Study Desk

These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person's evil desires.

But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.

But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.

For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you.

As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children.

We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God's Good News but our own lives, too.

as they try to keep us from preaching the Good News of salvation to the Gentiles. By doing this, they continue to pile up their sins. But the anger of God has caught up with them at last.

We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us.

and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles.

But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love. He reports that you always remember our visit with joy and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you.

Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

But we don't need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another.

But you aren't in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won't be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.

But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.

Dear brothers and sisters, we can't help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing.

Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming.

As for us, we can't help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth.

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.