Study Desk

For I will not dare to speak anything of the things which Christ has not wrought by me, for [the] obedience of [the] nations, by word and deed,

whenever I should go to Spain; (for I hope to see you as I go through, and by you to be set forward thither, if first I shall have been in part filled with your company;)

for Macedonia and Achaia have been well pleased to make a certain contribution for the poor of the saints who [are] in Jerusalem.

They have been well pleased indeed, and they are their debtors; for if the nations have participated in their spiritual things, they ought also in fleshly to minister to them.

But I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in prayers for me to God;

that I may be saved from those that do not believe in Judaea; and that my ministry which [I have] for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints;

that ye may receive her in [the] Lord worthily of saints, and that ye may assist her in whatever matter she has need of you; for *she* also has been a helper of many, and of myself.

(who for my life staked their own neck; to whom not *I* only am thankful, but also all the assemblies of the nations,)

and the assembly at their house. Salute Epaenetus, my beloved, who is [the] first-fruits of Asia for Christ.

Salute Maria, who laboured much for you.

For such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly, and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

For your obedience has reached to all. I rejoice therefore as it regards you; but I wish you to be wise [as] to that which is good, and simple [as] to evil.

but [which] has now been made manifest, and by prophetic scriptures, according to commandment of the eternal God, made known for obedience of faith to all the nations—

[the] only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

For it has been shewn to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of [the house of] Chloe, that there are strifes among you.

Is the Christ divided? has Paul been crucified for you? or have ye been baptised unto the name of Paul?

Yes, I baptised also the house of Stephanas; for the rest I know not if I have baptised any other.

For Christ has not sent me to baptise, but to preach glad tidings; not in wisdom of word, that the cross of the Christ may not be made vain.

For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but to us that are saved it is God's power.

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and set aside the understanding of the understanding ones.