7. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you. I love you with all my heart. I may be held by chains, or I may be standing up for the truth of the good news. Either way, all of you share in God's grace together with me.
8. God can give witness that I long for all of you. I love you with the love that Christ Jesus gives.
9. I pray that your love will grow more and more. And let it be based on knowledge and understanding.
10. Then you will be able to know what is best. You will be pure and without blame until the day Christ returns.
11. You will be filled with the fruit of right living produced by Jesus Christ. All of those things bring glory and praise to God.
12. Brothers and sisters, here is what I want you to know. What has happened to me has really helped to spread the good news.
13. One thing has become clear. I am being held by chains because of my stand for Christ. All of the palace guards and everyone else know it.
14. Because I am being held by chains, most of the believers in the Lord have become bolder. They now speak God's word more boldly and without fear.
15. It's true that some preach about Christ because they are jealous. But others preach about Christ to help me in my work.