Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Only - Whatever happens as to my coming to you or not, make this your only care. By supposing this or that future contingency, many persuade themselves they will be such as they ought to be, but it is better always, without evasion, to perform present duties under present circumstances (Bengel).
Let your conversation be (cf. Philippians 3:20) х politeuesthe (G4176)] - 'Let your walk as citizens (namely, of the heavenly state: 'the city of the living God' Hebrews 12:22; Ephesians 2:19), be,' (Acts 23:1, etc.)
I ... see ... hear - so Philippians 1:30. "Hear," in order to take in both alternatives, must include know.
Your affairs - your state.
In one spirit - the fruit of partaking of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:3-4).
With one mind, х psuchee (G5590)] - 'soul,' the sphere of the affections: subordinate to the "spirit," man's higher and heavenly nature, whereon the Holy Spirit acts. 'There is sometimes natural antipathies among believers; these are overcome when there is not only unity of spirit, but also of soul' (Bengel).
Striving together - with united effort.