Study Desk

Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God.

If we live, it's to honor the Lord. And if we die, it's to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

So let's stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote: "For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing praises to your name."

I am fully convinced, my dear brothers and sisters, that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them.

Even so, I have been bold enough to write about some of these points, knowing that all you need is this reminder. For by God's grace,

I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit.

So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God.

In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places.

In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches.

Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit.

Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, the Lord's workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord.

Gaius says hello to you. He is my host and also serves as host to the whole church. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you his greetings, and so does our brother Quartus.

But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him.

He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.

So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world's brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish.

So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it's all nonsense.