Study Desk

My last words to you, Christian brothers, are that you pray for us. Pray that the Word of the Lord will go out over all the land and prove its power just as it did with you.

We have faith in the Lord for you. We believe you are doing and will keep on doing the things we told you.

May the Lord lead your hearts into the love of God. May He help you as you wait for Christ.

We did not eat anyone's food without paying for it. We worked hard night and day so none of you would have to give us anything.

When I left for the country of Macedonia, I asked you to stay in the city of Ephesus. I wanted you to stay there so you could tell those who are teaching what is not true to stop.

They should not listen to stories that are not true. It is foolish for them to try to learn more about their early fathers. These only bring more questions to their minds and do not make their faith in God stronger.

We must remember the Law is not for the person who is right with God. It is for those who do not obey anybody or anything. It is for the sinners who hate God and speak against Him. It is for those who kill their fathers and mothers and for those who kill other people.

It is for those who do sex sins and for people who do sex sins with their own sex. It is for people who steal other people and for those who lie and for those who promise not to lie, but do. It is for everything that is against right teaching.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord for the power and strength He has given me. He trusted me and gave me His work to do.

Before He chose me, I talked bad about Christ. I made His followers suffer. I hurt them every way I could. But God had loving-kindness for me. I did not understand what I was doing for I was not a Christian then.

And yet God had loving-kindness for me. Jesus Christ used me to show how long He will wait for even the worst sinners. In that way, others will know they can have life that lasts forever also.

Timothy, my son, here is my word to you. Fight well for the Lord! God's preachers told us you would.

First of all, I ask you to pray much for all men and to give thanks for them.

Pray for kings and all others who are in power over us so we might live quiet God-like lives in peace.

He gave His life for all men so they could go free and not be held by the power of sin. God made this known to the world at the right time.

Instead of these things, Christian women should be known for doing good things and living good lives.

A church leader must be a good man. His life must be so no one can say anything against him. He must have only one wife and must be respected for his good living. He must be willing to take people into his home. He must be willing to learn and able to teach the Word of God.

He must not get drunk or want to fight. Instead, he must be gentle. He must not have a love for money.

Church helpers must also be good men and act so people will respect them. They must speak the truth. They must not get drunk. They must not have a love for money.

They must first be tested to see if they are ready for the work as church helpers. Then if they do well, they may be chosen as church helpers.