Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill.

since you are encountering the same conflict that you saw me face and now hear that I am facing.

but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature.

As a result God exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,

In my zeal for God I persecuted the church. According to the righteousness stipulated in the law I was blameless.

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

You learned the gospel from Epaphras, our dear fellow slave – a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf –

And you were at one time strangers and enemies in your minds as expressed through your evil deeds,

I, Paul, write this greeting by my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

For the appeal we make does not come from error or impurity or with deceit,

For this is God’s will: that you become holy, that you keep away from sexual immorality,

that each of you know how to possess his own body in holiness and honor,

Consequently the one who rejects this is not rejecting human authority but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect.

(Stop drinking just water, but use a little wine for your digestion and your frequent illnesses.)

But you, as a person dedicated to God, keep away from all that. Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness.

But avoid profane chatter, because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness,

and their message will spread its infection like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group.

correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth

The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.