Christ gives me the courage to tell you what to do.
Maybe I brag a little too much about the authority that the Lord gave me to help you and not to hurt you. Yet I am not embarrassed to brag.
I am ashamed to say that we are too weak to behave in such a way. If they can brag, so can I, but it is a foolish thing to do.
This wonderful hope makes us feel like speaking freely.
Don't use dirty or foolish or filthy words. Instead, say how thankful you are.
As you remember, we had been mistreated and insulted at Philippi. But God gave us the courage to tell you the good news about him, even though many people caused us trouble.
We were not trying to get you or anyone else to praise us.