Bible in 90 Days

Sons of God Through Faith

²⁶ In fact, you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁷ Indeed, as many of you as were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. ²⁸ There is not Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, for you are all one and the same in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants^[a] and heirs according to the promise.

God Sent His Son

4 What I am saying is this: As long as the heir is a young child, he is no different from a slave. Although he is owner of everything, ² he is still under guardians and managers until the day set by his father. ³ So also, when we were younger children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world. ⁴ But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son to be born of a woman, so that he would be born under the law, ⁵ in order to redeem those under the law, so that we would be adopted as sons. ⁶ And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts to shout, “Abba, Father!” ⁷ So you are no longer a slave, but a son. And if you are a son, then you are also an heir of God through Christ.^[b]

Paul’s Concern for the Gentiles

⁸ Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, why are you turning back again to the basic principles that are weak and miserable? Do you want to be enslaved by them all over again? ¹⁰ You carefully observe days, months, seasons, and years. ¹¹ I am fearful about you, that somehow my labor for you was wasted.

¹² I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I also became like you. You did me no harm. ¹³ You know that, because of a weakness of the flesh, I preached the gospel to you the first time. ¹⁴ And you did not despise or disdain the test my flesh gave you. Instead, you welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ So where is this blessed attitude of yours now? Yes, I can say for a fact that, if it were possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? ¹⁷ Those people are eager to win you over, but not in a good way. Rather, they want to alienate you, so that you will be eager for them. ¹⁸ But it is always a good thing to have someone eager in a good way—not just when I am present with you.

¹⁹ My children, I am suffering birth pains for you again until Christ is formed in you. ²⁰ I wish I were present with you now and could change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.

An Illustration: Hagar and Sarah

²¹ Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you really listening to the law? ²² For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman, and one by the free woman. ²³ However, the son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through a promise. ²⁴ These things can be used as an illustration; namely, the women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children into slavery. This is Hagar. ²⁵ You see,^[c] this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and she corresponds to present-day Jerusalem, because Jerusalem is in slavery along with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem that is above is free. She is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written:

²⁸ Now you,^[e] brothers, like Isaac, are children of the promise. ²⁹ But just as back then the one who was born according to the flesh persecuted the one who was born according to the Spirit, so this is also the case now. ³⁰ But what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the slave woman and her son, because the son of the slave woman will certainly not receive the inheritance with the son of the free woman.”^{[f] 31} For this same reason, brothers, we are not children of a slave woman, but of the free woman.

Christ Set Us Free

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not allow anyone to put the yoke of slavery on you again. ² Look, I, Paul, tell you that if you allow yourselves to be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. ³ I testify again to every man who allows himself to be circumcised that he is obligated to do the whole law. ⁴ You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law are completely separated from Christ. You have fallen from grace.

⁵ Indeed, through the Spirit, we by faith are eagerly waiting for the sure hope of righteousness. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters. Rather, it is faith working through love that matters. ⁷ You were running well! Who cut in on you, so that you are no longer persuaded by the truth? ⁸ This persuasion is not from the one who calls you. ⁹ A little yeast works through the whole batch. ¹⁰ I am confident in the Lord that you will have no other opinion than this. But the one who is trying to disturb you will pay the penalty, whoever he is.

¹¹ Brothers,^[g] if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? Then the offense of the cross has been abolished. ¹² If only those who are upsetting you would also cut themselves off!^[h]

¹³ After all, brothers, you were called to freedom. Only do not use your freedom as a starting point for your sinful flesh. Rather, serve one another through love. ¹⁴ In fact, the whole law is summed up in this one statement: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^{[i] 15} But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Flesh Opposes Spirit

¹⁶ What I am saying is this: Walk by the spirit,^[j] and you will not carry out what the sinful flesh desires. ¹⁷ For the sinful flesh desires what is contrary to the spirit, and the spirit what is contrary to the sinful flesh. In fact, these two continually oppose one another, so that you do not continue to do these things you want to do. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the control of the law.

