in the burden, the joy, and the benefits of the gospel.
• in the gospel (Gk: eis to euangelion - εἰς τὸ εὐαγγέλιον): "In the gospel" specifies the object and sphere of their partnership. Their shared endeavor is centered on euangelion, the "good news" of salvation through Jesus Christ. The preposition eis "into/for/towards" implies not just sharing of the gospel message, but actively sharing in the work of spreading it. Their participation contributes directly to its advancement.
• from the first day (Gk: apo prōtēs hēmeras - ἀπὸ πρώτης ἡμέρας): This phrase highlights the longevity and consistency of their partnership. "The first day" refers to the earliest period of their conversion and the establishment of the Philippian church when Paul first ministered among them. It emphasizes a consistent faithfulness from the outset.
• until now (Gk: achri tou nun - ἄχρι τοῦ νῦν): This reinforces the idea of an unbroken, continuous, and unwavering commitment. Their partnership has not wavered, but endured through time, struggles, and distances, indicating deep steadfastness and faithfulness on their part.

Words-group analysis:

• your partnership in the gospel: This phrase defines the specific nature of their relationship with Paul. It underscores their active, enduring commitment to the spreading of Christ's message, manifesting not just in listening or believing, but in concrete involvement and support. This partnership elevated them beyond passive recipients to active co-laborers in God's kingdom work.
• from the first day until now: This emphasizes the consistent and long-standing nature of the Philippians' faithfulness. It signifies perseverance through the early stages of establishing the church, facing challenges, and maintaining their dedication over many years. This temporal dimension of their commitment serves as the bedrock for Paul's thanksgiving and his confidence in their future.

Philippians 1 5 Bonus section

The consistent nature of the Philippians' koinōnia demonstrates that Christian discipleship is not merely an initial decision, but an ongoing life of faithful participation and active contribution. This sustained support for the gospel is seen as spiritual fruit that increases to their eternal account, highlighting the eternal value and reward for shared labor in God's kingdom. Their example emphasizes the importance of a holistic Christian walk, where belief translates into active collaboration in spreading the Word, encompassing both material and spiritual giving.

Philippians 1 5 Commentary

Philippians 1:5 distills Paul's deep appreciation for the Philippians' continuous engagement in the gospel mission. The term koinōnia, translated as "partnership," is central; it describes a profound spiritual communion that extends into practical acts of support. It's a shared investment, not merely financial contributions (though these were significant, as Phil 4:15-16 reveals), but also encompassing shared struggles, prayers, and burdens for the sake of the good news. This implies they were not merely consumers of the gospel but active proponents and enablers of its reach. Their unique dedication, consistently demonstrated "from the first day until now," highlights a level of faithfulness that truly set them apart. This unwavering commitment provides the basis for Paul's prayer and confidence in the following verse, affirming that their past and present devotion signals God's enduring work in their lives towards future completion.