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

as it is righteous for me to think this as to you all, because ye have me in your hearts, and that both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the glad tidings ye are all participators in my grace.

because to you has been given, as regards Christ, not only the believing on him but the suffering for him also,

since he had a longing desire after you all, and was distressed because ye had heard that he was sick;

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.