Study Desk

I became a servant of the church because God gave me a special work to do that helps you, and that work is to tell fully the message of God.

When you were spiritually dead because of your sins and because you were not free from the power of your sinful self, God made you alive with Christ, and he forgave all our sins.

Do not let anyone disqualify you by making you humiliate yourself and worship angels. Such people enter into visions, which fill them with foolish pride because of their human way of thinking.

Bear with each other, and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you.

Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking, because you were all called together in one body to have peace. Always be thankful.

Wives, yield to the authority of your husbands, because this is the right thing to do in the Lord.

Children, obey your parents in all things, because this pleases the Lord.

Slaves, obey your masters in all things. Do not obey just when they are watching you, to gain their favor, but serve them honestly, because you respect the Lord.

We continually recall before God our Father the things you have done because of your faith and the work you have done because of your love. And we thank him that you continue to be strong because of your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

because the Good News we brought to you came not only with words, but with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with sure knowledge that it is true. Also you know how we lived when we were with you in order to help you.

But we speak the Good News because God tested us and trusted us to do it. When we speak, we are not trying to please people, but God, who tests our hearts.

Because we loved you, we were happy to share not only God's Good News with you, but even our own lives. You had become so dear to us!

Also, we always thank God because when you heard his message from us, you accepted it as the word of God, not the words of humans. And it really is God's message which works in you who believe.

Because of this, when I could wait no longer, I sent Timothy to you so I could learn about your faith. I was afraid the devil had tempted you, and perhaps our hard work would have been wasted.

So, brothers and sisters, while we have much trouble and suffering, we are encouraged about you because of your faith.

We have so much joy before our God because of you. We cannot thank him enough for all the joy we feel.

We do not need to write you about having love for your Christian family, because God has already taught you to love each other.

We believe that Jesus died and that he rose again. So, because of him, God will raise with Jesus those who have died.

Respect them with a very special love because of the work they do. Live in peace with each other.

We must always thank God for you, brothers and sisters. This is only right, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love that every one of you has for each other is increasing.