¹⁵ But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man,^(A) how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ,^(B) overflow to the many!

6 As God’s co-workers^(A) we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.^(B)

⁷ It is right^(A) for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart^(B) and, whether I am in chains^(C) or defending^(D) and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ We always thank God,^(A) the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴ because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love^(B) you have for all God’s people^(C)— ⁵ the faith and love that spring from the hope^(D) stored up for you in heaven^(E) and about which you have already heard in the true message^(F) of the gospel ⁶ that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit^(G) and growing throughout the whole world^(H)—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. ⁷ You learned it from Epaphras,^(I) our dear fellow servant,^[a] who is a faithful minister^(J) of Christ on our^[b] behalf,