Study Desk

For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you suffered the same things from your own compatriots as they did from the Jews,

As for us, brothers and sisters, when, for a short time, we were made orphans by being separated from you—in person, not in heart—we longed with great eagerness to see you face to face.

For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, wanted to again and again—but Satan blocked our way.

For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?

and we sent Timothy, our brother and co-worker for God in proclaiming the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the sake of your faith,

so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions. Indeed, you yourselves know that this is what we are destined for.

For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith; I was afraid that somehow the tempter had tempted you and that our labor had been in vain.

For this reason, brothers and sisters, during all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you through your faith.

For we now live, if you continue to stand firm in the Lord.

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.

For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from fornication;

For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness.

Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anyone write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another;

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died.

For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died.

For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief;