Study Desk

Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people,

For the one who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there are no exceptions.

At the same time pray for us too, that God may open a door for the message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

I sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts.

And Jesus who is called Justus also sends greetings. In terms of Jewish converts, these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.

For I can testify that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

We thank God always for all of you as we mention you constantly in our prayers,

For from you the message of the Lord has echoed forth not just in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place reports of your faith in God have spread, so that we do not need to say anything.

For people everywhere report how you welcomed us and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus our deliverer from the coming wrath.

For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, about our coming to you—it has not proven to be purposeless.

For the appeal we make does not come from error or impurity or with deceit,

For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is our witness—

although we could have imposed our weight as apostles of Christ; instead we became little children among you. Like a nursing mother caring for her own children,

with such affection for you we were happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

For you recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery: By working night and day so as not to impose a burden on any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

For you became imitators, brothers and sisters, of God's churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they in fact did from the Jews,

But when we were separated from you, brothers and sisters, for a short time (in presence, not in affection) we became all the more fervent in our great desire to see you in person.

For we wanted to come to you (I, Paul, in fact tried again and again) but Satan thwarted us.

For who is our hope or joy or crown to boast of before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not of course you?