Most gladly, therefore, will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Wherefore I am well pleased with infirmities, with injuries, with necessities, with persecutions, with distresses for Christ; for when I am weak, then am I strong.

The signs indeed of the apostle were wrought among you in all endurance, signs, and wonders, and works of power.

Where were you inferior to the rest of the churches? ??unless in this, that your apostle did not choose to make himself a burden to you. Pray pardon me this terrible wrong!

You are imagining, all this time, that we are making our defense at your bar. In reality it is as in God's presence and in communion with Christ that we speak; but, dear friends, it is all with a view to your progress in goodness.

Those who have kept on in their old sins and all the rest I have warned, and I warn them now while I am still away, as I did on my second visit, that if I come back I will spare nobody??3 since you demand proof that Christ really speaks through me. He is not weak in dealing with you. On the contrary, right among you he exhibits his power.

since you seek [forensic] proof that Christ is speaking in and through me. He is not weak or ineffective in dealing with you, but powerful within you.

For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.

For we have no power against the truth, but only for the furtherance of the truth;

For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray for, even your perfecting.

Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

I did not go up to Jerusalem to [discuss it with] those who had become apostles before me either; instead I went away into Arabia. [Note: This is probably when Paul received supernatural power from the Holy Spirit]. Then afterward, I returned to Damascus. [Note: This was in Syria where Paul was converted].

(Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you as if I were standing before God that I am not lying.)

For he who gave Peter power for his mission to the Jews gave me, also, power to go to the Gentiles.

) And when James, and Cephas, and John, who undoubtedly were pillars, knew the grace that was given to me, they gave the right-hands of fellowships to me and Barnabas, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision: Only they desired that we would be mindful of the poor,

Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

Until certain people came from James, he had been eating with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he stopped doing this and separated himself because he was afraid of those who were pro-circumcision.

O you foolish and thoughtless and superficial Galatians, who has bewitched you [that you would act like this], to whom—right before your very eyes—Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified [in the gospel message]?

Are you so foolish [as to believe that after] having begun [your Christian lives] through [the power of] the Holy Spirit, you can [now] become complete by [living according to your human strength]?

He who gives you the Spirit, and does works of power among you, is it by the works of law, or by the hearing of faith?

Brethren, even a covenant made by a man--to borrow an illustration from daily life--when once formally sanctioned is not liable to be set aside or added to.

Then the Law is contrary to God's Promises? Never! Had there been any law which had the power of producing life, righteousness would really have been due to law,

But the Scripture has imprisoned everything under sin’s power, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

He is subject to the control of guardians and stewards, during the period for which his father has power to appoint them.

and now, having known God -- and rather being known by God -- how turn ye again unto the weak and poor elements to which anew ye desire to be in servitude?

Be ye as I, for I also as you, brethren, I pray you: ye injured me nothing.

And you did not have a poor opinion of me because of the trouble in my flesh, or put shame on it; but you took me to your hearts as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

Which things, indeed, may bear another meaning; for, the same, are two covenants, - one, indeed, from Mount Sinai, into bondage, bringing forth, the which is Hagar, -

For it is written, "Rejoice, you barren who don't bear. Break forth and shout, you that don't travail. For more are the children of the desolate than of her who has a husband."

Yet just as, at that time, the child born in the common course of nature persecuted the one whose birth was due to the power of the Spirit, so it is now.

Yea, I bear solemn witness again, unto every man getting circumcised, - that he is, a debtor, to do, the whole law.

For we are waiting for the hope [to be fulfilled] of being made right with God by [the power of] the Holy Spirit.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision has any power, nor uncircumcision; but faith being energetic through love.

The persuasion brought to bear on you does not come from him who calls you.

I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

(whereas, if you snap at each other and prey upon each other, take care in case you destroy one another).

If we are living by the Spirit's power, let our conduct also be governed by the Spirit's power.

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

For every man shall bear his own burden.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision has any power, nor uncircumcision but a new creation.

