Paul is writing this letter from a prison somewhere in Rome. Many years ago I was in Rome and saw a prison where he was supposed to have been incarcerated and it wasn't real nice. In spite of this the letter is filled with the joy of the Lord.
These people were very dear to Paul, and we can look in Acts 16 and see all the things that happened there. There was Lydia, the business lady, who might have been the first convert. The girl who was formerly possessed by a demon who Paul cast out. Then there was the jailer who asked "What must I do to be saved?" All of these people were very dear to Paul.
Paul was now asking them to abound in the same kind of love. He also includes knowledge and judgment. He is asking them to approve things that are excellent. To be sincere and without offense till the day of Jesus Christ. Everything in our lives are working up to that day. We want approval from Him and not just from man. In verse 1 we have the fruits of righteousness. If I live righteously my life will bear fruit. However, this is through the Holy Spirit who lives within me.
Next Paul is saying that his imprisonment was not for nothing but for the furtherance of the Gospel. We must in all circumstances even the bad ones bring people to Christ. Perhaps even this will help you to think about Christ and make Him part of your life.
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