Ephesians 6

New American Standard Bible

Children and Parents

6 ^(A)Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ²^(B)Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), ³so that it may turn out well for you, and that you may live long on the earth.

⁴^(C)Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but ^(D)bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

⁵^(E)Slaves, be obedient to those who are your ^[a]masters according to the flesh, with ^(F)fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, ^(G)as to Christ; ⁶^(H)not ^[b]by way of ^[c]eye-service, as ^(I)people-pleasers, but as ^(J)slaves of Christ, ^(K)doing the will of God from the ^[d]heart. ⁷With goodwill ^[e]render service, ^(L)as to the Lord, and not to people, ⁸^(M)knowing that ^(N)whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, ^(O)whether slave or free.

⁹And masters, do the same things to them, and ^(P)give up threatening, knowing that ^(Q)both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is ^(R)no partiality with Him.

The Armor of God

¹⁰Finally, ^(S)be strong in the Lord and in ^(T)the strength of His might. ¹¹^(U)Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the ^(V)schemes of the devil. ¹²For our ^(W)struggle is not against ^[f]^(X)flesh and blood, but ^(Y)against the rulers, against the powers, against the ^(Z)world forces of this ^(AA)darkness, against the ^(AB)spiritual forces of wickedness in ^(AC)the heavenly places. ¹³Therefore, take up ^(AD)the full armor of God, so that you will be able to ^(AE)resist on ^(AF)the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. ¹⁴Stand firm therefore, ^(AG)having belted your waist with truth, and having ^(AH)put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵and having ^(AI)strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶^[g]in addition to all, taking up the ^(AJ)shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the ^(AK)flaming arrows of ^(AL)the evil one. ¹⁷And take ^(AM)the helmet of salvation and the ^(AN)sword of the Spirit, which is ^(AO)the word of God.

¹⁸^[h]With every ^(AP)prayer and request, ^[i]^(AQ)pray at all times ^(AR)in the Spirit, and with this in view, ^[j]^(AS)be alert with all ^(AT)perseverance and every ^(AU)request for all the ^[k]saints, ¹⁹and ^(AV)pray in my behalf, that speech may be given to me ^(AW)in the opening of my mouth, to make known with ^(AX)boldness ^(AY)the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰for which I am an ^(AZ)ambassador ^(BA)in ^[l]chains; that ^[m]in proclaiming it I may speak ^(BB)boldly, ^(BC)as I ought to speak.

²¹^(BD)Now, so that you also may know about my circumstances as to ^[n]what I am doing, ^(BE)Tychicus, ^(BF)the beloved brother and faithful ^[o]servant in the Lord, will make everything known to you. ²²^[p]^(BG)I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know ^[q]about us, and that he may ^(BH)comfort your hearts.

²³^(BI)Peace be to the brothers and sisters, and ^(BJ)love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ ^[r]with incorruptible love.

Footnotes

Ephesians 6:5 I.e., earthly masters, as in first-century Roman culture
Ephesians 6:6 Lit according to
Ephesians 6:6 I.e., only when the master is watching
Ephesians 6:6 Lit soul
Ephesians 6:7 Lit rendering
Ephesians 6:12 Lit blood and flesh
Ephesians 6:16 Lit in all
Ephesians 6:18 Lit Through
Ephesians 6:18 Lit praying
Ephesians 6:18 Lit being
Ephesians 6:18 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
Ephesians 6:20 Lit a chain
Ephesians 6:20 Two early mss I may speak it boldly
Ephesians 6:21 Or how
Ephesians 6:21 Or minister
Ephesians 6:22 Lit Whom I have sent to you
Ephesians 6:22 Lit the things about us
Ephesians 6:24 Lit in incorruption

Ephesians 6

New International Version

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.^(A) ²“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”^[a]^(B)

⁴Fathers,^[b] do not exasperate your children;^(C) instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.^(D)

⁵Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect^(E) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,^(F) just as you would obey Christ.^(G) ⁶Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,^(H) doing the will of God from your heart. ⁷Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,^(I) ⁸because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,^(J) whether they are slave or free.

⁹And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours^(K) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism^(L) with him.

The Armor of God

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord^(M) and in his mighty power.^(N) ¹¹Put on the full armor of God,^(O) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,^(P) but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(Q) against the powers^(R) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.^(S) ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God,^(T) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,^(U) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,^(V) ¹⁵and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.^(W) ¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,^(X) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^(Y) ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation^(Z) and the sword of the Spirit,^(AA) which is the word of God.^(AB)

¹⁸And pray in the Spirit^(AC) on all occasions^(AD) with all kinds of prayers and requests.^(AE) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying^(AF) for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹Pray also for me,^(AG) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly^(AH) make known the mystery^(AI) of the gospel, ²⁰for which I am an ambassador^(AJ) in chains.^(AK) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

²¹Tychicus,^(AL) 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. ²²I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are,^(AM) and that he may encourage you.^(AN)

²³Peace^(AO) to the brothers and sisters,^[c] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.^[d]

Footnotes

Ephesians 6:3 Deut. 5:16
Ephesians 6:4 Or Parents
Ephesians 6:23 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
Ephesians 6:24 Or Grace and immortality to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1-4

New American Standard Bible

Thanksgiving

1 ^(A)Paul and ^(B)Timothy, ^(C)bond-servants of ^(D)Christ Jesus,

To ^(E)all the ^[a]^(F)saints in Christ Jesus who are in ^(G)Philippi, ^[b]including the ^(H)overseers and ^(I)deacons: ²^(J)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³^(K)I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴always offering prayer with joy in ^(L)my every prayer for you all, ⁵in view of your ^[c]^(M)participation in the ^(N)gospel ^(O)from the first day until now. ⁶For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work ^[d]among you will complete it ^[e]by ^(P)the day of Christ Jesus. ⁷^[f]For ^(Q)it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I ^(R)have you in my heart, since both in my ^[g]^(S)imprisonment and in the ^(T)defense and confirmation of the ^(U)gospel, you all are ^[h]partakers of grace with me. ⁸For ^(V)God is my witness, how I long for you all with the ^[i]affection of ^(W)Christ Jesus. ⁹And this I pray, that ^(X)your love may overflow still more and more in ^(Y)real knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰so that you may ^[j]^(Z)discover the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and blameless for ^(AA)the day of Christ; ¹¹having been filled with the ^(AB)fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, for the glory and praise of God.

The Gospel Is Preached

¹²Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my circumstances ^(AC)have turned out for the greater progress of the ^(AD)gospel, ¹³so that my ^[k]^(AE)imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the ^[l]praetorian guard and to ^(AF)everyone else, ¹⁴and that most of the brothers and sisters, ^[m]trusting in the Lord because of my ^[n]^(AG)imprisonment, have ^(AH)far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. ¹⁵^(AI)Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even ^[o]from envy and strife, but some also ^[p]from goodwill; ¹⁶the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the ^(AJ)gospel; ¹⁷the former proclaim Christ ^(AK)out of selfish ambition ^[q]rather than from pure motives, thinking that they are causing me distress in my ^[r]^(AL)imprisonment. ¹⁸What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.

But not only that, I also will rejoice, ¹⁹for I know that this will turn out for my ^[s]deliverance ^(AM)through your ^[t]prayers and the provision of ^(AN)the Spirit of Jesus Christ, ²⁰according to my ^(AO)eager expectation and ^(AP)hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with ^(AQ)all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be ^(AR)exalted in my body, ^(AS)whether by life or by death.

To Live Is Christ

²¹For to me, ^(AT)to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²²^[u]But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean ^(AU)fruitful labor for me; and I do not know ^[v]which to choose. ²³But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the ^(AV)desire to depart and ^(AW)be with Christ, for that is very much better; ²⁴yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes. ²⁵^(AX)Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy ^[w]in the faith, ²⁶so that your ^(AY)pride in Christ Jesus may be abundant because of me by my coming to you again.

