that ye might accept things most excellent, that ye might be pure and such as should hurt no man's conscience, until the day of Christ;

In order that, in the name of Jesus, every knee might bow - of beings in heaven, and on earth, and underground, -

And, every tongue, might openly confess - that Jesus Christ is, Lord, unto the glory of God the Father.

So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].

But I am fully persuaded in [harmony with the wishes of] the Lord that I, myself, also will go to you soon. [Note: Paul here expresses the hope of being released from imprisonment, in spite of previous hints that he might be put to death. See 1:20; 2:17].

for indeed he was sick 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 diligently, that seeing him ye might again rejoice, and that I might be the less sorrowful.

because for the sake of the work he drew near even to death, venturing his life that he might fill up what lacked in your ministration toward me.

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

But whatever former things were gains to me [as I thought then], these things [once regarded as advancements in merit] I have come to consider as loss [absolutely worthless] for the sake of Christ [and the purpose which He has given my life].

Yea I think all things but loss for that excellent knowledge's sake of Christ Jesus my Lord. For whom I have counted all thing loss, and do judge them but dung, that I might win Christ,

and might be found in him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the law: But that which springeth of the faith which is in Christ. I mean, the righteousness which cometh of God through faith

in knowing him, and the virtue of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his passions, that I might be conformable unto his death,

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Not that I have already obtained or have already been fully perfected, but I press forward, if also I might seize upon that for which also I was seized by Christ Jesus.

Who will transform our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, acccording to the mighty working, whereby he is able even to subject all things to himself.

I have might, for all things, in him that empowereth me.