Paul's Ministry to the Church

Colossians 1

24 Now j I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh k I am filling up l what is lacking in Christ's afflictions m for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 n of which I became a minister according to o the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 p the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 q To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are r the riches of the glory of p this mystery, which is Christ in you, s the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that t we may present everyone u mature in Christ. 29 For this v I toil, w struggling x with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Colossians 2

1 For I want you to know y how great a w struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that z their hearts may be encouraged, being a knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of b God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 c in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order d that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For e though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your f good order and g the firmness of your faith in Christ.

  1. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 7:4
    I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.
  2. Cross References
    2 Timothy 1:8
    Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
    2 Timothy 2:10
    Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
  3. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:5
    For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
  4. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:12
    To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.
  5. Cross References
    Colossians 1:23
    If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
  6. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:2
    Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you.
  7. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:9
    And to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.
    Romans 16:25 - 26
    Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
  8. Cross References
    Colossians 2:2
    That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ.
  9. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:18
    Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.
    Ephesians 3:16
    That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
  10. Cross References
    Colossians 1:26
    The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.
  11. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:1
    Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope.
  12. Cross References
    Colossians 1:22 - 23
    He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.
  13. Cross References
    Matthew 5:48
    You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
  14. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:10
    But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
    1 Timothy 4:10
    For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
  15. Cross References
    Colossians 4:12
    Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
    Colossians 2:1
    For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face.
  16. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:19
    And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
  17. Cross References
    Philippians 1:30
    Engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
  18. Cross References
    Colossians 1:29
    For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
  19. Cross References
    Colossians 4:8
    I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts.
    Ephesians 6:22
    I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.
  20. Cross References
    Colossians 3:14
    And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
  21. Cross References
    Colossians 1:27
    To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
  22. Cross References
    Isaiah 11:2
    And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,...
    Isaiah 45:3
    I will give you the treasures of darkness and t...
    1 Corinthians 1:24
    But to those who are called, both Jews and Gree...
    1 Corinthians 1:30
    And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who...
    1 Corinthians 2:6 - 7
    Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, altho...
    Luke 11:49
    Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, 'I will ...
    Ephesians 1:8
    Which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and in...
  23. Cross References
    Romans 16:18
    For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
    Ephesians 5:6
    Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
    2 Peter 2:3
    And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
  24. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 5:3
    For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing.
  25. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:40
    But all things should be done decently and in order.
  26. Cross References
    1 Peter 5:9
    Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Next Book Next Book