²⁷Only conduct yourselves in a manner ^(AZ)worthy of the ^(BA)gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are ^(BB)standing firm in ^(BC)one spirit, with one ^[x]mind ^(BD)striving together for the faith of the gospel; ²⁸and in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a ^(BE)sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and this too, from God. ²⁹For to you ^(BF)it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to ^(BG)suffer on His behalf, ³⁰experiencing the same ^(BH)conflict which ^(BI)you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Be like Christ

2 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any ^(BJ)fellowship of the Spirit, if any ^[y]^(BK)affection and compassion, ²^(BL)make my joy complete ^[z]by ^(BM)being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. ³Do nothing ^[aa]from ^[ab]^(BN)selfishness or ^(BO)empty conceit, but with humility ^(BP)consider one another as more important than yourselves; ⁴^(BQ)do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. ⁵^(BR)Have this attitude ^[ac]in yourselves which was also in ^(BS)Christ Jesus, ⁶who, as He already ^(BT)existed in the ^(BU)form of God, ^(BV)did not consider equality with God something to be ^[ad]grasped, ⁷but ^[ae]^(BW)emptied Himself by taking the form of a ^(BX)bond-servant and ^[af]^(BY)being born in the likeness of men. ⁸And being found in appearance as a man, ^(BZ)He humbled Himself by becoming ^(CA)obedient to the point of death: ^(CB)death ^[ag]on a cross. ⁹^(CC)For this reason also God ^(CD)highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him ^(CE)the name which is above every name, ¹⁰so that at the name of Jesus ^(CF)every knee will bow, of ^(CG)those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is ^(CH)Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

¹²So then, my beloved, ^(CI)just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own ^(CJ)salvation with ^(CK)fear and trembling; ¹³for it is ^(CL)God who is at work in you, both to ^[ah]desire and to work ^(CM)for His good pleasure.

¹⁴Do all things without ^(CN)complaining or arguments; ¹⁵so that you will ^[ai]prove yourselves to be ^(CO)blameless and innocent, ^(CP)children of God above reproach in the midst of a ^(CQ)crooked and perverse generation, among whom you ^[aj]^(CR)appear as ^[ak]lights in the world, ¹⁶holding firmly the word of life, so that on ^(CS)the day of Christ I can take pride because I did not ^(CT)run in vain nor ^(CU)labor in vain. ¹⁷But even if I am being ^(CV)poured out as a drink offering upon ^(CW)the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. ¹⁸You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

¹⁹But I hope, ^[al]in the Lord Jesus, to ^(CX)send ^(CY)Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. ²⁰For I have no one else ^(CZ)of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. ²¹For they all ^(DA)seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. ²²But you know ^(DB)of his proven character, that ^(DC)he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel ^(DD)like a child serving his father. ²³^(DE)Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; ²⁴and ^(DF)I trust in the Lord that I myself will also be coming shortly. ²⁵But I thought it necessary to send to you ^(DG)Epaphroditus, my brother and ^(DH)fellow worker and ^(DI)fellow soldier, who is also your ^[am]^(DJ)messenger and ^(DK)minister to my need, ²⁶because he was longing ^[an]for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. ²⁷For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly, so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. ²⁹^(DL)Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and ^(DM)hold people like him in high regard, ³⁰because he came close to death ^[ao]^(DN)for the work of Christ, risking his life to ^(DO)compensate ^[ap]for your absence in your service to me.

The Goal of Life

3 Finally, my brothers and sisters, ^(DP)rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble for me, and it is a safeguard for you.

²Beware of the ^(DQ)dogs, beware of the ^(DR)evil workers, beware of the ^[aq]false circumcision; ³for ^(DS)we are the true ^[ar]circumcision, who ^(DT)worship in the Spirit of God and take ^(DU)pride in ^(DV)Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh, ⁴although ^(DW)I myself could boast as having confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he is confident in the flesh, I have more reason: ⁵^(DX)circumcised the eighth day, of the ^(DY)nation of Israel, of the ^(DZ)tribe of Benjamin, a ^(EA)Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, ^(EB)a Pharisee; ⁶as to zeal, ^(EC)a persecutor of the church; as to the ^(ED)righteousness which is in the Law, found ^(EE)blameless.

⁷But ^(EF)whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ. ⁸More than that, I count all things to be loss ^[as]in view of the surpassing value of ^[at]^(EG)knowing ^(EH)Christ Jesus my Lord, ^[au]for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, ⁹and may be found in Him, not having ^(EI)a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, ^(EJ)the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, ¹⁰that I may ^(EK)know Him and ^(EL)the power of His resurrection and ^[av]^(EM)the fellowship of His sufferings, being ^(EN)conformed to His death; ¹¹if somehow I may ^(EO)attain to the resurrection from the dead.

¹²Not that I have already ^[aw]^(EP)grasped it all or have already ^(EQ)become perfect, but I press on if I may also ^(ER)take hold of that ^[ax]for which I ^(ES)was even taken hold of by ^(ET)Christ Jesus. ¹³Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: ^(EU)forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴I ^(EV)press on toward the goal for the prize of the ^(EW)upward call of God in ^(EX)Christ Jesus. ¹⁵Therefore, all who are ^[ay]^(EY)mature, let’s have this attitude; and if in anything you have a ^(EZ)different attitude, ^(FA)God will reveal that to you as well; ¹⁶however, let’s keep ^[az]^(FB)living by that same standard to which we have attained.

¹⁷Brothers and sisters, ^(FC)join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the ^(FD)pattern you have in us. ¹⁸For ^(FE)many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even as I ^(FF)weep, that they are the enemies of ^(FG)the cross of Christ, ¹⁹whose end is destruction, whose god is their ^[ba]^(FH)appetite, and whose ^(FI)glory is in their shame, who ^(FJ)have their minds on earthly things. ²⁰For ^(FK)our ^[bb]citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly ^(FL)wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; ²¹who will ^(FM)transform the body of our lowly condition into ^(FN)conformity with ^[bc]His ^(FO)glorious body, ^(FP)by the exertion of the power that He has even to ^(FQ)subject all things to Himself.

Think of Excellence

4 Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, ^[bd]whom I ^(FR)long to see, my joy and crown, ^(FS)stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

²I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to ^[be]^(FT)live in harmony in the Lord. ³Indeed, true ^[bf]companion, I ask you also, help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement as well as the rest of my ^(FU)fellow workers, whose ^(FV)names are in the book of life.

⁴^(FW)Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! ⁵Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. ^(FX)The Lord is ^[bg]near. ⁶^(FY)Do not ^[bh]be anxious about anything, but in everything by ^(FZ)prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And ^(GA)the peace of God, which surpasses all ^[bi]comprehension, will ^(GB)guard your hearts and ^(GC)minds in ^(GD)Christ Jesus.

⁸Finally, brothers and sisters, ^(GE)whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is ^[bj]lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen ^(GF)in me, practice these things, and ^(GG)the God of peace will be with you.

God’s Provisions

¹⁰But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last ^(GH)you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked an opportunity to act. ¹¹Not that I speak ^[bk]from need, for I have learned to be ^[bl]^(GI)content in whatever circumstances I am. ¹²I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going ^(GJ)hungry, both of having abundance and ^(GK)suffering need. ¹³I can do all things ^[bm]through Him who ^(GL)strengthens me. ¹⁴Nevertheless, you have done well to ^(GM)share with me in my difficulty.

¹⁵You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the ^[bn]^(GN)first preaching of the gospel, after I left ^(GO)Macedonia, no church ^(GP)shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone; ¹⁶for even in ^(GQ)Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. ¹⁷^(GR)Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek the ^[bo]profit which increases to your account. ¹⁸But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am ^[bp]amply supplied, having received from ^(GS)Epaphroditus ^[bq]what you have sent, ^[br]^(GT)a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹And ^(GU)my God will supply ^[bs]all your needs according to His ^(GV)riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰Now to ^(GW)our God and Father ^(GX)be the glory ^[bt]forever and ever. Amen.

²¹Greet every ^[bu]saint in Christ Jesus. ^(GY)The brothers who are with me greet you. ²²^(GZ)All the ^[bv]^(HA)saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

²³^(HB)The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ ^(HC)be with your spirit.

