Therefore let those of us who are “perfect” embrace this point of view. If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways.

You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had,

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

So welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,

But these assets I have come to regard as liabilities because of Christ.

For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

And I pray this, that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight

Now if I am to go on living in the body, this will mean productive work for me, yet I don’t know which I prefer:

What is the result? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,

for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

And since I am sure of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for the sake of your progress and joy in the faith,

and by not being intimidated in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of their destruction, but of your salvation – a sign which is from God.

And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.

For it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel all of you became partners in God’s grace together with me.