¹⁹ Now the works of the sinful flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, complete lack of restraint, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, discord, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders,^[k] drunkenness, orgies, and things similar to these. I warn you, just as I also warned you before, that those who continue to do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

²² But the fruit of the spirit^[l] is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live by the spirit, let us also walk in step with it. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another and envying one another.

Bear One Another’s Burdens

6 Brothers, if a person is caught in some trespass, you who are spiritual should restore such a person in a spirit of humility, carefully watching yourself so that you are not also tempted. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way fulfill^[m] the law of Christ. ³ For if someone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ Let each person test his own work, and then he will take pride in regard to himself and not his neighbor. ⁵ For each man will bear his own burden.

⁶ Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with his teacher.

⁷ Do not be deceived. God is not mocked. To be sure, whatever a man sows, he will also reap. ⁸ Indeed, the one who sows for his own sinful flesh will reap destruction from the sinful flesh. But the one who sows for the spirit will reap eternal life from the spirit. ⁹ Let us not become weary of doing good, because at the appointed time we will reap, if we do not give up.^{[n] 10} So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the household of faith.

What Matters: A New Creation, Not Circumcision

¹¹ See what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. ¹² Those who want to look good in the flesh are the ones who are trying to compel you to be circumcised. Their only reason is so that they are not persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³ As a matter of fact, those who are circumcised do not keep the law themselves. But they want to have you circumcised, so that they can boast about your flesh.

¹⁴ But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. ¹⁵ In fact, in Christ Jesus^[o] circumcision or uncircumcision does not matter. What matters is being a new creation. ¹⁶ Peace and mercy on those who follow this rule, namely, on the Israel of God.

¹⁷ Finally, let no one cause me any trouble, because I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus on my body.

¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus, who are believers in Christ Jesus:

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

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

⁴ He did this when he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ. He did this in accordance with the good purpose of his will, ⁶ and for the praise of his glorious grace, which he has graciously given us in the one he loves.

⁷ In him we also have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in keeping with the riches of his grace, ⁸ which he lavished on us in all wisdom and insight. ⁹ He made known to us the mystery of his will in keeping with his good purpose, which he planned in Christ. ¹⁰ This was to be carried out when the time had fully come, in order to bring all things together in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth.

¹¹ In him we have also obtained an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in keeping with the purpose of his will. ¹² He did this so that his glory would be praised as a result of us, who were the first to hope in Christ.

¹³ In him, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and in him, when you also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. ¹⁴ He is the down payment of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own possession, so that his glory would be praised.

A Prayer for Knowledge and Strength

¹⁵ This is why, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ I never stop giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I keep praying that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give you the Spirit^[p] of wisdom and revelation in knowing Christ fully. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope to which he has called you, just how rich his glorious inheritance among the saints is, ¹⁹ and just how surpassingly great his power is for us who believe. ²⁰ It is as great as the working of his mighty strength, which God worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. ²² God also placed all things under his feet and made him head over everything for the church. ²³ The church is his body, the fullness of him^[q] who fills everything in every way.

Made Alive in Christ by Grace

2 You were dead in your trespasses and sins, ² in which you formerly walked when you followed the ways of this present world. You were following the ruler of the domain of the air, the spirit now at work in the people who disobey.

³ Formerly, we all lived among them in the passions of our sinful flesh, as we carried out the desires of the sinful flesh and its thoughts. Like all the others, we were by nature objects of God’s wrath.

⁴ But God, because he is rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! ⁶ He also raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. ⁷ He did this so that, in the coming ages, he might demonstrate the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ Indeed, it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.

¹⁰ For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance so that we would walk in them.

United in Christ

¹¹ Therefore, remember that at one time, you Gentiles in the flesh—the ones who are called “uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised” (which is performed physically by human hands)— ¹² remember that at that time you were separated from Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise. You were without hope and without God in the world.

