Bible in 90 Days

²⁶ For you are all the sons of God by the faith which is in Christ Jesus. ²⁷ For all you who are baptized have put on Christ. ²⁸ Now there is neither Jew nor Gentile, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither man nor woman, but you are all one thing in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs by promise.

Paul shows that through Christ we are delivered from the law, and he rebukes the unthankfulness of the Galatians.

4 And I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ from a servant, though he be lord of all, ² but is under tutors and managers until the time appointed by the father. ³ Likewise we, as long as we were children, were in bondage under the ordinances of the world. ⁴ But when the time was full come, God sent his Son, born of a woman and made bond to the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, in order that we through election could receive the inheritance that belongs to the natural sons. ⁶ Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, who cries, Abba, Father! ⁷ Therefore now you are not a servant, but a son. If you are a son, you are also the heir of God through Christ.

⁸ Notwithstanding, when you did not know God, you served them which by nature are no gods. ⁹ But now, seeing you know God (yea rather, are known by God), how is it that you turn backward to the weak and poor rudiments, to which again you desire afresh to be in bondage? ¹⁰ You observe days and months and times and years. ¹¹ I fear for you, lest I have bestowed on you labour in vain. ¹² Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am, for I am as you are.

You have not hurt me at all. ¹³ You know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel to you at the first. ¹⁴ And the adversity I suffered by reason of my flesh, you did not turn away or shrink from, but you received me as an angel of God, yea as Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ How happy were you then? For I can attest that, if it had been possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ Have I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

¹⁷ They are fervent over you amiss. Yea, they intend to exclude you so that you will be fervent for them. ¹⁸ It is good always to be fervent, provided it be in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

¹⁹ My little children, for whom I travail in birth again until Christ be fashioned in you, ²⁰ I wish I were with you now, and could change my tone. For I am in doubt concerning you. ²¹ Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, have you not heard of the law? ²² For it is written that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a free woman. ²³ Yea, and the son of the bondwoman was born after the flesh, but the son of the free woman was born by promise, ²⁴ which things contain an allegory. For these women are two testaments. The one is from Mount Sinai, which engenders bondage, which is Hagar. ²⁵ For Mount Sinai is called Hagar in Arabia, and corresponds to the city that is now Jerusalem and is in bondage with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all. ²⁷ For it is written: Rejoice, O barren, who bears no children! Break forth and shout, you who travail not! For the desolate has many more children than she who has a husband.

²⁸ Brethren, we are like Isaac: children of promise. ²⁹ But just as then he who was born carnally persecuted him who was born spiritually, so also is it now. ³⁰ Nevertheless, what does the scripture say? Put away the bondwoman and her son. For the son of the bondwoman will not be heir with the son of the free woman. ³¹ So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free woman.

He labours to draw them away from circumcision. He shows them the battle between the Spirit and the flesh, and the fruits of them both.

5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty whereby Christ has made us free, and do not wrap yourselves again in a yoke of bondage. ² Behold, I Paul say to you that if you are circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing at all. ³ I testify again to every man who gets circumcised that he is bound to keep the whole law. ⁴ You are gone quite from Christ, as many of you as would be justified by the law, and are fallen from grace. ⁵ We look for and hope in the Spirit to be justified through faith. ⁶ For in Jesus Christ neither is circumcision worth anything, nor yet uncircumcision, but faith, which by love is mighty in operation.

⁷ You were running well. Who got in your way, that you should not follow the truth? ⁸ This counsel is not of him who called you. ⁹ A little leaven does leaven the whole lump of dough.

¹⁰ I am confident of you in the Lord, that you will not be otherwise minded. He who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. ¹¹ Brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I then yet suffer persecution? For then the offence that the cross gives is put away. ¹² I would to God they were separated from you, those who trouble you.

¹³ Brethren, you were called into liberty – only let not your liberty be an occasion for the flesh, but in love serve one another. ¹⁴ For all the law is fulfilled in one word, which is this: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. ¹⁵ If you bite and devour one another, take heed lest you be consumed by one another.

¹⁶ I say then, walk in the Spirit, and do not fulfil the lusts of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh lusts contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit resists the flesh. These are contrary one to the other, so that you cannot do that which you would. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, then are you not under the law.

¹⁹ The deeds of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, wantonness, ²⁰ idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, dissension, ambition, anger, rivalry, factious uprisings, sects, ²¹ envying, murder, drunkenness, gluttony, and suchlike – of which I warn you, as I have told you in time past, that people who commit such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ meekness, temperance. Against such there is no law.

