Paul’s Ministry to the Church
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am yfilling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his zbody, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the astewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the bmystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them cGod chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the driches of the glory of this emystery, which is Christ fin you, the ghope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone hmature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling iwith all his energy that he powerfully jworks within me.
1 For I want you to know how great a kstruggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be lencouraged, being mknit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s nmystery, which is Christ, 3 oin whom are hidden pall the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am qabsent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good rorder and the sfirmness of your faith in Christ.
Alive in Christ
6 Therefore, tas you ureceived Christ Jesus the Lord, so vwalk in him, 7 wrooted and xbuilt up in him and established in the faith, just as you were ytaught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Love Your Enemies
27 m“But I say to you who hear, nLove your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 obless those who curse you, ppray for those who abuse you. 29 qTo one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic1 either. 30 rGive to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And sas you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, texpecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is umerciful.
Judging Others
37 v“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; wforgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For xwith the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
