Study Desk

This is proof that God is right in his judgment. He wants you to be worthy of his kingdom. Your suffering is for that kingdom.

And he will bring relief to you who are troubled. He will bring it to you and to us when the Lord Jesus comes from heaven for all to see, together with his powerful angels.

That is why we always pray for you. We ask our God to help you live the good way he wanted when he chose you. The goodness you have makes you want to do good. And the faith you have makes you work. We pray that with his power God will help you do these things more and more.

Brothers and sisters, you are people the Lord loves. And we always thank God for you. That's what we should do, because God chose you to be some of the first people to be saved. You are saved by the Spirit making you holy and by your faith in the truth.

And now, brothers and sisters, pray for us. Pray that the Lord's teaching will continue to spread quickly. And pray that people will give honor to that teaching, the same as happened with you.

We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked and worked so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We worked night and day.

We had the right to ask you to help us. But we worked to take care of ourselves so that we would be an example for you to follow.

We also know that the law is not made for those who do what is right. It is made for those who are against the law and refuse to follow it. The law is for sinners who are against God and all that is pleasing to him. It is for those who have no interest in spiritual things and for those who kill their fathers or mothers or anyone else.

It is for those who commit sexual sins, homosexuals, those who sell slaves, those who tell lies, those who don't tell the truth under oath, and those who are against the true teaching of God.

But I was given mercy so that in me Christ Jesus could show that he has patience without limit. Christ showed his patience with me, the worst of all sinners. He wanted me to be an example for those who would believe in him and have eternal life.

First of all, I ask that you pray for all people. Ask God to bless them and give them what they need. And give thanks.

You should pray for rulers and for all who have authority. Pray for these leaders so that we can live quiet and peaceful lives—lives full of devotion to God and respect for him.

gave himself to pay for everyone to be free. This is the message that was given to us at just the right time.

But they should make themselves attractive by the good things they do. That is more appropriate for women who say they are devoted to God.

An elder must not be a new believer. It might make him too proud of himself. Then he would be condemned for his pride the same as the devil was.

In the same way, the men who are chosen to be special servants must have the respect of others. They must not be men who say things they don't mean or who spend their time drinking too much. They must not be men who will do almost anything for money.

Those who do well as special servants are making an honorable place for themselves. And they will feel very sure of their faith in Christ Jesus.

A widow who really needs help is one who has been left all alone. She trusts God to take care of her. She prays all the time, night and day, and asks God for help.

She must be known for the good she has done: raising children, welcoming travelers into her home, serving the needs of God's people, helping those in trouble, and using her life to do all kinds of good.

If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should take care of them herself. Then the church will not have that burden and will be able to care for the widows who have no one else to help them.