From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

For He pre-destined us to be adopted by Himself as sons through Jesus Christ--such being His gracious will and pleasure--

that we should be to the praise of his glory who have pre-trusted in the Christ:

[I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son].

I pray that the perception of your mind may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints,

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

He demonstrated this power in the Messiah by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavens—

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

And you being dead in trespasses and sins,??2 in which you formerly walked according to the life of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit which now operates in the children of disobedience,

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

For we are God's own handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works which He has pre-destined us to practise.

For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,

This is the reason that I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles, [pray for you. See 3:14-19].

which in other generations has not been made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the power of the Spirit,

Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;

and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love,

be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love];

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful].

So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit].

From Him the whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up in [unselfish] love.

And they, [the ungodly in their spiritual apathy], having become callous and unfeeling, have given themselves over [as prey] to unbridled sensuality, eagerly craving the practice of every kind of impurity [that their desires may demand].

Therefore shall a man leave father and mother and cleave to his wife, and the pair shall be one flesh.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the complete armour of God, with a view to your having power to stand against the strategies of the adversary;

because our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against principalities, against authorities, against the universal lords of this darkness, against spiritual power of wickedness in the heavenlies.

For this cause, take up the complete armour of God, in order that ye may receive power to withstand in the evil day, and, all things, having accomplished, to stand!

With all, having taken up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall have power, all the ignited darts of the wicked one, to quench;

With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.

And pray for me, that words may be given to me when I open my mouth, to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news [of salvation],

for which I am an ambassador in chains. And pray that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly and courageously, as I should.

I always pray with joy in my every prayer for all of you

as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; both in my bonds and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, I say I have you all in my heart as being joint par takers of my grace.

God will bear me witness how I yearn over you all with the tenderness of Christ Jesus.

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

that ye may judge of and approve the things that are more excellent, in order that ye may be pure and without offence for Christ's day,

it is true, there are some who preach Christ out of a spirit of envy and contention; but others do it out of pure affection.

but the former preach Christ [insincerely] out of selfish ambition [just self-promotion], thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment.

The outcome of all this, I know, will be my release, as you continue to pray for me, and as I am provided with the Spirit of Jesus Christ ??20 my eager desire and hope being that I may never feel ashamed but that now as ever I may do honour to Christ in my own person by fearless courage. Whether that means life or death, no matter!

But if living on here means having my labor bear fruit, I cannot tell which to choose.

Only live as citizens worthy of the good news of Christ: that whether coming and seeing you, whether being absent, I shall bear the things concerning you, that ye stand in one spirit, one soul, fighting together in faith of the good news;

If then I can appeal to you as the followers of Christ, if there is any persuasive power in love and any common sharing of the Spirit, or if you have any tender-heartedness and compassion, make my joy complete by being of one mind,

I pray you to give me the utter joy of knowing you are living in harmony, with the same feelings of love, with one heart and soul,

For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.

so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.

For I have no man that is so like minded to me, which with so pure affection careth for your matters.

for in the work of Christ he was nigh unto death indifferent about life, that he might afford me that service which it was not in your power to render me.

Nay, I even reckon all things as pure loss because of the priceless privilege of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. And for His sake I have suffered the loss of everything, and reckon it all as mere refuse, in order that I may win Christ and be found in union with Him,

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus wise minded: and if ye be otherwise minded, I pray God open even this unto you.

who shall transform our body of humiliation into conformity to his body of glory, according to the working of the power which he has even to subdue all things to himself.

I pray Euodia, and beseech Syntyche that they be of one accord in the Lord.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I indeed know how to be poor, and I know how to abound: in every thing and in all things I learned both to flourish and to be poor, both to abound and to be destitute.

I have strength for all things in him that gives me power.

Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye bare part with me in my tribulation.

Ye of Philippi know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no congregation bare part with me as concerning giving and receiving but ye only.

We give thanks always to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ [when we] pray for you,