So that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ
NIV
So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless [so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling nor causing others to stumble].
AMP
That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.
KJV
Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
NIV
But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.
AMP
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
KJV
As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
NIV
So much is this a fact that throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest [here] my imprisonment has become generally known to be in Christ [that I am a prisoner in His service and for Him].
AMP
So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
KJV
As for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
NIV
As to my zeal, I was a persecutor of the church, and by the Law's standard of righteousness (supposed justice, uprightness, and right standing with God) I was proven to be blameless and no fault was found with me.
AMP
Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
KJV
And being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!
NIV
And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!
AMP
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
KJV
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
NIV
I was made very happy in the Lord that now you have revived your interest in my welfare after so long a time; you were indeed thinking of me, but you had no opportunity to show it.
AMP
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
KJV
And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
NIV
And [also] most of the brethren have derived fresh confidence in the Lord because of my chains and are much more bold to speak and publish fearlessly the Word of God [acting with more freedom and indifference to the consequences].
AMP
And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
KJV
