Study Desk

He is far above every ruler, authority, power, dominion, and every name that can be named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.Romans 8:38; Philippians 2:9-10; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:4;">[xr]

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love for uslove with which he loved us">[fn]Romans 10:12; Ephesians 1:7;">[xr]

But now, in Christ Jesus, you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.Acts 2:39; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:17;">[xr]

That is why you are no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household,Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 3:15; Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 12:22-23;">[xr]

The thief must no longer steal but must work hard and do what is good with his own hands, so that he might have something to give to the needy.Luke 3:11; Acts 20:35; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:8,11-12;">[xr]

Let no filthy talk come out of your mouths, but only what is good for building up as the need may be. This way you will give grace to those who hear you.Matthew 12:36; Ephesians 5:4; Colossians 3:8,16; 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:11;">[xr]

For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4:16; Luke 16:8; John 8:12; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:21; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 4:6; Ephesians 2:11-12; 4:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:5; Titus 3:3; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 2:9;">[xr]

But everything that is exposed to the light becomes visible,John 3:20-21; Hebrews 4:13;">[xr]

So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise,Colossians 4:5;">[xr]

Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.Romans 12:2; Colossians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:18;">[xr]

Stop gettingDo not get">[fn] drunk with wine, which leads to wild living, but keep on being filled with the Spirit.Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-30; Isaiah 5:11,22; Luke 21:34;">[xr]

and might present the church to himself in all its glory, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind, but holy and without fault.Song of Solomon 4:7; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 1:22;">[xr]

For no one has ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, as Christ doesdoes">[fn] the church.

This is a great secret, but I am talking about Christ and the church.

But each individual man among you must love his wife as he loveshe loves">[fn] himself; and may the wife fear her husband.Ephesians 5:25; Colossians 3:19; 1 Peter 3:6;">[xr]

Fathers, do not make your children angry, but bring them up in the trainingdiscipline">[fn] and instruction of the Lord.Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 4:9; 11:19; Psalm 78:4; Proverbs 19:18; 22:6; 29:17; Colossians 3:21;">[xr]

Do not do this only while being watched in order to please them, but be like slaves of Christ who do God's will from the heart.Colossians 3:22-23;">[xr]

For ouryour">[fn] struggle is not against a human opponent,flesh and blood">[fn] but against rulers, against authorities, against cosmic powers in the darkness around us,of this darkness">[fn] against evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realm.Matthew 16:17; Luke 22:53; John 12:31; 14:30; Romans 8:38; 1 Corinthians 15:50; Ephesians 1:21; 2:2; Colossians 1:13; 2:15;">[xr]

But what does it matter?What then?">[fn] Just this, that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and because of this I rejoice. Yes, I will continue to rejoice,

But for your sake it is better that I remain in this body.