Paul’s Labor for the Church

²⁴ Now I rejoice^(A) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,^(B) for the sake of his body, which is the church.^{(C) 25} I have become its servant^(D) by the commission God gave me^(E) to present to you the word of God^(F) in its fullness— ²⁶ the mystery^(G) that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known^(H) among the Gentiles the glorious riches^(I) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,^(J) the hope of glory.

²⁸ He is the one we proclaim, admonishing^(K) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,^(L) so that we may present everyone fully mature^(M) in Christ. ²⁹ To this end I strenuously^(N) contend^(O) with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.^(P)

¹⁴ The Word became flesh^(A) and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory,^(B) the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace^(C) and truth.^(D)

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good^(A) of those who love him, who^[a] have been called^(B) according to his purpose.^{(C) 29} For those God foreknew^(D) he also predestined^(E) to be conformed to the image of his Son,^(F) that he might be the firstborn^(G) among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined,^(H) he also called;^(I) those he called, he also justified;^(J) those he justified, he also glorified.^(K)

More Than Conquerors

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things?^(L) If God is for us,^(M) who can be against us?^(N)

⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^[a](A) made his light shine in our hearts^(B) to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.^(C)

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay^(D) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God^(E) and not from us.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart.^(A) Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly^(B) we are being renewed^(C) day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.^{(D) 18} So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,^(E) since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you^(A) to his eternal glory^(B) in Christ, after you have suffered a little while,^(C) will himself restore you and make you strong,^(D) firm and steadfast.