Study Desk

In the past I insulted Christ. As a proud and violent man, I persecuted his people. But God gave me mercy because I did not know what I was doing. I did that before I became a believer.

But our Lord gave me a full measure of his grace. And with that grace came the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

But I was given mercy so that in me Christ Jesus could show that he has patience without limit. Christ showed his patience with me, the worst of all sinners. He wanted me to be an example for those who would believe in him and have eternal life.

But they should make themselves attractive by the good things they do. That is more appropriate for women who say they are devoted to God.

But women will be saved in their work of having children. They will be saved if they continue to live in faith, love, and holiness with sensible behavior.

I hope I can come to you soon. But I am writing this to you now,

They say that it is wrong to marry. And they say that there are some foods that people must not eat. But God made these foods, and those who believe and who understand the truth can eat them with thanks.

People tell silly stories that don't agree with God's truth. Don't follow what these stories teach. But teach yourself to be devoted to God.

Training your body helps you in some ways. But devotion to God helps you in every way. It brings you blessings in this life and in the future life too.

You are young, but don't let anyone treat you as if you are not important. Be an example to show the believers how they should live. Show them by what you say, by the way you live, by your love, by your faith, and by your pure life.

Don't speak angrily to an older man. But talk to him as if he were your father. Treat the younger men like brothers.

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, the first thing they need to learn is this: to show their devotion to God by taking care of their own family. They will be repaying their parents, and this pleases God.

But the widow who uses her life to please herself is really dead while she is still living.

But don't put younger widows on that list. When their strong physical needs pull them away from their commitment to Christ, they will want to marry again.

But some of the younger widows have already turned away to follow Satan.

The sins of some people are easy to see. Their sins show that they will be judged. But the sins of some others are seen only later.

It is the same with the good things people do. Some are easy to see. But even if they are not obvious now, none of them will stay hidden forever.

They are proud of what they know, but they understand nothing. They are sick with a love for arguing and fighting about words. And that brings jealousy, quarrels, insults, and evil mistrust.

Devotion to God is, in fact, a way for people to be very rich, but only if it makes them satisfied with what they have.

The love of money causes all kinds of evil. Some people have turned away from what we believe because they want to get more and more money. But they have caused themselves a lot of pain and sorrow.