Advance of the Gospel

¹² Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel,^{(A) 13} so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. ¹⁴ Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word^[a](B) fearlessly. ¹⁵ To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry,^(C) but others out of good will. ¹⁶ These preach out of love,^(D) knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; ¹⁷ the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition,^(E) not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment. ¹⁸ What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives^(F) or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice ¹⁹ because I know this will lead to my salvation^[b](G) through your prayers and help from the Spirit^(H) of Jesus Christ.^{(I) 20} My eager expectation and hope^(J) is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life^(K) or by death.^(L)

Living Is Christ

²¹ For me, to live is Christ^(M) and to die is gain.^{(N) 22} Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful^(O) work^(P) for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. ²³ I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ^(Q)—which is far better^(R)— ²⁴ but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. ²⁵ Since 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,^{(S) 26} so that, because of my coming to you again, your boasting^(T) in Christ Jesus^(U) may abound.

²⁷ Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life^(V) 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^(W) in one^(X) spirit, in one accord,^[c] contending together for the faith^(Y) of the gospel, ²⁸ not being frightened in any way by your opponents.^(Z) This is a sign of destruction for them,^(AA) but of your salvation^(AB)—and this is from God. ²⁹ For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe^(AC) in him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰ since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.

⁷ But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. ⁸ More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value^(A) of knowing Christ^(B) Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ^{(C) 9} and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law,^(D) but one that is through faith in Christ^[a]—the righteousness from God based on faith.^{(E) 10} My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings,^(F) being conformed to his death,^{(G) 11} assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.

The Mystery of Time

⁹ What does the worker gain from his struggles?^{(I) 10} I have seen the task that God has given the children of Adam to keep them occupied.^{(J) 11} He has made everything appropriate^[b] in its time.^(K) He has also put eternity in their hearts,^[c] but no one can discover the work God has done from beginning to end.^{(L) 12} I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and enjoy the^[d] good life. ¹³ It is also the gift of God whenever anyone eats, drinks, and enjoys all his efforts.^{(M) 14} I know that everything God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it.^(N) God works so that people will be in awe of him.^{(O) 15} Whatever is, has already been,^(P) and whatever will be, already is. However, God seeks justice for the persecuted.^[e]

³⁵ Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction^(A) or distress or persecution^(B) or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors^(E) through him who loved us.^{(F) 38} For I am persuaded that neither death nor life,^(G) nor angels nor rulers,^(H) nor things present nor things to come,^(I) nor powers, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God^(J) that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.^(K)