Study Desk

If it is to be life in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.

I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

Convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

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

I have no one like him, who will be genuinely anxious for your welfare.

for he has been longing for you all, and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.

for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete your service to me.

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is not irksome to me, and is safe for you.

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evil-workers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

For we are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.

Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If any other man thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ

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

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

And I ask you also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me; you were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.