Bearing fruit and growing, as it does, through all the world, just as it did among you, from the very day that you heard of God's loving-kindness, and understood what that loving-kindness really is.

he is the very one who told me of the love awakened in you by the Spirit.

And therefore we, from the very day that we heard this, have never ceased praying for you, or asking that you may possess that deeper knowledge of the will of God, which comes through all true spiritual wisdom and insight.

For Christ is the very incarnation of the invisible God-- First-born and Head of all creation;

For God was very pleased to have all of [His] fullness dwell in Christ [See 2:9],

Because of these [sinful] things the [divine] wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience [those who fail to listen and who routinely and obstinately disregard God’s precepts],

You children should obey your parents in everything, for this is very pleasing to the Lord.

Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious].

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts;

have cordially reliev'd me. Epaphras a servant of Christ, and your countryman, salutes you, who is always very earnest in his prayers, that you may be perfectly acquainted with, and constantly observe,

for I bear him witness, that he is very zealous for you, and for those in Laodicea, and Hierapolis.