You Are Built Up in Christ

2 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those [believers] at ^[a]Laodicea, and for all who [like yourselves] have never seen me face to face. ² [For my hope is] that their hearts may be encouraged as they are knit together in [unselfish] ^[b]love, so that they may have all the riches that come from the full assurance of understanding [the joy of salvation], resulting in a true [and more intimate] knowledge of the ^[c]mystery of God, that is, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge [regarding the word and purposes of God]. ⁴ I say this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive [but thoroughly deceptive] arguments. ⁵ For even though I am absent [from you] in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, ^[d]delighted to see your good discipline [as you stand shoulder to shoulder and form a solid front] and to see the stability of your faith in Christ [your steadfast reliance on Him and your unwavering confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness].

⁶ Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say—living lives that lead others away from sin], ⁷ having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established ^[e]in your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing in it with gratitude.

⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception [pseudo-intellectual babble], according to the tradition [and musings] of mere men, following the ^[f]elementary principles of this world, rather than following [the truth—the teachings of] Christ.

¹⁷ I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep your eyes on those who cause dissensions and create obstacles or introduce temptations [for others] to commit sin, [acting in ways] contrary to the doctrine which you have learned. Turn away from them. ¹⁸ For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites and base desires. By smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting [the innocent and the naive].

The Coming Day of the Lord

³ First of all, know [without any doubt] that mockers will come in the last days with their mocking, following after their own human desires ⁴ and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming [what has become of it]? For ever since the fathers fell asleep [in death], all things have continued [exactly] as they did from the beginning of creation.” ⁵ For they willingly forget [the fact] that the heavens existed long ago by the word of God, and the earth was formed ^[a]out of water and by water, ⁶ through which the world at that time was destroyed by being flooded with water.^{(A) 7} But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly people.

⁸ Nevertheless, do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day.^{(B) 9} The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.