from good will; (16)the one, out of love, knowing that I am set for
the defense of the gospel; (17)the other, out of contentiousness,
proclaim Christ not with pure intent, supposing that they shall add
affliction[1:17] to my bonds. (18)What then? Notwithstanding, in every
way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and
therein I rejoice, yea, and shall rejoice. (19)For I know that this
will turn out for my salvation, through your supplication, and the
supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ; (20)according to my earnest
expectation and hope, that I shall in nothing be put to shame, but
that with all boldness, as always, so also now Christ shall be
magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.
(21)For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (22)But if it be
to live in the flesh, this to me is fruit of labor; and which I shall
choose I know not; (23)but am constrained by the two, having the
desire to depart, and to be with Christ, for it is far better; (24)but
to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sakes. (25)And being
persuaded of this, I know that I shall remain, and shall continue with
you all for your furtherance and joy in the faith; (26)that your
glorying may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me, through my
coming to you again.
(27)Only let your deportment be as becomes the gospel of Christ; that
whether I come and see you, or remain absent, I may hear of your
affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving
together for the faith of the gospel; (28)and in nothing terrified by
the adversaries; which is to them an evident token of perdition, but
to you of salvation[1:28], and that from God. (29)Because to you it
was granted in behalf of Christ,--not only to believe on him,--but in
his behalf to suffer also; (30)having the same conflict as ye saw in
me, and now hear of in me.
II.
IF then there is any consolation[2:1] in Christ, if any comfort from
love, if any communion of the Spirit, if any tender affection and
compassion, (2)make my joy complete, that ye be of the same mind,
having the same love, being of one accord, of the one mind; (3)doing
nothing through contentiousness or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind
each esteeming others better than himself; (4)regarding not each one
his own, but each one also the things of others. (5)Let this mind be
in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; (6)who, being in the form of
God, did not account it robbery to be equal with God; (7)but emptied
himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of
men. (8)And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself,
becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
(9)Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave him a name which is
above every name; (10)that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of beings in heaven, and of beings on earth, and of beings under the
earth, (11)and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father.
(12)Wherefore, my beloved, as ye always obeyed, not as in my presence
only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling; (13)for it is God who works in you both to
will and to perform, of his good pleasure.
(14)Do all without murmurings and disputings; (15)that ye may become
blameless and simple, children of God, unreproachable, in the midst of
a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye appear as do the
heavenly lights in the world; (16)holding forth[1:16] the word of
life; for a ground of glorying to me at the day of Christ, that I did
not run in vain, or labor in vain.
(17)But even if I am poured out on the sacrifice and ministration of
your faith, I rejoice, and I rejoice with you all. (18)For the same
cause[2:18], do ye also rejoice, and rejoice with me.
(19)But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly to you, that
I also may be cheered, when I know your state. (20)For I have no one
like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. (21)For all seek
their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. (22)But ye know the proof
of him, that, as a child with a father, he served with me for the
gospel. (23)Him therefore I hope to send without delay, so soon as I
shall see how it will go with me; (24)but I trust in the Lord that I
also myself shall come shortly. (25)Yet I supposed it necessary to
send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and
fellow-soldier, but your messenger and minister to my wants. (26)For
he was longing after you all, and was much distressed, because ye
heard that he was sick. (27)For indeed he was sick near to death; but
God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, that I
might not have sorrow upon sorrow. (28)I sent him therefore with the
more haste, that seeing him again ye might rejoice, and that I may be
less sorrowful. (29)Receive him therefore in the Lord with all
gladness, and hold such in honor; (30)because for the work of Christ
he came near to death, hazarding his life, that he might supply what
things were lacking on your part, of the ministration to me.
III.
FINALLY, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to
you, to me is not burdensome, and for you it is safe.
