For it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel all of you became partners in God's grace together with me.

And since I am sure of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for the sake of your progress and joy in the faith,

since you are encountering the same conflict that you saw me face and now hear that I am facing.

since it was because of the work of Christ that he almost died. He risked his life so that he could make up for your inability to serve me.