that ye might accept things most excellent, that ye might be pure and such as should hurt no man's conscience, until the day of Christ;

So, [whatever happens], live your daily lives in such a way as to be worthy of the Gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or remain absent from you, I will hear about you, that you are standing firm in one spirit [i.e., united in purpose, and] contending with one mind for the faith of the Gospel [i.e., for the body of Christian teaching].

the same conflict having, such as ye saw in me, and now hear of in me.

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

So take him to your hearts in the Lord with all joy, and give honour to such as he is:

[Now] it is not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for the benefit that [such a gift] will add to your [spiritual] account [with God].

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.