Study Desk

because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.

In addition, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a safeguard for you.

Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh.

For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh—

although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more:

For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

but our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown, in this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.

Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life.

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it.

I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself.

For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times.

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints

because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. You have already heard about this hope in the word of truth, the gospel

For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,

For everything was created by him,in heaven and on earth,the visible and the invisible,whether thrones or dominionsor rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him.

For God was pleased to haveall his fullness dwell in him,

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for his body, that is, the church.

I have become its servant, according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,