Study Desk

Why, if I am now rebuilding that structure of sin which I had demolished, I am thereby constituting myself a transgressor;

I am alarmed about you, and am afraid that I have perhaps bestowed labour upon you to no purpose.

Brethren, become as I am, I beseech you; for I have also become like you. In no respect did you behave badly to me.

It is always an honourable thing to be courted in an honourable cause; always, and not only when I am with you, my children--

you for whom I am again, as it were, undergoing the pains of childbirth, until Christ is fully formed within you.

Would that I were with you and could change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

As for me, brethren, if I am still a preacher of circumcision, how is it that I am still suffering persecution? In that case the Cross has ceased to be a stumbling-block!

See in what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.

But as for me, God forbid that I should glory in anything except the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, upon which the world is crucified to me, and I am crucified to the world.

To me who am less than the least of all God's people has this work been graciously entrusted--to proclaim to the Gentiles the Good News of the exhaustless wealth of Christ,

to spread which I am an ambassador in chains--so that when telling them I may speak out boldly as I ought.

But in order that you also may know how I am doing, Tychicus our dearly-loved brother and faithful helper in the Lord's service will tell you everything.

For of this I am confident, that He who has begun a good work within you will go on to perfect it in preparation for the day of Jesus Christ.

And I am justified in having this confidence about you all, because, both during my imprisonment and when I stand up in defence of the Good News or to confirm its truth, I have you in my heart, sharers as you all are in the same grace as myself.

And thus it has become notorious among all the Imperial Guards, and everywhere, that it is for the sake of Christ that I am a prisoner;

These latter preach Him from love to me, knowing that I am here for the defence of the Good News;

But since to live means a longer stay on earth, that implies more labour for me--and not unsuccessful labour; and which I am to choose I cannot tell.

I am in a dilemma, my earnest desire being to depart and be with Christ, for that is far, far better.

I am convinced of this, and I know that I shall remain, and shall go on working side by side with you all, to promote your progress and joy in the faith;

maintaining, as you do, the same kind of conflict that you once saw in me and which you still hear that I am engaged in.