I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,

always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer,

It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and establishment of the gospel.

For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is in the cause of Christ.

These do so out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;

For me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose.

I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ—which is far better—

but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.

Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,

Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith that comes from the gospel,

For it has been given to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,

Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
as something to be used for His own advantage.

For this reason God highly exalted Him
and gave Him the name
that is above every name,

So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose.

Hold firmly to the message of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing.

For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests;

since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick.

For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice when you see him again and I may be less anxious.

because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a protection for you.

Watch out for “dogs,” watch out for evil workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh.

For we are the circumcision, the ones who serve by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh—

although I once also had confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more:

For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life.

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it.

I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times.