Paul was in prison because of his calling to take the gospel to the gentiles. When Christ came, what had been promised to Abraham about the Jews being a blessing for all nations, came into being. This was a ‘mystery’ that is still being fulfilled today.

In the light of God’s mercy shown to Jews and Gentiles, we should respond by living our lives wholly committed to God. our behaviour and thinking will change.

Paul warns the church about people coming in and causing division by false teaching or false motives. More of his colleagues and friends are mentioned.

Paul explains that God has a future purpose for the Jewish nation that has been hidden but has been revealed to Paul - that great numbers of Jews will believe in Jesus as the Messiah, once the number of Gentiles to believe is completed.