Study Desk

and of making all people see how God's secret plan is to be put into effect. God, who is the Creator of all things, kept his secret hidden through all the past ages,

in order that at the present time, by means of the church, the angelic rulers and powers in the heavenly world might learn of his wisdom in all its different forms.

God did this according to his eternal purpose, which he achieved through Christ Jesus our Lord.

I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves,

and I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith. I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love,

Yes, may you come to know his love—although it can never be fully known—and so be completely filled with the very nature of God.

To him who by means of his power working in us is able to do so much more than we can ever ask for, or even think of:

So the one who came down is the same one who went up, above and beyond the heavens, to fill the whole universe with his presence.

Under his control all the different parts of the body fit together, and the whole body is held together by every joint with which it is provided. So when each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love.

You certainly heard about him, and as his followers you were taught the truth that is in Jesus.

Your life must be controlled by love, just as Christ loved us and gave his life for us as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice that pleases God.

For a husband has authority over his wife just as Christ has authority over the church; and Christ is himself the Savior of the church, his body.

Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it.

He did this to dedicate the church to God by his word, after making it clean by washing it in water,

Men ought to love their wives just as they love their own bodies. A man who loves his wife loves himself.

for we are members of his body.)

As the scripture says, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and unite with his wife, and the two will become one."

But it also applies to you: every husband must love his wife as himself, and every wife must respect her husband.

Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power.

Your life in Christ makes you strong, and his love comforts you. You have fellowship with the Spirit, and you have kindness and compassion for one another.