Study Desk

just as God says in the Scriptures, "Look! I am placing in Zion a stone to make people stumble and fall. But those who have faith in that one will never be disappointed."

But am I saying that the people of Israel did not hear? No, I am not! The Scriptures say, "The message was told everywhere on earth. It was announced all over the world."

Am I saying that God has turned his back on his people? Certainly not! I am one of the people of Israel, and I myself am a descendant of Abraham from the tribe of Benjamin.

He said, "Lord, they killed your prophets and destroyed your altars. I am the only one left, and now they want to kill me."

I am now speaking to you Gentiles, and as long as I am an apostle to you, I will take pride in my work.

Dear friends, don't try to get even. Let God take revenge. In the Scriptures the Lord says, "I am the one to take revenge and pay them back."

My friends, I am sure that you are very good and that you have all the knowledge you need to teach each other.

But I have always tried to preach where people have never heard about Christ. I am like a builder who doesn't build on anyone else's foundation.

I am now on my way to Jerusalem to deliver the money that the Lord's followers in Macedonia and Achaia collected for God's needy people.

Pray that God will protect me from the unbelievers in Judea, and that his people in Jerusalem will be pleased with what I am doing.

but they have even risked their lives for me. I am grateful for them and so are all the Gentile churches.

I am glad that everyone knows how well you obey the Lord. But still, I want you to understand what is good and not have anything to do with evil.

I, Tertius, also send my greetings. I am a follower of the Lord, and I wrote this letter.

it doesn't matter to me if I am judged by you or even by a court of law. In fact, I don't judge myself.

I don't know of anything against me, but that doesn't prove that I am right. The Lord is my judge.

I am not writing to embarrass you. I want to help you, just as parents help their own dear children.

Ten thousand people may teach you about Christ, but I am your only father. You became my children when I told you about Christ Jesus,

Some of you think I am not coming for a visit, and so you are bragging.

I am with you only in my thoughts. But in the name of our Lord Jesus I have already judged this man, as though I were with you in person. So when you meet together and the power of the Lord Jesus is with you, I will be there too.

Here is my advice for people who have never been married and for widows. You should stay single, just as I am.