¹³ But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For he himself is our peace. He made the two groups one by destroying the wall of hostility that divided them ¹⁵ when he abolished the law of commandments and regulations in his flesh. He did this to create in himself one new person out of the two, in this way making peace. ¹⁶ And he did this to reconcile both to God in one body through the cross by putting the hostility to death on it.^{[r] 17} He also came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.^[s]

¹⁹ So then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household. ²⁰ You have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the Cornerstone. ²¹ In him the whole building is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. ²² In him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed

3 For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—^[t]

Paul’s Prayer and Praise

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,^{[u] 15} from whom the entire family in heaven and on earth receives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he would strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner self, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ I pray that you would be able to comprehend, along with all the saints, how wide and long and high and deep his love is, ¹⁹ and that you would be able to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him, who is able, according to the power that is at work within us, to do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine, ²¹ to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

Members of Christ’s Body

4 As a prisoner in the Lord, therefore, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called. ² Live with all humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another in love.

³ Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in the one hope of your calling. ⁵ There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us^[v] all.

⁷ But to each one of us grace was given, according to the measure of the gift from Christ. ⁸ That is why it says, “When he ascended on high, he took captivity captive and gave gifts to his people.”^{[w] 9} Now what does it mean when it says “he ascended,” other than that he also had descended^[x] to the lower parts, namely, the earth?^{[y] 10} He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things. ¹¹ He himself gave the apostles, as well as the prophets, as well as the evangelists, as well as the pastors and teachers, ¹² for the purpose of training the saints for the work of serving,^[z] in order to build up the body of Christ. ¹³ This is to continue until we all reach unity in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, resulting in a mature man with a stature reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ. ¹⁴ The goal is that we would no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, when people use tricks and invent clever ways to lead us astray. ¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we would in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, being joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows in accordance with Christ’s activity when he measured out each individual part. He causes the growth of the body so that it builds itself up in love.

Living Changed Lives

¹⁷ So I tell you this and testify to it in the Lord: Do not walk any longer as the Gentiles walk, in their futile way of thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, due to the hardness of their hearts. ¹⁹ Because they have no sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality, with an ever-increasing desire to practice every kind of impurity.

²⁰ But you did not learn Christ in that way, ²¹ if indeed you have heard of him and were taught in him (since the truth is in Jesus). ²² As far as your former way of life is concerned, you were taught to take off the old self, which is corrupted by its deceitful desires, ²³ and to be renewed continually in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and to put on the new self, which has been created to be like God in righteousness and true holiness.

²⁵ Therefore, after you put away lying, let each of you speak truthfully with your neighbor, because we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “Be angry, yet do not sin.”^[aa] Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. ²⁷ Do not give the Devil an opportunity. ²⁸ Let the one who has been stealing steal no longer. Instead, let him work hard doing what is good with his own hands, so that he has something to share with a person who is in need. ²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come from your mouths. Say only what is beneficial when there is a need to build up others, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear. ³⁰ Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of every kind of bitterness, rage, anger, quarreling, and slander, along with every kind of malice. ³² Instead, be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ has forgiven us.^[ab]

5 Therefore, be imitators of God as his dearly loved children. ² And walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

³ But do not let sexual immorality, any kind of impurity, or greed even be mentioned among you, as is proper for saints. ⁴ Obscenity, foolish talk, and coarse joking are also out of place. Instead, give thanks. ⁵ Certainly you are aware of this: No immoral, impure, or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, who is God.^{[ac] 6} Let no one deceive you with empty words. It is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. ⁷ So do not share in what they do.

⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, ⁹ for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. ¹⁰ Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord, ¹¹ and do not participate in fruitless deeds of darkness. Instead, expose them. ¹² For it is shameful even to mention the things that are done by people in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes things visible. ¹⁴ Therefore it is said, “Awake, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

¹⁵ Consider carefully, then, how you walk, not as unwise people, but as wise people. ¹⁶ Make the most of your time,^[ad] because the days are evil. ¹⁷ For this reason, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not get drunk on wine, which causes you to lose control. Instead, be filled with the Spirit ¹⁹ by speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (singing and making music with your hearts to the Lord), ²⁰ by always giving thanks for everything to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ and by submitting to one another in reverence for Christ.