Footnotes

Philippians 1:1 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
Philippians 1:1 Lit with
Philippians 1:5 Or sharing in the preaching of the gospel
Philippians 1:6 Or in
Philippians 1:6 Lit until
Philippians 1:7 Lit Just as it is right
Philippians 1:7 Lit bonds
Philippians 1:7 Or partners in
Philippians 1:8 Lit inward parts
Philippians 1:10 Or approve the things that matter
Philippians 1:13 Lit bonds
Philippians 1:13 Or governor’s palace
Philippians 1:14 Or in the Lord, trusting because of
Philippians 1:14 Lit bonds
Philippians 1:15 Lit because of
Philippians 1:15 Lit because of
Philippians 1:17 Lit not sincerely
Philippians 1:17 Lit bonds
Philippians 1:19 Or salvation
Philippians 1:19 Lit supplication
Philippians 1:22 Or But if to live in the flesh, this will be fruitful labor for me, then I
Philippians 1:22 Lit what I shall choose
Philippians 1:25 Lit of
Philippians 1:27 Lit soul
Philippians 2:1 Lit inward parts
Philippians 2:2 Lit that you be
Philippians 2:3 Lit according to
Philippians 2:3 Or contentiousness
Philippians 2:5 Or among
Philippians 2:6 Or seized
Philippians 2:7 I.e., set aside His divine rights
Philippians 2:7 Or having come to be
Philippians 2:8 Lit of
Philippians 2:13 Or be willing
Philippians 2:15 Or become
Philippians 2:15 Or shine
Philippians 2:15 Or luminaries, stars
Philippians 2:19 Or trusting in
Philippians 2:25 Lit apostle
Philippians 2:26 One early ms to see you all
Philippians 2:30 Lit because of
Philippians 2:30 Lit your deficiency of service
Philippians 3:2 Lit mutilation; Gr katatome
Philippians 3:3 Gr peritome
Philippians 3:8 Lit because of
Philippians 3:8 Lit the knowledge of
Philippians 3:8 Lit because of
Philippians 3:10 Or participation in
Philippians 3:12 Or obtained
Philippians 3:12 Or because also
Philippians 3:15 Or perfect
Philippians 3:16 Lit following in line
Philippians 3:19 Lit belly
Philippians 3:20 Lit commonwealth
Philippians 3:21 Lit the body of His glory
Philippians 4:1 Lit and longed for
Philippians 4:2 Or be of the same mind
Philippians 4:3 Lit yokefellow
Philippians 4:5 Or at hand
Philippians 4:6 I.e., have anxiety
Philippians 4:7 Lit mind
Philippians 4:8 Or lovable and gracious
Philippians 4:11 Lit according to
Philippians 4:11 Or self-sufficient
Philippians 4:13 Lit in
Philippians 4:15 Lit beginning of
Philippians 4:17 Lit fruit
Philippians 4:18 Lit made full
Philippians 4:18 Lit the things from you
Philippians 4:18 Lit an odor of fragrance
Philippians 4:19 Or every need of yours
Philippians 4:20 Lit to the ages of the ages
Philippians 4:21 Or holy one; i.e., God’s people
Philippians 4:22 See note v 21

Philippians 1-4

New International Version

1 Paul and Timothy,^(A) servants of Christ Jesus,

To all God’s holy people^(B) in Christ Jesus at Philippi,^(C) together with the overseers^(D) and deacons^[a]:^(E)

²Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.^(F)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³I thank my God every time I remember you.^(G) ⁴In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray^(H) with joy ⁵because of your partnership^(I) in the gospel from the first day^(J) until now, ⁶being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion^(K) until the day of Christ Jesus.^(L)

⁷It is right^(M) for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart^(N) and, whether I am in chains^(O) or defending^(P) and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸God can testify^(Q) how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

⁹And this is my prayer: that your love^(R) may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,^(S) ¹⁰so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,^(T) ¹¹filled with the fruit of righteousness^(U) that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel

¹²Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,^[b] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. ¹³As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard^[c] and to everyone else that I am in chains^(V) for Christ. ¹⁴And because of my chains,^(W) most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.^(X)

¹⁵It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. ¹⁶The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.^(Y) ¹⁷The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition,^(Z) not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.^(AA) ¹⁸But 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, ¹⁹for I know that through your prayers^(AB) and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ^(AC) what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.^[d]^(AD) ²⁰I eagerly expect^(AE) and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage^(AF) so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body,^(AG) whether by life or by death.^(AH) ²¹For to me, to live is Christ^(AI) and to die is gain. ²²If 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! ²³I am torn between the two: I desire to depart^(AJ) and be with Christ,^(AK) which is better by far; ²⁴but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. ²⁵Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Life Worthy of the Gospel

²⁷Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy^(AL) 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^(AM) in the one Spirit,^[e] striving together^(AN) as one for the faith of the gospel ²⁸without 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. ²⁹For it has been granted to you^(AO) on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer^(AP) for him, ³⁰since you are going through the same struggle^(AQ) you saw^(AR) I had, and now hear^(AS) that I still have.

Imitating Christ’s Humility

2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,^(AT) if any tenderness and compassion,^(AU) ²then make my joy complete^(AV) by being like-minded,^(AW) having the same love, being one^(AX) in spirit and of one mind. ³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.^(AY) Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,^(AZ) ⁴not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.^(BA)

⁵In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:^(BB)

⁶Who, being in very nature^[f] God,^(BC)
    did not consider equality with God^(BD) something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷rather, he made himself nothing^(BE)
    by taking the very nature^[g] of a servant,^(BF)
    being made in human likeness.^(BG)
⁸And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death^(BH)—
        even death on a cross!^(BI)

⁹Therefore God exalted him^(BJ) to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,^(BK)
¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,^(BL)
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,^(BM)
¹¹and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,^(BN)
    to the glory of God the Father.

Do Everything Without Grumbling

¹²Therefore, 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,^(BO) ¹³for it is God who works in you^(BP) to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.^(BQ)

¹⁴Do everything without grumbling^(BR) or arguing, ¹⁵so that you may become blameless^(BS) and pure, “children of God^(BT) without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”^[h]^(BU) Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ^(BV) that I did not run^(BW) or labor in vain.^(BX) ¹⁷But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering^(BY) on the sacrifice^(BZ) and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.^(CA) ¹⁸So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

¹⁹I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy^(CB) to you soon,^(CC) that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. ²⁰I have no one else like him,^(CD) who will show genuine concern for your welfare. ²¹For everyone looks out for their own interests,^(CE) not those of Jesus Christ. ²²But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father^(CF) he has served with me in the work of the gospel. ²³I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.^(CG) ²⁴And I am confident^(CH) in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

²⁵But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker^(CI) and fellow soldier,^(CJ) who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.^(CK) ²⁶For he longs for all of you^(CL) and is distressed because you heard he was ill. ²⁷Indeed 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. ²⁸Therefore I am all the more eager to send him,^(CM) so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. ²⁹So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,^(CN) ³⁰because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.^(CO)

No Confidence in the Flesh

3 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again,^(CP) and it is a safeguard for you. ²Watch out for those dogs,^(CQ) those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. ³For it is we who are the circumcision,^(CR) we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus,^(CS) and who put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴though I myself have reasons for such confidence.^(CT)

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵circumcised^(CU) on the eighth day, of the people of Israel,^(CV) of the tribe of Benjamin,^(CW) a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;^(CX) ⁶as for zeal,^(CY) persecuting the church;^(CZ) as for righteousness based on the law,^(DA) faultless.

⁷But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss^(DB) for the sake of Christ. ⁸What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing^(DC) Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ^(DD) ⁹and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,^(DE) but that which is through faith in^[i] Christ—the righteousness^(DF) that comes from God on the basis of faith.^(DG) ¹⁰I want to know^(DH) Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings,^(DI) becoming like him in his death,^(DJ) ¹¹and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection^(DK) from the dead.

¹²Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,^(DL) but I press on to take hold^(DM) of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.^(DN) ¹³Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind^(DO) and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on^(DP) toward the goal to win the prize^(DQ) for which God has called^(DR) me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Following Paul’s Example

¹⁵All of us, then, who are mature^(DS) should take such a view of things.^(DT) And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.^(DU) ¹⁶Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

¹⁷Join together in following my example,^(DV) brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.^(DW) ¹⁸For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears,^(DX) many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.^(DY) ¹⁹Their destiny^(DZ) is destruction, their god is their stomach,^(EA) and their glory is in their shame.^(EB) Their mind is set on earthly things.^(EC) ²⁰But our citizenship^(ED) is in heaven.^(EE) And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,^(EF) ²¹who, by the power^(EG) that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies^(EH) so that they will be like his glorious body.^(EI)

Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity

4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for,^(EJ) my joy and crown, stand firm^(EK) in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

²I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind^(EL) in the Lord. ³Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers,^(EM) whose names are in the book of life.^(EN)

Final Exhortations

⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!^(EO) ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.^(EP) ⁶Do not be anxious about anything,^(EQ) but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.^(ER) ⁷And the peace of God,^(ES) which transcends all understanding,^(ET) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. ⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.^(EU) And the God of peace^(EV) will be with you.

