Colossians 1:24-29

New Century Version

Paul’s Work for the Church

²⁴ I am happy in my sufferings for you. There are things that Christ must still suffer through his body, the church. I am accepting, in my body, my part of these things that must be suffered. ²⁵ I became a servant of the church because God gave me a special work to do that helps you, and that work is to tell fully the message of God. ²⁶ This message is the secret that was hidden from everyone since the beginning of time, but now it is made known to God’s holy people. ²⁷ God decided to let his people know this rich and glorious secret which he has for all people. This secret is Christ himself, who is in you. He is our only hope for glory. ²⁸ So we continue to preach Christ to each person, using all wisdom to warn and to teach everyone, in order to bring each one into God’s presence as a mature person in Christ. ²⁹ To do this, I work and struggle, using Christ’s great strength that works so powerfully in me.