which you heard was offer'd to you, by the instructions of Epaphras, our dear fellow-servant, who is to you a faithful minister of Christ:

who also declared to us the love you bear to us upon a spiritual account.

giving thanks to the father, who has qualified you to share in that light he affords to his people:

who has deliver'd you from the state of darkness, and has translated you into the kingdom of his beloved son.

to whom God does disclose the glorious advantages of this mystery to you Gentiles, to wit, "that by Christ you may have the expectation of glory."

in whom are reserv'd all the treasures of wd om and knowledge.

and ye are filled by him, who is the chief of all principality and power:

by whom also ye have obtain'd the true spiritual circumcision, not effected by men, when you were by a christian circumcision divested of all your carnal affections,

Even you, who were in a dying sinful state, and were uncircumcised Gentiles, has God raised to life, as he did Christ, having pardoned all your sins:

for these were only the shadows of future things, prefiguring Christ, who is the substance.

among whom you had your conversation, when you followed their practices.

improv'd by knowledge into a resemblance of him, who made this change:

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.

As to what relates to me, you will be inform'd of it by Tychicus my dear brother, who is a faithful minister of the Lord, and serves him with me.

I have sent him with Onesimus a faithful and beloved brother, who is of your city: they will inform you of what passes here.

Aristarchus my companion in bonds salutes you. and so does Mark, nephew to Barnabas, for whom you have receiv'd recommendations. if he come to you, give him a kind reception.

Jesus, who is called Justus, salutes you: these are the only Jews who by assisting me in preaching the gospel,

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,