He did this when he revealed to us the secret of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ,

And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation) -- when you believed in Christ -- you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit,

I do not cease to give thanks for you when I remember you in my prayers.

This power he exercised in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms

when he nullified in his flesh the law of commandments in decrees. He did this to create in himself one new man out of two, thus making peace,

When reading this, you will be able to understand my insight into this secret of Christ.

Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he captured captives; he gave gifts to men."

not like those who do their work only when someone is watching -- as people-pleasers -- but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart.

Pray for me also, that I may be given the message when I begin to speak -- that I may confidently make known the mystery of the gospel,