¹⁸ And he is the head^(A) of the body, the church;^(B) he is the beginning and the firstborn^(C) from among the dead,^(D) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased^(E) to have all his fullness^(F) dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile^(G) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,^(H) by making peace^(I) through his blood,^(J) shed on the cross.

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies^(K) in your minds^(L) because of^[a] your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled^(M) you by Christ’s physical body^(N) through death to present you^(O) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation^(P)— ²³ if you continue^(Q) in your faith, established^(R) and firm, and do not move from the hope^(S) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,^(T) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.^(U)

Paul’s Labor for the Church

²⁴ Now I rejoice^(V) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,^(W) for the sake of his body, which is the church.^{(X) 25} I have become its servant^(Y) by the commission God gave me^(Z) to present to you the word of God^(AA) in its fullness— ²⁶ the mystery^(AB) that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known^(AC) among the Gentiles the glorious riches^(AD) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,^(AE) the hope of glory.

²⁸ He is the one we proclaim, admonishing^(AF) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,^(AG) so that we may present everyone fully mature^(AH) in Christ. ²⁹ To this end I strenuously^(AI) contend^(AJ) with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.^(AK)

2 I want you to know how hard I am contending^(AL) for you and for those at Laodicea,^(AM) and for all who have not met me personally. ² My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart^(AN) and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery^(AO) of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.^{(AP) 4} I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.^{(AQ) 5} For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit^(AR) and delight to see how disciplined^(AS) you are and how firm^(AT) your faith in Christ^(AU) is.

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

⁶ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,^(AV) continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted^(AW) and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught,^(AX) and overflowing with thankfulness.