Chapter I.—As a prisoner, I hope to see you.

Through prayer⁸²²⁸²²    Some read, “since I have,” leaving out the following “for,” and finding the apodosis in “I hope to salute you.” to God I have obtained the privilege of seeing your most worthy faces,⁸²³⁸²³    Literally, “worthy of God.” and have even⁸²⁴⁸²⁴    Some read, “which I much desired to do.” been granted more than I requested; for I hope as a prisoner in Christ Jesus to salute you, if indeed it be the will of God that I be thought worthy of attaining unto the end. For the beginning has been well ordered, 74 if I may obtain grace to cling to⁸²⁵⁸²⁵    Literally, “to receive.” my lot without hindrance unto the end. For I am afraid of your love,⁸²⁶⁸²⁶    He probably refers here, and in what follows, to the influence which their earnest prayers in his behalf might have with God. lest it should do me an injury. For it is easy for you to accomplish what you please; but it is difficult for me to attain to God, if ye spare me.

Through prayer to God I have obtained the privilege of seeing your most worthy faces,⁸²⁷⁸²⁷    Literally, “worthy of God.” even as I earnestly begged might be granted me; for as a prisoner in Christ Jesus I hope to salute you, if indeed it be the will [of God] that I be thought worthy of attaining unto the end. For the beginning has been well ordered, if I may obtain grace to cling to⁸²⁸⁸²⁸    Literally, “to receive.” my lot without hindrance unto the end. For I am afraid of your love,⁸²⁹⁸²⁹    He probably refers here, and in what follows, to the influence which their earnest prayers in his behalf might have with God. lest it should do me an injury. For it is easy for you to accomplish what you please; but it is difficult for me to attain to God, if ye do not spare me,⁸³⁰⁸³⁰    Some read γε instead of μή, and translate as in shorter recension. under the pretence of carnal affection.