even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you are saved! –

because you have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.

When reading this, you will be able to understand my insight into this secret of Christ.

namely, that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

But practicing the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head.

Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.

For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says: “Awake, O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!”

always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body.

But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

not like those who do their work only when someone is watching – as people-pleasers – but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart.

For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ,

The whole imperial guard and everyone else knows that I am in prison for the sake of Christ,

The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, because they think they can cause trouble for me in my imprisonment.

so that what you can be proud of may increase because of me in Christ Jesus, when I come back to you.

For it has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him,

Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any affection or mercy,