Study Desk

Of which I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God;

For which I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and [for] them at Laodicea, and [for] as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

For which things the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

Children, obey [your] parents in all things: for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.

Knowing that from the Lord ye will receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

But he that doeth wrong, will receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

At the same time praying also for us, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

Whom I have sent to you for the same purpose, that he may know your state, and comfort your hearts;

Epaphras, who is [one] of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

For I bear him testimony, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them [that are] in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

For our gospel came not to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

For they themselves show of us what manner of entrance we had to you, and how ye 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, [even] Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.

For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance to you, that it was not in vain: