Study Desk

I write this while I am away from you, in order that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority which the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and turning to a different gospel--

Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ.

(In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!)

I am afraid I have labored over you in vain.

Brethren, I beseech you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong;

For a good purpose it is always good to be made much of, and not only when I am present with you.

My little children, with whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you!

I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

But if I, brethren, still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the stumbling block of the cross has been removed.

See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

This mystery is a profound one, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church;

for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Now that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tych'icus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything.

And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel;

I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,