Verse Lens · Concise explanation
Philippians 1:9 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 9. 9And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
Paul asks that their love keep growing with knowledge and moral discernment rather than remaining unguided feeling.
Read It With
- Philippians 1:9–11
The prayer develops from growing love to discernment, sincere living, righteous fruit, and God's glory.
Why This Verse Appears Here
After thanksgiving, Paul begins his request for the church: their love should keep increasing, but it must be shaped by knowledge and moral insight.
Read Philippians 1:9–11 together
Why these verses belong together: Paul's prayer moves from growing love to discernment, fruit, and God's glory.
Verse 9. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
Verse 10. 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
Verse 11. 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
What Remains True
Christian love grows in depth when affection is joined to truthful understanding and wise discernment.
How It Can Shape Life
- Before calling a choice loving, ask whether it is also informed by truth and attentive to what will genuinely help.
Continue in Context
The full thought-unit study remains the final contextual authority for this Verse Lens.
Read Philippians 1:3–11 — Paul Thanks God and Prays for Their Growing LoveSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: The KJV wording and immediate English context for Philippians 1:3–11.
Exact location: eBible/CrossWire eng-kjv2006 USFM, source files dated 2026-08-19, Philippians 1; archive and normalized-corpus SHA-256 values are recorded in the library policy.
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: The critically edited Greek wording and punctuation used as the base text for this passage.
Exact location: Faithlife SBLGNT repository, data/sblgnt/text/Phil.txt, Philippians 1, verses within Philippians 1:3–11.
Open the Philippians Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — Philippians with translators' notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, digital edition accessed 2026
Supports: Material English translation choices, syntax notes, and textual variants identified for this passage.
Exact location: NET Bible, Philippians 1, translator and textual notes attached to the verses in Philippians 1:3–11.
Open NET Philippians 1 ↗