Epilogue
B
In view of all that God has done for you in Christ, your lives should be lived out in his service. You are fellow-members of the body of Christ: see that you discharge your respective functions for the well-being of the whole body corporate. And in all your relations with others, show the forgiving mercy of Christ.
Render all due obedience to the civil authorities. They in their way are servants of God. Let your one continuing debt be the debt of love. And in the ominous times that impend, keep alert in spirit and live as Christians should.
Show great gentleness and consideration to your fellow-Christians. There are matters such as special days and certain kinds of food on which Christians do not all agree. Christian liberty is a fine thing, but it should not be asserted at the expense of Christian charity. Remember the example of Christ, how he always considered other people’s interests before his own.
Epilogue
I write to you as the apostle to the Gentiles. I attach the highest importance to this ministry of mine; it serves the divine purpose of blessing for all nations, a purpose disclosed in the ancient Scriptures. I have fulfilled this ministry from Jerusalem to Illyricum, and now I propose to take it up in Spain, and pay you a visit on my way there. First I must go to Jerusalem with a gift which the Gentile churches have contributed for the relief of their brethren there. Pray that all may go well in this respect.
Give a warm welcome to Phoebe, the bearer of this letter. Give my greetings to all my friends who are with you. Beware of those who bring divisive teachings; preserve the fine reputation you enjoy throughout the churches. My friends here send you their greetings. The grace of Christ be with you, and all glory be to God.