Study Desk

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.

Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed.

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,

Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that is illuminated becomes a light itself.

Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

Indeed, no one ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.

This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church.

And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness, so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know.

But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God.

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,