King James Version

What Does Philippians 1:7 Mean?

Philippians 1:7 in the King James Version says “Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in...” — study this verse from Philippians chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. I have: or, ye have me in your heart of my: or, with me of grace”

Philippians 1:7 · KJV

Grace

Context

5

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

6

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: perform: or, finish

7

Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. I have: or, ye have me in your heart of my: or, with me of grace

8

For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

9

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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart (καθώς ἐστιν δίκαιον ἐμοὶ τοῦτο φρονεῖν, kathōs estin dikaion emoi touto phronein)—Dikaion ("right, just, proper") indicates Paul's confidence is morally fitting, grounded in evidence. I have you in my heart (διὰ τὸ ἔχειν με ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ ὑμᾶς, dia to echein me en tē kardia hymas) could be translated "you have me in your heart"—Greek word order allows both. Mutual affection characterizes this relationship.

Inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace (ἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς μου καὶ ἐν τῇ ἀπολογίᾳ καὶ βεβαιώσει τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, en tois desmois mou kai en tē apologia kai bebaiōsei tou euangeliou)—Apologia ("defense") and bebaiōsis ("confirmation, establishment") suggest legal and theological vindication. Synkoinōnoi ("fellow-partakers") indicates shared participation in Paul's gospel-commission and attendant suffering. My grace (τῆς χάριτός μου, tēs charitos mou) is apostolic grace—the privileged suffering appointed to Paul's ministry.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Paul's 'bonds' (δεσμοῖς, desmois) refer to Roman imprisonment. His 'defense' may allude to preliminary hearings before Caesar's tribunal. Philippi's partnership included financial support during imprisonment and possibly advocacy or testimony on Paul's behalf. In Roman legal culture, character witnesses from prominent cities (like the colony Philippi) carried weight.

Reflection Questions

  1. Who do you 'have in your heart' with the depth of affection Paul shows the Philippians?
  2. How are you a 'fellow-partaker' in gospel defense and confirmation in your cultural context?
  3. What does it mean to share in someone's apostolic 'grace'—their calling and consequent suffering?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 36 words
καθώς1 of 36

“Even as”

G2531

just (or inasmuch) as, that

ἐστιν2 of 36

“it is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

δίκαιον3 of 36

“meet”

G1342

equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively)

ἐμοὶ4 of 36

“for me”

G1698

to me

τοῦτο5 of 36

“this”

G5124

that thing

φρονεῖν6 of 36

“to think”

G5426

to exercise the mind, i.e., entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain d

ὑπὲρ7 of 36

“of”

G5228

"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super

πάντας8 of 36

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὑμῶν9 of 36

“you”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

διὰ10 of 36

“because”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τὸ11 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἔχειν12 of 36

“I have”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

με13 of 36

“my”

G3165

me

ἔν14 of 36

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ15 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρδίᾳ16 of 36

“heart”

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

ὑμᾶς17 of 36

“ye”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ἔν18 of 36

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τε19 of 36

“inasmuch as both”

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

τοῖς20 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δεσμοῖς21 of 36

“bonds”

G1199

a band, i.e., ligament (of the body) or shackle (of a prisoner); figuratively, an impediment or disability

μου22 of 36

“my”

G3450

of me

καὶ23 of 36

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῇ24 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀπολογίᾳ25 of 36

“in the defence”

G627

a plea ("apology")

καὶ26 of 36

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

βεβαιώσει27 of 36

“confirmation”

G951

stabiliment

τοῦ28 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

εὐαγγελίου29 of 36

“of the gospel”

G2098

a good message, i.e., the gospel

συγκοινωνούς30 of 36

“partakers”

G4791

a co-participant

μου31 of 36

“my”

G3450

of me

τῆς32 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χάριτος33 of 36

“grace”

G5485

graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart

πάντας34 of 36

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὑμᾶς35 of 36

“ye”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ὄντας36 of 36

“are”

G5607

being

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Philippians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Philippians 1:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Philippians 1:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Corinthians 7:3Philippians 1:5Colossians 4:182 Timothy 2:9Ephesians 3:1Acts 16:23-25

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