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23 This assumes, of course, that you keep firmly on in the faith—by which I mean, solid on your foundations, and not shifting from the hope of the gospel which you heard. This gospel, after all, has been announced in all creation under heaven! And this is the gospel of which I, Paul, became a servant.

The Messiah, living within you

24 Right now I’m having a celebration—a celebration of my sufferings, which are for your benefit! And I’m steadily completing, in my own flesh, what is presently lacking in the Messiah’s afflictions on behalf of his body, which is the church. 25 I became the church’s servant, according to the terms laid down by God when he gave me my commission on your behalf, the commission to fulfill God’s word.

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23 if you continue(A) in your faith, established(B) and firm, and do not move from the hope(C) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,(D) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.(E)

Paul’s Labor for the Church

24 Now I rejoice(F) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,(G) for the sake of his body, which is the church.(H) 25 I have become its servant(I) by the commission God gave me(J) to present to you the word of God(K) in its fullness—

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