Read & explore together
Thanksgiving and Prayer
In this prayer, the writer gives thanks for these people, explains why he feels this way, and asks for their growth. The passage joins gratitude, affection, and a clear prayer for love, discernment, and righteous fruit.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
Philippians 1:3-11 is presented as thanksgiving and prayer. The writer speaks about remembering them, praying with joy, their partnership in furtherance of the Good News, and confidence that God will complete his work in them. He then states specifically what he is praying for them.
Philippians 1:3–11Main takeaway
This prayer shows that thankful prayer includes joy, growing love shaped by knowledge and discernment, and a desire for lives that bring glory and praise to God.
Explore the prayer
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Thanksgiving joined with joyThe writer begins by thanking God whenever he remembers them. He says that in every request on behalf of them all, he makes his requests with joy.
Explanation
The writer begins by thanking God whenever he remembers them. He says that in every request on behalf of them all, he makes his requests with joy. These opening lines show regular remembrance, prayer, and joy closely linked together in his words.
02Partnership and God’s continuing workThe reason for this joy is their partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now.
Explanation
The reason for this joy is their partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now. The writer is also confident about God’s action, saying that he who began a good work in them will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
03Affection shaped by graceThe writer says it is right for him to think this way on behalf of them all because he has them in his heart.
Explanation
The writer says it is right for him to think this way on behalf of them all because he has them in his heart. He mentions his bonds and the defense and confirmation of the Good News, and says they are partakers with him of grace. He longs for them in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.
04What the prayer asks forThe prayer is then stated plainly. He asks that their love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment, so that they may approve the things that are excellent, be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ, and be filled with the fruits of righteousness through Jesus Christ for God’s glory and praise.
Explanation
The prayer is then stated plainly. He asks that their love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment, so that they may approve the things that are excellent, be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ, and be filled with the fruits of righteousness through Jesus Christ for God’s glory and praise.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reasons for thanksgiving and joy does the writer name in this prayer?
Look for his remembrance of them, his joyful requests, and their partnership in furtherance of the Good News.
02What does the writer say gives him confidence about their future?
Notice who began the good work and who will complete it, and include the phrase about the day of Jesus Christ.
03How does the writer describe the growth he prays for?
Follow the prayer from love abounding in knowledge and discernment to approving excellent things, sincerity, and the fruits of righteousness.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Philippians 1:3–11
3I thank my God whenever I remember you,
4always in every request of mine on behalf of you all, making my requests with joy,
5for your partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now;
6being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
7It 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.
8For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.
9This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment,
10so that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ,
11being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.