Study Desk

So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.

Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God's people everywhere,

I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power

God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.

For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.

So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.

Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.

When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles . . .

So please don't lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love.

For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.

With the Lord's authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.