²⁴ Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the appetites and lusts. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not be vainglorious, provoking one another and envying one another.

He exhorts them to brotherly love, and to bear with one another. In the end, he warns them to beware of circumcision.

6 Brethren, if anyone has fallen by chance into any fault, you who are spiritual should help to amend him, in the spirit of humility – considering yourself, lest you also be tempted. ² Bear one another’s burden, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

³ If any person seems to himself to be something, when indeed he is nothing, the same deceives himself in his imagination.

⁴ Let each prove his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in his own self, and not in another. ⁵ For every person will reap for himself.

⁶ Let him who is taught in the word minister to the one who teaches him, in all good things. ⁷ Be not deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he will reap. ⁸ He who sows to his flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap life everlasting. ⁹ Let us not be weary of well-doing. For when the time comes, we will reap without weariness. ¹⁰ Therefore, while we have time, let us do good to all men, and especially to them who are of the household of faith.

¹¹ See how large a letter I have written to you with my own hand.

¹² Those who desire to please carnally by outward appearances constrain you to be circumcised only because they do not want to suffer persecution with the cross of Christ. ¹³ For they themselves who are circumcised do not keep the law, but desire to have you circumcised so that they may glory in your flesh.

¹⁴ God forbid that I should glory but in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, whereby the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵ For in Christ Jesus neither does circumcision avail anything at all, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. ¹⁶ And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel that belongs to God.

¹⁷ From henceforth let no one put me to trouble. For I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁸ Brethren, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

To the Galatians.
Written from
Rome.

The everlasting ordinance and election of God in saving all races through Christ Jesus his Son. We are to be saints and without blame. The dominion of Christ.

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. To the saints who are at Ephesus, and to those who believe on Jesus Christ.

² Grace be with you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all manner of spiritual blessings in heavenly things by Christ, ⁴ accordingly as he had chosen us in him before the foundation of the world was laid, to be holy and without blame before him through love. ⁵ And he predestined us through Jesus Christ to be his heirs, in accordance with his pleasure and will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of the grace with which he has made us accepted in the Beloved, ⁷ by whom we have redemption through his blood; that is, the forgiveness of sins, consonant with the riches of his grace, ⁸ which grace he shed on us abundantly in all wisdom and understanding.

⁹ And as it pleased him, he has made known to us the mystery of his will, ¹⁰ and purposed in himself to have it declared when the time was full come – namely that all things, both the things that are in heaven and also the things that are in earth, will be gathered together in Christ; ¹¹ that is to say, in him in whom we are made heirs. To this we were predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will, ¹² so that we who before believed in Christ will be to the praise of his glory. ¹³ In him also you (after you heard the word of truth, I mean the gospel of your salvation, in which you believed) were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ which is the earnest of our inheritance to redeem the purchased possession, and that to the laud of his glory.

¹⁵ Therefore I (after I heard of the faith that you have in the Lord Jesus and love to all the saints) ¹⁶ cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I ask the God of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Father of glory to give to you the spirit of wisdom, and to open to you the knowledge of himself, ¹⁸ and to enlighten the eyes of your minds, so that you may know what that hope is to which he has called you, and what the riches of his glorious inheritance is upon the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the exceeding greatness of his power in us who believe pursuant to the working of that his mighty power, ²⁰ which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him on his right hand in heavenly things, ²¹ above all rule, power, and might, and dominion, and above all names that are named, not in this world only, but also in the world to come. ²² And he has put all things under his feet, and has made him above all things, the head of the congregation, ²³ which is his body, and the fullness of him who fills all in all things.

Paul shows them what manner of people they were before their conversion, and what they are now in Christ. We are ordained for good works.

2 And you he has quickened to life also, who were dead in trespass and sin, ² in which you walked in time past according to the course of this world, and followed the prince that rules in the air – the spirit that now works in the children of unbelief, ³ among whom we also had our living in time past, in the lusts of our flesh, and fulfilled the will of the flesh and of the mind, and were naturally the children of wrath fully as well as others.

⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, through his great love that he loved us with ⁵ even when we were dead by sin, has quickened us to life together in Christ (for by grace you are saved), ⁶ and has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly things through Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order to show in times to come the exceeding riches of his grace, in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you are saved, through faith – and that not of yourselves. For it is the gift of God, ⁹ and does not come by works, lest any man should boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, to which God ordained us before, that we should walk in them.

