¹⁰ Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves. And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus.

¹⁸ If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.

⁷ These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

² Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.

¹⁰ Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.

²² But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.

²² We are also sending with them another of our brothers who has proven himself many times and has shown on many occasions how eager he is. He is now even more enthusiastic because of his great confidence in you.

⁹ I wrote to you as I did to test you and see if you would fully comply with my instructions.

¹⁹ But, of course, there must be divisions among you so that you who have God’s approval will be recognized!

Paul’s Final Greetings

¹⁹ Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living in the household of Onesiphorus.