Study Desk

For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which prevails among you, and of your love for all God's people,

For I always beseech the God of our Lord Jesus Christ--the Father most glorious--to give you a spirit of wisdom and penetration through an intimate knowledge of Him,

For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves. It is God's gift, and is not on the ground of merit--

so that it may be impossible for any one to boast.

For we are God's own handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works which He has pre-destined us to practise.

For He is our peace--He who has made Jews and Gentiles one, and in His own human nature has broken down the hostile dividing wall,

in whom you also are being built up together to become a fixed abode for God through the Spirit.

For this reason I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles--

if, that is, you have heard of the work which God has graciously entrusted to me for your benefit,

Therefore I entreat you not to lose heart in the midst of my sufferings on your behalf, for they bring you honour.

For this reason, on bended knee I beseech the Father,

I, then, the prisoner for the Master's sake, entreat you to live and act as becomes those who have received the call that you have received--

For this reason Scripture says: "He re-ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, and gave gifts to men."

in order fully to equip His people for the work of serving--for the building up of Christ's body--

For this reason, laying aside falsehood, every one of you should speak the truth to his fellow man; for we are, as it were, parts of one another.

and do not leave room for the Devil.

Let no unwholesome words ever pass your lips, but let all your words be good for benefiting others according to the need of the moment, so that they may be a means of blessing to the hearers.

And beware of grieving the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you have been sealed in preparation for the day of Redemption.

But fornication and every kind of impurity, or covetousness, let them not even be mentioned among you, for they ought not to be named among God's people.

For be well assured that no fornicator or immoral person and no money-grubber--or in other words idol-worshipper--has any share awaiting him in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.