Through your union with Christ, your life is now hidden with Him in God. When Christ, who is the essence of our existence, is revealed, you too will share in His glory. Consequently, eliminate the worldly aspects of your being: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desires, and greed, which is tantamount to idolatry. Due to such behavior, the wrath of God is imminent upon the disobedient. You were once accustomed to living in the same manner, but now you must rid yourselves of all such things: anger, rage, malice, blasphemy, and coarse language.
Do not deceive one another, as you have discarded your old self and its sinful practices, and have clothed yourselves with the new self, being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator. In this renewed state, there are no divisions between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, for Christ is all and in all.
Therefore, as God’s chosen and cherished ones, embody compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive each other if anyone has a grievance against another, just as the Lord forgave you. Above all these virtues, let love be the binding force that unifies them perfectly. Allow the peace of Christ to govern your hearts, since you are called to live in harmony as one body, and always express gratitude.
Let the message of Christ dwell richly among you, as you instruct and encourage one another with wisdom through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Wives, submit to your husbands as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, avoid provoking your children, lest they become disheartened. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not merely to please them while being watched, but with sincerity of heart, respecting and loving Christ Jesus.
Whatever you do, wholeheartedly work at it, as if you are serving Christ and not human masters, recognizing that you will receive the inheritance from God as your reward. It is Christ whom you serve. However, whoever does wrong will face consequences for their actions, as there is no partiality excepting those whom live in Jesus.