Thanks for Their Gifts

¹⁰I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.^(EW) Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content^(EX) whatever the circumstances. ¹²I 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,^(EY) whether living in plenty or in want.^(EZ) ¹³I can do all this through him who gives me strength.^(FA)

¹⁴Yet it was good of you to share^(FB) in my troubles. ¹⁵Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days^(FC) of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia,^(FD) not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;^(FE) ¹⁶for even when I was in Thessalonica,^(FF) you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.^(FG) ¹⁷Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.^(FH) ¹⁸I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus^(FI) the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant^(FJ) offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹And my God will meet all your needs^(FK) according to the riches of his glory^(FL) in Christ Jesus.

²⁰To our God and Father^(FM) be glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(FN)

Final Greetings

²¹Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me^(FO) send greetings. ²²All God’s people^(FP) here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.

²³The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ^(FQ) be with your spirit.^(FR) Amen.^[j]

Footnotes

Philippians 1:1 The word deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in Romans 16:1 and 1 Tim. 3:8,12.
Philippians 1:12 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 14; and in 3:1, 13, 17; 4:1, 8, 21.
Philippians 1:13 Or whole palace
Philippians 1:19 Or vindication; or salvation
Philippians 1:27 Or in one spirit
Philippians 2:6 Or in the form of
Philippians 2:7 Or the form
Philippians 2:15 Deut. 32:5
Philippians 3:9 Or through the faithfulness of
Philippians 4:23 Some manuscripts do not have Amen.

Colossians 1-4

New American Standard Bible

Thankfulness for Spiritual Attainments

1 ^(A)Paul, ^(B)an apostle of Christ Jesus ^[a]^(C)by the will of God, and ^(D)Timothy ^[b]our brother,

²To the ^[c]^(E)saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who are at Colossae: ^(F)Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

³^(G)We ^[d]give thanks to God, ^(H)the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, ⁴^(I)since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the ^(J)love which you have ^[e]for ^(K)all the ^[f]saints; ⁵because of the ^(L)hope ^(M)reserved for you in ^[g]heaven, of which you previously ^(N)heard in the word of truth, ^[h]the gospel ⁶which has come to you, just as ^[i]^(O)in all the world also it is bearing ^(P)fruit and ^[j]increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you ^(Q)heard it and ^[k]understood the grace of God in truth; ⁷just as you learned it from ^(R)Epaphras, our ^(S)beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, ⁸and he also informed us of your ^(T)love in the Spirit.

⁹For this reason we also, ^(U)since the day we heard about it, ^(V)have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the ^[l]^(W)knowledge of His will in all spiritual ^(X)wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰so that you will ^(Y)walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, ^[m]^(Z)to please Him in all respects, ^(AA)bearing fruit in every good work and ^[n]increasing in the ^[o]knowledge of God; ¹¹^(AB)strengthened with all power, according to ^[p]His glorious might, ^[q]for the attaining of all perseverance and ^[r]patience; ^(AC)joyously ¹²giving thanks to ^(AD)the Father, who has qualified us ^[s]to share in ^(AE)the inheritance of the ^[t]saints in ^(AF)light.

The Incomparable Christ

¹³^[u]For He rescued us from the ^[v]^(AG)domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of ^[w]^(AH)His beloved Son, ¹⁴^(AI)in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

¹⁵^[x]He is the ^(AJ)image of the ^(AK)invisible God, the ^(AL)firstborn of all creation: ¹⁶for ^[y]^(AM)by Him all things were created, ^(AN)both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether ^(AO)thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—^(AP)all things have been created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷He ^[z]^(AQ)is before all things, and in Him all things ^[aa]hold together. ¹⁸He is also the ^(AR)head of ^(AS)the body, the church; and He is ^(AT)the beginning, ^(AU)the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. ¹⁹For ^[ab]it was ^(AV)the Father’s good pleasure for all ^(AW)the ^[ac]fullness to dwell in Him, ²⁰and through Him to ^(AX)reconcile all things to Himself, ^(AY)whether things on earth or things in ^[ad]heaven, having made ^(AZ)peace through ^(BA)the blood of His cross.

²¹And although you were ^(BB)previously alienated and hostile in attitude, engaged in evil deeds, ²²yet He has now ^(BC)reconciled you in His ^(BD)body of flesh through death, in order to ^(BE)present you before Him ^(BF)holy and blameless and beyond reproach— ²³if indeed you continue in ^[ae]the faith firmly ^(BG)established and steadfast, and not shifting from the ^(BH)hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed ^(BI)in all creation under heaven, ^(BJ)and of which I, Paul, ^[af]was made a ^[ag]^(BK)minister.

²⁴^(BL)Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh ^(BM)I am supplementing what is lacking ^[ah]in Christ’s afflictions in behalf of ^(BN)His body, which is the church. ²⁵^(BO)I ^[ai]was made a minister of this church according to the ^(BP)commission from God granted to me for your benefit, so that I might ^[aj]fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, ²⁶that is, ^(BQ)the mystery which had been hidden from the past ages and generations, but now has been revealed to His ^[ak]saints, ²⁷to whom ^(BR)God willed to make known what ^(BS)the wealth of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles is, the mystery that is ^(BT)Christ in you, the ^(BU)hope of glory. ²⁸We proclaim Him, ^(BV)admonishing every person and teaching every person ^[al]with all ^(BW)wisdom, so that we may ^(BX)present every person ^[am]^(BY)complete in Christ. ²⁹For this purpose I also ^(BZ)labor, ^(CA)striving ^(CB)according to His ^[an]power which ^[ao]works mightily within me.

You Are Built Up in Christ

2 For I want you to know how great a ^(CC)struggle I have in your behalf and for those who are at ^(CD)Laodicea, and for all those who have not ^[ap]personally seen my face, ²that their ^(CE)hearts may be encouraged, having been ^(CF)knit together in love, and that they would attain to all ^(CG)the wealth ^[aq]that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a ^(CH)true knowledge of ^(CI)God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, ³in whom are hidden all ^(CJ)the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴^(CK)I say this so that no one will deceive you with ^(CL)persuasive arguments. ⁵For even though I am ^(CM)absent in body, I am nevertheless with you in spirit, rejoicing ^[ar]to see ^[as]your ^(CN)orderly manner and the ^(CO)stability of your faith in Christ.

⁶Therefore, as you have received ^(CP)Christ Jesus the Lord, so ^[at]^(CQ)walk in Him, ⁷having been firmly ^(CR)rooted and now being ^(CS)built up in Him and ^(CT)established ^[au]in ^[av]your faith, just as you ^(CU)were instructed, and overflowing ^[aw]with gratitude.

⁸^(CV)See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through ^(CW)philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the ^(CX)elementary principles of the world, ^[ax]rather than in accordance with Christ. ⁹For in Him all the ^(CY)fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, ¹⁰and in Him you have been ^(CZ)made ^[ay]complete, and ^(DA)He is the head ^[az]over every ^(DB)ruler and authority; ¹¹and in Him ^(DC)you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands, in the removal of ^(DD)the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, ¹²having been ^(DE)buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also ^(DF)raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who ^(DG)raised Him from the dead. ¹³And ^[ba]when you were ^(DH)dead ^[bb]in your wrongdoings and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He ^(DI)made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our wrongdoings, ¹⁴having canceled ^(DJ)the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and ^(DK)He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. ¹⁵When He had ^[bc]^(DL)disarmed the ^(DM)rulers and authorities, He ^(DN)made a public display of them, having ^(DO)triumphed over them through ^[bd]Him.

