21 Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds as expressed in your evil actions. 22 But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death,(A) to present you holy, faultless,(B) and blameless before him(C) 23 if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith(D) and are not shifted away from the hope(E) of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation(F) under heaven,(G) and I, Paul,(H) have become a servant of it.

Paul’s Ministry

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings(I) for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for his body,(J) that is, the church.

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21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies(A) in your minds(B) because of[a] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled(C) you by Christ’s physical body(D) through death to present you(E) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation(F) 23 if you continue(G) in your faith, established(H) and firm, and do not move from the hope(I) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,(J) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.(K)

Paul’s Labor for the Church

24 Now I rejoice(L) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,(M) for the sake of his body, which is the church.(N)

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:21 Or minds, as shown by