Bible in 90 Days
Sons and Heirs
26 For you (A)are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For (B)as many of you as were baptized into Christ (C)have put on Christ. 28 (D)There is neither Jew nor Greek, (E)there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all (F)one in Christ Jesus. 29 And (G)if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s (H)seed, and (I)heirs according to the promise.
Sons and Heirs Through Christ
4 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, (J)were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But (K)when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, (L)born[a] (M)of a woman, (N)born under the law, 5 (O)to redeem those who were under the law, (P)that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth (Q)the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, [b]“Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, (R)and if a son, then an heir [c]of God [d]through Christ.
Fears for the Church
8 But then, indeed, (S)when you did not know God, (T)you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now (U)after you have known God, or rather are known by God, (V)how is it that you turn again to (W)the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 (X)You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, (Y)lest I have labored for you in vain.
12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. (Z)You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that (AA)because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me (AB)as an [e]angel of God, (AC)even as Christ Jesus. 15 [f]What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
17 They (AD)zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. 18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you. 19 (AE)My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.
Two Covenants(AF)
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: (AG)the one by a bondwoman, (AH)the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman (AI)was born according to the flesh, (AJ)and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic. For these are [g]the two covenants: the one from Mount (AK)Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— 26 but the (AL)Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written:
(AM)“Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Than she who has a husband.”
28 Now (AN)we, brethren, as Isaac was, are (AO)children of promise. 29 But, as (AP)he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, (AQ)even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what does (AR)the Scripture say? (AS)“Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for (AT)the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.
Christian Liberty
5 (AU)Stand[h] fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a (AV)yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that (AW)if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised (AX)that he is [i]a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 (AY)You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; (AZ)you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly (BA)wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For (BB)in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but (BC)faith working through love.
Love Fulfills the Law
7 You (BD)ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 (BE)A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.
11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, (BF)why do I still suffer persecution? Then (BG)the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 (BH)I could wish that those (BI)who trouble you would even [j]cut themselves off!
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only (BJ)do not use liberty as an (BK)opportunity for the flesh, but (BL)through love serve one another. 14 For (BM)all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: (BN)“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
Walking in the Spirit
16 I say then: (BO)Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For (BP)the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, (BQ)so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But (BR)if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now (BS)the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [k]adultery, [l]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [m]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that (BT)those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But (BU)the fruit of the Spirit is (BV)love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, (BW)goodness, (BX)faithfulness, 23 [n]gentleness, self-control. (BY)Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s (BZ)have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 (CA)If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 (CB)Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Bear and Share Burdens
6 Brethren, if a man is [o]overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of (CC)gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 (CD)Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill (CE)the law of Christ. 3 For (CF)if anyone thinks himself to be something, when (CG)he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But (CH)let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and (CI)not in another. 5 For (CJ)each one shall bear his own load.
Be Generous and Do Good
6 (CK)Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for (CL)whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap (CM)everlasting life. 9 And (CN)let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap (CO)if we do not lose heart. 10 (CP)Therefore, as we have opportunity, (CQ)let us do good to all, (CR)especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Glory Only in the Cross
11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, (CS)only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the (CT)cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by [p]whom the world has been crucified to me, and (CU)I to the world. 15 For (CV)in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
Blessing and a Plea
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Redemption in Christ
3 (CW)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as (CX)He chose us in Him (CY)before the foundation of the world, that we should (CZ)be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 (DA)having predestined us to (DB)adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, (DC)according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, (DD)by which He [q]made us accepted in (DE)the Beloved.
7 (DF)In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to (DG)the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and [r]prudence, 9 (DH)having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure (DI)which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of (DJ)the fullness of the times (DK)He might gather together in one (DL)all things in Christ, [s]both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 (DM)In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to (DN)the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 (DO)that we (DP)who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard (DQ)the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, (DR)you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 (DS)who[t] is the [u]guarantee of our inheritance (DT)until the redemption of (DU)the purchased possession, (DV)to the praise of His glory.
Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom
15 Therefore I also, (DW)after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 (DX)do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that (DY)the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, (DZ)may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 (EA)the eyes of your [v]understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is (EB)the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, (EC)according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when (ED)He raised Him from the dead and (EE)seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 (EF)far above all (EG)principality[w] and [x]power and [y]might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
22 And (EH)He put all things under His feet, and gave Him (EI)to be head over all things to the church, 23 (EJ)which is His body, (EK)the fullness of Him (EL)who fills all in all.
By Grace Through Faith
2 And (EM)you He made alive, (EN)who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 (EO)in which you once walked according to the [z]course of this world, according to (EP)the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in (EQ)the sons of disobedience, 3 (ER)among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in (ES)the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and (ET)were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
4 But God, (EU)who is rich in mercy, because of His (EV)great love with which He loved us, 5 (EW)even when we were dead in trespasses, (EX)made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together (EY)in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in (EZ)His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 (FA)For by grace you have been saved (FB)through faith, and that not of yourselves; (FC)it is the gift of God, 9 not of (FD)works, lest anyone should (FE)boast. 10 For we are (FF)His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Brought Near by His Blood
11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called (FG)the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Christ Our Peace
14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one (FH)new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might (FI)reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby (FJ)putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For (FK)through Him we both have access (FL)by one Spirit to the Father.
Christ Our Cornerstone
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been (FM)built (FN)on the foundation of the (FO)apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being (FP)the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into (FQ)a holy temple in the Lord, 22 (FR)in whom you also are being built together for a (FS)dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
The Mystery Revealed
3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the [aa]dispensation of the grace of God (FT)which was given to me for you, 3 (FU)how that by revelation (FV)He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles (FW)should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 (FX)of which I became a minister (FY)according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by (FZ)the effective working of His power.
