Now that we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all his People,

came to you. This Gospel is [now] also producing fruit all over the world [i.e., throughout the Roman Empire] and growing [in its influence], just as it is doing among you people also, since the day you [first] heard and understood God's unearned favor in [all its] truth.

He is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation.

And you - which were in times past strangers and enemies, because your minds were set in evil works - hath he now reconciled

he has now in his human body reconciled to God by his death, in order that he may bring you into his presence, holy and unblemished and irreproachable.

I am now rejoicing in my sufferings on your behalf; and I am filling up in my own body what is yet lacking of the sufferings of Christ in behalf of the church, his Body.

of which I am a minister, according to the dispensation of God, which was given me for you to fulfil the ministry of the word of God??26 the mystery which was hid from ages and from generations, but is now unveiled to his saints;

that secret truth, which, although hidden from ages and generations of old, has now been made manifest to his saints.

Now this I say, lest any man pervert you with specious discourse.

having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

for you have died, and your life is now hidden in God through your fellowship with Christ.

but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.

by which there is now neither Greek, or Jew; circumcised, or uncircumcised; Barbarian, or Scythian; slave, or freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

Now therefore as elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering,

And making prayer for us, that God may give us an open door for the preaching of the word, the secret of Christ, for which I am now in chains;