¹⁶Therefore, no one is to ^[be]^(DP)act as your judge in regard to ^(DQ)food and ^(DR)drink, or in respect to a ^(DS)festival or a ^(DT)new moon, or a ^(DU)Sabbath ^[bf]day— ¹⁷things which are only a ^(DV)shadow of what is to come; but the ^[bg]substance ^[bh]belongs to Christ. ¹⁸Take care that no one keeps ^[bi]^(DW)defrauding you of your prize by ^(DX)delighting in humility and the worship of the angels, ^[bj]taking his stand on visions he has seen, ^[bk]^(DY)inflated without cause by his ^(DZ)fleshly mind, ¹⁹and not holding firmly to ^(EA)the head, from whom ^(EB)the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ^[bl]ligaments, grows with a growth ^[bm]which is from God.

²⁰^(EC)If you have died with Christ ^[bn]to the ^(ED)elementary principles of the world, ^(EE)why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to ^(EF)decrees, such as, ²¹“Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” ²²(which all refer ^(EG)to things destined to perish ^[bo]with use)—in accordance with the ^(EH)commandments and teachings of man? ²³These are matters which do have the ^[bp]appearance of wisdom in ^[bq]^(EI)self-made religion and humility and ^(EJ)severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against ^(EK)fleshly indulgence.

Put On the New Self

3 Therefore, if you have been ^(EL)raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, ^(EM)seated at the right hand of God. ²^[br]^(EN)Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. ³For you have ^(EO)died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ, ^(EP)who is our life, is revealed, ^(EQ)then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

⁵^(ER)Therefore, ^[bs]treat ^(ES)the parts of your earthly body as dead to ^(ET)sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which ^[bt]amounts to idolatry. ⁶For it is because of these things that ^(EU)the wrath of God is coming ^[bu]upon the ^[bv]sons of disobedience, ⁷and ^(EV)in them you also once walked, when you were living ^[bw]in them. ⁸But now you also, ^(EW)rid yourselves of all of them: ^(EX)anger, wrath, malice, slander, and ^(EY)obscene speech from your mouth. ⁹^[bx]^(EZ)Do not lie to one another, since you ^(FA)stripped off the old ^[by]self with its evil practices, ¹⁰and have ^(FB)put on the new self, which is being ^[bz]^(FC)renewed to a true knowledge ^(FD)according to the image of the One who ^(FE)created it— ¹¹a renewal in which ^(FF)there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, ^(FG)circumcised and uncircumcised, ^[ca]^(FH)barbarian, ^[cb]Scythian, ^(FI)slave, and free, but ^(FJ)Christ is all, and in all.

¹²So, as those who have been ^(FK)chosen of God, holy and beloved, ^(FL)put on a ^(FM)heart of compassion, kindness, ^(FN)humility, gentleness, and ^[cc]^(FO)patience; ¹³^(FP)bearing with one another, and ^(FQ)forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; ^(FR)just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. ¹⁴In addition to all these things put on love, which is ^[cd]^(FS)the perfect bond of ^(FT)unity. ¹⁵Let ^(FU)the peace of Christ, to which you were ^[ce]indeed called in ^(FV)one body, ^[cf]rule in your hearts; and ^[cg]be thankful. ¹⁶Let ^(FW)the word of ^[ch]Christ richly dwell within you, ^[ci]with all wisdom ^(FX)teaching and admonishing ^[cj]one another ^(FY)with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, ^(FZ)singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷^(GA)Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, ^(GB)giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Family Relations

¹⁸^(GC)Wives, ^(GD)be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹^(GE)Husbands, love your wives and do not become bitter against them. ²⁰^(GF)Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing ^[ck]to the Lord. ²¹^(GG)Fathers, do not ^[cl]antagonize your children, so that they will not become discouraged.

²²^[cm]^(GH)Slaves, obey those who are your ^[cn]human masters in everything, ^(GI)not with ^[co]eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. ²³Whatever you do, do your work ^[cp]heartily, ^(GJ)as for the Lord and not for people, ²⁴^(GK)knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward ^[cq]of ^(GL)the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you ^(GM)serve. ²⁵For ^(GN)the one who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and ^[cr]^(GO)that without partiality.

4 Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, ^(GP)knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

²^(GQ)Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; ³praying at the same time ^(GR)for us as well, that God will open up to us a ^(GS)door for ^(GT)the word, so that we may proclaim ^(GU)the mystery of Christ, for which I have also ^(GV)been imprisoned; ⁴that I may make it clear ^(GW)in the way that I ought to proclaim it.

⁵^[cs]^(GX)Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward ^(GY)outsiders, ^[ct]^(GZ)making the most of the opportunity. ⁶^(HA)Your speech must always be ^[cu]with grace, as though seasoned with ^(HB)salt, so that you will know how you should ^(HC)respond to each person.

⁷^(HD)As to all my affairs, ^(HE)Tychicus, our ^(HF)beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. ⁸^(HG)For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may ^(HH)encourage your hearts; ⁹^[cv]and with him is ^(HI)Onesimus, our faithful and ^(HJ)beloved brother, ^(HK)who is one of your own. They will inform you about the whole situation here.

¹⁰^(HL)Aristarchus, my ^(HM)fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also ^(HN)Barnabas’ cousin Mark (about whom you received ^[cw]instructions; ^(HO)if he comes to you, welcome him); ¹¹and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only ^(HP)fellow workers for the kingdom of God ^(HQ)who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. ¹²^(HR)Epaphras, ^(HS)who is one of your own, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always ^(HT)striving earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may ^[cx]stand ^[cy]^(HU)mature and ^[cz]fully assured in all the will of God. ¹³For I testify for him that he has ^[da]a deep concern for you and for those who are in ^(HV)Laodicea and Hierapolis. ¹⁴^(HW)Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and ^(HX)Demas does also. ¹⁵Greet the brothers and sisters who are in ^(HY)Laodicea and also ^[db]Nympha and ^(HZ)the church that is in ^[dc]her house. ¹⁶^(IA)When ^[dd]this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part, ^(IB)read ^[de]my letter that is coming from ^(IC)Laodicea. ¹⁷Tell ^(ID)Archippus, “See to the ^(IE)ministry which you have received in the Lord, so that you may ^[df]fulfill it.”

¹⁸^[dg]I, Paul, ^(IF)write this greeting with my own hand. ^(IG)Remember my ^[dh]^(IH)imprisonment. ^(II)Grace be with you.

