¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows^(A) and builds itself up^(B) in love,^(C) as each part does its work.

¹⁹ They have lost connection with the head,^(A) from whom the whole body,^(B) supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.^(C)

⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;^(A) apart from me you can do nothing.

² My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart^(A) and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery^(B) of God, namely, Christ,

¹² to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ^(A) may be built up^(B)

¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.^(A) But the greatest of these is love.^(B)

Intelligibility in Worship

14 Follow the way of love^(C) and eagerly desire^(D) gifts of the Spirit,^(E) especially prophecy.^(F)

¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love,^(A) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,^(B) that is, Christ.

⁵ The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart^(A) and a good conscience^(B) and a sincere faith.^(C)

¹³ And we also thank God continually^(A) because, when you received the word of God,^(B) which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.