For it has been graciously granted to you for Christ's sake, not only to trust in Him but also to suffer for Him,

So, my dearly loved friends, as you have always been obedient, so now with reverence and awe keep on working clear down to the finishing point of your salvation not only as though I were with you but much more because I am away;

to hold up the message of life. That will give me ground for boasting on the day of Christ, because neither my career nor my labor has been a failure.

for he has been longing to see you and has been homesick because you have heard that he was sick.