Study Desk

I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,

because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.

for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.

We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.

As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.

For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,

For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews,

But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.

For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us.

For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?

so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them.

For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.

For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.