Letters to the Churches

In past generations it was not made known to mankind, as the Spirit is now revealing it to his emissaries and prophets,

that in union with the Messiah and through the Good News the Gentiles were to be joint heirs, a joint body and joint sharers with the Jews in what God has promised.

I became a servant of this Good News by God’s gracious gift, which he gave me through the operation of his power.

To me, the least important of all God’s holy people, was given this privilege of announcing to the Gentiles the Good News of the Messiah’s unfathomable riches,

and of letting everyone see how this secret plan is going to work out. This plan, kept hidden for ages by God, the Creator of everything,

is for the rulers and authorities in heaven to learn, through the existence of the Messianic Community, how many-sided God’s wisdom is.

This accords with God’s age-old purpose, accomplished in the Messiah Yeshua, our Lord.

In union with him, through his faithfulness, we have boldness and confidence when we approach God.

So I ask you not to be discouraged by the troubles I endure on your behalf — it is all for your glory.

For this reason, I fall on my knees before the Father,

from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its character.

I pray that from the treasures of his glory he will empower you with inner strength by his Spirit,

so that the Messiah may live in your hearts through your trusting. Also I pray that you will be rooted and founded in love,

so that you, with all God’s people, will be given strength to grasp the breadth, length, height and depth of the Messiah’s love,

yes, to know it, even though it is beyond all knowing, so that you will be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who by his power working in us is able to do far beyond anything we can ask or imagine,

to him be glory in the Messianic Community and in the Messiah Yeshua from generation to generation forever. Amen.

Therefore I, the prisoner united with the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called.

Always be humble, gentle and patient, bearing with one another in love,

and making every effort to preserve the unity the Spirit gives through the binding power of shalom.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as when you were called you were called to one hope.

And there is one Lord, one trust, one immersion,

and one God, the Father of all, who rules over all, works through all and is in all.

Each one of us, however, has been given grace to be measured by the Messiah’s bounty.

This is why it says, “After he went up into the heights, he led captivity captive and he gave gifts to mankind.”