Study Desk

For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;

For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for [fn] you serve the Lord Christ.

But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,

I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he [fn] may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,

and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete [fn] in all the will of God.

For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal [fn] for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.

For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and 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, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Acts 17:1-9">[xr] For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.

For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness--God is witness.

So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.