^12 (A)to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for ^(B)building up ^(C)the body of Christ,

^16 (A)from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, ^(B)when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

³⁰ because ^(A)we are members of his body.

¹⁸ And ^(A)he is the head of the body, the church. He is ^(B)the beginning, ^(C)the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent.

Paul's Ministry to the Church

²⁴ Now ^(A)I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh ^(B)I am filling up ^(C)what is lacking in Christ's afflictions ^(D)for the sake of his body, that is, the church,

²³ For ^(A)the husband is the head of the wife even as ^(B)Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is ^(C)himself its Saviour.

²⁷ Now ^(A)you are the body of Christ and individually ^(B)members of it.