Husbands and Wives

²² Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he himself is the Savior. ²⁴ Moreover, as the church submits to Christ, so also wives are to submit to their husbands in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, in the same way as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶ to make her holy, by cleansing her with the washing of water in connection with the Word. ²⁷ He did this so that he could present her to himself as a glorious church, having no stain or wrinkle or any such thing, but so that she would be holy and blameless. ²⁸ In the same way, husbands have an obligation to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ To be sure, no one has ever hated his own body, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, ³⁰ because we are members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones.^{[ae] 31} “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will be one flesh.”^{[af] 32} This is a great mystery, but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³ In any case, each one of you also is to love his wife as himself, and each wife is to respect her husband.

Parents and Children

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother,”^[ag] which is the first commandment with a promise: ³ “that it may go well with you and that you may live a long life on the earth.”^{[ah] 4} Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

⁵ Slaves, obey your human masters^[ai] with respect and reverence, and with a sincere heart, just as you obey Christ. ⁶ Do this not just when they are watching, as if merely to please people, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. ⁷ Serve with eagerness, as for the Lord and not for people, ⁸ because you know that each person, whether slave or free, will receive back from the Lord whatever good he has done. ⁹ And masters, do the same for your slaves. Do not threaten them, because you know that the one who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and with him there is no favoritism.

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can stand against the schemes of the Devil. ¹² For our^[aj] struggle is not against flesh and blood,^[ak] but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ For this reason, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to take a stand on the evil day and, after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand, then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness fastened in place, ¹⁵ and with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace tied to your feet like sandals. ¹⁶ At all times hold up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. ¹⁷ Also take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Prayer Requests

¹⁸ At every opportunity, pray in the Spirit with every kind of prayer and petition. Stay alert for the same reason, always persevering in your intercession for all the saints. ¹⁹ Pray for me also, that when I open my mouth a message will be given to me that boldly reveals the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may speak about it boldly, as it is necessary for me to speak.

Final Comments

²¹ Tychicus, our dear brother and a faithful minister in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. ²² I am sending him to you for this very reason, that you may know how we are, and that he may comfort your hearts. ²³ Peace to the brothers,^[al] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all who have an undying^[am] love for our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.^[an]

Greeting

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

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

Paul’s Prayer for the Philippians

³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ Every time I pray for all of you, I always pray with joy, ⁵ because of your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶ I am convinced of this very thing: that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ⁷ I am equally convinced that it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, for both in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all share in this grace with me. ⁸ Yes, God is my witness of how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

⁹ And I pray that your love may still increase more and more in knowledge and every insight. ¹⁰ This will result in your approval of the things that really matter, so that you will be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Christ Is Proclaimed

¹² I want you to know, brothers,^[ao] that the things which happened to me actually took place to advance the gospel. ¹³ And so it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to all the rest, that I am in chains because of Christ.^{[ap] 14} And, through my chains, the majority of the brothers in the Lord have become much more confident about daring to speak the word of God^[aq] fearlessly. ¹⁵ Some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, and others out of good will. ¹⁶ The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am placed here for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁷ The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, but thinking they can cause trouble for me while I am in chains. ¹⁸ What does it matter? Only this, that in every way, whether for outward appearance or for the truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.

To Live Is Christ, to Die Is Gain

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, ¹⁹ because I know that this will turn out for my deliverance, through your prayer and the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. ²⁰ This matches my earnest expectation and hope that I will in no way be put to shame, but with all boldness, as always, so even now, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹ Yes, for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² But if I am to go on living in the flesh, that will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet which should I prefer? I do not know. ²³ I am pulled in two directions, because I have the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far. ²⁴ But, it is more necessary for your sake that I remain in the flesh. ²⁵ And since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and will continue with all of you, for your progress and joy in the faith. ²⁶ And so by my coming to you again, my goal is to give you even more reason to boast in Christ Jesus.

Stand Firm

²⁷ Just conduct yourselves in a way that is worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come to see you or am absent, I may hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, contending together with one soul for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸ not frightened in any way by the adversaries. This is a sign for them of their destruction and of your salvation, and that from God. ²⁹ For it has been graciously granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰ having the same kind of struggle that you saw I was in, and that you now hear I am still experiencing.

