A. Contentious rivals

12. I want you to know, brothers and sisters,
    that things concerning me have actually turned out for the advancement of the gospel.
13. The fact my chains are in Christ has become clearly known to all the imperial guard and everyone else
14. and most of the brothers and sisters,
    trusting in the Lord because of my chains,
    more than ever are daring to speak the word without fear
15. some, on the one hand from envy and contention
    • some, on the other hand, from goodwill, are proclaiming Christ
16.       the latter out of love, knowing that
          for the defence of the gospel I am placed here
17. the former out of selfish ambition, are proclaiming Christ,
    not sincerely, thinking they can add distress to my chains
18. What’s the result?
          Only that in every way,
          whether in pretence, or whether in truth,
          Christ is being proclaimed
    and in this I rejoice!

B. Threat to survival

• Yes, and I will continue to rejoice

19. for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance
          through your prayer and the the help of the Spirit of Christ,
20.       according to my confident hope that in no way will I be ashamed
          but in complete boldness, even now as always
          Christ will be magnified in my body
          whether through life or whether through death
21. because for me, to live is Christ and to die is gain
22. and if I’m to live in the flesh, this for me is fruitful labour
    but what I would choose I do not know,
23. and I’m torn between the two
    having the desire
          —to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far
24.       —but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
25. and being convinced of this, I know that I will remain
          and will continue with all of you
          for your progress and joy in the faith
26. so that your boasting in Christ Jesus might abound
          through me because of my coming again to you.

C. Challenge from anti-Christian opponents

27. Only conduct yourselves in a manner [live as a citizen] worthy of the gospel of Christ
    that whether I come and see you or whether am absent,
    I might hear of you
          that you are standing firm in one spirit,
                with one mind contending together,
                for the faith of the gospel.
28. and not being terrified [like horses] in any way by your opponents
          which is to them a sign of destruction,
          but to you of salvation, and this from God
29. that to you it has been granted, concerning Christ
          not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him
30.       having the same struggle, that you saw in me
          and now hear of in me.

AMF