Paul opens into the meat of the letter by displaying the full glory and splendor of the gospel. With language that can only be seen as worshipful, he demonstrates the unique roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in God's salvation program that ultimately puts his glory on display.

Paul is writing to a pillar church, operating in culturally foreign and difficult territory. He appeals to them from a posture of high spiritual authority, while humbly recognizing the unmerited way in which he acquired it.