For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus [whose great love fills me].

And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight,

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;

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,

make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love [toward one another], knit together in spirit, intent on one purpose [and living a life that reflects your faith and spreads the gospel—the good news regarding salvation through faith in Christ].

Therefore, my fellow believers, whom I love and long for, my delight and crown [my wreath of victory], in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.