Footnotes

Colossians 1:1 Lit through
Colossians 1:1 Lit the
Colossians 1:2 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
Colossians 1:3 Or always give...praying for you
Colossians 1:4 Or toward
Colossians 1:4 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
Colossians 1:5 Lit the heavens
Colossians 1:5 Or of the gospel
Colossians 1:6 Or it is in all the world also, bearing
Colossians 1:6 Or spreading abroad
Colossians 1:6 Or came to fully know
Colossians 1:9 Or real knowledge
Colossians 1:10 Lit unto all pleasing
Colossians 1:10 Or growing by the knowledge
Colossians 1:10 Or real knowledge
Colossians 1:11 Lit the might of His glory
Colossians 1:11 Lit unto all
Colossians 1:11 Or patience with joy
Colossians 1:12 Lit unto the portion of
Colossians 1:12 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
Colossians 1:13 Lit Who rescued
Colossians 1:13 Lit authority
Colossians 1:13 Lit the Son of His love
Colossians 1:15 Lit Who is
Colossians 1:16 Or in
Colossians 1:17 Or has existed prior to
Colossians 1:17 Or endure
Colossians 1:19 Or all the fullness was pleased to dwell
Colossians 1:19 I.e., fullness of deity
Colossians 1:20 Lit the heavens
Colossians 1:23 Or in faith
Colossians 1:23 Lit became
Colossians 1:23 Or servant
Colossians 1:24 Lit of
Colossians 1:25 Lit became
Colossians 1:25 Lit make full the word of God
Colossians 1:26 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
Colossians 1:28 Lit in
Colossians 1:28 Or perfect
Colossians 1:29 Lit working
Colossians 1:29 Lit in power
Colossians 2:1 Lit in the flesh
Colossians 2:2 Lit of the full assurance
Colossians 2:5 Lit and seeing
Colossians 2:5 Or your good order
Colossians 2:6 Or lead your life
Colossians 2:7 Or by
Colossians 2:7 Or the faith
Colossians 2:7 One early ms in it with
Colossians 2:8 Lit and not
Colossians 2:10 Lit full
Colossians 2:10 Lit of
Colossians 2:13 Or although
Colossians 2:13 Or by reason of
Colossians 2:15 Or divested Himself of
Colossians 2:15 Or it; i.e., the cross
Colossians 2:16 Lit judge you
Colossians 2:16 Or days
Colossians 2:17 Lit body
Colossians 2:17 Lit of Christ
Colossians 2:18 Or deciding against you
Colossians 2:18 Or going into detail about
Colossians 2:18 Or conceited
Colossians 2:19 Lit bonds
Colossians 2:19 Lit of God
Colossians 2:20 Lit from
Colossians 2:22 Or by being consumed
Colossians 2:23 Lit report; Gr logos
Colossians 2:23 Or would-be religion
Colossians 3:2 Or Be intent on
Colossians 3:5 Lit put to death the parts of your body which are upon the earth
Colossians 3:5 Lit is
Colossians 3:6 Two early mss do not contain upon the sons of disobedience
Colossians 3:6 I.e., people opposed to God
Colossians 3:7 Or among these
Colossians 3:9 Or Stop lying
Colossians 3:9 Lit person
Colossians 3:10 Lit renovated
Colossians 3:11 I.e., uncultured
Colossians 3:11 I.e., a member of an ancient people near the Black Sea, often considered unrefined
Colossians 3:12 I.e., forbearance toward others
Colossians 3:14 Lit the uniting bond of perfection
Colossians 3:15 Or also
Colossians 3:15 Or be in control in
Colossians 3:15 Or show yourselves thankful
Colossians 3:16 One early ms the Lord
Colossians 3:16 Or in
Colossians 3:16 Or one another, singing with psalms...
Colossians 3:20 Lit in
Colossians 3:21 Or provoke to anger
Colossians 3:22 I.e., slaves in first-century Roman culture
Colossians 3:22 Lit masters according to flesh
Colossians 3:22 I.e., working only when watched
Colossians 3:23 Lit from the soul
Colossians 3:24 I.e., consisting of
Colossians 3:25 Lit there is no partiality
Colossians 4:5 Lit Walk
Colossians 4:5 Lit redeeming the time
Colossians 4:6 Or gracious
Colossians 4:9 Lit along with Onesimus
Colossians 4:10 Or orders
Colossians 4:12 Or stand firm
Colossians 4:12 Or fully developed
Colossians 4:12 Or made complete
Colossians 4:13 Or much toil; or great pain
Colossians 4:15 Or Nymphas (masc)
Colossians 4:15 One early ms their
Colossians 4:16 Lit the
Colossians 4:16 Lit the
Colossians 4:17 Or continually fulfill
Colossians 4:18 Lit The greeting by my hand of Paul
Colossians 4:18 Lit bonds

Colossians 1-4

New International Version

1 Paul, an apostle^(A) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,^(B) and Timothy^(C) our brother,

²To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters^[a] in Christ:

Grace^(D) and peace to you from God our Father.^[b]^(E)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³We always thank God,^(F) the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love^(G) you have for all God’s people^(H)— ⁵the faith and love that spring from the hope^(I) stored up for you in heaven^(J) and about which you have already heard in the true message^(K) of the gospel ⁶that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit^(L) and growing throughout the whole world^(M)—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. ⁷You learned it from Epaphras,^(N) our dear fellow servant,^[c] who is a faithful minister^(O) of Christ on our^[d] behalf, ⁸and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.^(P)

⁹For this reason, since the day we heard about you,^(Q) we have not stopped praying for you.^(R) We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will^(S) through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,^[e]^(T) ¹⁰so that you may live a life worthy^(U) of the Lord and please him^(V) in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,^(W) ¹¹being strengthened with all power^(X) according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,^(Y) ¹²and giving joyful thanks to the Father,^(Z) who has qualified you^[f] to share in the inheritance^(AA) of his holy people in the kingdom of light.^(AB) ¹³For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness^(AC) and brought us into the kingdom^(AD) of the Son he loves,^(AE) ¹⁴in whom we have redemption,^(AF) the forgiveness of sins.^(AG)

The Supremacy of the Son of God

¹⁵The Son is the image^(AH) of the invisible God,^(AI) the firstborn^(AJ) over all creation. ¹⁶For in him all things were created:^(AK) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;^(AL) all things have been created through him and for him.^(AM) ¹⁷He is before all things,^(AN) and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸And he is the head^(AO) of the body, the church;^(AP) he is the beginning and the firstborn^(AQ) from among the dead,^(AR) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹For God was pleased^(AS) to have all his fullness^(AT) dwell in him, ²⁰and through him to reconcile^(AU) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,^(AV) by making peace^(AW) through his blood,^(AX) shed on the cross.

²¹Once you were alienated from God and were enemies^(AY) in your minds^(AZ) because of^[g] your evil behavior. ²²But now he has reconciled^(BA) you by Christ’s physical body^(BB) through death to present you^(BC) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation^(BD)— ²³if you continue^(BE) in your faith, established^(BF) and firm, and do not move from the hope^(BG) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,^(BH) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.^(BI)

Paul’s Labor for the Church

²⁴Now I rejoice^(BJ) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,^(BK) for the sake of his body, which is the church.^(BL) ²⁵I have become its servant^(BM) by the commission God gave me^(BN) to present to you the word of God^(BO) in its fullness— ²⁶the mystery^(BP) that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷To them God has chosen to make known^(BQ) among the Gentiles the glorious riches^(BR) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,^(BS) the hope of glory.

²⁸He is the one we proclaim, admonishing^(BT) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,^(BU) so that we may present everyone fully mature^(BV) in Christ. ²⁹To this end I strenuously^(BW) contend^(BX) with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.^(BY)

2 I want you to know how hard I am contending^(BZ) for you and for those at Laodicea,^(CA) and for all who have not met me personally. ²My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart^(CB) and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery^(CC) of God, namely, Christ, ³in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.^(CD) ⁴I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.^(CE) ⁵For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit^(CF) and delight to see how disciplined^(CG) you are and how firm^(CH) your faith in Christ^(CI) is.

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

⁶So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,^(CJ) continue to live your lives in him, ⁷rooted^(CK) and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught,^(CL) and overflowing with thankfulness.

⁸See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,^(CM) which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces^[h] of this world^(CN) rather than on Christ.

⁹For in Christ all the fullness^(CO) of the Deity lives in bodily form, ¹⁰and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head^(CP) over every power and authority.^(CQ) ¹¹In him you were also circumcised^(CR) with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh^[i]^(CS) was put off when you were circumcised by^[j] Christ, ¹²having been buried with him in baptism,^(CT) in which you were also raised with him^(CU) through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.^(CV)

¹³When you were dead in your sins^(CW) and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you^[k] alive^(CX) with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,^(CY) ¹⁴having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness,^(CZ) which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.^(DA) ¹⁵And having disarmed the powers and authorities,^(DB) he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them^(DC) by the cross.^[l]

Freedom From Human Rules

¹⁶Therefore do not let anyone judge you^(DD) by what you eat or drink,^(DE) or with regard to a religious festival,^(DF) a New Moon celebration^(DG) or a Sabbath day.^(DH) ¹⁷These are a shadow of the things that were to come;^(DI) the reality, however, is found in Christ. ¹⁸Do not let anyone who delights in false humility^(DJ) and the worship of angels disqualify you.^(DK) Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. ¹⁹They have lost connection with the head,^(DL) from whom the whole body,^(DM) supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.^(DN)

²⁰Since you died with Christ^(DO) to the elemental spiritual forces of this world,^(DP) why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:^(DQ) ²¹“Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? ²²These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish^(DR) with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.^(DS) ²³Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility^(DT) and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,^(DU) set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.^(DV) ²Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.^(DW) ³For you died,^(DX) and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ, who is your^[m] life,^(DY) appears,^(DZ) then you also will appear with him in glory.^(EA)

⁵Put to death,^(EB) therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:^(EC) sexual immorality,^(ED) impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,^(EE) which is idolatry.^(EF) ⁶Because of these, the wrath of God^(EG) is coming.^[n] ⁷You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.^(EH) ⁸But now you must also rid yourselves^(EI) of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,^(EJ) and filthy language from your lips.^(EK) ⁹Do not lie to each other,^(EL) since you have taken off your old self^(EM) with its practices ¹⁰and have put on the new self,^(EN) which is being renewed^(EO) in knowledge in the image of its Creator.^(EP) ¹¹Here there is no Gentile or Jew,^(EQ) circumcised or uncircumcised,^(ER) barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,^(ES) but Christ is all,^(ET) and is in all.

