Study Desk

no man was ever yet averse to his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, as the Lord doth the church:

and you fathers don't exasperate your children: but instruct them in the discipline and institution of the Lord.

not doing your work meerly out of regard to their presence or their pleasure, but as the servants of Christ, in hearty obedience to the will of God:

for our conflict is not barely with men, but with principalities, with potentates, with the princes of darkness, with wicked aereal spirits.

he who has begun this good work in you will bring it to perfection against the appearance of Christ. it is but just

it is true, there are some who preach Christ out of a spirit of envy and contention; but others do it out of pure affection.

those preach the gospel of Christ, not in sincerity, but from a principle of contention, with a view to inflame the persecution against me:

agreeably to that expectation and persuasion I have, that I shall not labour in vain; but as I always have, so I shall still glorify Christ in my body, whether it be by life or by death: for if I live, I live to Christ;

for it is a favour bestowed upon you, that you not only believe on Christ, but suffer also for his sake,

Do nothing out of a spirit of contention, or for vain-glory, but modestly look upon others as if they were better than yourselves.

let no man consult only his private interest, but let every man consult likewise the interest of others.

who tho' he was the image of God, did not affect to appear with divine majesty, but divested himself thereof,

Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obey'd the gospel, not only when I was with you, but much more now while I am absent, continue the work of your own salvation, whatever persecutions you apprehend:

but God had pity on him, and not on him only, but on me likewise, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

and be his true disciple, not professing that justification, which is derived from the law, but that which is from the gospel,

for I am not yet secure of the prize, I have not yet finish'd my course: but I press to obtain the reward, which Jesus Christ invited me to.

I don't imagine, my brethren, that I am arriv'd at the goal; but this I do, unmindful of what is pass'd, I stretch towards that which is in view,

but we are the denisons of heaven, from whence we expect the saviour Jesus Christ our Lord.

the Lord is coming: be not in any manner of sollicitude, but in all your occasions lay your requests before God by prayer and supplication accompany'd by thanksgiving.

Now I joyfully thank the Lord, that your concern for me has at length reviv'd. not that you wanted the disposition, but only the opportunity.