¹¹ And so remember that you (being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, and called uncircumcision by those who are called the circumcision in the flesh, which circumcision is made by hands) – ¹² remember, I say, that you were at that time without Christ, and were reputed aliens from the community of Israel, and were strangers to the testaments of promise, and had no hope, and were without God in this world. ¹³ But now, in Christ Jesus, you who a while ago were afar off, are made near by the blood of Christ.

¹⁴ For he is our peace, who has made of both one, and has broken down the wall that was a partition between us, ¹⁵ and has also put away through his flesh the cause of hatred (that is to say, the law of observances contained in the written law), to make of the two one new man in himself, so making peace, ¹⁶ and to reconcile both to God in one body through his cross. And he slew hatred thereby, ¹⁷ and came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those that were near. ¹⁸ For through him we both have an open way in, in one Spirit, to the Father.

  ¹⁹ Now therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. ²⁰ And you are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the head cornerstone, ²¹ in whom every structure coupled together grows into a holy temple in the Lord – ²² in whom you also are built together, and made a habitation for God in the Spirit.

He explains the cause of his imprisonment, and more of the revelation of the mystery of Christ. He desires them not to faint because of his trouble, and prays God to make them steadfast in his Spirit.

3 For this then I, Paul, am in the bonds of Jesus Christ, for the sake of you who are heathen – ² if you have heard of the ministration of the grace of God that is given to me for you. ³ For by revelation he showed this mystery to me, as I wrote above in a few words, ⁴ from which, when you read, you may know my understanding in the mystery of Christ. ⁵ This mystery was not in times past opened to the sons of men as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: ⁶ that the Gentiles should be inheritors also, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise that is in Christ by the means of the gospel – ⁷ of which gospel I am made a minister by the gift of the grace of God given to me through the working of his power. ⁸ To me, the least of all saints, is this grace given, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ⁹ and to make all men see what the fellowship of the mystery is.

This mystery has from the beginning of the world been hid in God, who made all things through Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ to the intent that now, through the congregation, the manifold wisdom of God may be made known to the rulers and powers in heaven, ¹¹ according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² by whom we are bold to draw near in the confidence that we have by faith on him.

¹³ Therefore I desire that you faint not because of my tribulations for your sakes, which are worthy to be glorified by you. ¹⁴ For this I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ who is Father over all that is called father in heaven and in earth. ¹⁶ I pray that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power by his Spirit in the inner man, ¹⁷ and that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, so that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is that breadth and length, depth and height, ¹⁹ and to know what is the love of Christ, which love passes knowledge; that you might be filled with every kind of fullness that comes of God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think by the power that works in us, ²¹ be praise in the congregation by Jesus Christ throughout all generations, world without end.

Amen.

He exhorts them to meekness and longsuffering, to love and peace. Everyone is to serve and edify the other with the gift that God has given him, to beware of strange doctrine, to lay aside the old life of greedy desires, and to walk in a new life.

4 I therefore, who am in bonds for the Lord’s sake, exhort you to walk worthy of the calling wherein you are called, ² in all humbleness of mind, and meekness and longsuffering, forbearing one another through love; ³ and to be diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, ⁴ being one body and one spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling. ⁵ Let there be but one Lord, one faith, one baptism: ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is above all, through all, and in you all.

⁷ To every one of us grace is given according to the nature and scope of the gift of Christ. ⁸ Therefore he says: He ascended up on high, and has led captivity captive, and has given gifts to men. ⁹ That he ascended, what does it mean but that he also descended first, into the lowest parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is the same also who ascended up, even above all heavens, to fulfil all things. ¹¹ And the very same made some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some shepherds, and some teachers, ¹² so that the saints may have all things necessary to work and minister for the edifying of the body of Christ, ¹³ until we every one (in the unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God) grow up to be perfect in the maturity of the fullness of Christ; ¹⁴ so that we henceforth would no longer be children, wavering and carried with every wind of doctrine by the wiliness of men, and craftiness whereby they lay in wait for us, to deceive us.

¹⁵ But let us follow the truth in love, and in all things grow in him who is the head; that is to say, Christ. ¹⁶ In him all the body is coupled and knit together in every joint, and one ministers to another (according to the divine working, as every part has its role), and advances the body for the edifying of itself in love.

  ¹⁷ I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that henceforth you must not walk like other Gentiles walk, in vanity of their mind, ¹⁸ blinded in their understanding, being alienated from the life that is in God, through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their hearts; ¹⁹ who, being past repentance, have given themselves over to wantonness, to work all manner of uncleanness, even with greediness. ²⁰ But you have not so learned Christ – ²¹ if it so be that you have heard him, and are taught in him, inasmuch as the truth is in Jesus. ²² So then, as concerning the former lifestyle, lay away from you that old man, which is corrupt through deceptive desires and affections, ²³ and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, ²⁴ and put on that new man, which is shapen in the image of God in righteousness and true holiness.

