Study Desk

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

For the one who serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and approved by other people.

So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the person who eats and causes offense.

Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.

For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: "THE TAUNTS OF THOSE WHO TAUNT YOU HAVE FALLEN ON ME."

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us, for the glory of God.

For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision in behalf of the truth of God, to confirm the promises given to the fathers,

and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written: "THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES, AND I WILL SING PRAISES TO YOUR NAME."

Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.

For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed,

For this reason I have often been prevented from coming to you;

but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I have had for many years a longing to come to you

whenever I go to Spain—for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while—

For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

For they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to do them a service also in material things.

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,

that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints;

that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.