Study Desk

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and I fill up what is lacking of Christ's afflictions in my flesh, on behalf of His body, which is the church,

that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints,

For this purpose I also labor, striving according to His working, which He works in me in power.

Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, going into detail about visions he has seen, being puffed up for nothing by his fleshly mind,

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him);

Epaphras, who is one of your number, a slave of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand complete and fully assured in all the will of God.

Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.

and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.

just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and bearing witness to each one of you as a father would his own children,

so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting? Is it not even you, before our Lord Jesus at His coming?

so that He may strengthen your hearts blameless in holiness, before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.

that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,

and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you.

Consequently, he who sets this aside is not setting aside man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

and to give rest to you who are afflicted and to us as well at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,

These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might,

when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our witness to you was believed.

who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the sanctuary of God, exhibiting himself as being God.

And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed.