Philippians 1 9

Philippians 1:9 kjv

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

Philippians 1:9 nkjv

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,

Philippians 1:9 niv

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,

Philippians 1:9 esv

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,

Philippians 1:9 nlt

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.

Philippians 1 verses

Philippians 1 9 Meaning

This verse contains Paul's earnest prayer for the believers in Philippi. He prays that their existing love (agape) would not merely continue but intensely and ceaselessly increase, expanding "more and more." Crucially, this abounding love is not to be a blind emotion but must be integrated with, informed by, and expressed "in knowledge" (accurate, deep spiritual understanding) and "in all judgment" (moral discernment, spiritual perception, and practical insight). The desire is for their love to mature into an intelligent, discerning force that knows how to act wisely in every situation.

Philippians 1 9 Context

Philippians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul while he was imprisoned, most likely in Rome. Despite his difficult circumstances, the letter is filled with joy, gratitude, and exhortation. Paul held deep affection for the Philippian believers, viewing them as partners in the gospel since the very beginning of his ministry there (Phil 1:5). This verse, Philippians 1:9, begins a prayer for them, flowing directly from his expression of thanks and affection (Phil 1:3-8). It sets the stage for the practical exhortations later in the letter, especially regarding unity (Phil 2:1-4), humility (Phil 2:5-11), standing firm against adversaries, and discerning false teachings (Phil 3:2-3, 17-19). The emphasis on knowledge and judgment here is crucial for equipping the Philippians to live out their faith effectively in a potentially hostile Roman colonial environment and to rightly assess different teachings and ethical dilemmas they might face.

Philippians 1 9 Word analysis

• And this I pray: This introduces the heart of Paul's prayer request for the Philippians, highlighting his continuous intercession on their behalf. It signifies his deep pastoral care and confidence in the power of God to bring about spiritual maturity.
• that your love: Refers to agapē (ἀγάπη) in Greek, which denotes selfless, divine love. This is not mere human affection or romantic love, but a sacrificial, intentional, benevolent love that wills the good of others. It is the core characteristic of Christian life (Jn 13:35). Paul isn't praying for them to have love, but for their existing love to deepen and mature.
• may abound: From the Greek perisseuō (περισσεύω), meaning to overflow, to be extraordinarily full, to excel, or superabound. It implies an exceeding, quantitative and qualitative increase, signifying a continuous and rich supply or manifestation. It's a prayer for their love to exceed all normal bounds and expectations.
• yet more and more: This phrase emphasizes the dynamic and progressive nature of this growth. It is not a static state but an ongoing, increasing development in their love. This highlights the pursuit of Christian maturity as a journey, not a destination achieved once.
• in knowledge: From the Greek epignōsis (ἐπίγνωσις). This term is more than just factual knowledge (gnosis). Epignōsis implies a precise, experiential, full, or intimate knowledge. It refers to a deep, transformative understanding of spiritual truths and of God Himself, gained through experience and relationship, which leads to genuine spiritual insight and discernment. It’s knowledge that shapes actions.
• and in all judgment: From the Greek aisthesis (αἴσθησις). This refers to spiritual perception, moral discernment, practical insight, or the ability to make right moral and spiritual judgments. It’s the faculty of distinguishing between good and evil, superior and inferior, essential and non-essential. It allows believers to apply their spiritual knowledge in real-life situations, making wise choices, discerning between truth and error, and recognizing what truly matters for Christ's glory. It speaks to a refined spiritual sensitivity, like a trained palate or ear (Heb 5:14).
• love may abound... in knowledge and in all judgment: This critical pairing indicates that Christian love is not a blind or unthinking emotion. True spiritual love must be informed by deep knowledge of God's truth and guided by a keen sense of discernment. This prevents love from being misdirected, sentimental, or naive, ensuring it always seeks the truly good and glorifying things of God. Intelligent love discerns how and when to act, prioritizing what is excellent and what honors Christ (Phil 1:10). The prayer is for a love that grows both in quantity (abounds) and quality (informed by knowledge and judgment).
• Knowledge and Judgment: These two concepts are presented as inseparable companions. Knowledge provides the understanding of spiritual realities and God's will, while judgment (discernment) provides the practical ability to apply that knowledge rightly and effectively in diverse situations, distinguishing what is genuinely beneficial and what is detrimental to spiritual growth and the advancement of the gospel. They work in tandem, allowing a believer to not just know what is right, but how to apply it rightly and when to apply it appropriately.

Philippians 1 9 Bonus section

The structure of this prayer sets a powerful example for intercessory prayer, modeling a focus not on material prosperity or ease, but on profound spiritual growth and character development within believers. It reveals Paul’s deep theological insight: authentic Christian love is not a vague sentiment but a potent force that becomes increasingly potent and effective as it matures in depth and wisdom. This maturation prevents spiritual immaturity and equips believers to make choices that are pure, blameless, and lead to Christ's glory (Phil 1:10-11). The ongoing nature ("more and more") suggests that there is no spiritual plateau in this growth; believers are always called to advance in their capacity for discerning love.

Philippians 1 9 Commentary

Philippians 1:9 encapsulates a vital aspect of Paul's prayer for believers: the desire for their spiritual maturity, uniquely expressed through the synergy of love, knowledge, and discernment. Paul prays that their divine agape love would constantly overflow and increase, emphasizing that Christian love is not static but ever-growing. Crucially, this burgeoning love is not an undiscerning affection but must be intimately entwined with deep knowledge (epignōsis) of God's truth and all judgment (aisthesis), which is spiritual wisdom and practical discernment.

This signifies that Christian love, though fueled by emotion, must be directed by clear truth and sharp insight. A love unguided by knowledge risks being naive, misplaced, or ineffective. Conversely, knowledge without love can lead to intellectual arrogance and a cold, barren faith (1 Cor 8:1). Therefore, the prayer highlights an essential balance: intelligent love that accurately understands God’s ways and wisely applies His principles in all situations. This discerning love enables believers to approve what is excellent (Phil 1:10), navigating life's complexities and spiritual dangers with purity and wisdom. It is a dynamic, mature love that seeks the highest good in alignment with God's will, transforming beliefs into virtuous actions. For practical application, this means Christians should continually seek deeper understanding of Scripture and pray for spiritual discernment, not just for themselves but for their fellow believers, so that their acts of love are always rightly directed and fruitful for God’s kingdom.