Study Desk

But I am hard pressed between the two options, having the desire to depart and to be with Christ, for this is very much better.

But to stay on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.

And because I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,

Only lead your lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent I hear your circumstances, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one soul contending side by side for the faith of the gospel,

each of you not looking out for your own interests, but also each of you for the interests of others.

For the one at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure, is God.

holding fast to the word of life, for a source of pride to me in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

For I have no one like-minded who will sincerely be concerned about your circumstances.

For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

But you know his proven character, that like a child with a father he served with me for the gospel.

because he was longing for all of you and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.

For indeed he was sick, coming near to death, but God had mercy on him and not on him only, but also on me, so that I would not have grief upon grief.

because on account of the work of Christ he came near to the point of death, risking his life in order that he might make up for your inability to serve me.

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is not troublesome to me, but is a safeguard for you.

For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and do not put confidence in the flesh,

More than that, I even consider all things to be loss because of the surpassing greatness of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for the sake of whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and consider them dung, in order that I may gain Christ

Not that I have already received this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on if indeed I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ.

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

For many live, of whom I spoke about to you many times, but now speak about even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ,

For our commonwealth exists in heaven, from which also we eagerly await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,