Thus it is generally known throughout the Imperial Guard and elsewhere that it is for the sake of Christ that I am in prison,

For I have no one like him who would take such a real interest in you.

For he has been longing to see you all, and has been greatly distressed because you heard that he was sick.

For he was sick, and nearly died, but God took pity on him, and not only on him, but on me, to save me from having one sorrow after another.

But for the sake of Christ I have come to count my former gains as loss.

Why, I count everything as loss compared with the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have lost everything, and think it rubbish, in order to gain Christ

You have paid me in full, and more too. I am fully supplied with what I have received from you through Epaphroditus. It is like fragrant incense, just such a sacrifice as God welcomes and approves.