Study Desk

They have no understanding, and they know nothing because they refuse to listen. So they cannot have the life that God gives.

So you must stop telling lies. "You must always speak the truth to each other," because we all belong to each other in the same body.

You are God's dear children, so try to be like him.

So don't have anything to do with them.

In the past you were full of darkness, but now you are full of light in the Lord. So live like children who belong to the light.

So be very careful how you live. Live wisely, not like fools.

So don't be foolish with your lives, but learn what the Lord wants you to do.

The church serves under Christ, so it is the same with you wives. You should be willing to serve your husbands in everything.

Christ died so that he could give the church to himself like a bride in all her beauty. He died so that the church could be holy and without fault, with no evil or sin or any other thing wrong in it.

Wear the full armor of God. Wear God's armor so that you can fight against the devil's clever tricks.

So stand strong with the belt of truth tied around your waist, and on your chest wear the protection of right living.

Also pray for me—that when I speak, God will give me words so that I can tell the secret truth about the Good News without fear.

I know I am right to think like this about all of you because you are so close to my heart. This is because you have all played such an important part in God's grace to me—now, during this time that I am in prison, and whenever I am defending and proving the truth of the Good News.

But that doesn't matter. What is important is that they are telling people about Christ, whether they are sincere or not. So I am glad they are doing it. I will continue to be glad,

I am sure of this, so I know that I will stay here and be with you to help you grow and have joy in your faith.

So God raised him up to the most important place and gave him the name that is greater than any other name.

God did this so that every person will bow down to honor the name of Jesus. Everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth will bow.

My dear friends, you always obeyed what you were taught. Just as you obeyed when I was with you, it is even more important for you to obey now that I am not there. So you must continue to live in a way that gives meaning to your salvation. Do this with fear and respect for God.

so that you will be blameless and pure, children of God without any fault. But you are living with evil people all around you, who have lost their sense of what is right. Among those people you shine like lights in a dark world,

and you offer them the teaching that gives life. So I can be proud of you when Christ comes again. You will show that my work was not wasted—that I ran in the race and won.