Study Desk

So that you became an example to all those who have faith in Christ in Macedonia and Achaia.

For not only was the word of the Lord sounding out from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God is made clear; so that we have no need to say anything.

But even as the good news was given to us by the approval of God, so we give it out; not as pleasing men, but God by whom our hearts are tested.

Even so, being full of loving desire for you, we took delight in giving you not only God's good news, but even our lives, because you were dear to us.

For you have the memory, my brothers, of our trouble and care; how, working night and day, so that we might not be a trouble to any of you, we gave you the good news of God.

So that your lives might be pleasing to God, who has given you a part in his kingdom and his glory.

At last our desire to have news of you was so strong that, while we ourselves were waiting at Athens,

So that no man might be moved by these troubles; because you see that these things are part of God's purpose for us.

And when we were with you, we said to you that trouble was before us; and so it came about, as you see.

So that your hearts may be strong and free from all sin before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

And last of all, the prayer which we make to you from our heart and in the name of the Lord Jesus, is this: that as we made clear to you what sort of behaviour is pleasing to God, as in fact you are doing now, so you will go on in these ways, but more and more.

So that every one of you may keep his body holy and in honour;

But it is our desire, brothers, that you may be certain about those who are sleeping; so that you may have no need for sorrow, as others have who are without hope.

For if we have faith that Jesus underwent death and came back again, even so those who are sleeping will come again with him by God's power.

Then we who are still living will be taken up together with them into the clouds to see the Lord in the air: and so will we be for ever with the Lord.

So then, give comfort to one another with these words.

So then, let us not take our rest as the others do, but let us be self-controlled and awake.

For those who are sleeping do so in the night; and those who are the worse for drink are so in the night;

Who was put to death for us, so that, awake or sleeping, we may have a part in his life.

So then, go on comforting and building up one another, as you have been doing.