Only, do lead a life that is worthy of the gospel of Christ. Whether I come and see you or only hear of you in absence, let me know you are standing firm in a common spirit, fighting side by side like one man for the faith of the gospel.

never acting for private ends or from vanity, but humbly considering each other the better man,

Give him a welcome in the Lord, then, with your hearts full of joy. Value men like that,

Destruction is their fate, the belly is their god, they glory in their shame, these men of earthly mind!

even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent money more than once for my needs.

It is not the money I am anxious for; what I am anxious for is the interest that accumulates in this way to your divine credit!