Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill.

My confident hope is that I will in no way be ashamed but that with complete boldness, even now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether I live or die.

but it is more vital for your sake that I remain in the body.

and by not being intimidated in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of their destruction, but of your salvation -- a sign which is from God.

For it has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him,

Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.

but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature.

So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence,

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice together with all of you.

But you know his qualifications, that like a son working with his father, he served with me in advancing the gospel.

But for now I have considered it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. For he is my brother, coworker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to me in my need.

In fact he became so ill that he nearly died. But God showed mercy to him -- and not to him only, but also to me -- so that I would not have grief on top of grief.

-- though mine too are significant. If someone thinks he has good reasons to put confidence in human credentials, I have more:

But these assets I have come to regard as liabilities because of Christ.

and be found in him, not because I have my own righteousness derived from the law, but because I have the righteousness that comes by way of Christ's faithfulness -- a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ's faithfulness.

Not that I have already attained this -- that is, I have not already been perfected -- but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me.

But our citizenship is in heaven -- and we also await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

I have great joy in the Lord because now at last you have again expressed your concern for me. (Now I know you were concerned before but had no opportunity to do anything.)