²⁵ Therefore put away lying, and let every person speak truth to his neighbour, seeing as we are members of one another. ²⁶ Be angry, but sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your wrath; ²⁷ neither give place to the backbiter. ²⁸ Let him who stole steal no more, but let him rather do good work with his hands, so that he may have something to give to him who has need.

²⁹ Let no unwholesome talk proceed out of your mouths, but that which is good to edify when needful, so that it may find favour with the hearers. ³⁰ And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you are sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness, fierceness, and wrath, shouting and cursing, be put away from you, with all maliciousness. ³² Be kind to one another, and merciful, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake forgave you.

He exhorts them to love. He warns them to beware of uncleanness, covetousness, foolish talking, and false counsel; to be circumspect, to avoid drunkenness, to rejoice and to be thankful to God, and to submit themselves one to another. He teaches how women should obey their husbands, and how lovingly men ought to treat their wives.

5 Be followers of God as dear children, ² and walk in love, even as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice of a sweet savour to God.

³ As for fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let them not be once named among you, as it becomes saints. ⁴ Nor should there be coarseness, or foolish talking, or jestings which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. ⁵ For this you know, that no whoremonger or unclean person, or covetous person (who is an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

⁶ Let no person deceive you with vain words. For through such things comes the wrath of God upon the children of unbelief. ⁷ Therefore do not be companions with them. ⁸ You were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. ⁹ For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.  ¹⁰ Accept that which is pleasing to the Lord, ¹¹ and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather rebuke them. ¹² For it is shameful even to name those things that are done by them in secret. ¹³ But all things, when they are rebuked by the light, are manifest. For whatsoever is manifest, that same is light. ¹⁴ Therefore he says, Awake, you who sleep, and stand up from death, and Christ will give you light.

¹⁵ Take heed therefore that you walk circumspectly – not as fools, but as wise, ¹⁶ redeeming the time. For the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore be not unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be fulfilled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, ²⁰ giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ and submitting yourselves to one another in the fear of God.

²² Women, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the congregation, and he is the saviour of the body. ²⁴ Therefore, as the congregation is subject to Christ, so also let the wives be subject to their husbands in all things.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the congregation and gave himself for it, ²⁶ to sanctify it, and cleansed it in the fountain of water through the word, ²⁷ to make it for himself a glorious congregation, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but to be holy and without blame. ²⁸ This is how men ought to love their wives: as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but cares for and cherishes it, even as the Lord does the congregation. ³⁰ For we are members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones. ³¹ On this account must a man leave father and mother and continue with his wife, and the two will be made one flesh. ³² This is a great mystery, but I speak as between Christ and the congregation. ³³ Nevertheless, see to it that every one of you loves his wife truly, even as himself. And let the wife see that she fears her husband.

How children should behave toward their fathers and mothers; likewise fathers toward their children, servants toward their masters, and masters toward their servants. An exhortation to the spiritual battle, and what weapons Christians should fight with.

6 Children, obey your fathers and mothers in the Lord, for this is right. ² Honour your father and mother (which is the first commandment that has any promise with it), ³ so that you may prosper and live long on the earth. ⁴ And ye fathers, do not move your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

⁵ Servants, be obedient to your carnal masters with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as to Christ – ⁶ not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart with good will: ⁷ serving the Lord, and not men. ⁸ And remember, whatever good thing anyone does, that he will receive back again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

⁹ And ye masters, do the same toward your servants, putting away threatenings. And remember that even your master also is in heaven; neither is there any respect of person with him.

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ¹¹ Put on the armour of God so that you are able to stand steadfast against the crafty assaults of the devil. ¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against rule, against power; namely against the rulers of the world, of the darkness of this world; against spiritual wickedness, for heavenly things. ¹³ So then, take up the armour of God, so that you are able to resist in the evil day, and to stand perfect in all things.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and shod with shoes prepared by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ Above all, take up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸ And pray always with every sort of prayer and supplication, and that in the Spirit. And keep vigil also with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints – ¹⁹ and for me: that utterance may be given to me; that I may open my mouth boldly to utter the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am a messenger in bonds; that I may speak freely therein as I ought to speak.

²¹ But so that you may also know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus, my dear brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will tell you everything, ²² whom I sent to you for this same purpose: so that you could know what circumstances I stand in, and so that he could comfort your hearts.

