Philippians 1 in the early church
347 passages quote, allude to, or echo Philippians 1, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.
Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 27 · 28 · 29 · 30
Philippians 1 as a whole
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1–Phil:4 | Canon 60 · Anonymous | allusion, high confidence | ca. 343–381 |
| Phil 1–Phil:4 | Canon 47 · Anonymous | allusion, high confidence | 397 |
Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:1 | Didache 15.1 · Anonymous | echo, medium confidence | ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) |
| Phil 1:1 | 1 Clement 42.4 · Clement of Rome | echo, medium confidence | ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) |
| Phil 1:1 | Lines 51–60 · Anonymous | allusion, high confidence | late 2nd or 4th century (disputed) |
| Phil 1:1 | Commentary on Philippians 1:1 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Phil 1:1 | Letter 146.1 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
Philippians 1:2
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:2 | Commentary on Romans 1.8 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| Phil 1:2 | Commentary on Philippians 1:4 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
Philippians 1:3
I thank my God every time I remember you.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:3–5 | To the Philippians 11.3 · Polycarp of Smyrna | allusion, low confidence | ca. 110–135 |
| Phil 1:3 | Commentary on Philippians 1:5 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Phil 1:3 | On Rebuke and Grace 6 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 427 |
| Phil 1:3–6 | Chapter 16 · Prosper of Aquitaine | quotation, high confidence | ca. 432-433 |
Philippians 1:4
In every prayer for all of you, I always pray with joy,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:4 | Commentary on Philippians 1:5 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Phil 1:4 | On Rebuke and Grace 6 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 427 |
Philippians 1:5
because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:5 | Commentary on Philippians 1:5 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Phil 1:5 | On Rebuke and Grace 6 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 427 |
Philippians 1:6
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.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:6 | Commentary on Philippians 1:6–7 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Phil 1:6 | Letter 218.3 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Phil 1:6 | Sermon 333.5 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Phil 1:6 | Letters 1.9 · Paulinus of Nola | echo, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Phil 1:6 | Confessions 10.5 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 397–401 |
| Phil 1:6 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 108.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| Phil 1:6 | Against Two Letters of the Pelagians 2.18 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 420–421 |
| Phil 1:6 | On Grace and Free Will 17 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426 |
| Phil 1:6 | On Rebuke and Grace 6 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 427 |
| Phil 1:6 | On the Gift of Perseverance 14 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 428/429 |
| Phil 1:6 | Book 1, chapter 24 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 440-450 |
Philippians 1:7
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. For in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partners in grace with me.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:7 | Commentary on Philippians 1:6–7 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
Philippians 1:8
God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:8 | Letter 297 · Basil of Caesarea | echo, medium confidence | ca. 357–378 |
| Phil 1:8–11 | Moral Rules (Moralia) 70 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-370 |
| Phil 1:8 | Commentary on Philippians 1:8 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Phil 1:8 | Letters 51.3 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Phil 1:8 | On Marriage and Concupiscence 0.1 · Augustine of Hippo | echo, medium confidence | ca. 419–421 |
Philippians 1:9
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:9 | Miscellanies 1.11.53 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Phil 1:9 | Commentary on Philippians 1:9–11 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
Philippians 1:10
so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:10 | Miscellanies 1.11.53 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Phil 1:10–11 | Moral Rules (Moralia) 4 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-370 |
| Phil 1:10–11 | Moral Rules (Moralia) 18 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-370 |
| Phil 1:10 | Oration 24.4 · Gregory of Nazianzus | echo, medium confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Phil 1:10 | Commentary on Philippians 1:9–11 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Phil 1:10 | On the Holy Spirit 10.26 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 374–375 |
| Phil 1:10 | Ancoratus 68.15 · Epiphanius of Salamis | quotation, medium confidence | 374 |
| Phil 1:10 | Theological Oration 3 (Or. 29), On the Son 21 · Gregory of Nazianzus | allusion, medium confidence | 380 |
Philippians 1:11
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:11 | Acts of Paul and Thecla 4 · Anonymous | echo, low confidence | ca. 150–200 |
| Phil 1:11 | Commentary on Philippians 1:9–11 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Phil 1:11 | On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.23 · Ambrose | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 386-390 |
| Phil 1:11 | Sermon 350.3 · Augustine of Hippo | echo, low confidence | ca. 391-430 |
Philippians 1:12
Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have actually served to advance the gospel.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:12 | Commentary on Philippians 1:12–17 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Phil 1:12 | Letters 37.7 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
Philippians 1:13
As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:13 | Miscellanies 4.5.19 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Phil 1:13 | Commentary on Philippians 1:12–17 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
Philippians 1:14
And most of the brothers, confident in the Lord by my chains, now dare more greatly to speak the word without fear.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:14 | Miscellanies 4.5.19 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Phil 1:14 | Against Marcion 5.20 · Tertullian | allusion, high confidence | 207/208 (third edition, completed later) |
| Phil 1:14–17 | Letter 73.14 · Cyprian of Carthage | allusion, high confidence | 249/250–258 |
| Phil 1:14 | Commentary on Philippians 1:12–17 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
Philippians 1:15
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
Philippians 1:16
The latter do so in love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:16 | Commentary on Philippians 1.15 · Marius Victorinus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Phil 1:16 | Commentary on Philippians 1:12–17 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Phil 1:16 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 46.6 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
Philippians 1:17
The former, however, preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can add to the distress of my chains.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:17 | Against Marcion 5.20 · Tertullian | allusion, high confidence | 207/208 (third edition, completed later) |
| Phil 1:17 | Commentary on Philippians 1.15 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Phil 1:17 | Commentary on Philippians 1.18 · Marius Victorinus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Phil 1:17 | Commentary on Philippians 1:12–17 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Phil 1:17 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 11.9 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| Phil 1:17 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 46.6 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| Phil 1:17 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 50.8 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| Phil 1:17 | Against Lying 16 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 420 |
Philippians 1:18
What then is the issue? Just this: that in every way, whether by false motives or true, Christ is preached. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
Philippians 1:19
because I know that through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, my distress will turn out for my deliverance.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:19 | Catechetical Lecture 17.4 · Cyril of Jerusalem | quotation, low confidence | ca. 350 |
| Phil 1:19 | Letters to Serapion 1.6 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357–360 |
| Phil 1:19 | Letters to Serapion 1.31 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357–360 |
| Phil 1:19 | Letters to Serapion 3.5 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357–360 |
| Phil 1:19 | Against Arius 1.21 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357–362 |
| Phil 1:19 | Commentary on Philippians 1.19 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Phil 1:19 | Commentary on Philippians 1:18–21 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Phil 1:19 | On the Proceedings of Pelagius 31 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | 417 |
Philippians 1:20
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:20 | Miscellanies 3.9.65 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Phil 1:20 | Commentary on Philippians 1.19 · Marius Victorinus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Phil 1:20 | Commentary on Philippians 1.20 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Phil 1:20 | Commentary on Philippians 1.21 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Phil 1:20 | Commentary on Philippians 1:18–21 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Phil 1:20 | Exposition of Psalm 118 1.17.3 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
Philippians 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:22
But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:22 | Against Heresies 5.12.4 · Irenaeus of Lyons | quotation, high confidence | ca. 180–190 |
| Phil 1:22 | Miscellanies 3.9.65 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Phil 1:22 | Homilies on Exodus 1.4 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Phil 1:22 | Commentary on Philippians 1.22 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Phil 1:22 | Commentary on Philippians 1:22–26 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Phil 1:22–24 | On Christian Doctrine 3.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | Books 1–3 ca. 396–397; completed 426–427 |
| Phil 1:22 | The Conferences 23.5 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Philippians 1:23
I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.
