Study Desk

But be like the Lord Jesus Christ, so that when people see what you do, they will see Christ. Don't think about how to satisfy the desires of your sinful self.

But as the Scriptures say, "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard about him will understand."

That's what has kept me so busy and prevented my coming to see you even though I have wanted to come many times.

But it seems to me that God has given me and the other apostles the last place. We are like prisoners condemned to die, led in a parade for the whole world to see—not just people but angels too.

But I will come to you very soon, the Lord willing. Then I will see if these proud talkers have the power to do anything more than talk.

You understand that it's all right to eat anything, so you can eat even in an idol's temple. But someone who has doubts might see you eating there, and this might encourage them to eat meat sacrificed to idols too. But they really think it is wrong.

Eat any meat that is sold in the meat market. Don't ask questions about it to see if it is something you think is wrong to eat.

Someone who is not a believer might invite you to eat with them. If you want to go, then eat anything that is put before you. Don't ask questions to see if it is something you think is wrong to eat.

It is the same with us. Now we see God as if we are looking at a reflection in a mirror. But then, in the future, we will see him right before our eyes. Now I know only a part, but at that time I will know fully, as God has known me.

And from this we see that the use of different languages shows how God deals with those who don't believe, not with those who believe. And prophecy shows how God works through those who believe, not through unbelievers.

I don't want to come see you now, because I would have to leave to go to other places. I hope to stay a longer time with you, if the Lord allows it.

This is why I wrote to you. I wanted to test you and see if you obey in everything.

We are not like Moses, who put a covering over his face. He covered his face so that the people of Israel would not see it. The glory was disappearing, and Moses did not want them to see it end.

The ruler of this world has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They cannot see the light of the Good News—the message about the divine greatness of Christ. Christ is the one who is exactly like God.

So we think about what we cannot see, not what we see. What we see lasts only a short time, and what we cannot see will last forever.

We live by what we believe will happen, not by what we can see.

It was so good to see him, but we were encouraged even more to hear about the encouragement you gave him. He told us that you really want to see me and that you are very sorry for what you did. And he told us how ready and willing you are to help me. When I heard this, I was so much happier.

You had the kind of sorrow God wanted you to have. Now see what that sorrow has brought you: It has made you very serious. It made you want to prove that you were not wrong. It made you angry and afraid. It made you want to see me. It made you care. It made you want the right thing to be done. You proved that you were not guilty in any part of that problem.

And that is what was so encouraging to us. We were greatly encouraged, but we were especially pleased to see how happy Titus was. You all made him feel so much better.

I am not ordering you to give, but I want to see how real your love is by comparing you with others who have been so ready and willing to help.