Study Desk

I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.

Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.

Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

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 and continually mention you in our prayers.

For we know, brothers and sisters 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 deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.

You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

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 people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.

Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,

so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

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

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

But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated 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 blocked our way.

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. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.