and really came to know it, in the form in which Epaphras, my dear fellow-slave, taught it to you. He is my faithful representative as a servant of Christ,

through dying in his human body) in holiness, and free from reproach or blame, into God's presence??23 if at least you continue firm and steadfast in the exercise of faith, and never shift from the hope held out in the good news to which you listened, which has been preached all over the world, and for which I, Paul, became a worker.

At present I am glad to be suffering in your interest, and I am making up in my own person what is lacking in Christ's sufferings for the church, which is his body.

That is what I am working for, fighting with all the energy with which he so mightily endows me.

that your hearts may be cheered. I want you to be united by love, and to have all the benefit of assured knowledge in coming to know Christ??3 that divine mystery in which all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are to be found.

canceled the bond which stood against us, with its requirements, and put it out of our way when he nailed it to the cross.

Such people lose their connection with the head, from which the whole body through its ligaments and sinews must be governed and united if it is to grow in the divine way.

And over all these put on love, which completes them and fastens them all together.

for you know that it is from him that you are to receive that inheritance which is to be your reward. Think of Christ as the master you are working for.

Pray for me too, that God may give me an opening for the message, and let me tell the secret of Christ on account of which I am kept in prison