Study Desk

I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and do fill up the things lacking of the tribulations of the Christ in my flesh for his body, which is the assembly,

of which I -- I did become a ministrant according to the dispensation of God, that was given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God,

for which also I labour, striving according to his working that is working in me in power.

For I wish you to know how great a conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,

for if even in the flesh I am absent -- yet in the spirit I am with you, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in regard to Christ;

which are all for destruction with the using, after the commands and teachings of men,

for ye did die, and your life hath been hid with the Christ in God;

the children! obey the parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord;

having known that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance -- for the Lord Christ ye serve;

praying at the same time also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the secret of the Christ, because of which also I have been bound,

whom I did send unto you for this very thing, that he might know the things concerning you, and might comfort your hearts,

and Jesus who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only [are] fellow-workers for the reign of God who did become a comfort to me.

Salute you doth Epaphras, who [is] of you, a servant of Christ, always striving for you in the prayers, that ye may stand perfect and made full in all the will of God,

for I do testify to him, that he hath much zeal for you, and those in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.

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

for from you hath sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God did go forth, so that we have no need to say anything,

for they themselves concerning us do declare what entrance we had unto you, and how ye did turn unto God from the idols, to serve a living and true God,

and to wait for His Son from the heavens, whom He did raise out of the dead -- Jesus, who is rescuing us from the anger that is coming.

For yourselves have known, brethren, our entrance in unto you, that it did not become vain,

for our exhortation [is] not out of deceit, nor out of uncleanness, nor in guile,