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,

But I want you to know, brothers, that the things in respect to me have come more for the advancement of the good-news,

And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

The one part preacheth Christ of strife, and not purely, supposing to add more adversity to my bonds.

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

What difference then does it make? In one way or another, whether in pretense or in sincerity, Christ is being preached, and that is the thing that makes me glad; yes, more too, I will continue to be glad of it,

For I know that this shall be turned to me for salvation by your prayer, and the furnishing more of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

But since to live means a longer stay on earth, that implies more labour for me--and not unsuccessful labour; and which I am to choose I cannot tell.

Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

let nothing be in the spirit of strife or vain glory, but, in lowliness of mind, each esteeming the other as more excellent than themselves;

More than this, after he had shone himself in human form, he humbled himself in his obedience even to death; yes, and to death on a cross.

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

for there is no one that is so dear to me as he, and no one will more sincerely interest himself in your concerns.

So I hope to send him as soon as I know more about my situation,

I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

But more than that, I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ,

And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did];

Moreover, I greatly rejoiced in the Lord that now once more your care for me blossomed afresh; though indeed you did take thought in this matter, but you lacked the opportunity of expression.

I know what it is even to be kept low, and I know what it is to have more than enough, - in every way, and in all things, have I been let into the secret - both to be well fed, and to be hungering, both to have more than enough, and to be coming short:

because even in Thessalonica {on more than one occasion} you sent for my need.

But I have received everything in full and more; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent me. They are the fragrant aroma of an offering, an acceptable sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights.

Unto God and our father be praise forever more. Amen.

All God's people wish to be remembered to you, but more especially the members of the Emperor's household.