God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner^(A) of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

Paul’s Labor for the Church

²⁴ Now I rejoice^(A) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,^(B) for the sake of his body, which is the church.^(C)

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

4 As a prisoner^(A) for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy^(B) of the calling^(C) you have received.

²⁰ for which I am an ambassador^(A) in chains.^(B) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

⁹ yet I prefer to appeal to you^(A) on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner^(B) of Christ Jesus—

⁸ So do not be ashamed^(A) of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner.^(B) Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel,^(C) by the power of God.

¹³ As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard^[a] and to everyone else that I am in chains^(A) for Christ. ¹⁴ And because of my chains,^(B) most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.^(C)

¹⁵ It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. ¹⁶ The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.^(D)

¹ Paul, a prisoner^(A) of Christ Jesus, and Timothy^(B) our brother,^(C)

To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker^(D)—

⁷ It is right^(A) for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart^(B) and, whether I am in chains^(C) or defending^(D) and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.