¹⁹ They have lost connection with the head,^(A) from whom the whole body,^(B) supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.^(C)

¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love,^(A) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,^(B) that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows^(C) and builds itself up^(D) in love,^(E) as each part does its work.

⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you.^(A) No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;^(B) apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.^(C)

¹⁸ But grow in the grace^(A) and knowledge^(B) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.^(C) To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.^(D)

⁴ who wants^(A) all people^(B) to be saved^(C) and to come to a knowledge of the truth.^{(D) 5} For there is one God^(E) and one mediator^(F) between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,^{(G) 6} who gave himself as a ransom^(H) for all people. This has now been witnessed to^(I) at the proper time.^(J)

⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,^{(A) 5} so in Christ we, though many, form one body,^(B) and each member belongs to all the others.

Suffering for Doing Good

⁸ Finally, all of you, be like-minded,^(A) be sympathetic, love one another,^(B) be compassionate and humble.^(C)

¹⁰ And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia.^(A) Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,^(B)

¹² May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other^(A) and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.