Thanksgiving and Prayer

I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,[a] always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day(A) until now.(B) I am sure of this, that he who started a good work(C) in you[b] will carry it on to completion(D) until the day of Christ Jesus. Indeed, it is right(E) for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart,[c] and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment(F) and in the defense(G) and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness,(H) how deeply I miss all of you(I) with the affection of Christ Jesus. And I pray this: that your love(J) will keep on growing(K) in knowledge and every kind of discernment,(L) 10 so that you may approve the things that are superior(M) and may be pure(N) and blameless(O) in the day of Christ,(P) 11 filled with the fruit(Q) of righteousness(R) that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory(S) and praise of God.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:3 Or for your every remembrance of me
  2. 1:6 Or work among you
  3. 1:7 Or because you have me in your heart

Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ[a]—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:11 Greek with the fruit of righteousness through Jesus Christ.