because of your fellowship with the gospel, from the first day until now;

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.

Because of my chains [seeing that I am doing well and that God is accomplishing great things], most of the brothers have renewed confidence in the Lord, and have far more courage to speak the word of God [concerning salvation] without fear [of the consequences, seeing that God can work His good in all circumstances].

Some even because of envy and strife preach Christ, but some also because of good will.

The latter [preach Christ] out of love, because they know that I have been put here [by God on purpose] for the defense of the gospel;

The former proclaim the Messiah because they are selfishly ambitious and insincere, thinking that they will stir up trouble for me during my imprisonment.

But so what? Just this that in every way, whether by false or true motives, the Messiah is being proclaimed. Because of this, I rejoice and will continue to rejoice.

because I know this will lead to my deliverance through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

I rejoice because I eagerly expect and hope that I will have nothing to be ashamed of, because through my boldness the Messiah will be exalted through me, now as always, whether I live or die.

Because for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

I feel torn between the two, because I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far,

Still, to go on in the flesh is more necessary because of you.

And because I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,

so that [what] you can be proud of may increase in Christ Jesus because of me through my return again to you.

and that you are not intimidated by your opponents in any way. This is evidence that they will be destroyed and that you will be saved and all because of God.

because to you it hath been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer in his behalf:

Because He was recognized as a man, in reality as well as in outward form, He finally humiliated Himself in obedience so as to die, even to die on a cross.

For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,

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].

Offering the word of life; so that I may have glory in you in the day of Christ, because my running was not for nothing and my work was not without effect.

because of this do ye also rejoice and joy with me.

But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father.

For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in [your relationship to] the Lord. It does not trouble me to write the same things to you again, because you will be safer if I do. [Note: These "same things" may refer to warnings against false teachers which Paul had either spoken to them or written about previously].

But what things were to me gains, these I have counted, because of the Christ, loss;

yes, indeed, and I count all things to be loss, because of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, because of whom of the all things I suffered loss, and do count them to be refuse, that Christ I may gain, and be found in him,

and be found in him, not because I have my own righteousness derived from the law, but because I have the righteousness that comes by way of Christ's faithfulness -- a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ's faithfulness.

Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

And I solemnly beg you, my true comrade, keep on cooperating with those two women, because they shared with me the struggle in spreading the good news, together with Clement and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Now I rejoice in the Lord greatly, because once again you have shown your concern for me. Of course, you were concerned for me but you did not have an opportunity to show it.

I am not saying this because I am in any need, for I have learned to be content in whatever situation I am in.

because also in Thessalonica, both once and again to my need ye sent;

Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

But I have received everything [in full] and have an abundance; {I am well supplied} [because] I received from Epaphroditus {what you had sent}, a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.