² I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ,^[a](A)

²⁷ To them God chose to make known how great among the gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.^(A)

⁸ I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are^[a] and that he may encourage your hearts;

¹⁴ Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

²² I am sending him to you for this very purpose, to let you know how we are and to encourage your hearts.

The Supremacy of Christ

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation,^{(A) 16} for in^[a] him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ He himself is before all things, and in^[b] him all things hold together.

Final Doxology

²⁵ Now to God^[a] who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages^(A)

⁸ More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ^(A)

Imitating Christ’s Humility

2 If, then, there is any comfort in Christ, any consolation from love, any partnership in the Spirit, any tender affection and sympathy,^(A)

⁹ and to make everyone see^[a] what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in^[b] God, who created all things,^{(A) 10} so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.^[c](B)