Study Desk

Treat them with the greatest respect and love because of the work they do. Be at peace among yourselves.

They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and from his glorious might,

and use every kind of wicked deceit on those who will perish. They will perish because they did not welcome and love the truth so as to be saved.

And so God sends the power of error to work in them so that they believe what is false.

It may be that some there will not obey the message we send you in this letter. If so, take note of them and have nothing to do with them, so that they will be ashamed.

Tell them to give up those legends and those long lists of ancestors, which only produce arguments; they do not serve God's plan, which is known by faith.

Church helpers must also have a good character and be sincere; they must not drink too much wine or be greedy for money;

They should be tested first, and then, if they pass the test, they are to serve.

Their wives also must be of good character and must not gossip; they must be sober and honest in everything.

The Spirit says clearly that some people will abandon the faith in later times; they will obey lying spirits and follow the teachings of demons.

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should learn first to carry out their religious duties toward their own family and in this way repay their parents and grandparents, because that is what pleases God.

But if any do not take care of their relatives, especially the members of their own family, they have denied the faith and are worse than an unbeliever.

They also learn to waste their time in going around from house to house; but even worse, they learn to be gossips and busybodies, talking of things they should not.

Slaves belonging to Christian masters must not despise them, for they are believers too. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their work are believers whom they love. You must teach and preach these things.

and constant arguments from people whose minds do not function and who no longer have the truth. They think that religion is a way to become rich.

For the love of money is a source of all kinds of evil. Some have been so eager to have it that they have wandered away from the faith and have broken their hearts with many sorrows.

In this way they will store up for themselves a treasure which will be a solid foundation for the future. And then they will be able to win the life which is true life.

For some have claimed to possess it, and as a result they have lost the way of faith. God's grace be with you all.

and so I endure everything for the sake of God's chosen people, in order that they too may obtain the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus and brings eternal glory.

They have left the way of truth and are upsetting the faith of some believers by saying that our resurrection has already taken place.