¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,^(A)

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.^(A)

¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.

¹² So with yourselves: since you are striving after spiritual gifts, seek to excel in them for building up the church.

¹⁷ Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with sighing, for that would be harmful to you.^(A)

The Peril of Falling Away

6 Therefore let us go on^[a] toward perfection,^[b] leaving behind the basic teaching about Christ and not laying again the foundation: repentance from dead works and faith toward God,^(A)

Gratitude for Mercy

¹² I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful and appointed me to his service,^(A)

²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.^(A)

³ We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,^(A)

¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation;^(A)