Live in Harmony

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility consider one another better than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look carefully not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Jesus Humbled Himself

⁵ Indeed,^[ar] let this attitude be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. ⁶ Though he was by nature God,^[as] he did not consider equality with God as a prize to be displayed,^{[at] 7} but he emptied himself by taking the nature^[au] of a servant. When he was born in human likeness, and his appearance was like that of any other man,^{[av] 8} he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Lights in the World

¹² So then, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed, not only when I was with you, but also now much more in my absence, continue to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ¹³ In fact, it is God who is working in you, both to will and to work, for the sake of his good pleasure. ¹⁴ Do everything without complaining and arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish among a crooked and perverted generation. You shine among them like lights in the world, ¹⁶ as you hold on to^[aw] the word of life. Then I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. ¹⁷ But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I continue to be glad and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ In the same way, also be glad and rejoice with me.

Two Faithful Workers

¹⁹ I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered when I receive news about you. ²⁰ To be sure, I have no one else like him,^[ax] who will be genuinely concerned about your welfare. ²¹ For, the others all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know Timothy’s proven character, that as a child for his father, he served with me in the gospel. ²³ So he is the one I hope to send just as soon as I see how things go with me. ²⁴ But I have confidence in the Lord that I myself will be coming soon too.

²⁵ I also considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as the one you sent to serve me in my need. ²⁶ I sent him because he was longing for^[ay] all of you and was distressed, because you had heard that he was sick. ²⁷ As a matter of fact, he was sick, nearly to 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. ²⁸ Now I am especially eager to send him, so that you may rejoice when you see him again, and I may be relieved. ²⁹ Therefore, receive him in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard, ³⁰ because he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life in order to fill in what was lacking in your service to me.

True Righteousness

3 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. It is no trouble for me to write the same things again to you, and it is a safeguard for you. ² Beware of the dogs. Beware of the evildoers. Beware of the mutilation.^{[az] [ba] 3} For we are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God,^[bb] who are confident in Christ Jesus, and who place no confidence in the flesh, ⁴ even though I have grounds for confidence also in the flesh. If anyone else thinks that he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ in regard to zeal, persecuting the church; in regard to the righteousness that is in the law, blameless.

⁷ But, whatever things were a profit for me, these things I have come to consider a loss because of Christ. ⁸ But even more than that, I consider everything to be a loss because of what is worth far more: knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord. For his sake, I have lost all things and consider them rubbish, so that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, which comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God by faith. ¹⁰ I do this so that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, ¹¹ in the hope that in some way I may arrive at the resurrection from the dead.

Press On

¹² Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus also took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it yet, but there is one thing I do: Forgetting the things that are behind and straining toward the things that are ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal, for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Therefore, let all of us who are mature continue to think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this to you too. ¹⁶ Only let us think the same thing and^[bc] walk in line with what we already have attained.

¹⁷ Brothers, join together in imitating me and in paying attention to those who are walking according to the pattern we gave you. ¹⁸ To be sure, many walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. I told you about them often, and now I am saying it while weeping. ¹⁹ Their end is destruction, their god is their appetite,^[bd] and their glory is in their shame. They are thinking only about earthly things. ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven. We are eagerly waiting for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. ²¹ By the power that enables him to subject all things to himself, he will transform our humble bodies to be like his glorious body.

4 So then, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way keep standing firm in the Lord, my dear friends.

² I appeal to Euodia and I appeal to Syntyche to come to an agreement in the Lord. ³ Yes, and I ask you, true coworker,^[be] bring these women together, who contended alongside me in the gospel, as did also Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if anything is excellent, and if anything is praiseworthy, think about these things. ⁹ The things that you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: Keep doing these things. And the God of peace will be with you.

Paul Acknowledges Their Gift

¹⁰ I rejoice greatly in the Lord now that you have revived your concern for me once again. Actually, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I lack anything; in fact, I have learned to be content in any circumstances in which I find myself. ¹² I know what it is to live in humble circumstances, and I know what it is to have more than enough. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, while being full or hungry, while having plenty or not enough. ¹³ I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, you did well by becoming partners with me in my affliction.

