Study Desk

For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

For God is my witness, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

But the other from love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.

For I know that this will turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain.

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh [is] more needful for you.

And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

That your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

Only let your manner of life be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

For to you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.

For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

For I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state.

For all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.

For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because ye had heard that he was sick.

For indeed he was sick nigh to death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

Because for the work of Christ he was nigh to death, not regarding his life, to supply the want of your service towards me.

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed [is] not grievous, but for you [it is] safe.