and the favour I ask of him is this, that your kindness to me may be crown'd with farther improvements in knowledge and all prudence;

My imprisonment in [the cause of] Christ has become common knowledge throughout the whole praetorian (imperial) guard and to everyone else.

It is true that some do proclaim the Christ out of Jealousy and opposition; but there are others who proclaim him from good- will.

These latter preach Him from love to me, knowing that I am here for the defence of the Good News;

while the others proclaim Him from motives of rivalry, and insincerely, supposing that by this they are embittering my imprisonment.

Because, unto you, hath it been given as a favour, in behalf of Christ, not only, on him, to believe, but also, in his behalf, to suffer: -

Therefore if there is any encouragement and comfort in Christ [as there certainly is in abundance], if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship [that we share] in the Spirit, if [there is] any [great depth of] affection and compassion,

Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility],

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

and in what appertained to him appearing as a man, he humbled himself, and was obedient unto death, even the death of the 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,

for it is God who is at work in you, both to motivate the desire and to carry out what pleases Him.

For I have no one else [like him who is] so kindred a spirit who will be genuinely concerned for your [spiritual] welfare.

But, of the proof of him, be taking note, - that, as child, with father, with me, hath he done service for the glad-message;

Therefore, I hope [that it is His will] to send him immediately, just as soon as I see how my case turns out;

Yet I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and companion in labour and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and him that ministered to my need.

I send him because he is longing to see you all and is distressed at your having heard of his illness.

He certainly was sick and close to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.

So I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you.

Welcome him home in the Lord with great joy, and appreciate and honor men like him;

Finally, my fellow believers, continue to rejoice and delight in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble for me, and it is a safeguard for you.

For we are the true circumcision, who by the Spirit of God worship Him, who take pride in Christ Jesus only, and do not rely on outward privileges,

Though I could rely on outward privilege, if I chose. Whoever thinks he can rely on that, I can outdo him.

But more than that, I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ,

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.

And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did];

In the hope that, if I become like him in death, I may possibly attain to the resurrection from the dead.

who, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself, will [not only] transform [but completely refashion] our earthly bodies so that they will be like His glorious resurrected body.

Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice!

I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

To him, our God and Father, be ascribed all glory for every and ever. Amen.