¹⁵ You Philippians know that in the beginning of your experience with the gospel, when I left Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. ¹⁶ Even while I was in Thessalonica, you sent help more than once for my needs. ¹⁷ Not that I am seeking a gift, but I am seeking the fruit that adds to your account. ¹⁸ I have been paid in full, and I have more than enough. I am fully supplied since I’ve received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will fully supply your every need, according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever! Amen.

Final Greetings

²¹ Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. ²² All the saints greet you, especially those who are from Caesar’s household. ²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Greeting

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

² To the holy and faithful brothers^[bf] in Christ at Colossae:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father.^[bg]

Paul’s Prayer for the Colossians

³ We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴ because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the saints ⁵ because of the hope that is stored up for you in heaven. You have already heard about this in the word of truth, the gospel ⁶ that is present with you now. The gospel is bearing fruit and growing in the entire world, just as it also has been doing among you from the day you heard it and came to know the grace of God in truth. ⁷ You learned this from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your^[bh] behalf. ⁸ He is the one who told us about your love in the Spirit.^[bi]

⁹ For this reason, from the day we heard about your love, we also have not stopped praying for you. We keep asking that you would be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, ¹⁰ so that you might live in a way that is worthy of the Lord. Our goal is that you please him by bearing fruit in every kind of good work and by growing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹ as you are being strengthened with all power because of his glorious might working in you. Then you will have complete endurance and patience, joyfully ¹² giving thanks to the Father, who qualified us^[bj] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

What the Father Did Through Christ

¹³ The Father rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption,^[bk] the forgiveness of sins.

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, ¹⁶ for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and unseen, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and all things hold together in him.

¹⁸ He is also the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in all things he might have the highest rank. ¹⁹ For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile all things to himself (whether things on earth or in heaven) by making peace through the blood of his cross.

Reconciled Through Christ’s Death

²¹ At one time, you were alienated from God and hostile in your thinking as expressed through your evil deeds. ²² But now Christ reconciled you in his body of flesh through death, in order to present you holy, blameless, and faultless before him— ²³ if you continue steadfast and firm in faith, without being moved away from the hope of the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a minister.

Paul’s Service in Preaching the Gospel

²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church. ²⁵ I became a minister of the church for your benefit when God gave me the task of fully proclaiming the word of God, ²⁶ namely, the mystery that was hidden for past ages and generations, but now has been revealed to his saints. ²⁷ God wanted to make known to them what is the wealth of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles—this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

²⁸ We proclaim him as we admonish and teach everyone with all wisdom, so that we might present everyone perfect in Christ. ²⁹ This is the goal I am laboring to reach, striving with his strength, which is powerfully at work in me.

2 Indeed, I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those in Laodicea, and for all those who have not seen me personally. ² I am doing this so that their hearts may be encouraged as they are brought together in love, and into all the wealth of assurance that understanding brings, into the knowledge of the mystery of God, which is Christ.^{[bl] 3} All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in him.

⁴ I say this so that no one deceives you with persuasive speech that sounds reasonable. ⁵ For though I am absent bodily, I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your orderliness and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

The Fullness That Is Ours in Christ

⁶ Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, ⁷ by being rooted and built up in him, and strengthened in the faith just as you were taught, while you overflow in faith^[bm] with thanksgiving.

⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, which are in accord with human tradition, namely, the basic principles of the world, but not in accord with Christ. ⁹ For all the fullness of God’s being dwells bodily in Christ. ¹⁰ And you have been brought to fullness in him. Christ is the head over every ruler and authority. ¹¹ You were also circumcised in him, with a circumcision not done by human hands, in the putting off of the body of flesh,^[bn] in the circumcision of Christ, ¹² when you were buried with Christ in baptism. And in baptism you were also raised with him through the faith worked by the God who raised Christ from the dead.

¹³ Even when you were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ by forgiving us all our trespasses. ¹⁴ God erased the record of our debt brought against us by his legal demands. This record stood against us, but he took it away by nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ After disarming the rulers and authorities, he made a public display of them by triumphing over them in Christ.

