Not Philosophy but Christ

2 For I want you to know what a great ^(A)conflict^[a] I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,

²⁹ To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me ^(A)mightily.

^30 (A)having the same conflict ^(B)which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

^12 (A)Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always ^(B)laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand ^(C)perfect and ^[a]complete in all the will of God. ¹³ For I bear him witness that he has a great ^[b]zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.

The Lukewarm Church

¹⁴ “And to the ^[a]angel of the church ^[b]of the Laodiceans write,

^(A)‘These things says the Amen, ^(B)the Faithful and True Witness, ^(C)the Beginning of the creation of God: ^15 (D)“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither ^[c]cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. ¹⁷ Because you say, ^(E)‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— ¹⁸ I counsel you ^(F)to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and ^(G)white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. ^19 (H)As many as I love, I rebuke and ^(I)chasten.^[d] Therefore be ^[e]zealous and repent. ²⁰ Behold, ^(J)I stand at the door and knock. ^(K)If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, ^(L)I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. ²¹ To him who overcomes ^(M)I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

^22 (N)“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”

¹¹ saying, ^[a]“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches ^[b]which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

Sacrificial Service for Christ

^24 (A)I now rejoice in my sufferings ^(B)for you, and fill up in my flesh ^(C)what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for ^(D)the sake of His body, which is the church,

³⁸ sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

^8 (A)whom having not ^[a]seen you love. ^(B)Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,