Study Desk

But mercy was shown me in order that in me as the foremost of sinners Christ Jesus might display the fulness of His long-suffering patience as an example to encourage those who would afterwards be resting their faith on Him with a view to the Life of the Ages.

and Adam was not deceived, but his wife was thoroughly deceived, and so became involved in transgression.

A minister then must be a man of irreproachable character, true to his one wife, temperate, sober-minded, well-behaved, hospitable to strangers, and with a gift for teaching;

but ruling his own household wisely and well, with children kept under control with true dignity.

(If a man does not know how to rule his own household, how shall he have the Church of God given into his care?)

A deacon must be true to his one wife, and rule his children and his own household wisely and well.

And, beyond controversy, great is the mystery of our religion-- that Christ appeared in human form, and His claims justified by the Spirit, was seen by angels and proclaimed among Gentile nations, was believed on in the world, and received up again into glory.

But if a man makes no provision for those dependent on him, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is behaving worse than an unbeliever.

For the Scripture says, "You are not to muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain;" and the workman deserves his pay.

Do not be ashamed then to bear witness for our Lord and for me His prisoner; but rather share suffering with me in the service of the Good News, strengthened by the power of God.

For He saved us and called us with a holy call, not in accordance with our desserts, but in accordance with His own purpose and the free grace which He bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before the commencement of the Ages,

That indeed is the reason why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know in whom my trust reposes, and I am confident that He has it in His power to keep what I have entrusted to Him safe until that day.

That precious treasure which is in your charge, guard through the Holy Spirit who has His home in our hearts.

(The Lord grant that he may obtain mercy at His hands on that day!) And you yourself well know all the services which he rendered me in Ephesus.

"If we patiently endure pain, we shall also share His Kingship; "If we disown Him, He will also disown us;

Earnestly seek to commend yourself to God as a servant who, because of his straightforward dealing with the word of truth, has no reason to feel any shame.

and recover sober-mindedness and freedom from the Devil's snare, though they are now entrapped by him to do his will.

I solemnly implore you, in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is about to judge the living and the dead, and by His Appearing and His Kingship:

From this time onward there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who love the thought of His Appearing.

Alexander the metal-worker showed bitter hostility towards me: the Lord will requite him according to his doings.