because I keep hearing about your love for all the saints and the faith that you have in the Lord Jesus.

I pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every blessing that is ours in the Messiah.

I wanted to keep him with me so that he could serve me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel. forced, but voluntary.

Yet I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be something

15Perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you could have him back forever,

19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. (I will not mention to you that you owe me your very life.)

21Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you because I know that you will do even more than I ask.