Study Desk

If we live, we are living for the Lord. And if we die, we are dying for the Lord. So living or dying, we belong to the Lord.

So we should stop judging each other. Let's decide not to do anything that will cause a problem for a brother or sister or hurt their faith.

I know that there is no food that is wrong to eat. The Lord Jesus is the one who convinced me of that. But if someone believes that something is wrong, then it is wrong for that person.

If you hurt the faith of your brother or sister because of something you eat, you are not really following the way of love. Don't destroy anyone's faith by eating something they think is wrong. Christ died for them.

Don't allow what is good for you to become something they say is evil.

Don't let the eating of food destroy the work of God. All food is right to eat, but it is wrong for anyone to eat something that hurts the faith of another person.

but do what pleases them and is for their good. We should do whatever helps everyone grow stronger in faith.

Christ also did this so that the non-Jewish people could praise God for the mercy he gives to them. The Scriptures say, "So I will give thanks to you among the people of other nations; I will sing praise to your name."

to be a servant of Christ Jesus for those who are not Jews. I serve like a priest whose duty it is to tell God's Good News. He gave me this work so that you non-Jewish people could be an offering that he will accept—an offering made holy by the Holy Spirit.

That is why I feel so good about what I have done for God in my service to Christ Jesus.

Now I have finished my work in these areas. And for many years I have wanted to visit you.

I am going to Jerusalem to make sure the poor get this money that has been given for them. After I finish that, I will leave for Spain and stop to visit you on the way.

Brothers and sisters, I beg you to help me in my work by praying to God for me. Do this because of our Lord Jesus and the love that the Spirit gives us.

Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, who have worked together with me for Christ Jesus.

Greetings also to Mary. She worked very hard for you.

and to Urbanus. He has worked together with me for Christ. Give greetings also to my dear friend Stachys

and to Tryphaena and Tryphosa, women who work very hard for the Lord. Greetings to my dear friend Persis. She has also worked very hard for the Lord.

I am Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul. I send you my own greetings as one who belongs to the Lord.

Praise God! He is the one who can make you strong in faith. He can use the Good News that I teach to make you strong. It is the message about Jesus Christ that I tell people. That message is the secret truth that was hidden for ages and ages but has been made known.

I always thank my God for you because of the grace that he has given you through Christ Jesus.