Study Desk

For you have been given the privilegeit has been given you">[fn] for Christ's sake not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him.Acts 5:41; Romans 5:3; Ephesians 2:8;">[xr]

Do not act out of selfish ambition or conceit, but with humility think of others as being better than yourselves.Romans 12:10; Galatians 5:26; Ephesians 5:21; Philippians 1:15-16; James 3:14; 1 Peter 5:5;">[xr]

Do not be concerned about your own interests, but also be concerned aboutbe concerned about">[fn] the interests of others.1 Corinthians 10:24,33; 13:5;">[xr]

And so, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only when I was with you but even more now that I am absent, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.Ephesians 6:5; Philippians 1:5;">[xr]

But you know his proven worth - how like a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2;">[xr]

Meanwhile, I thought it best to send Epaphroditus - my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and minister to my need - back to you.2 Corinthians 8:23; 11:9; Philippians 4:18;">[xr]

Indeed, he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow on top of another.sorrow on sorrow">[fn]

But whatever things were assets to me, these I now consider a loss for the sake of Christ.Matthew 13:44;">[xr]

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through the faithfulness of Christ,through faith in Christ">[fn] the righteousness that comes from God and that depends on faith.Romans 1:17; 3:21-22; 9:30; Galatians 2:16;">[xr]

It's not that I have already reached this goal or have already become perfect. But I keep pursuing it, hoping somehow to embrace it just as I have been embraced by Christ Jesus.1 Timothy 6:12; Hebrews 12:23;">[xr]

Brothers, I do not consider myself to have embraced it.embraced it yet">[fn] But this one thing I do: Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,Psalm 45:10; Luke 9:62; 1 Corinthians 9:24,26; 2 Corinthians 5:16; Hebrews 6:1;">[xr]

Never worry about anything, but in every situation let your petitions be made known to God in prayers and requests, with thanksgiving.Psalm 55:22; Proverbs 16:3; Matthew 6:25; Luke 12:22; 1 Peter 5:7;">[xr]

Now I rejoice in the Lord greatly, because once again you have shown your concern for me. Of course, you were concerned for me but you did not have an opportunity to show it.to show it">[fn]2 Corinthians 11:9;">[xr]

Even while I was in Thessalonica, you provided for my needs not once, but twice.

This secret was hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints,Matthew 13:11; Romans 16:25; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 3:9; 2 Timothy 1:10;">[xr]

These are a shadow of the things to come, but the realitysubstance">[fn] belongs to Christ.Hebrews 8:5; 9:9; 10:1;">[xr]

These things have the appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion, humility, and harsh treatment of the body, but they have no value against self-indulgence.Colossians 4:8; 1 Timothy 4:8;">[xr]

But now you must also get rid of anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene language from your mouth, and all such sins.Ephesians 4:22,29; 5:4; Hebrews 12:1; James 1:21; 1 Peter 2:1;">[xr]

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched in order to please them, but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord.Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 2:20; 1 Timothy 6:1; Titus 2:9; 1 Peter 2:18;">[xr]

for the gospel we broughtour gospel">[fn] did not come to you in words only, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction. Indeed,Just as">[fn] you know what kind of people we proved to be while we were with you, acting on your behalf.Mark 16:20; 1 Corinthians 2:4; 4:20; 2 Corinthians 6:6; Colossians 2:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:1,5, 10-11; 2 Thessalonians 3:7; Hebrews 2:3;">[xr]