and having made peace by the blood of his cross, to reconcile all things to himself, both those in heaven, and those upon earth.

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and am filling up the measure of those remaining afflictions, which in my turn I am to suffer in this life, in the cause of Christ, for the sake of his body, which is the church:

For I wish you knew how great my concern is for you, and for those of Laodicea, and for such as have never seen me in person:

If then you are dead with Christ, in respect of those shadows of the Jewish state; why do ye, as if you were still in that state, submit to those ordinances?

servants, be entirely obedient to those, whom the laws have made your masters, and not meerly out of regard to their observation, as designing only to please men, but from a principle of integrity, as fearing God:

Be prudent in your conduct to those, who are not christians: and make the best of of every opportunity.