And it is my prayer that your love may abound yet more and more in intelligence and insight

but for your sakes it is more necessary that I should still live on in the body.

so that you may find me fresh cause of exultation in Christ Jesus, because of my presence among you once more.

Do nothing out of strife, nothing out of vanity, but let each one in true humility consider the others to be of more account than himself.

More than this, after he had shone himself in human form, he humbled himself in his obedience even to death; yes, and to death on a cross.

And so, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, with reverence and self-distrust work out your own salvation;

Therefore I have been the more eager to send him, in order that you may rejoice in seeing him again, and that I may have one sorrow less.

although I myself might have confidence in outward rites. If any one else claims a right to trust in them, far more may I;

Moreover, I greatly rejoiced in the Lord that now once more your care for me blossomed afresh; though indeed you did take thought in this matter, but you lacked the opportunity of expression.