Paul Addresses the False Teaching

¹⁶ Therefore, do not let anyone judge you in regard to food or drink, or in regard to a festival or a New Moon or a Sabbath day. ¹⁷ These are a shadow of the things that were coming, but the body belongs to Christ. ¹⁸ Do not let anyone who enjoys false humility and the worship of angels tell you that you are disqualified from the prize. This person goes into detail about what he has seen.^[bo] He is puffed up for no reason by the attitude of his sinful flesh. ¹⁹ He does not hold on to the head, from whom the whole body grows with the growth that comes from God as it is supported and held together by its sinews and ligaments.

Human Traditions Do Not Restrain the Flesh

²⁰ If you died with Christ to the basic principles of the world, why do you submit to its rules, as if you were still living in the world? ²¹ “Do not touch!” “Do not taste!” “Do not handle!” ²² All of these rules end in destruction when they are used, because they are in accord with human commands and teachings. ²³ While such rules have the appearance of wisdom with self-chosen religion, which consists of humiliation and severe treatment of the body, they have no value at all in checking the self-indulgence of the sinful flesh.

3 Therefore, because you were raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^[bp] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

The New Creation

⁵ So put to death whatever is worldly in you: sexual immorality, uncleanness, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ It is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.^{[bq] 7} You too once walked in these things, when you were living in them.

⁸ But now, you too are to rid yourselves of all of these: wrath, anger, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to each other since you have put off the old self with its practices, ¹⁰ and put on the new self, which is continually being renewed in knowledge, according to the image of its Creator. ¹¹ Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcision or uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but rather Christ is all and is in all.

List of Virtues

¹² Therefore, as God’s elect, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ¹³ Bear with one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against anyone else. Forgive, just as Christ^[br] forgave you. ¹⁴ And, in addition to all these things, put on love, which ties things together in perfect unity. ¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ control your hearts, to which you were also called, in one body. And be thankful.

¹⁶ Let the word of Christ^[bs] dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.^{[bt] 17} And everything you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Household Duties

¹⁸ Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not treat them harshly.

²⁰ Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not embitter your children, so that they do not become discouraged.

²² Slaves, obey your human masters^[bu] in everything, not just when they are watching you, like people-pleasers, but with a sincere heart, out of respect for the Lord. ²³ Whatever you do, keep working at it with all your heart, as for the Lord and not for people, ²⁴ because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. Keep serving the Lord Christ! ²⁵ Indeed, the one who does what is wrong will be repaid for what he did wrong, and there is no favoritism.

4 Masters, show justice and fairness to your slaves, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Exhortations

² Be persistent in prayer, and as you pray, be alert and thankful. ³ At the same time, pray for us too, that God might open a door for our message, so that we can tell the mystery about Christ, for which I am in prison. ⁴ Pray that I may make it known clearly, as it is necessary for me to speak. ⁵ Walk in wisdom in the way you act toward those on the outside, making the most of your opportunity.^{[bv] 6} Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you are to answer each person.

Final Greetings

⁷ Tychicus, my dear brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you everything about me. ⁸ I am sending him to you for this very reason, that you may know how we are,^[bw] and that he may comfort your hearts. ⁹ I am sending him along with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is going on here.

¹⁰ Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You received instructions about him. If he comes to you, welcome him. ¹¹ Jesus, who is called Justus, also greets you. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are circumcised,^[bx] and who have been a source of comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras greets you. He is one of you and is a servant of Christ.^[by] He is always struggling in prayer for you, praying that you may stand complete and fully assured in all the will of God. ¹³ Indeed, I can testify about him that he has worked very hard in your place, in the place of those in Laodicea, and in the place of those in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, the dearly loved doctor, greets you, as does Demas.

¹⁵ Greet the brothers in Laodicea. Greet Nympha and the church at her^[bz] house. ¹⁶ When this letter has been read among you, make sure that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans. And make sure that you also read the letter from Laodicea. ¹⁷ Tell Archippus, “See to it that you fulfill the ministry that you received in the Lord.”

¹⁸ This greeting is written by me, Paul, with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.^[ca]