over your co-operation in the good news from the day you first received it until now.

Some of them, it is true, are actually preaching the Christ from jealousy and partisanship, but there are others who are doing it out of good-will.

These latter do it from love for me, for they know that God has put me where I am to defend our right to preach the good news.

But what difference does it make? All that matters is that, in one way or another, from false motives or honest ones, Christ is being made known; I am glad of that. Yes, and I expect to be glad,

Whatever happens, show yourselves citizens worthy of the good news of the Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am kept away and only hear news of you, I may know that you are standing firm with one spirit, one purpose, fighting side by side for faith in the good news.

Never for a moment falter before your opponents, for your fearlessness will be a sure sign for them of their coming destruction, but to you it will be an omen, from God himself, of your deliverance.

Do not act for selfish ends or from vanity, but modestly treat one another as your superiors.

When he had assumed human form, he still further humbled himself and carried his obedience so far as to die, and to die upon the cross.

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.

and be known to be united to him, with any uprightness I may have not based on law but coming through faith in Christ??he uprightness that comes from God through faith.

in the hope of attaining resurrection from the dead.

But the commonwealth to which we belong is in heaven, and from it we are eagerly awaiting the coming of a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

So, my dear brothers whom I so long to see, my joy and pride, stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.

Do the things that you learned, received, and heard from me, and that you saw me do. Then God who gives peace will be with you.

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.