Philippians 1:24
But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:24 | Miscellanies 3.9.65 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Phil 1:24 | On First Principles 1.7.5 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220–230 (Rufinus's translation 398) |
| Phil 1:24 | PG 12:1627 (Ps 119–120 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Phil 1:24 | Fragment on 1 Corinthians (Jenkins § 39, part 1) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 226-254 |
| Phil 1:24 | Homilies on Exodus 1.4 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Phil 1:24 | Homilies on Leviticus 2.5 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Phil 1:24 | Commentary on Romans 7.3 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| Phil 1:24 | Canonical Epistle, canon 10 · Peter of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | AD 306 |
| Phil 1:24 | Commentary on Philippians 1.23 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Phil 1:24 | Commentary on Philippians 1:22–26 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Phil 1:24 | Life of Paul the Hermit 12 · Jerome | echo, low confidence | ca. 375–379 |
| Phil 1:24 | Exposition of Psalm 118 22.24.2 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Phil 1:24 | Letter 55.25 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Phil 1:24 | Homilies on Matthew 77.6 · John Chrysostom | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390 |
| Phil 1:24 | Sermon 210.5 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Phil 1:24 | Historia monachorum, chapter 9 · Rufinus of Aquileia | quotation, high confidence | Greek original ca. 394-395; Rufinus's Latin ca. 404-406 |
| Phil 1:24 | Letters 3.12 · Sulpicius Severus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 397–406 |
| Phil 1:24 | On the Good of Marriage 17 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | 401 |
| Phil 1:24 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 46.7 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| Phil 1:24 | Tractates on the Gospel of John 57.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| Phil 1:24 | Apologetic Book 1.4 · Orosius | echo, low confidence | ca. 415–416 |
| Phil 1:24 | The Conferences 23.5 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Philippians 1:25
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:25 | Commentary on Philippians 1.23 · Marius Victorinus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Phil 1:25 | Commentary on Philippians 1.25 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Phil 1:25 | Commentary on Philippians 1:22–26 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
Philippians 1:26
so that through my coming to you again your exultation in Christ Jesus will resound on account of me.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:26 | Commentary on Philippians 1.26 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Phil 1:26 | Commentary on Philippians 1:22–26 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Phil 1:26 | Letter 157.40 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
Philippians 1:27
Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending together as one for the faith of the gospel,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:27 | To the Philippians 5.2 · Polycarp of Smyrna | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 110–135 |
| Phil 1:27 | Canons of Hippolytus, canon 26 · Anonymous | allusion, low confidence | 4th century |
| Phil 1:27 | Letter 22 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 357–378 |
| Phil 1:27 | Commentary on Philippians 1.27 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Phil 1:27 | Oration 6.17 · Gregory of Nazianzus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Phil 1:27 | Commentary on Philippians 1:27 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Phil 1:27 | Letter 122.1 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Phil 1:27 | Tome to the Armenians 33 · Proclus of Constantinople | quotation, high confidence | ca. 435-437 |
Philippians 1:28
without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:28 | Homilies on Jeremiah 4.3 · Origen | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 240 |
| Phil 1:28–30 | Moral Rules (Moralia) 57 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-370 |
| Phil 1:28 | Commentary on Philippians 1.28 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Phil 1:28 | Commentary on Philippians 1:27 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Phil 1:28–29 | Against Two Letters of the Pelagians 1.6 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 420–421 |
| Phil 1:28–29 | Objection and reply 13 · Prosper of Aquitaine | quotation, high confidence | ca. 431-432 |
| Phil 1:28–29 | Chapter 8 · Prosper of Aquitaine | quotation, high confidence | ca. 432-433 |
| Phil 1:28 | Tome to the Armenians 33 · Proclus of Constantinople | quotation, high confidence | ca. 435-437 |
| Phil 1:28–29 | Book 1, chapter 24 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 440-450 |
Philippians 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,
Philippians 1:30
since you are encountering the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:30 | Miscellanies 4.13.92 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Phil 1:30 | Antidote for the Scorpion's Sting 13 · Tertullian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 211–213 |
| Phil 1:30 | Commentary on Philippians 1.29 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Phil 1:30 | Commentary on Philippians 1:29–30 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |