# General Information:

Here the word "us" refers to Paul and Timothy but not the Colossians. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive]])

# God would open a door

Opening a door for someone is a metaphor for giving that person the opportunity to do something. Alternate translation: "God would provide opportunities" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

# open a door for the word

"make an opportunity for us to preach his message"

# the mystery of Christ

This refers to the gospel of Jesus Christ, which was not understood before Christ came.

# Because of this, I am chained up

Here "chained" is a metaphor for being in prison, though he probably also was physically attached to a chain. Alternate translation: "It is for proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ that I am now in prison" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

