As it is just for me to think this of you all, because ye have me in your heart, both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, being all of you partakers of the same grace with me.

But I would have you know, my brethren, that the things, which have befallen me, have proved rather to the advancement of the gospel:

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed the gospel, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence; be still working out your own salvation though with fear and trembling:

exhibiting the word of life; to my rejoicing in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, nor laboured in vain.

For I have no one of a like spirit, who will with a kind of natural affection take care of your affairs.

But ye know the proof I have had of him, that as son with a father he served with me in the gospel.

For indeed he was sick and nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.

I have sent him therefore the more desirously, that when ye see him again ye may rejoice, and I may be the less sorrowful.

Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and have such in high esteem:

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other thinks he hath whereof to trust in the flesh, I more:

Yea doubtless and I count all but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all, and I account them but dung, that I may gain Christ, and be found in Him,

not that I have yet won the prize, or am already perfect: but I press forward to acquire that perfection, for which also I have been apprehended by Christ Jesus.

Brethren, I count not myself to have attained it: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to those before,

But in what we have attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Brethren, be imitators of me, and observe those that walk as ye have us for an example.

(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction,

and what ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, these practise; and the God of peace will be with you.

Not that I speak on account of want; for I have learnt in whatever circumstances I am, to be contented.

And indeed I have it all, and now abound: I am fully supplied, having received of Epaphroditus the things sent by you, a fragrant odor, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.