Study Desk

Epaphras greets you, he of you, a slave of Christ, always striving for you in prayers, that you may stand full-grown and being complete in every will of God.

For I bear witness to him, that he has much zeal on your behalf, and those in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, even as you know what kind we were among you for your sake.

For the Word of the Lord sounded out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out, so that there is no need for us to have to say anything.

For they themselves announce concerning us what kind of entrance we have to you, and how you had turned to God from the idols, to serve the true and living God,

For brothers, you yourselves know our entrance to you, that it has not been without fruit.

For our exhortation was not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile;

For neither were we then found with a word of flattery, even as you know, nor with pretense of covetousness (God is witness),

For, brothers, you remember our labor and toil, night and day, working in order not to put a burden on any one of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

testifying for you to walk worthily of God, the One calling you to His kingdom and glory.

For, brothers, you became imitators of the assemblies of God being in Judea in Christ Jesus, because you also suffered these things by your own fellow countrymen, as they did also by the Jews,

But, brothers, we being taken away from you for an hour's time, in presence, not in heart, we were much more eager with much desire to see your face.

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even you, before our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

For you are our glory and joy.

that no one be drawn aside by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

For even when we were with you, we said to you before that we are about to be afflicted, as it also happened, even you know.

For what thanks are we able to return to God concerning you, over all the joy with which we rejoice because of you before our God,

night and day praying exceedingly for me to see your face, and to complete the things lacking in your faith?

For the rest, then brothers, we beg you and we exhort in the Lord Jesus, even as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you abound more.

For you know what injunctions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.