Colossians 1:22-24

Expanded Bible

²² But now God has ·made you his friends again [reconciled you] through Christ’s death in ·the body [his physical body; ^Lthe body of his flesh], so that he might bring you into God’s presence as people who are holy, ·with no wrong [without blemish; ^Cas were sacrificial animals], and ·with nothing of which God can judge you guilty [blameless; innocent; free of accusation]. ²³ This will happen if you continue ·strong [grounded; established] and ·sure [firm; steadfast] in your faith. You must not ·be moved [shift; drift] away from the hope ·brought to you by [or found in; ^Lof] the ·Good News [the Gospel] that you heard. That same ·Good News [Gospel] has been ·told [preached; proclaimed] to ·everyone [^Levery creature; or in all creation] ·in the world [^Lunder heaven], and I, Paul, ·help in preaching [^Lam a servant/minister of] it.

Paul’s Work for the Church

²⁴ [^LNow] I ·am happy [rejoice] in my sufferings for you. And I ·accept [fill up; complete] in my ·body [flesh] what ·Christ must still suffer [or is lacking in the suffering of Christ] ·through [or on behalf of] his body, the church. [^CBy suffering while spreading the Gospel, Paul both participates in Christ’s death and helps complete God’s plan.]