Study Desk

I followed my religion with all my heart and did everything I could to make it hard for the church. No one could say anything against the way I obeyed the Law.

You Philippians also know that when I first preached the Good News, you were the only church that helped me. It was when I left for the country of Macedonia.

Christ is the head of the church which is His body. He is the beginning of all things. He is the first to be raised from the dead. He is to have first place in everything.

Now I am full of joy to be suffering for you. In my own body I am doing my share of what has to be done to make Christ's sufferings complete. This is for His body which is the Church.

I became a preacher in His church for your good. In the plan of God I am to preach the Good News.

Let the teaching of Christ and His words keep on living in you. These make your lives rich and full of wisdom. Keep on teaching and helping each other. Sing the Songs of David and the church songs and the songs of heaven with hearts full of thanks to God.

Greet all the Christians in Laodicea. Greet Nympha and the Christians who gather for church in her house.

When this letter has been read to you, have it read in the church in Laodicea also. Be sure you read the letter that is coming from Laodicea.

This letter is from Paul and Silas and Timothy. It is to you, the church, in the city of Thessalonica. You belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May you have His loving-favor and His peace.

This letter is from Paul and Silas and Timothy. It is to the church in the city of Thessalonica that belongs to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is true that if a man wants to be a church leader, he wants to do a good work.

A church leader must be a good man. His life must be so no one can say anything against him. He must have only one wife and must be respected for his good living. He must be willing to take people into his home. He must be willing to learn and able to teach the Word of God.

If a man cannot be a good leader in his own home, how can he lead the church?

A church leader must not be a new Christian. A new Christian might become proud and fall into sin which is brought on by the devil.

A church leader must be respected by people who are not Christians so nothing can be said against him. In that way, he will not be trapped by the devil.

Church helpers must also be good men and act so people will respect them. They must speak the truth. They must not get drunk. They must not have a love for money.

They must first be tested to see if they are ready for the work as church helpers. Then if they do well, they may be chosen as church helpers.

The wives of church helpers must be careful how they act. They must not carry stories from one person to another. They must be wise and faithful in all they do.

Church helpers must have only one wife. They must lead their home well and their children must obey them.

Those who work well as church helpers will be respected by others and their own faith in Christ Jesus will grow.