Paul’s Labor for the Church

²⁴ Now I rejoice^(A) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,^(B) for the sake of his body, which is the church.^{(C) 25} I have become its servant^(D) by the commission God gave me^(E) to present to you the word of God^(F) in its fullness— ²⁶ the mystery^(G) 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^(H) among the Gentiles the glorious riches^(I) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,^(J) the hope of glory.

²⁸ He is the one we proclaim, admonishing^(K) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,^(L) so that we may present everyone fully mature^(M) in Christ. ²⁹ To this end I strenuously^(N) contend^(O) with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.^(P)

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

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

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

⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,^(AD) which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces^[a] of this world^(AE) rather than on Christ.

⁹ For in Christ all the fullness^(AF) of the Deity lives in bodily form, ¹⁰ and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head^(AG) over every power and authority.^{(AH) 11} In him you were also circumcised^(AI) with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh^[b](AJ) was put off when you were circumcised by^[c] Christ, ¹² having been buried with him in baptism,^(AK) in which you were also raised with him^(AL) through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.^(AM)

¹³ When you were dead in your sins^(AN) and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you^[d] alive^(AO) with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,^{(AP) 14} having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness,^(AQ) which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.^{(AR) 15} And having disarmed the powers and authorities,^(AS) he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them^(AT) by the cross.^[e]

Freedom From Human Rules

¹⁶ Therefore do not let anyone judge you^(AU) by what you eat or drink,^(AV) or with regard to a religious festival,^(AW) a New Moon celebration^(AX) or a Sabbath day.^{(AY) 17} These are a shadow of the things that were to come;^(AZ) the reality, however, is found in Christ. ¹⁸ Do not let anyone who delights in false humility^(BA) and the worship of angels disqualify you.^(BB) Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. ¹⁹ They have lost connection with the head,^(BC) from whom the whole body,^(BD) supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.^(BE)

²⁰ Since you died with Christ^(BF) to the elemental spiritual forces of this world,^(BG) why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:^{(BH) 21} “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? ²² These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish^(BI) with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.^{(BJ) 23} Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility^(BK) and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,^(BL) set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.^{(BM) 2} Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.^{(BN) 3} For you died,^(BO) and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^[f] life,^(BP) appears,^(BQ) then you also will appear with him in glory.^(BR)

⁵ Put to death,^(BS) therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:^(BT) sexual immorality,^(BU) impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,^(BV) which is idolatry.^{(BW) 6} Because of these, the wrath of God^(BX) is coming.^{[g] 7} You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.^{(BY) 8} But now you must also rid yourselves^(BZ) of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,^(CA) and filthy language from your lips.^{(CB) 9} Do not lie to each other,^(CC) since you have taken off your old self^(CD) with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self,^(CE) which is being renewed^(CF) in knowledge in the image of its Creator.^{(CG) 11} Here there is no Gentile or Jew,^(CH) circumcised or uncircumcised,^(CI) barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,^(CJ) but Christ is all,^(CK) and is in all.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves^(CL) with compassion, kindness, humility,^(CM) gentleness and patience.^{(CN) 13} Bear with each other^(CO) and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.^{(CP) 14} And over all these virtues put on love,^(CQ) which binds them all together in perfect unity.^(CR)

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ^(CS) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body^(CT) you were called to peace.^(CU) And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ^(CV) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom^(CW) through psalms,^(CX) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.^{(CY) 17} And whatever you do,^(CZ) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks^(DA) to God the Father through him.

Instructions for Christian Households^(DB)

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands,^(DC) as is fitting in the Lord.

¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

²⁰ Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

²¹ Fathers,^[h] do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

²² Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. ²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, ²⁴ since you know that you will receive an inheritance^(DD) from the Lord as a reward.^(DE) It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ²⁵ Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.^(DF)

4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,^(DG) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

² Devote yourselves to prayer,^(DH) being watchful and thankful. ³ And pray for us, too, that God may open a door^(DI) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery^(DJ) of Christ, for which I am in chains.^{(DK) 4} Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵ Be wise^(DL) in the way you act toward outsiders;^(DM) make the most of every opportunity.^{(DN) 6} Let your conversation be always full of grace,^(DO) seasoned with salt,^(DP) so that you may know how to answer everyone.^(DQ)

Final Greetings

⁷ Tychicus^(DR) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant^[i](DS) in the Lord. ⁸ I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our^[j] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.^{(DT) 9} He is coming with Onesimus,^(DU) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.^(DV) They will tell you everything that is happening here.

¹⁰ My fellow prisoner Aristarchus^(DW) sends you his greetings, as does Mark,^(DX) the cousin of Barnabas.^(DY) (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) ¹¹ Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews^[k] among my co-workers^(DZ) for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras,^(EA) who is one of you^(EB) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,^(EC) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature^(ED) and fully assured. ¹³ I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea^(EE) and Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Our dear friend Luke,^(EF) the doctor, and Demas^(EG) send greetings. ¹⁵ Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,^(EH) and to Nympha and the church in her house.^(EI)

¹⁶ After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read^(EJ) in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

¹⁷ Tell Archippus:^(EK) “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”^(EL)

¹⁸ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.^(EM) Remember^(EN) my chains.^(EO) Grace be with you.^(EP)