¹²Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves^(EU) with compassion, kindness, humility,^(EV) gentleness and patience.^(EW) ¹³Bear with each other^(EX) and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.^(EY) ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love,^(EZ) which binds them all together in perfect unity.^(FA)

¹⁵Let the peace of Christ^(FB) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body^(FC) you were called to peace.^(FD) And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the message of Christ^(FE) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom^(FF) through psalms,^(FG) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.^(FH) ¹⁷And whatever you do,^(FI) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks^(FJ) to God the Father through him.

Instructions for Christian Households^(FK)

¹⁸Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands,^(FL) as is fitting in the Lord.

¹⁹Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

²⁰Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

²¹Fathers,^[o] do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

²²Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. ²³Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, ²⁴since you know that you will receive an inheritance^(FM) from the Lord as a reward.^(FN) It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ²⁵Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.^(FO)

4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,^(FP) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

²Devote yourselves to prayer,^(FQ) being watchful and thankful. ³And pray for us, too, that God may open a door^(FR) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery^(FS) of Christ, for which I am in chains.^(FT) ⁴Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵Be wise^(FU) in the way you act toward outsiders;^(FV) make the most of every opportunity.^(FW) ⁶Let your conversation be always full of grace,^(FX) seasoned with salt,^(FY) so that you may know how to answer everyone.^(FZ)

Final Greetings

⁷Tychicus^(GA) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant^[p]^(GB) in the Lord. ⁸I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our^[q] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.^(GC) ⁹He is coming with Onesimus,^(GD) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.^(GE) They will tell you everything that is happening here.

¹⁰My fellow prisoner Aristarchus^(GF) sends you his greetings, as does Mark,^(GG) the cousin of Barnabas.^(GH) (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) ¹¹Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews^[r] among my co-workers^(GI) for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. ¹²Epaphras,^(GJ) who is one of you^(GK) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,^(GL) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature^(GM) and fully assured. ¹³I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea^(GN) and Hierapolis. ¹⁴Our dear friend Luke,^(GO) the doctor, and Demas^(GP) send greetings. ¹⁵Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,^(GQ) and to Nympha and the church in her house.^(GR)

¹⁶After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read^(GS) in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

¹⁷Tell Archippus:^(GT) “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”^(GU)

¹⁸I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.^(GV) Remember^(GW) my chains.^(GX) Grace be with you.^(GY)

Footnotes

Colossians 1:2 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 4:15.
Colossians 1:2 Some manuscripts Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Colossians 1:7 Or slave
Colossians 1:7 Some manuscripts your
Colossians 1:9 Or all spiritual wisdom and understanding
Colossians 1:12 Some manuscripts us
Colossians 1:21 Or minds, as shown by
Colossians 2:8 Or the basic principles; also in verse 20
Colossians 2:11 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verse 13.
Colossians 2:11 Or put off in the circumcision of
Colossians 2:13 Some manuscripts us
Colossians 2:15 Or them in him
Colossians 3:4 Some manuscripts our
Colossians 3:6 Some early manuscripts coming on those who are disobedient
Colossians 3:21 Or Parents
Colossians 4:7 Or slave; also in verse 12
Colossians 4:8 Some manuscripts that he may know about your
Colossians 4:11 Greek only ones of the circumcision group

1 Thessalonians 1-3

New American Standard Bible

Giving Thanks for These Believers

1 ^(A)Paul, ^(B)Silvanus, and ^(C)Timothy,

To the ^(D)church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: ^(E)Grace to you and peace.

²^(F)We always give thanks to God for all of you, ^(G)making mention of you in our prayers; ³constantly keeping in mind your ^(H)work of faith and labor of ^(I)love and ^[a]^(J)perseverance of hope ^[b]in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of ^(K)our God and Father, ⁴knowing, ^(L)brothers and sisters, beloved by God, ^(M)His choice of you; ⁵for our ^(N)gospel did not come to you in word only, but also ^(O)in power and in the Holy Spirit and with ^(P)full conviction; just as you know ^(Q)what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sakes. ⁶You also became ^(R)imitators of us and of the Lord, ^(S)having received ^(T)the word during great affliction with the ^(U)joy of the Holy Spirit, ⁷so that you became an example to all the believers in ^(V)Macedonia and ^(W)Achaia. ⁸For ^(X)the word of the Lord has ^(Y)sounded forth from you, not only in ^(Z)Macedonia and ^(AA)Achaia, but ^(AB)in every place the news of your faith toward God has gone out, so that we have no need to say anything. ⁹For they themselves report about us ^[c]as to the kind of ^(AC)reception we had with you, and how you ^(AD)turned to God ^(AE)from ^[d]idols to serve ^[e]^(AF)a living and true God, ¹⁰and to ^(AG)wait for His Son from ^[f]heaven, whom He ^(AH)raised from the dead, that is, Jesus who ^(AI)rescues us from ^(AJ)the wrath to come.

Paul’s Ministry

2 For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our ^[g]^(AK)reception among you ^(AL)was not in vain, ²but after we had already suffered and been ^(AM)treated abusively in ^(AN)Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God ^(AO)to speak to you the ^(AP)gospel of God ^[h]amid much ^[i]^(AQ)opposition. ³For our ^(AR)exhortation does not come from ^(AS)error or ^(AT)impurity or ^[j]by way of ^(AU)deceit; ⁴^(AV)but just as we have been approved by God to be ^(AW)entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, ^(AX)not intending to please people, but to please God, who ^[k]^(AY)examines our hearts. ⁵For we never came ^[l]with flattering speech, as you know, nor with ^(AZ)a pretext ^[m]for greed—^(BA)God is our witness— ⁶nor did we ^(BB)seek honor from people, either from you or from others, though ^[n]we could have ^[o]asserted our authority as ^(BC)apostles of Christ. ⁷But we ^[p]proved to be ^[q]^(BD)gentle ^[r]among you. ^(BE)As a nursing mother ^[s]tenderly cares for her own children, ⁸in the same way we had a fond affection for you and were delighted to ^(BF)share with you not only the ^(BG)gospel of God, but also our own ^[t]lives, because you had become ^[u]very dear to us.

⁹For you recall, brothers and sisters, our ^(BH)labor and hardship: it was by ^(BI)working night and day so as not to be a ^(BJ)burden to any of you, that we proclaimed to you the ^(BK)gospel of God. ¹⁰You are witnesses, and so is ^(BL)God, of ^(BM)how devoutly and rightly and blamelessly we ^[v]behaved toward you ^[w]believers; ¹¹just as you know how we were ^(BN)exhorting and encouraging and ^(BO)imploring each one of you as ^(BP)a father would his own children, ¹²so that you would ^(BQ)walk in a manner worthy of the God who ^(BR)calls you into His own kingdom and ^(BS)glory.

¹³For this reason we also constantly ^(BT)thank God that when you received the ^(BU)word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it ^(BV)not as the word of mere men, but as what it really is, the word of God, ^(BW)which also is at work in you who believe. ¹⁴For you, brothers and sisters, became ^(BX)imitators of ^(BY)the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are ^(BZ)in Judea, for ^(CA)you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, ^(CB)even as they did from the Jews, ¹⁵^(CC)who both killed the Lord Jesus and ^(CD)the prophets, and ^[x]drove us out. ^[y]They are not pleasing to God, ^[z]but hostile to all people, ¹⁶^(CE)hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles ^(CF)so that they may be saved; with the result that they always ^[aa]^(CG)reach the limit of their sins. But ^(CH)wrath has come upon them ^[ab]fully.

¹⁷But we, brothers and sisters, having been orphaned from you by absence for a ^[ac]short while—^(CI)in ^[ad]person, not in ^[ae]spirit—were all the more eager with great desire ^(CJ)to see your face. ¹⁸^[af]For ^(CK)we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, ^[ag]^(CL)more than once—and ^(CM)Satan ^(CN)hindered us. ¹⁹For who is our hope, or ^(CO)joy or crown of pride, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His ^[ah]^(CP)coming? Or is it not indeed you? ²⁰For you are ^(CQ)our glory and joy.

