Greetings from Paul and Timothy
(Colossians 1:1–2; Philemon 1:1–3)

1the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the christians that are at Philippi, to the bishops, and to the deacons. 2Grace and peace be with you from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer
(1 Corinthians 1:4–9; Colossians 1:3–14)

3I thank God, for your remembrance of me, 4and I never pray without praying for you all with joy, for your liberality to the gospel, 5from the first day to the present time, being persuaded that 6he who has begun this good work in you will bring it to perfection against the appearance of Christ, it is but just 7I should have this opinion of you, being sensible you make the dispensation I am under a common concern, with respect to my confinement, and the defence and confirmation of the gospel. 8for God is my witness, that I love you with a christian tenderness. 9and the favour I ask of him is this, that your kindness to me may be crown'd with farther improvements in knowledge and all prudence; 10that being capable to distinguish what is best, you may remain stedfastly sincere until the day of Christ, 11abounding in good works by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Paul’s Trials Advance the Gospel
(James 1:2–12)

12Now I would have you know, my brethren, that what has happen'd to me, has only conduc'd to the progress of the gospel; 13so that the whole court and publick are well appriz'd that I am a prisoner upon the account of Jesus Christ. 14even many of our brethren, encourag'd by my bonds, preach the word with greater freedom and intrepidity. 15it is true, there are some who preach Christ out of a spirit of envy and contention; but others do it out of pure affection. 16those preach the gospel of Christ, not in sincerity, but from a principle of contention, with a view to inflame the persecution against me: 17the others act from affection, as knowing that I suffer for having defended the gospel. 18is it not however some advantage? since in either way, whether it be occasionally, or professedly, Christ is preach'd; which is now, and always will be matter of joy to me. 19for I know that this shall turn to my deliverance, thro' your prayers, by the spirit, which Jesus Christ will supply me with, 20agreeably to that expectation and persuasion I have, that I shall not labour in vain; but as I always have, so I shall still glorify Christ in my body, whether it be by life or by death: for if I live, I live to Christ;

To Live Is Christ

21and if I die, I gain. 22whether it be an advantage to me or not still to lead this mortal life, what to chuse I cannot tell. 23I am doubly press'd between my desire to depart, in order to be with Christ, which is by far the best for ME; 24and my inclination to abide in this life, as being more advantageous for YOU: 25which consideration persuades me that I shall abide, and even continue some time with you all, to improve your advancement in the faith, and to promote your joy: 26that by my being present with you again, I may be the occasion of heightning your christian joy.

Worthy of the Gospel

27only conduct yourselves in a manner becoming the gospel of Christ, that whether I come to see you, or else am absent, I may have this account of you, that you are stedfastly of the same resolution, and unanimously contend for the faith of the gospel, 28without being under any the least apprehension from your adversaries: this will be to them a sign of their ruin, and to you of salvation, by the divine appointment. 29for it is a favour bestowed upon you, that you not only believe on Christ, but suffer also for his sake, 30being engag'd in the same conflict, in which you saw I was formerly, and hear that I am at present engag'd.