Study Desk

I have become its servant, according to God's administration that was given to me for you, to make God's message fully known,

the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints.

I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me.

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person.

For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ.

For the entire fullness of God's nature dwells bodily in Christ,

For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men,

For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.

At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah, for which I am in prison,

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and so that he may encourage your hearts.

and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcision are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always contending for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills.

For I testify about him that he works hard for you, for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.

We always thank God for all of you, remembering you constantly in our prayers.

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we were among you for your benefit,

For the Lord's message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out. Therefore, we don't need to say anything,

for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

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