for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which ye have heard before in the word of truth, that is the gospel;

which is come unto you, even as in all the world, and is fruitful; as it hath been also among you, from the day in which ye heard and knew the grace of God in truth.

And He is the head of the body, which is the church: who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in all things He might have the pre-eminence.

if so be ye continue grounded and settled in the faith, and be not moved from the gospel, which ye have heard, and which hath been preached throughout the whole creation, of which I Paul am a minister.

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up what is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for the sake of his body, which is the church.

Of which I was made a minister according to the dispensation of God, which is given me towards you, that I might fully declare the word of God:

even that mystery which was hid from former ages and generations, but is now manifested to his saints:

to whom God would make known the rich glory of this mystery, among the gentiles; which is this, that Christ is in you the hope of glory:

in order to which I also labour, striving earnestly according to his energy which operates in me with power.

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision not performed by hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision which is of Christ:

and cancelled the obligation we were under by ritual decrees, which was grievous to us, and hath taken it quite away, even nailing it to his cross.

which are a shadow of good things to come, but the body is of Christ.

and not adhering to the head, from which all the body, being supplied and held together as by joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God.

handle not," which all tend to corruption in the using,) according to the commandments and doctrines of men?

which things indeed have a pretence to wisdom in voluntary worship, and humiliation, and bodily penance, as having no regard to the satisfying of the flesh.

Mortify therefore your members that are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, disorderly passion, evil concupiscence, and insatiable desire, which is indeed idolatry:

for which things the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.

In which ye also formerly walked, when ye lived among them.

and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of Him that created him.

And above all these put on love, which is the band of perfection.

And let the peace of God preside in your hearts, to which ye are also called as united in one body: and be thankful for it.

Praying at the same time for us also, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to declare the mystery of Christ, for which also I am in bonds: that I may make it manifest, as I ought.

And say ye to Archippus, Look well to the ministry, which thou hast received of the Lord, that thou fulfil it.