Study Desk

Those helpers who do their work well win for themselves a good standing and are able to speak boldly about their faith in Christ Jesus.

But keep away from those godless legends, which are not worth telling. Keep yourself in training for a godly life.

Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is valuable in every way, because it promises life both for the present and for the future.

Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith, and purity.

Show respect for widows who really are all alone.

A widow who is all alone, with no one to take care of her, has placed her hope in God and continues to pray and ask him for his help night and day.

and have a reputation for good deeds: a woman who brought up her children well, received strangers in her home, performed humble duties for other Christians, helped people in trouble, and devoted herself to doing good.

For some widows have already turned away to follow Satan.

For the scripture says, "Do not muzzle an ox when you are using it to thresh grain" and "Workers should be given their pay."

Slaves belonging to Christian masters must not despise them, for they are believers too. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their work are believers whom they love. You must teach and preach these things.

So then, if we have food and clothes, that should be enough for us.

For the love of money is a source of all kinds of evil. Some have been so eager to have it that they have wandered away from the faith and have broken their hearts with many sorrows.

But you, man of God, avoid all these things. Strive for righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.

Run your best in the race of faith, and win eternal life for yourself; for it was to this life that God called you when you firmly professed your faith before many witnesses.

Command those who are rich in the things of this life not to be proud, but to place their hope, not in such an uncertain thing as riches, but in God, who generously gives us everything for our enjoyment.

In this way they will store up for themselves a treasure which will be a solid foundation for the future. And then they will be able to win the life which is true life.

For some have claimed to possess it, and as a result they have lost the way of faith. God's grace be with you all.

For this reason I remind you to keep alive the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you.

For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control.

Do not be ashamed, then, of witnessing for our Lord; neither be ashamed of me, a prisoner for Christ's sake. Instead, take your part in suffering for the Good News, as God gives you the strength for it.