And it is my prayer that your love may abound yet more and more in intelligence and insight

that ye may judge of and approve the things that are more excellent, in order that ye may be pure and without offence for Christ's day,

But I want you to know, brothers, that the things in respect to me have come more for the advancement of the good-news,

Insomuch that many of the brethren in the Lord are boldened through my bonds, and dare more largely speak the word without fear.

The one part preacheth Christ of strife, and not purely, supposing to add more adversity to my bonds.

but the former preach Christ [insincerely] out of selfish ambition [just self-promotion], thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment.

What difference then does it make? In one way or another, whether in pretense or in sincerity, Christ is being preached, and that is the thing that makes me glad; yes, more too, I will continue to be glad of it,

For I know that this shall be turned to me for salvation by your prayer, and the furnishing more of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

But since to live means a longer stay on earth, that implies more labour for me--and not unsuccessful labour; and which I am to choose I cannot tell.

but for your sakes it is more necessary that I should still live on in the body.

so that you may find me fresh cause of exultation in Christ Jesus, because of my presence among you once more.

Do nothing out of strife, nothing out of vanity, but let each one in true humility consider the others to be of more account than himself.

More than this, after he had shone himself in human form, he humbled himself in his obedience even to death; yes, and to death on a cross.

And so, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, with reverence and self-distrust work out your own salvation;

for there is no one that is so dear to me as he, and no one will more sincerely interest himself in your concerns.

So I hope to send him as soon as I know more about my situation,

Therefore I have been the more eager to send him, in order that you may rejoice in seeing him again, and that I may have one sorrow less.

although I myself might have confidence in outward rites. If any one else claims a right to trust in them, far more may I;

What is more, I continue to consider all these things to be a loss for the sake of what is far more valuable, knowing the Messiah Jesus, my Lord. It is because of him that I have experienced the loss of all those things. Indeed, I consider them rubbish in order to gain the Messiah

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];

Moreover, I greatly rejoiced in the Lord that now once more your care for me blossomed afresh; though indeed you did take thought in this matter, but you lacked the opportunity of expression.

I know what it is even to be kept low, and I know what it is to have more than enough, - in every way, and in all things, have I been let into the secret - both to be well fed, and to be hungering, both to have more than enough, and to be coming short:

Even while I was at Thessalonica you sent money more than once for my needs.

I have received your payment in full, and more too. I am amply supplied after getting the things you sent by Epaphroditus; they are like sweet incense, the kind of sacrifice that God accepts and approves.

Unto God and our father be praise forever more. Amen.

All God's people wish to be remembered to you, but more especially the members of the Emperor's household.