The latter do so from love because they know that I am placed here for the defense of the gospel.

<p class="poetry">and every tongue confessp> <p class="poetry">that Jesus Christ is Lordp> <p class="poetry">to the glory of God the Father.p>

though I am confident in the Lord that I too will be coming to see you<n id="1" /> soon.p>

For even in Thessalonica<n id="1" /> on more than one occasion<n id="2" /> you sent something for my need.

For I am sure of this very thing,<n id="1" /> that the one<n id="2" /> who began a good work in<n id="3" /> you will perfect it<n id="4" /> until the day of Christ Jesus.

<t /><p class="bodytext">I want you to know, brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> that my situation has actually turned out to advance the gospel:<n id="2" />

For it has been granted to you<n id="1" /> not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him,

But you know his qualifications, that like a son working with his father, he served with me in advancing the gospel.

Indeed, he greatly missed all of you and was distressed because you heard that he had been ill.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in any circumstance.

I do not say this because I am seeking a gift.<n id="1" /> Rather, I seek the credit that abounds to your account.

What is the result? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.p> <p class="bodytext">Yes,<n id="1" /> and I will continue to rejoice,

for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance<n id="1" /> 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<n id="1" /> and joy in the faith,<n id="2" />

by holding on to<n id="1" /> the word of life so that on the day of Christ I will have a reason to boast that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.

since it was because of the work of Christ that he almost died. He risked his life so that he could make up for your inability to serve me.<n id="1" />p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">Not that I have already attained this &#8211; that is, I have not already been perfected &#8211; but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me.<n id="1" />

<t /><p class="bodytext">I have great joy in the Lord because now at last you have again expressed your concern for me. (Now I know you were concerned before but had no opportunity to do anything.)<n id="1" />

My confident hope<n id="1" /> is that I will in no way be ashamed<n id="2" /> but that with complete boldness, even now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether I live or die.<n id="3" />

<p class="bodytext">Only conduct yourselves<n id="1" /> in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that &#8211; whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent &#8211; I should hear that<n id="2" /> you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the gospel,<n id="3" />