Study Desk

Greet the brothers and sisters in Laodicea. And greet Nympha and the church that meets in her house.

After this letter is read to you, be sure it is also read to the church in Laodicea. And you read the letter that I wrote to Laodicea.

From Paul, Silas, and Timothy. To the church in Thessalonica, the church in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.

From Paul, Silas, and Timothy. To the church in Thessalonica in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

(If someone does not know how to lead the family, how can that person take care of God's church?)

An elder must also have the respect of people who are not in the church so he will not be criticized by others and caught in the devil's trap.

Then, even if I am delayed, you will know how to live in the family of God. That family is the church of the living God, the support and foundation of the truth.

If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should care for them herself. The church should not have to care for them. Then it will be able to take care of those who are truly widows.

The elders who lead the church well should receive double honor, especially those who work hard by speaking and teaching,

Tell those who continue sinning that they are wrong. Do this in front of the whole church so that the others will have a warning.

to Apphia, our sister; to Archippus, a worker with us; and to the church that meets in your home:

You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other. Do this even more as you see the day coming.

Suppose someone comes into your church meeting wearing nice clothes and a gold ring. At the same time a poor person comes in wearing old, dirty clothes.

The church in Babylon, who was chosen like you, sends you greetings. Mark, my son in Christ, also greets you.

They told the church about your love. Please help them to continue their trip in a way worthy of God.

I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be their leader, will not listen to us.

So if I come, I will talk about what Diotrephes is doing, about how he lies and says evil things about us. But more than that, he refuses to accept the other brothers and sisters; he even stops those who do want to accept them and puts them out of the church.

"Write this to the angel of the church in Ephesus: "The One who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands says this:

"Write this to the angel of the church in Smyrna: "The One who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again, says this:

"Write this to the angel of the church in Pergamum: "The One who has the sharp, double-edged sword says this: