the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the christians that are at Philippi, to the bishops, and to the deacons.

so that, as Christians, you may have additional reason for glorying about me as the result of my being with you again.

Watch out for the "dogs!" [Note: "Dogs" were viewed with disgust by the ancient Jews (Deut. 23:18; II Kings 8:13; Rev. 22:15), so the term is used here derogatorily for Jewish Christians who were trying to impose on the church the requirements of the law of Moses]. Watch out for the evil workers! Watch out for those who mutilate the body meaninglessly! [Note: Paul here alludes, in a derogatory wordplay, to the Jewish practice of circumcision].

for we [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, set apart for His purpose and] are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory and take pride and exult in Christ Jesus and place no confidence [in what we have or who we are] in the flesh—

Let us all then, who are mature Christians, strive for this! God will make this clear to any of you who are striving for other goals;

I appeal to Euodia and I appeal to Syntyche to agree together, as Christians.

Remember me to all my fellow-Christians. The brothers who are with me wish to be remembered to you.

for God is my witness, that I love you with a christian tenderness.

If then there be any christian consolation, any charitable relief, any communion of the spirit, if any tenderness of compassion,

Wherefore, my dearly beloved brethren, my joy and my crown, whom I long to see, continue firm in your christian profession, my beloved.

and that most of the Christian brothers have grown confident enough, because of my imprisonment, to dare to tell God's message without being afraid.

So give him a hearty Christian welcome and hold in honor men like him,

I was made very happy as a Christian to have your interest in my welfare revived again after so long; because you have always had the interest but not the opportunity to show it.

So, [whatever happens], live your daily lives in such a way as to be worthy of the Gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or remain absent from you, I will hear about you, that you are standing firm in one spirit [i.e., united in purpose, and] contending with one mind for the faith of the Gospel [i.e., for the body of Christian teaching].