Encouragement of Timothy’s Visit

3 Therefore, ^(CR)when we could no longer endure it, we thought it best to be left behind, alone at ^(CS)Athens, ²and we sent ^(CT)Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the benefit of your faith, ³so that no one would be ^[ai]disturbed by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that ^(CU)we have been destined for this. ⁴For even when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; ^[aj]^(CV)and so it happened, ^[ak]as you know. ⁵For this reason, ^(CW)when I could no longer endure it, I also ^(CX)sent to ^[al]find out about your faith, for fear that ^(CY)the tempter might have tempted you, and ^(CZ)our labor would be for nothing.

⁶But now that ^(DA)Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of ^(DB)your faith and love, and that you always ^(DC)think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, ⁷for this reason, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; ⁸for now we really live, if you ^(DD)stand firm in the Lord. ⁹For ^(DE)what thanks can we give to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice because of you before our God, ¹⁰as we ^(DF)keep praying most earnestly night and day that we may ^(DG)see your faces, and may ^(DH)complete what is lacking in your faith?

¹¹^(DI)Now may ^(DJ)our God and Father ^(DK)Himself, and our Lord Jesus, ^(DL)direct our way to you; ¹²and may the Lord cause you to increase and ^(DM)overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; ¹³so that He may ^(DN)establish your hearts ^(DO)blameless in holiness before ^(DP)our God and Father at the ^[am]^(DQ)coming of our Lord Jesus ^(DR)with all His ^[an]saints.

Footnotes

1 Thessalonians 1:3 Or steadfastness
1 Thessalonians 1:3 Lit of
1 Thessalonians 1:9 Lit what kind of
1 Thessalonians 1:9 Or the idols
1 Thessalonians 1:9 Or the
1 Thessalonians 1:10 Lit the heavens
1 Thessalonians 2:1 Or coming to you
1 Thessalonians 2:2 Or during
1 Thessalonians 2:2 Or struggle; or conflict
1 Thessalonians 2:3 Lit in deceit
1 Thessalonians 2:4 Or approves
1 Thessalonians 2:5 Lit in a word of flattery
1 Thessalonians 2:5 I.e., to conceal greed
1 Thessalonians 2:6 Lit being able to
1 Thessalonians 2:6 Or been burdensome as
1 Thessalonians 2:7 Or became gentle
1 Thessalonians 2:7 Three early mss infants
1 Thessalonians 2:7 Lit in the midst of you
1 Thessalonians 2:7 Or cherishes
1 Thessalonians 2:8 Or souls
1 Thessalonians 2:8 Lit beloved
1 Thessalonians 2:10 Lit became
1 Thessalonians 2:10 Or who believe
1 Thessalonians 2:15 Or persecuted us
1 Thessalonians 2:15 Lit and
1 Thessalonians 2:15 Lit and
1 Thessalonians 2:16 Lit complete their
1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or forever; lit to the end
1 Thessalonians 2:17 Lit occasion of an hour
1 Thessalonians 2:17 Lit face
1 Thessalonians 2:17 Lit heart
1 Thessalonians 2:18 Or Because
1 Thessalonians 2:18 Lit both once and twice
1 Thessalonians 2:19 Or presence
1 Thessalonians 3:3 Or deceived
1 Thessalonians 3:4 Lit just as
1 Thessalonians 3:4 Lit and
1 Thessalonians 3:5 Or to know, to ascertain
1 Thessalonians 3:13 Or presence
1 Thessalonians 3:13 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people

1 Thessalonians 1-2

New International Version

1 Paul, Silas^[a]^(A) and Timothy,^(B)

To the church of the Thessalonians^(C) in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace to you.^(D)

Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith

²We always thank God for all of you^(E) and continually mention you in our prayers.^(F) ³We remember before our God and Father^(G) your work produced by faith,^(H) your labor prompted by love,^(I) and your endurance inspired by hope^(J) in our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴For we know, brothers and sisters^[b] loved by God,^(K) that he has chosen you, ⁵because our gospel^(L) came to you not simply with words but also with power,^(M) with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know^(N) how we lived among you for your sake. ⁶You became imitators of us^(O) and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering^(P) with the joy^(Q) given by the Holy Spirit.^(R) ⁷And so you became a model^(S) to all the believers in Macedonia^(T) and Achaia.^(U) ⁸The Lord’s message^(V) rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.^(W) Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, ⁹for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned^(X) to God from idols^(Y) to serve the living and true God,^(Z) ¹⁰and to wait for his Son from heaven,^(AA) whom he raised from the dead^(AB)—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.^(AC)

Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you^(AD) was not without results.^(AE) ²We had previously suffered^(AF) and been treated outrageously in Philippi,^(AG) as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.^(AH) ³For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives,^(AI) nor are we trying to trick you.^(AJ) ⁴On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.^(AK) We are not trying to please people^(AL) but God, who tests our hearts.^(AM) ⁵You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed^(AN)—God is our witness.^(AO) ⁶We were not looking for praise from people,^(AP) not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles^(AQ) of Christ we could have asserted our authority.^(AR) ⁷Instead, we were like young children^[c] among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,^(AS) ⁸so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God^(AT) but our lives as well.^(AU) ⁹Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked^(AV) night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone^(AW) while we preached the gospel of God to you. ¹⁰You are witnesses,^(AX) and so is God,^(AY) of how holy,^(AZ) righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. ¹¹For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,^(BA) ¹²encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy^(BB) of God, who calls^(BC) you into his kingdom and glory.

¹³And we also thank God continually^(BD) because, when you received the word of God,^(BE) which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. ¹⁴For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators^(BF) of God’s churches in Judea,^(BG) which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people^(BH) the same things those churches suffered from the Jews ¹⁵who killed the Lord Jesus^(BI) and the prophets^(BJ) and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone ¹⁶in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles^(BK) so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit.^(BL) The wrath of God has come upon them at last.^[d]

Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians

¹⁷But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought),^(BM) out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.^(BN)

Footnotes

1 Thessalonians 1:1 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas
1 Thessalonians 1:4 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 2:1, 9, 14, 17; 3:7; 4:1, 10, 13; 5:1, 4, 12, 14, 25, 27.
1 Thessalonians 2:7 Some manuscripts were gentle
1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or them fully

Ephesians 6 New American Standard Bible

Children and Parents

Slaves and Masters

The Armor of God

Footnotes

Cross references

Ephesians 6 New International Version

The Armor of God

Final Greetings

Footnotes

Cross references

Philippians 1-4 New American Standard Bible

Thanksgiving

The Gospel Is Preached

To Live Is Christ

Be like Christ

Timothy and Epaphroditus

The Goal of Life

Think of Excellence

God’s Provisions

Footnotes

Cross references

Philippians 1-4 New International Version

Thanksgiving and Prayer

Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel

Life Worthy of the Gospel

Imitating Christ’s Humility

Do Everything Without Grumbling

Timothy and Epaphroditus

No Confidence in the Flesh

Following Paul’s Example

Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity

Final Exhortations

Thanks for Their Gifts

Final Greetings

Footnotes

Cross references

Colossians 1-4 New American Standard Bible

Thankfulness for Spiritual Attainments

The Incomparable Christ

You Are Built Up in Christ

Put On the New Self

Family Relations

Footnotes

Cross references

Colossians 1-4 New International Version

Thanksgiving and Prayer

The Supremacy of the Son of God

Paul’s Labor for the Church

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

Freedom From Human Rules

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

Instructions for Christian Households(FK)

Further Instructions

Final Greetings

Footnotes

Cross references

1 Thessalonians 1-3 New American Standard Bible

Giving Thanks for These Believers

Paul’s Ministry

Encouragement of Timothy’s Visit

Footnotes

Cross references

1 Thessalonians 1-2 New International Version

Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith

Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians

Footnotes

Cross references

More on the NIV

Ephesians 6

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Ephesians 6

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Philippians 1-4

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Philippians 1-4

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Colossians 1-4

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Colossians 1-4

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Instructions for Christian Households^(FK)

1 Thessalonians 1-3

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1 Thessalonians 1-2

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