(2)Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the
concision. (3)For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit
of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the
flesh. (4)Though I have confidence also in the flesh. If any other
thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I more; (5)circumcised the
eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew
of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; (6)as to zeal, persecuting the
church; as to the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
(7)But what things were gain to me, these I have accounted loss for
Christ. (8)Nay more, and I account all things to be loss for the
excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I
suffered the loss of all things, and account them refuse, that I may
gain Christ, (9)and be found in him, not having my own righteousness,
which is of law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the
righteousness which is of God, upon faith; (10)that I may know him,
and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his
sufferings[3:10], being conformed to his death; (11)if by any means I
may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
(12)Not that I already obtained [the prize][3:12], or have already
been perfected; but I pursue onward, if I may lay hold of that for
which I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. (13)Brethren, I do not count
myself to have laid hold of it; but one thing I do, forgetting the
things behind, and reaching forth to the things before, (14)I pursue
on toward the mark, for the prize of the heavenly calling of God in
Christ Jesus.
(15)Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be of this mind; and if
in any thing ye are otherwise minded, this also God will reveal to
you. (16)Nevertheless, whereto we have attained, in the same let us
walk.
(17)Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark those who so walk,
as ye have us for an example. (18)For many walk, of whom I told you
often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the
cross of Christ; (19)whose end is destruction, whose God is their
belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
(20)For our citizenship[3:20] is in heaven; from whence we also look
for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; (21)who will transform the body
of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory,
according to the working with which he is able also to subject all
things to himself.
(1)Therefore, my brethren beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so
stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
(2)I beseech Euodia, and I beseech Syntyche, to be of the same mind in
the Lord. (3)Yea, I entreat thee also, true yoke-fellow, help these
women, who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the
rest of my fellow-laborers, whose names are in the book of life.
(4)Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (5)Let your
forbearance be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. (6)Be anxious
for nothing; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. (7)And the peace
of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus.
(8)Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are
honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure,
whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these
things. (9)The things also, which ye learned, and received, and heard,
and saw in me, these do; and the God of peace will be with you.
(10)But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at length ye revived
again in your care for my welfare; for which ye were also careful, but
lacked opportunity. (11)Not that I speak in respect of want; for I
learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. (12)I both know how to
be abased, and I know how to abound; in every thing, and in all
things, I am instructed, both to be full and to be hungry, both to
abound and to be in want. (13)I can do all things, in him who
strengthens me.
(14)Notwithstanding, ye did well to share with me in my affliction.
(15)And ye also know, Philippians, that in the beginning of the
gospel, when I went forth from Macedonia, no church communicated with
me in an account of giving and receiving[4:15], but ye only; (16)that
also in Thessalonica, ye sent once and again to my necessity. (17)Not
that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that abounds to
your account.
(18)But I have all, and abound; I am full, having received of
Epaphroditus the things sent from you, an odor of sweet smell, a
sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. (19)But my God will supply
all your need, according to his riches in glory, in Christ Jesus.
(20)Now to God and our Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
(21)Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me
salute you.
(22)All the saints salute you, but especially they that are of
Caesar's household.
(23)The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits.
THE LETTER OF PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS.
I.
PAUL, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy the
brother, (2)to the saints in Colosse, and faithful brethren in Christ:
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
(3)We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying
always for you, (4)having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of
the love which ye have toward all the saints, (5)because of the hope
which is laid up for you in heaven, of which ye heard before in the
word of the truth of the gospel; (6)which is come to you, as also in
all the world, and is bringing forth fruit and increasing also in you,
since the day ye heard it, and knew the grace of God in truth; (7)as
ye learned from Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is for you a
faithful minister of Christ, (8)who also made known to us your love in
the Spirit.