²³ Peace be with the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in pureness. Amen.

Sent from Rome to the Ephesians
by the hand of
Tychicus.

He exhorts them to increase in love, in knowledge, and in experience of divine things, makes mention of his imprisonment at Rome, is glad to hear Christ preached, and is content either to die or live. He prays them to lead a godly life, to be of one mind, and to fear no persecution.

1 Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.

² Grace be with you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ I thank my God with every remembrance of you, ⁴ always in all my prayers for you, and pray with gladness, ⁵ because of the fellowship that you have had in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶ And I am confident of this: that he who began a good work in you will go forth with it until the day of Jesus Christ – ⁷ as it is fitting for me so to judge of you all, because I have you in my heart, and have you also every one companions of grace with me, even in my bonds, as I defend and establish the gospel.

⁸ For God is my witness how greatly I long after you all from the very heart root in Jesus Christ. ⁹ And this I pray: that your love may increase more and more in knowledge and in all experience, ¹⁰ that you may accept the things of most value, that you may be pure, and such as would hurt no man’s conscience until the day of Christ – ¹¹ filled with the fruits of righteousness, which fruits come by Jesus Christ for the glory and laud of God.

¹² I would you understood, brethren, that my trouble has served for the great furthering of the gospel. ¹³ For my bonds in Christ are manifest throughout all the judgment hall and in all other places, ¹⁴ and many of the brethren in the Lord are emboldened through my bonds, and dare to more freely speak the word without fear. ¹⁵ Some there are who preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, and some of goodwill. ¹⁶ The one part preach Christ out of rivalry, and not purely, supposing to add more adversity to my bonds, ¹⁷ but the other part out of love, because they see that I am set to defend the gospel. ¹⁸ What then? If only Christ be preached – whatever the way, whether through opportunism or of a true intent – I rejoice.

¹⁹ Yea, and I will rejoice, because I know that these circumstances will bear toward my salvation (through your prayer and ministering of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, ²⁰ as I heartily look for), and hope that in nothing I will be ashamed, but that with all confidence, as always in times past, so now Christ may be magnified in my body, whether it be through life or death. ²¹ For Christ is to me life, and death is to me gain.

²² If it happens that I live in the flesh, it means fruitful work for me, and what to choose I do not know. ²³ I am constrained by two things: I desire to be released and to be with Christ, which thing is best of all. ²⁴ Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. ²⁵ And this I am sure of: that I will abide, and continue with you all for the furtherance and joy of your faith, ²⁶ so that you may more abundantly rejoice in Jesus Christ through me, by my coming to you again.

²⁷ Only be sure that you live worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may yet hear of you that you continue in one spirit and in one soul, labouring as we do to maintain the faith of the gospel – ²⁸ and in nothing fearing your adversaries, which is to them a sign of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. ²⁹ For to you it is given not only to believe on Christ, but also to suffer for his sake, ³⁰ and to have even the same fight which you saw me have and now hear of me.

He exhorts them to unite in brotherly love, and to beware of rivalry and vainglory. For a trustworthy example, he sets Christ before them.

2 If there is among you any consolation in Christ, if there is any comforting love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if there is any compassion or mercy, ² fulfil my joy and all draw one way, having one love and being of one accord and of one mind. ³ Let nothing be done through rivalry or vainglory, but in meekness of mind let everyone esteem the other better than himself. ⁴ And look not every person on his own things, but every person on the things of others.

⁵ Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, counted it not a prize to be equal to God, ⁷ but made himself of no reputation, and took on him the form of a servant, and became like humankind, ⁸ and was found in his appearance as a man. He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ For this God has exalted him, and given him a name above all names, ¹⁰ so that in the name of Jesus every knee will bow, both of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth, ¹¹ and so that all tongues will confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

¹² Therefore my dearly beloveds, as you have always obeyed, not only when I was present, but now much more in my absence, even so work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ¹³ For it is God who works in you both the will and also the deed, of his own good will.

¹⁴ Do all things without murmuring and disputing, ¹⁵ so that you may be faultless and pure, and the children of God without rebuke in the midst of a corrupt and perverse nation – among whom see that you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain, have not laboured in vain. ¹⁷ Yea, and even if I am offered up upon the offering and sacrifice of your faith, I am glad, and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ And you also, be glad for the same cause, and rejoice with me.

¹⁹ I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be of good comfort when I know your state. ²⁰ For I have no man who is minded so like me, who with such pure affection cares for your matters. ²¹ For all others seek their own, and not that which is Jesus Christ’s. ²² You know the proof of him, how as a son with the father he bestowed his labour upon the gospel with me. ²³ I hope to send him as soon as I know how it will go with me. ²⁴ I trust in the Lord that I also myself may come shortly.

