Colossians 1:24-2:5

English Standard Version

Paul's Ministry to the Church

²⁴Now ^(A)I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh ^(B)I am filling up ^(C)what is lacking in Christ's afflictions ^(D)for the sake of his body, that is, the church, ²⁵^(E)of which I became a minister according to ^(F)the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, ²⁶^(G)the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. ²⁷^(H)To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are ^(I)the riches of the glory of ^(J)this mystery, which is Christ in you, ^(K)the hope of glory. ²⁸Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that ^(L)we may present everyone ^(M)mature in Christ. ²⁹For this ^(N)I toil, ^(O)struggling ^(P)with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

2 For I want you to know ^(Q)how great a ^(R)struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, ²that ^(S)their hearts may be encouraged, being ^(T)knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of ^(U)God's mystery, which is Christ, ³^(V)in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴I say this in order ^(W)that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. ⁵For ^(X)though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your ^(Y)good order and ^(Z)the firmness of your faith in Christ.