In modern Christian culture, the tendency is to treat salvation as a transaction where we believe in the gospel, are saved, and then conclude that our work is done. In these verses, Paul urges us to not stop there but continue growing and maturing as we journey towards sanctification. This maturity will unite us in Christ, binding us together, and making the manifold wisdom of God known.
For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.