²⁵ I supposed it necessary to send to you brother Epaphroditus, my companion in labour and fellow-soldier – your apostle, and my minister at my need. ²⁶ For he longed after you, and was full of heaviness because you had heard that he was sick. ²⁷ And without question he was sick, and that near to death. But God had mercy on him – not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ I sent him therefore the more quickly, so that when you saw him you might rejoice again, and I might be less sorrowful. ²⁹ Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness. And make much of such a one, ³⁰ because for the work of Christ he went so far that he was near to death, and regarded not his life, to provide that service which was lacking on your part toward me.

He warns them to beware of false teachers, whom he calls dogs, evil workers, and enemies of Christ. He reproves man’s own righteousness.

3 Moreover, my brethren, put your trust in the Lord. It grieves me not to write the same thing often to you, for to you it is a safeguard. ² Beware of dogs. Beware of evil workers. Beware of dissension.

³ For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and trust in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh – ⁴ though I have whereof I might be confident in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has reason to trust in the flesh, I have much more: ⁵ circumcised the eighth day, of the kindred of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of the Hebrews; as concerning the law, a Pharisee, ⁶ and as concerning zeal, I persecuted the congregation. And as for the righteousness that is in the law, I was unrebukable.

⁷ But the things that were of advantage to me, I counted worthless for Christ’s sake. ⁸ Yea, I think all things worthless for the sake of the supreme and precious knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord. For him I have counted all things a waste, and do judge them but dung, so that I may win Christ, ⁹ and may be found in him – not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is of the faith that is in Christ. I mean the righteousness which comes from God through faith, ¹⁰ in knowing him, and the power of the resurrection, and the fellowship of his passions, so that I may be conformable to his death, ¹¹ if by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead.

¹² It is not as if I had already attained to it, or were already perfect. But I press on, if so be that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me. ¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself as having gotten it. But one thing I say: I forget that which is behind and reach for that which is ahead, ¹⁴ and press on to that mark appointed, to obtain the reward of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let us therefore, as many as are sound in the faith, be so minded. And if you are otherwise minded, I pray God would open this to you.

¹⁶ Nevertheless, in that to which we have come, let us proceed by one rule so that we may be of one accord. ¹⁷ Brethren, be followers of me, and observe those who walk in the same way, since you have us for an example. ¹⁸ For many walk (of whom I have told you often, and now tell you weeping) as enemies of the cross of Christ, ¹⁹ whose end is damnation, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is to their shame – who are worldly-minded. ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven, from whence we look for a saviour, even the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who will change our lowly bodies so that they may be fashioned like his glorious body, by the power with which he is able to subdue all things to himself.

He greets certain of them, exhorts them to live and bear themselves honourably, and thanks them for the provision that they made for him in prison.

4 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, continue in such a way in the Lord, beloveds. ² I pray Euodias and beseech Syntyche to be of one accord in the Lord. ³ Yea and I beseech you, faithful yokefellow, help the women who laboured with me in the gospel, and with Clement also, and with my other labour-fellows whose names are in the book of life.

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men.

The Lord is at hand. ⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in all things let your requests be made known to God, in prayer and supplication with giving of thanks. ⁷ And may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Furthermore, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honourable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things belong to love, whatever things are of good report, if there be any virtuous thing, if there be any praiseworthy thing: these same have in your minds. ⁹ The things you have both learned and received, heard and also seen in me, those things do, and the God of peace will be with you.

¹⁰ I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at the last you have come around again to care for me – where you had been concerned, but you lacked opportunity. ¹¹ I am not speaking out of need. For I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content. ¹² I can both cast myself down and I can also prosper. Everywhere and in all things I am taught both to be full and to be hungry, to have plenty and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things with the help of Christ, who strengthens me. ¹⁴ Notwithstanding, you have done well to bear part with me in my tribulation.

¹⁵ You of Philippi know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no congregation bore part with me (as regards giving and receiving) but you only. ¹⁶ For when I was in Thessalonica, you sent once and afterward again to supply my needs – ¹⁷ not that I desire gifts, but I desire abundant fruit on your parts. ¹⁸ I welcomed everything, and have plenty. I was filled after I received from Epaphroditus that which came from you, an odour that smells sweet, a sacrifice accepted and pleasing to God.

¹⁹ May my God fulfil all your needs through his glorious riches in Jesus Christ. ²⁰ To our God and Father be glory forevermore. Amen.

