1Paul Ac 13:9 and Timothy, Ac 16:1; 1Tm 1:2 slaves of Christ Jesus:

2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, Or for your every remembrance of me

4always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer,

5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day Ac 16:12-40 until now. 1Co 9:15-18; 2Co 11:7-9; Php 4:10,16,18

6I am sure of this, that He who started a good work 2Co 9:8; Gl 3:10 in you Or work among you will carry it on to completion 2Co 7:1 until the day of Christ Jesus.

7It is right Rm 1:17 for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, Or because you have me in your heart and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment Php 1:13-14,17-20,25,30; 2:17,24; 4:22 and in the defense Ac 22:1 and establishment of the gospel.

8For God is my witness, Rm 1:9 how deeply I miss all of you 1Th 3:6 with the affection of Christ Jesus.

9And I pray this: that your love 1Co 13:1 will keep on growing 1Co 15:58 in knowledge and every kind of discernment, Eph 5:17

10so that you can approve the things that are superior Rm 12:2 and can be pure 2Pt 3:1 and blameless Ac 24:16; 1Co 10:32 in Or until the day of Christ, Php 1:6,15

11filled with the fruit Mt 3:8; Gl 5:22 of righteousness Rm 1:17 that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory Lk 9:32; Jn 17:24; 2Co 3:18; 2Pt 3:18 and praise of God.

12Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the advance of the gospel, Mk 13:9; Ac 21–26

13so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, Lit praetorium, a Lat word that can also refer to a military headquarters, to the governor’s palace, or to Herod’s palace. and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is in the cause of Christ.

14Most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the message Other mss add of God Lk 8:21; Jn 18:32; Ac 17:11; Heb 4:12 fearlessly.

15To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and strife, Rm 1:29; Ti 3:9 but others out of good will. The good will of men, or God’s good will or favor

16These do so out of love, 1Co 13:1 knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;

17the others proclaim Christ out of rivalry, Rm 2:8 not sincerely, seeking to cause me anxiety in my imprisonment. Lit sincerely, intending to raise tribulation to my bonds

18What does it matter? Just that in every way, whether out of false motives 1Th 2:5 or true, Christ is proclaimed. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice

19because I know this will lead to my deliverance Or vindication Jb 13:16-18 through your prayers and help from the Spirit Gl 5:25 of Jesus Christ. Ac 16:7; Rm 8:9; 1Pt 1:11

20My eager expectation and hope Ac 23:6; 1Th 1:3 is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life 1Jn 5:12 or by death. Jn 8:51

21For me, living is Christ Rm 14:7-9; Gl 2:19-20; Php 1:11,15; Col 2:6–3:11 and dying is gain. Rm 8:38-39; Php 3:7

22Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful Mt 3:8; Rm 1:13; Gl 5:22 work Mk 14:6; Gl 3:10; Jms 2:14-26 for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose.

23I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ Rm 6:8; 2Co 4:14; 13:4-5; 1Th 4:14; 5:9-10 — which is far better Jn 12:26 —

24but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.

25Since 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, Mt 8:10; Ac 3:16; Rm 1:8; 1Co 2:5; Gl 2:16; 1Tm 1:2; Heb 4:2; Jd 3

26so that, because of me, your confidence may grow 1Co 15:58 in Christ Jesus Rm 16:7; Eph 2:6; 1Pt 5:14 when I come to you again.

27Just one thing: Live your life Ac 23:1 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 1Co 16:13; Gl 5:1; Eph 6:13-17; Php 4:1; 2Th 2:15 in one Jn 11:52 spirit, with one mind, Lit soul working side by side for the faith 1Tm 3:9; 4:1,6; 5:8; 6:10,21 that comes from the gospel,

28not being frightened in any way by your opponents. 1Co 16:9 This is a sign of destruction for them, Mt 7:13; Rm 9:22 but of your deliverance Ac 4:12; 2Co 7:10; Heb 5:9 — and this is from God.

29For it has been given to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe Mk 11:24; Jn 3:16; Ac 10:43; Rm 10:9; 1Pt 1:8-10 in Him, but also to suffer for Him,

30having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.