⁵ So the churches were strengthened^(A) in the faith and grew daily in numbers.^(B)

³¹ Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria^(A) enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.^(B)

⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.^(A) And the Lord added to their number^(B) daily those who were being saved.

⁷ So the word of God spread.^(A) The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly,^(B) and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you^(A) to his eternal glory^(B) in Christ, after you have suffered a little while,^(C) will himself restore you and make you strong,^(D) firm and steadfast.

⁴¹ He went through Syria^(A) and Cilicia,^(B) strengthening the churches.^(C)

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

⁶ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,^(A) continue to live your lives in him,

¹³ until we all reach unity^(A) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God^(B) and become mature,^(C) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.^(D)

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants,^(E) tossed back and forth by the waves,^(F) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.^{(G) 15} Instead, speaking the truth in love,^(H) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,^(I) that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows^(J) and builds itself up^(K) in love,^(L) as each part does its work.

Freedom in Christ

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.^(A) Stand firm,^(B) then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.^(C)