Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer for the Church

We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

Paul’s Prayer for the Growth of the Church

For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you, have not ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

so that you may live worthily of the Lord and please him in all respects—bearing fruit in every good deed, growing in the knowledge of God,

My goal is that their hearts, having been knit together in love, may be encouraged, and that they may have all the riches that assurance brings in their understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God, namely, Christ,

in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Warnings Against the Adoption of False Philosophies

Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,

and have been clothed with the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it.

bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Exhortation to Households

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in every respect, not only when they are watching—like those who are strictly people-pleasers—but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord.

Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people,

because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ.

Personal Greetings and Instructions

Tychicus, a dear brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.

And tell Archippus, “See to it that you complete the ministry you received in the Lord.”