7 It is right for me to feel this way about you, because [you have me in your heart as] I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the good news [regarding salvation], all of you share in [His matchless] grace with me.

8 For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus [whose great love fills me].

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight,