I became a ·servant [minister] of the church because God gave me a ·special work to do [stewardship; commission] ·that helps you [^Lfor you], and that work is to ·tell fully [or complete; or preach everywhere; ^Lfulfill] the ·message [word] of God.

Let the ·teaching [message; word] of Christ ·live in [or dwell among] you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and ·instruct [warn; admonish] each other by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with ·thankfulness [gratitude; grace] in your hearts to God.

Also pray for us that God will ·give us an opportunity [^Lopen a door for us] to tell people his ·message [word]. Pray that we can preach the ·secret that God has made known about Christ [^Lmystery of Christ; 1:26]. This is why I am in ·prison [chains; ^CPaul is probably writing from house arrest in Rome, about ad 60; see Acts 28:30–31].