so that you can approve the things that are superior and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ,

The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, because they think they can cause trouble for me in my imprisonment.

If, however, it is to be life here and I am to go on living, this will mean useful and productive service for me; so I do not know which to choose [if I am given that choice].

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

If then I can appeal to you as the followers of Christ, if there is any persuasive power in love and any common sharing of the Spirit, or if you have any tender-heartedness and compassion, make my joy complete by being of one mind,

Hold firmly to the message of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing.

Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I can be encouraged when I learn of your condition.

Him, indeed, therefore, am I hoping to send - as soon as I can look off from the things that concern myself, - forthwith.

And I can assure you that his illness very nearly proved fatal. But God had pity on him, and not on him only but also on me, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.

Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you can rejoice and I can be free from anxiety.

although I could have confidence in the flesh. If anyone thinks he can place confidence in the flesh, I have more reason to think so.

and may be found in Him [believing and relying on Him], not having any righteousness of my own derived from [my obedience to] the Law and its rituals, but [possessing] that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.

to see if I too can attain the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have secured it yet, or already reached perfection, but I am pressing on to see if I can capture it, because I have been captured by Jesus Christ.

Then God's peace, which goes far beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your hearts and minds in union with the Messiah Jesus.

Finally, my brethren, whatever has the character of truth, of dignity, of justice, of chastity, whatever can procure you esteem and reputation, in a word, if there be any thing virtuous or praise-worthy, let that be the object of your enquiry.

I can both cast down myself, I can also exceed. Everywhere, and in all things I am instructed, both to be full, and to be hungry: to have plenty, and to suffer need.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.