²¹ Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me  greet you. ²² All the saints greet you, and most of all those who are of the Emperor’s household. ²³ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Sent from Rome by the hand
of Epaphroditus.

He gives thanks to God for their faith, love, and hope, and prays for their increase. He explains how we are the kingdom of God won by Christ, who is the head of the congregation.

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and brother Timothy.

² To the saints who are at Colosse and brethren who believe in Christ.

Grace be with you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, always praying for you ⁴ since we heard of the faith that you have in Christ Jesus, and of the love that you bear to all the saints, ⁵ for the sake of the hope that is laid up in store for you in heaven – of which hope you heard before by the true word of the gospel, ⁶ which has come to you in the same way as it has into all the world, and is fruitful among you in the same way since the first day you heard it and had experience of the grace of God in the truth, ⁷ when you learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant. He is for you a faithful minister of Christ. ⁸ He also described to us the love that you have in the Spirit.

⁹ For this reason we also, since the day we heard of it, have not ceased praying for you, and asking that you be fulfilled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, ¹⁰ so that you may walk worthy of the Lord in all things that please him, being fruitful in all good works and increasing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹ strengthened with all might through his glorious power to have all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness, ¹² and giving thanks to the Father, who has made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of saints in light. ¹³ He has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption through his blood; that is to say, the forgiveness of sins.

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, and the first begotten of all creatures. ¹⁶ For by him were all things created: things that are in heaven and things that are in earth, things visible and things invisible, whether they be majesty, or lordship, or rule, or power. All things are created by him and in him, ¹⁷ and he is before all things, and in him all things have their being.

¹⁸ And he is the head of the body; that is to say, of the congregation. He is the beginning and first begotten of the dead, so that in all things he may have the pre-eminence. ¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that in him all fullness should dwell, ²⁰ and by him to reconcile all things to himself, and to set at peace by him, through the blood of his cross, both things in heaven and things in earth.

²¹ And you, who were in times past strangers and enemies because your minds were set in evil works, he has now reconciled ²² in the body of his flesh through death, to make you holy, unblameable, and without fault in his own sight – ²³ if you continue grounded and established in the faith, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, of which you have heard how it is preached among all creatures under heaven, and of which I, Paul, am made a minister.

²⁴ Now I joy in the sufferings that I suffer for you, and fill up that which I lack of the passions of Christ in my flesh, for the sake of his body, which is the congregation. ²⁵ I am made a minister thereof according to the ordinance of God, which ordinance was given to me for you, in order to fulfil the word of God, ²⁶ that mystery hid since the world began and since the beginning of generations, but which is now opened to his saints, ²⁷ to whom God desired to make known the glorious riches of this mystery among the Gentiles. These riches are Christ in you, the Hope of Glory ²⁸ whom we preach, warning all people and instructing all people in all wisdom, to make all men perfect in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ For this I also labour and strive, even as far forth as his working works in me mightily.

What great care Paul took for all congregations. He exhorts them to be steadfast in Christ, and to beware of false teachers and worldly wisdom. He describes the false prophets.

2 I would you knew what fighting I have for your sakes and for the people of Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen me in the flesh, ² that their hearts may be encouraged, and knit together in love and in all the riches of a full understanding, to know the mystery of God the Father and of Christ, ³ in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

⁴ And I say, for fear that someone should beguile you with enticing words ⁵ (for though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am present with you in the spirit, joying and beholding the order that you keep and your steadfast faith in Christ) – ⁶ as you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, even so walk, ⁷ rooted and built in him, and steadfast in the faith, as you have learned. And abound therein in giving thanks.

⁸ Beware lest any man come and rob you through philosophy and vain deceit, through the precepts of men, and observances after the world, and not after Christ. ⁹ For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, ¹⁰ and you are complete in him, who is the head of all rule and power. ¹¹ In him also you are circumcised, with the circumcision that is made without hands, by putting off the sinful body of the flesh through the circumcision that is in Christ, ¹² in that you are buried with him through baptism; in whom you are also risen again through faith, which is wrought by the operation of God, who raised him from death.

¹³ And you who were dead in sin through the uncircumcision of your flesh, he has quickened to life with him, and has forgiven us all our trespasses. ¹⁴ And he has put out the handwriting that was against us, contained in the written law: he has taken it out of the way and has fastened it to his cross, ¹⁵ and has spoiled rule and power, and has made a show of them openly, and has triumphed over them in his own person.

