Study Desk

But now he has made you his friends again. He did this by the death Christ suffered while he was in his body. He did it so that he could present you to himself as people who are holy, blameless, and without anything that would make you guilty before him.

I tell you this so that no one can fool you by telling you ideas that seem good, but are false.

Servants, obey your masters in everything. Obey all the time, even when they can't see you. Don't just pretend to work hard so that they will treat you well. No, you must serve your masters honestly because you respect the Lord.

Brothers and sisters, I know that you remember how hard we worked. We worked night and day to support ourselves, so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we did the work of telling you God's Good News.

We sent him so that none of you would be upset by the troubles we have now. You yourselves know that we must have these troubles.

This is why I sent Timothy to you, so that I could know about your faith. I sent him when I could not wait anymore. I was afraid that the devil who tempts people might have defeated you with temptations. Then our hard work would have been wasted.

But you, brothers and sisters, are not living in darkness. And so that day will not surprise you like a thief.

Jesus died for us so that we can live together with him. It is not important if we are alive or dead when Jesus comes.

And you know what is stopping that Man of Evil now. He is being stopped now so that he will appear at the right time.

God chose you to have that salvation. He chose you by using the Good News that we told you. You were chosen so that you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked and worked so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We worked night and day.

We had the right to ask you to help us. But we worked to take care of ourselves so that we would be an example for you to follow.

But I was given mercy so that in me Christ Jesus could show that he has patience without limit. Christ showed his patience with me, the worst of all sinners. He wanted me to be an example for those who would believe in him and have eternal life.

Hymenaeus and Alexander are men like that. I have given them to Satan so that they will learn not to speak against God.

You should pray for rulers and for all who have authority. Pray for these leaders so that we can live quiet and peaceful lives—lives full of devotion to God and respect for him.

so that, even if I cannot come soon, you will know how people should live in the family of God. That family is the church of the living God. And God's church is the support and foundation of the truth.

Tell the believers there to take care of their family so that no one can say they are doing wrong.

Tell those who sin that they are wrong. Do this in front of the whole church so that the others will have a warning.

I remember that you cried for me. I want very much to see you so that I can be filled with joy.

So I patiently accept all these troubles. I do this to help the people God has chosen so that they can have the salvation that is in Christ Jesus. With this salvation comes glory that never ends.