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Thursday, April 9, 2015
Romans 5
Romans 5 (New International Version, ©2010)
Romans 5
Peace and Hope
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone's account where there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5
Peace and Hope
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone's account where there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Chronological New Testament Study Day 78
Philippians 1;
Philippians 2; Philippians 3; Philippians 4
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the
saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace
and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.3 I
thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers
for all of you, I always pray with joy5 because of your partnership
in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident
of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion
until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel
this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in
chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace
with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the
affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your
love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so
that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless
until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of
righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God. 12 Now
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to
advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear
throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for
Christ. 14Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord
have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. 15 It
is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of
goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put
here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach
Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up
trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it
matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or
true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will
continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers
and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will
turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that
I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as
always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For
to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go
on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I
choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire
to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but
it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced
of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for
your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my
being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. 27 Whatever
happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then,
whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know
that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the
gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who
oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you
will be saved--and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to
you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since
you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I
still have.
1 If you have any encouragement from being united with
Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any
tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by
being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider
others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not
only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your
attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who,
being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be
grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of
a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in
appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even
death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest
place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under
the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is
Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my dear
friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more
in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for
it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. 14 Do
everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may
become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and
depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe16 as
you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ
that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17 But even if I am
being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from
your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you
too should be glad and rejoice with me. 19 I hope in the Lord
Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive
news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who takes a
genuine interest in your welfare.21 For everyone looks out for his
own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that
Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with
me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send
him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am
confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. 25 But I
think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow
worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take
care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is
distressed because you heard he was ill.27 Indeed he was ill, and
almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to
spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more
eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may
have less anxiety. 29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy,
and honor men like him, 30 because he almost died for the work
of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.
1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no
trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for
you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those
mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the
circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus,
and who put no confidence in the flesh-- 4 though I myself
have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put
confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth
day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in
regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the
church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. 7 But
whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What
is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of
knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider
them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him,
not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is
through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I
want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of
sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and
so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not
that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I
press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers,
I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do:
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I
press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward
in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature should take such
a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will
make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have
already attained. 17 Join with others in following my example,
brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18 For,
as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as
enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is
destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame.
Their mind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in
heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who,
by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will
transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my
joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! 2 I
plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the
Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women
who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement
and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice
in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your
gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be
anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of
God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true,
whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about
such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard
from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with
you.10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed
your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no
opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am
in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I
know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have
learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well
fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can
do everything through him who gives me strength. 14 Yet it was
good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you
Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when
I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving
and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in
Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not
that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your
account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am
amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.
They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And
my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ
Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever.
Amen. 21 Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers
who are with me send greetings. 22 All the saints send you
greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household. 23 The
grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Revelation 5
Revelation 5 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 5
The Scroll and the Lamb
1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[a] of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,
because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign[b] on the earth."
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!"
14 The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Revelation 5
The Scroll and the Lamb
1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[a] of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,
because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign[b] on the earth."
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!"
14 The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Romans 4
Romans 4 (New International Version, ©2010)
Romans 4
Abraham Justified by Faith
1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."[a]
4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7 "Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them."[b]
9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11 And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12 And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, 15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.
16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations."[c] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."[d] 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." 23 The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Romans 4
Abraham Justified by Faith
1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."[a]
4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7 "Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them."[b]
9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11 And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12 And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, 15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.
16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations."[c] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."[d] 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." 23 The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Chronological New Testament Study Day 77
Ephesians 1; Ephesians
2; Ephesians 3; Ephesians 4; Ephesians 5; Ephesians 6
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To
the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace
and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Praise
be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the
heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For
he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in
his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his
sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- 6 to
the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he
loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that
he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he
made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which
he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times
will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth
together under one head, even Christ. 11 In him we were also
chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out
everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in
order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of
his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you
heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you
were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who
is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are
God's possession--to the praise of his glory. 15 For this
reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for
all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of
wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I
pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may
know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious
inheritance in the saints,19 and his incomparably great power for
us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which
he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his
right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and
authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in
the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed
all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the
church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills
everything in every way.
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in
which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the
ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are
disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time,
gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and
thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But
because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made
us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace
you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and
seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in
order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,
expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is
by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it
is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For
we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God
prepared in advance for us to do. 11 Therefore, remember that
formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by
those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body
by the hands of men)-- 12 remember that at that time you were
separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the
covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But
now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through
the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has
made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by
abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His
purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and
in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which
he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace
to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For
through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently,
you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people
and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of
the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In
him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in
the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to
become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for
the sake of you Gentiles-- 2 Surely you have heard about the
administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 that
is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written
briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to
understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was
not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the
Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is
that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members
together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. 7 I
became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the
working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of
all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ,9 and to make plain to everyone the
administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who
created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the
church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and
authorities in the heavenly realms, 11according to his eternal
purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In
him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I
ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you,
which are your glory. 14 For this reason I kneel before the
Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth
derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he
may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,17 so
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being
rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together
with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love
of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses
knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now
to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be
glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever
and ever! Amen.
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a
life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely
humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make
every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There
is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were
called-- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one
God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But
to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This
is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train
and gave gifts to men." 9 (What does "he
ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions
? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than
all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 It
was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be
evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to
prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be
built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the
knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure
of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be
infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every
wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful
scheming.15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all
things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From
him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament,
grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. 17 So
I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as
the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They
are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because
of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having
lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to
indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. 20 You,
however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you
heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in
Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of
life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful
desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;24 and
to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and
holiness. 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and
speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 "In
your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still
angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 He
who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something
useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in
need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your
mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their
needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not
grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of
redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger,
brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be
kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ
God forgave you.