(9)For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to
pray for you, and to ask that ye may be filled with the knowledge of
his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (10)that ye may
walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, bringing forth fruit in
every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; (11)being
strengthened with all strength, according to his glorious power, unto
all patience and long-suffering with joy; (12)giving thanks to the
Father, who made us meet for the portion of the inheritance of the
saints in light; (13)who delivered us out of the power of darkness,
and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love; (14)in whom
we have the redemption, the remission of our sins; (15)who is the
image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature,
(16)because in him were all things created, the things in the heavens,
and the things on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether
thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things have
been created by him, and for him; (17)and he is before all things, and
in him all things subsist. (18)And he is the head of the body, the
church; who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that he
may become in all things pre-eminent. (19)For He was pleased, that in
him should all the fullness dwell; (20)and through him to reconcile
all things to himself, having made peace through the blood of his
cross; through him, whether the things on the earth, or the things in
the heavens.
(21)And you also, being in time past alienated, and enemies in your
mind in wicked works, yet now has he reconciled (22)in the body of his
flesh through death, to present you holy and blameless and unaccused
before him; (23)if indeed ye continue in the faith grounded and
settled, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye
heard, which was preached in the whole creation which is under heaven;
of which I Paul was made a minister.
(24)Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is
behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body, which is
the church; (25)of which I was made a minister, according to the
dispensation of God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word
of God, (26)the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from
generations, but now has been manifested to his saints; (27)to whom
God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this
mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory;
(28)whom we announce, warning every man, and teaching every man in all
wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ; (29)to which
end I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me
with power.
II.
FOR I would have you know how great a conflict I have for you, and for
those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the
flesh; (2)that their hearts might be encouraged, they being knit
together in love, and unto all the riches of the full assurance of the
understanding, unto the full knowledge of the mystery of God, even
Christ; (3)in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge
hidden.
(4)And this I say, that no one may beguile you with enticing words.
(5)For though I am absent in the flesh, yet in the spirit I am with
you, rejoicing and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your
faith toward Christ.
(6)As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him;
(7)having been rooted and being built up in him, and being established
in the faith as ye were taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
(8)Beware lest there shall be any one that despoils you through
philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the
rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (9)Because in him dwells
all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. (10)And ye are made complete
in him[2:10], who is the head of all principality and power; (11)in
whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands,
in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of
Christ; (12)being buried with him in the immersion, wherein ye were
also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised
him from the dead. (13)And you also, being dead in your trespasses and
the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made alive together with him,
graciously forgiving us all our trespasses; (14)blotting out the
handwriting in ordinances that was against us, which was opposed to
us, and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross;
(15)despoiling principalities and powers[2:15a], he made a show of
them openly, triumphing over them in it[2:15b].
(16)Let not any one therefore judge you in food, or in drink, or in
respect of a feast-day, or of a new-moon, or of a sabbath; (17)which
are a shadow of the things to come, but the body is of Christ. (18)Let
no one defraud you of the prize, seeking it[2:18] in humiliation and
worship of the angels, intruding into things which he has not seen,
vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, (19)and not holding fast the
head, from whom all the body, by means of the joints and bands having
nourishment ministered, and being knit together, increases with the
increase of God.
(20)If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as
though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (21)"Handle
not, nor taste, nor touch," (22)(which are all to perish with the
using,) after the commandments and teachings of men? (23)Which things
have indeed a show of wisdom in self-chosen worship, and humiliation,
and neglecting of the body, not in any honor, for the satisfying of
the flesh.
III.
IF then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things above,
where Christ is, sitting on the right hand of God. (2)Set your mind on
the things above, not on the things upon the earth. (3)For ye died,
and your life is hid with Christ in God. (4)When Christ, our life,
shall be manifested, then will ye also with him be manifested in
glory.
(5)Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;
fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness,
which is idolatry; (6)on account of which things the wrath of God
comes on the sons of disobedience; (7)in which ye also once walked,
when ye lived in these things. (8)But now, do ye also put all away,
anger, wrath, malice, reviling, filthy communication out of your
mouth. (9)Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old
man with his deeds, (10)and have put on the new man, who is being
renewed unto knowledge after the image of him who created him;
(11)where there is no Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision,
Barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.
