Study Desk

so that he may present the church to himself as glorious—not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church,

This mystery is great—but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but raise them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

not like those who do their work only when someone is watching—as people-pleasers—but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill.

My confident hope is that I will in no way be ashamed but that with complete boldness, even now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether I live or die.

but it is more vital for your sake that I remain in the body.

and by not being intimidated in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of their destruction, but of your salvation—a sign which is from God.

For it has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him,

Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.

but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature.

So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence,

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice together with all of you.

But you know his qualifications, that like a son working with his father, he served with me in advancing the gospel.

But for now I have considered it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. For he is my brother, coworker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to me in my need.

In fact he became so ill that he nearly died. But God showed mercy to him—and not to him only, but also to me—so that I would not have grief on top of grief.

But these assets I have come to regard as liabilities because of Christ.

and be found in him, not because I have my own righteousness derived from the law, but because I have the righteousness that comes by way of Christ's faithfulness—a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ's faithfulness.