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and
live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a
fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there
must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of
greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor
should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of
place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure:
No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any
inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one
deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on
those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with
them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in
the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the
light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and
find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the
fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it
is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But
everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is
light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O
sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 15 Be
very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16 making
the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore
do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18 Do
not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the
Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and
spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always
giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ. 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives,
submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is
the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he
is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also
wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands,
love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to
make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and
to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any
other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way,
husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife
loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated his own body,
but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-- 30 for
we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will
leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become
one flesh." 32 This is a profound mystery--but I am
talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you
also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her
husband.
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is
right. 2 "Honor your father and mother"--which is
the first commandment with a promise-- 3 "that it may go
well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." 4 Fathers,
do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and
instruction of the Lord. 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters
with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey
Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye
is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve
wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8 because
you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether
he is slave or free. 9 And masters, treat your slaves in the
same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master
and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. 10 Finally,
be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the
full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For
our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against
the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the
spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore
put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be
able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand
firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the
breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet
fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In
addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can
extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the
helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And
pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19 Pray
also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I
will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,20 for which I
am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. 21Tychicus,
the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so
that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am
sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and
that he may encourage you. 23 Peace to the brothers, and love
with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace
to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Romans 3
Romans 3 (New International Version, ©2010)
Romans 3
God's Faithfulness
1 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.
3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God's faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge."[a]
5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7 Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?" 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is just!
No One Is Righteous
9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. 10 As it is written:
"There is no one righteous, not even one;
11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good, not even one."[b]
13 "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit."[c]
"The poison of vipers is on their lips."[d]
14 "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."[e]
15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 ruin and misery mark their ways,
17 and the way of peace they do not know."[f]
18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."[g]
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
Righteousness Through Faith
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
Romans 3
God's Faithfulness
1 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.
3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God's faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge."[a]
5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7 Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?" 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is just!
No One Is Righteous
9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. 10 As it is written:
"There is no one righteous, not even one;
11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good, not even one."[b]
13 "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit."[c]
"The poison of vipers is on their lips."[d]
14 "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."[e]
15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 ruin and misery mark their ways,
17 and the way of peace they do not know."[f]
18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."[g]
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
Righteousness Through Faith
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
Chronological New Testament Study Day 76
Colossians 1;
Colossians 2; Colossians 3; Colossians 4; Philemon 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and
Timothy our brother, 2 To the holy and faithful brothers in
Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. 3 We
always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because
we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all
the saints-- 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope
that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in
the word of truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you. All over
the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing
among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its
truth. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow
servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8and
who also told us of your love in the Spirit. 9 For this
reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you
and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual
wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that
you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing
fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being
strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may
have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving
thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the
saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from
the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in
whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the
image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For
by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were
created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in
him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the
body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so
that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was
pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through
him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in
heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once
you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil
behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's
physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish
and free from accusation-- 23 if you continue in your faith,
established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is
the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under
heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. 24 Now I
rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still
lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is
the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God
gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness-- 26 the
mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now
disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make
known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ
in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim him, admonishing and
teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in
Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his
energy, which so powerfully works in me.
1 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and
for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My
purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that
they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may
know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden
all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this
so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For
though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and
delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. 6 So
then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted
and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and
overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes
you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human
tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For
in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and
you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and
authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting
off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but
with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried
with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God,
who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your
sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with
Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the
written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed
to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having
disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them,
triumphing over them by the cross. 16 Therefore do not let
anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious
festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These
are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in
Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility
and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into
great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with
idle notions.19 He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the
whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as
God causes it to grow. 20 Since you died with Christ to the
basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you
submit to its rules: 21 "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do
not touch!"? 22 These are all destined to perish with
use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23 Such
regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed
worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they
lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your
hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set
your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you
died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When
Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put
to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual
immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because
of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in
these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid
yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and
filthy language from your lips.9 Do not lie to each other, since
you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and
have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of
its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or
uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in
all. 12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly
loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and
patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever
grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And
over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect
unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since
as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let
the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another
with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with
gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do,
whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
to God the Father through him. 18Wives, submit to your husbands, as
is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do
not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in
everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not
embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. 22 Slaves,
obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is
on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for
the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,
as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that
you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord
Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be
repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,
because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. 2 Devote
yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray
for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim
the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I
may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you
act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let
your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may
know how to answer everyone. 7 Tychicus will tell you all the
news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in
the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose
that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your
hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear
brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening
here. 10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his
greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received
instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus,
who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my
fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12Epaphras,
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. 13 I vouch for him that he is
working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our
dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give
my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her
house. 16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it
is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the
letter from Laodicea. 17 Tell Archippus: "See to it that
you complete the work you have received in the Lord." 18 I,
Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with
you.
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, 2 to Apphia our
sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your
home: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I always thank my God as I remember you
in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your faith in the Lord
Jesus and your love for all the saints. 6 I pray that you may
be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of
every good thing we have in Christ. 7 Your love has given me
great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of
the saints. 8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold
and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I appeal to
you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul--an old man and now also a prisoner
of Christ Jesus-- 10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who
became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was
useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. 12 I
am sending him--who is my very heart--back to you.13 I would have
liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while
I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do
anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and
not forced. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you
for a little while was that you might have him back for good-- 16 no
longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear
to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.17 So
if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If
he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I,
Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back--not to mention that
you owe me your very self. 20 I do wish, brother, that I may
have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident
of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I
ask. 22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me,
because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. 23 Epaphras,
my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24 And
so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. 25 The
grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
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