¹⁶ Let no man therefore trouble your consciences about meat and drink, or in respect of a holy day, such as the holy day of the new moon or of the Sabbath days. ¹⁷ These are nothing but shadows of things to come, but the substance is in Christ. ¹⁸ Let no man make you shoot at a wrong mark, who, following his own imagination, walks in the humbleness and holiness of angels, things which he never saw, senselessly puffed up with his fleshly mind, ¹⁹ and who does not hold to the Head, from whom all the body, by joints and ligaments, receives nourishment, and is knit together, and grows with the growth that comes of God.

²⁰ Therefore, if you are dead with Christ to the observances of the world, why, as though you yet lived in the world, are you led by the precepts of those who say, ²¹ Touch not, taste not, handle not? ²² All these things do hurt to men because of the abuse of them, which abuse comes only of the commandments and doctrines of men – ²³ which things have an outward show of wisdom, in self-chosen holiness and humbleness, and in that they do not spare the body, and pay no regard to the needs of the flesh.

He puts them in mind of the spiritual resurrection, to lay aside all manner of corrupt living, and to be fruitful in all godliness and virtue. He shows all degrees of persons their duty.

3 If you then are risen again with Christ, seek those things that are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.  ² Set your affection on things that are above, and not on things which are on the earth. ³ For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life shows himself, then shall you also appear with him in glory.

⁵ Mortify therefore your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, unnatural desire, evil desire, and covetousness, which is the worshipping of idols. ⁶ Because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of unbelief. ⁷ In these things you walked once, when you lived in them. ⁸ But now put away from you all such things: wrath, fierceness, maliciousness, railing, cursing, and filthy talk out of your mouths. ⁹ Do not lie to one to another. Put off the old man with his works, ¹⁰ and put on the new, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him who made him – ¹¹ where there is neither Gentile nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian or Scythian, bond or free: but Christ is all in all things.

¹² Now therefore, as chosen by God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering, ¹³ forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a quarrel against another. Just as Christ forgave you, so also should you do.

¹⁴ Above all these things, put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. ¹⁵ And may the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which peace you are called in one body. And see that you be thankful. 

¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you plenteously in all wisdom. Teach and exhort your own selves, in psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs that have grace with them, singing in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And all things – whatsoever you do, in word or deed – do in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by him.

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as it is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and do not be grievous to them.

²⁰ Children, obey your fathers and mothers in all things, for that is well pleasing to the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not berate your children, lest they be of a desperate mind.

²² Servants, be obedient to your earthly masters in all things – not with eye-service, as men pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. ²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily as for the Lord, and not for men, ²⁴ inasmuch as you know that from the Lord you will receive the reward of inheritance. For you serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ But he who does wrong, will receive for the wrong that he has done. For there is no respect of persons with God. 4 ¹ You masters, be just and fair to your servants, seeing you know that you also have a master in heaven.

He exhorts them to be fervent in prayer, to walk wisely with regard to persons who have not yet come to the true knowledge of Christ, and greets them.

² Continue in prayer, and keep vigil in the same with thanksgiving, ³ praying also for us: that God would open for us the door of utterance so that we may speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; ⁴ that I may speak it as it behoves me to do.

⁵ Walk wisely toward those who are without, and redeem the time. ⁶ Let your speech be always with grace and powdered with salt, so that you may know how to answer every person.

⁷ The dear brother Tychicus can tell you about all my affairs. He is a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord, ⁸ whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, and to find out how you are doing, and to encourage your hearts. ⁹ With him is Onesimus, a faithful and a beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything that is happening here.

¹⁰ Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you; as does Mark, the son of Barnabas’ sister, concerning whom you received instructions (if he comes to you, receive him); ¹¹ and also Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and were to me a consolation.

¹² Epaphras, the servant of Christ who is one of you, greets you, and always labours fervently for you in prayers that you may stand perfect and full in all that is the will of God. ¹³ I can attest that he has a fervent mind toward you, and toward the people of Laodicea and of Hieropolis.

¹⁴ Dear Luke the physician greets you, and Demas.

¹⁵ Greet the brethren who are of Laodicea, and greet Nymphas and the congregation that is in his house. ¹⁶ And when the epistle has been read by you, ensure that it is read in the congregation of the Laodiceans also, and that you likewise read the Laodiceans’ epistle. ¹⁷ And say to Archippus: Take heed to the office that you have received in the Lord, to fulfil it.

¹⁸ The greeting by the hand of me, Paul.
Remember my bonds. Grace
be with you.
Amen.
Sent from Rome by the hand
of Tychicus and
Onesimus.