Study Desk

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,

So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family.

So please don't lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.

And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.

Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.

Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!

So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise.

As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.

So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God's mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.