(12)Put on therefore, as God's chosen, holy and beloved, bowels of
compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, meekness, long-suffering,
(13)forbearing one another, and freely forgiving each other, if any
one have a complaint against any, even as Christ freely forgave you,
so also do ye; (14)and over all these, love, which is the bond of
perfectness. (15)And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to
which ye were also called in one body; and be thankful.
(16)Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching
and admonishing one another, with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, in
grace singing in your hearts to God. (17)And whatever ye do, in word
or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God
the Father through him.
(18)Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as is fitting in
the Lord.
(19)Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter toward them.
(20)Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well
pleasing, in the Lord.
(21)Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.
(22)Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh;
not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart,
fearing the Lord. (23)Whatever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord,
and not to men; (24)knowing that from the Lord ye will receive the
recompense of the inheritance. Serve the Lord Christ. (25)For he that
does wrong will receive that which he did wrongfully; and there is no
respect of persons.
(1)Masters, render to your servants that which is just and equal;
knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
(2)Persevere in prayer, being watchful therein with thanksgiving;
(3)at the same time praying also for us, that God would open to us a
door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for the sake of
which I am also in bonds, (4)that I may make it manifest, as I ought
to speak.
(5)Walk in wisdom toward those without, redeeming the time. (6)Let
your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know
how ye ought to answer every man.
(7)All my affairs will Tychicus make known to you, the beloved
brother, and a faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord;
(8)whom I sent to you for this very purpose, that he may know your
condition, and may comfort your hearts; (9)together with Onesimus, the
faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known
to you all the things here.
(10)Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner salutes you, and Mark the cousin of
Barnabas, concerning whom ye received commands (if he come to you,
receive him), (11)and Jesus, who is called Justus, who are of the
circumcision. These only are my fellow-workers, for the kingdom of
God, who have been a comfort to me.
(12)Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, salutes
you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect
and fully assured in all the will of God. (13)For I bear him witness,
that he has much concern[4:13] for you, and those in Laodicea, and
those in Hierapolis.
(14)Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, salute you.
(15)Salute the brethren in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church in
his house. (16)And when the letter has been read among you, cause that
it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that ye also read
that from Laodicea. (17)And say to Archippus: Take heed to the
ministry which thou didst receive in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.
(18)The salutation by the hand of me, Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace
be with you.
THE FIRST LETTER OF PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS.
I.
PAUL, and Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in
God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you, and peace.
(2)We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in
our prayers; (3)remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and
labor of love, and patience of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ,
before God and our Father; (4)knowing, brethren beloved of God, your
election; (5)because our gospel came not to you in word only, but also
in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; as ye know
what manner of men were we among you, for your sake. (6)And ye became
followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much
affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit; (7)so that ye became an
example to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. (8)For from you
has sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and
Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth;
so that we have no need to speak anything. (9)For they themselves
report concerning us, what manner of entrance we had to you, and how
ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God, (10)and
to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus,
who delivers us from the wrath to come.
II.
FOR yourselves, brethren, know our entrance to you, that it has not
become vain. (2)But having before suffered, and been shamefully
treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak to
you the gospel of God in much conflict. (3)For our exhortation is not
of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile; (4)but as we have been
approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as
pleasing men, but God, who proves our hearts. (5)For neither at any
time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of
covetousness; God is witness; (6)nor of men sought we glory, neither
from you, nor from others, though able to use authority, as Christ's
apostles. (7)But we were gentle among you, as a nurse cherishes her
children; (8)so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing
to impart to you, not only the gospel of God, but also our own souls,
because ye were dear to us. (9)For ye remember, brethren, our labor
and toil; night and day working, in order not to burden any of you, we
preached to you the gospel of God.
(10)Ye are witnesses, and God, how holily and justly and unblamably we
behaved ourselves to you that believe; (11)as ye know how we exhorted,
and encouraged, and charged every one of you, as a father his
children, (12)that ye should walk worthy of God, who is calling you
into his kingdom and glory.