Study Desk

and ask on my behalf that words may be given to me so that, outspoken and fearless, I may make known the truths (hitherto kept secret) of the Good News--

to spread which I am an ambassador in chains--so that when telling them I may speak out boldly as I ought.

so that you may be men of transparent character, and may be blameless, in preparation for the day of Christ,

so that, as Christians, you may have additional reason for glorying about me as the result of my being with you again.

It is in consequence of this that God has also so highly exalted Him, and has conferred on Him the Name which is supreme above every other,

so that you may always prove yourselves to be blameless and spotless--irreproachable children of God in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as heavenly lights in the world,

So it is he that I hope to send as soon as ever I see how things go with me;

because it was for the sake of Christ's work that he came so near death, hazarding, as he did, his very life in endeavouring to make good any deficiency that there might be in your gifts to me.

In conclusion, my brethren, be joyful in the Lord. For me to give you the same warnings as before is not irksome to me, while so far as you are concerned it is a safe precaution.

Therefore, my brethren, dearly loved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my dearly-loved ones.

But my God--so great is His wealth of glory in Christ Jesus--will fully supply every need of yours.

so that your lives may be worthy of the Lord and perfectly pleasing to Him, while you exhibit the results of right action of every sort and grow into a fuller knowledge of God.

Since His power is so glorious, may you be strengthened with strength of every kind, and be prepared for cheerfully enduring all things with patience and long-suffering;

I have been appointed to serve the Church in the position of responsibility entrusted to me by God for your benefit, so that I may fully deliver God's Message--

Him we preach, admonishing every one and instructing every one, with all possible wisdom, so that we may bring every one into God's presence, made perfect through Christ.

But now you must rid yourselves of every kind of sin--angry and passionate outbreaks, ill-will, evil speaking, foul-mouthed abuse--so that these may never soil your lips.

and have clothed yourselves with the new self which is being remoulded into full knowledge so as to become like Him who created it.

Let your language be always seasoned with the salt of grace, so that you may know how to give every man a fitting answer.

Aristarchus my fellow prisoner sends greeting to you, and so does Barnabas's cousin Mark. You have received instructions as to him; if he comes to you, give him a welcome.

Luke, the dearly-loved physician, salutes you, and so does Demas.