Study Desk

We know that the Law is right and good, but I am a person who does what is wrong and bad. I am not my own boss. Sin is my boss.

So I am not doing it. Sin living in me is doing it.

I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I am always doing the sinful things I do not want to do.

If I am always doing the very thing I do not want to do, it means I am no longer the one who does it. It is sin that lives in me.

I am sure that our suffering now cannot be compared to the shining-greatness that He is going to give us.

I am telling the truth because I belong to Christ. The Holy Spirit tells my heart that I am not lying.

I am not saying that God did not keep His promises. Not all the Jews are people God chose for Himself.

I ask then, "Has God put His people, the Jews, aside?" No, not at all! I myself am a Jew. Abraham was my early father. I am from the family group of Benjamin.

He said, "Lord, they have killed Your early preachers. They have destroyed the places where You are worshiped. I am the only one left. They are trying to kill me."

I am speaking to you people who are not Jews. As long as I am a missionary to you, I want you to know how important my job is.

The Holy Writings say, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me. And every tongue will say that I am God."

I am sure you are wise in all things and full of much good. You are able to help and teach each other.

I am able to write these things because God made me a missionary to the people who are not Jews. I work as a servant of Jesus Christ. I preach the Good News of God so the people who are not Jews may be as a gift to God. The Holy Spirit will set them apart so God will be pleased with them.

But now I am finished with my work here. I have been wanting to come and visit you for many years.

I hope I can now. I am making plans to go to the country of Spain. On my way there I will stop and visit you. After I have had the joy of visiting you for awhile, you can help me on my way again.

But now I am going to Jerusalem to hand the Christians the gift of money.

Pray that God will keep me safe from the people in the country of Judea who are not Christians. Pray also that the work I am to do for the Christians in Jerusalem will help them.

They almost died for me. I am thankful for them. All the churches that were started among the people who are not Jews are thankful for them also.

Everyone knows you have obeyed the teaching you received. I am happy with you because of this. But I want you to be wise about good things and pure about sinful things.

I, Tertius, who am writing this letter for Paul, greet you as a Christian brother.