Purpose of the Mystery
8 To me, (GA)who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles (GB)the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the [ab]fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who (GC)created all things [ac]through Jesus Christ; 10 (GD)to the intent that now (GE)the [ad]manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church (GF)to the [ae]principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 (GG)according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access (GH)with confidence through faith in Him. 13 (GI)Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, (GJ)which is your glory.
Appreciation of the Mystery
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the (GK)Father [af]of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, (GL)according to the riches of His glory, (GM)to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in (GN)the inner man, 17 (GO)that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, (GP)being rooted and grounded in love, 18 (GQ)may be able to comprehend with all the saints (GR)what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled (GS)with all the fullness of God.
20 Now (GT)to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly (GU)above all that we ask or think, (GV)according to the power that works in us, 21 (GW)to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Walk in Unity
4 I, therefore, the prisoner [ag]of the Lord, [ah]beseech you to (GX)walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit (GY)in the bond of peace. 4 (GZ)There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 (HA)one Lord, (HB)one faith, (HC)one baptism; 6 (HD)one God and Father of all, who is above all, and (HE)through all, and in [ai]you all.
Spiritual Gifts
7 But (HF)to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says:
(HG)“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”
9 (HH)(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also [aj]first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One (HI)who ascended far above all the heavens, (HJ)that He might fill all things.)
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, (HK)for the [ak]edifying of (HL)the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith (HM)and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to (HN)a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be (HO)children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of (HP)deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the (HQ)head—Christ— 16 (HR)from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
The New Man
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should (HS)no longer walk as [al]the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the (HT)blindness of their heart; 19 (HU)who, being past feeling, (HV)have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you (HW)put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and (HX)be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you (HY)put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Do Not Grieve the Spirit
25 Therefore, putting away lying, (HZ)“Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for (IA)we are members of one another. 26 (IB)“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 (IC)nor give [am]place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather (ID)let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something (IE)to give him who has need. 29 (IF)Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but (IG)what is good for necessary [an]edification, (IH)that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And (II)do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 (IJ)Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, [ao]clamor, and (IK)evil speaking be put away from you, (IL)with all malice. 32 And (IM)be kind to one another, tenderhearted, (IN)forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Walk in Love
5 Therefore(IO) be imitators of God as dear (IP)children. 2 And (IQ)walk in love, (IR)as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God (IS)for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3 But fornication and all (IT)uncleanness or (IU)covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 (IV)neither filthiness, nor (IW)foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, (IX)which are not fitting, but rather (IY)giving of thanks. 5 For [ap]this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any (IZ)inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be (JA)partakers with them.
Walk in Light
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are (JB)light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for (JC)the fruit of the [aq]Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 (JD)finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have (JE)no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather [ar]expose them. 12 (JF)For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But (JG)all things that are [as]exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:
(JH)“Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.”
Walk in Wisdom
15 (JI)See then that you walk [at]circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 (JJ)redeeming the time, (JK)because the days are evil.
17 (JL)Therefore do not be unwise, but (JM)understand (JN)what the will of the Lord is. 18 And (JO)do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another (JP)in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making (JQ)melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 (JR)giving thanks always for all things to God the Father (JS)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 (JT)submitting to one another in the fear of [au]God.
Marriage—Christ and the Church(JU)
22 Wives, (JV)submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For (JW)the husband is head of the wife, as also (JX)Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands (JY)in everything.
25 (JZ)Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and (KA)gave Himself for her, 26 that He might [av]sanctify and cleanse her (KB)with the washing of water (KC)by the word, 27 (KD)that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, (KE)not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For (KF)we are members of His body, [aw]of His flesh and of His bones. 31 (KG)“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the (KH)two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless (KI)let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she (KJ)respects her husband.
Children and Parents(KK)
6 Children, (KL)obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 (KM)“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
4 And (KN)you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but (KO)bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Bondservants and Masters
5 (KP)Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, (KQ)with fear and trembling, (KR)in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 (KS)not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 (KT)knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that [ax]your own (KU)Master also is in heaven, and (KV)there is no partiality with Him.
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 (KW)Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [ay]wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against (KX)principalities, against powers, against (KY)the rulers of [az]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 (KZ)Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand (LA)in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, (LB)having girded your waist with truth, (LC)having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 (LD)and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking (LE)the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And (LF)take the helmet of salvation, and (LG)the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 (LH)praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, (LI)being watchful to this end with all perseverance and (LJ)supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, (LK)that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which (LL)I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
A Gracious Greeting
21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, (LM)Tychicus, a beloved brother and (LN)faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 (LO)whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may (LP)comfort your hearts.
23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Greeting
1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the [ba]bishops and (LQ)deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thankfulness and Prayer
3 (LR)I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in (LS)every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 (LT)for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun (LU)a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness (LV)which are by Jesus Christ, (LW)to the glory and praise of God.
Christ Is Preached
12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident (LX)to the whole [bb]palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 [bc]The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
To Live Is Christ
19 For I know that (LY)this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but (LZ)with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life (MA)or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I [bd]cannot tell. 23 [be]For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a (MB)desire to depart and be with Christ, which is (MC)far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that (MD)your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
Striving and Suffering for Christ
27 Only (ME)let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, (MF)with one mind (MG)striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but [bf]to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you (MH)it has been granted on behalf of Christ, (MI)not only to believe in Him, but also to (MJ)suffer for His sake, 30 (MK)having the same conflict (ML)which you saw in me and now hear is in me.
Unity Through Humility
2 Therefore if there is any [bg]consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any (MM)affection and mercy, 2 (MN)fulfill my joy (MO)by being like-minded, having the same love, being of (MP)one accord, of one mind. 3 (MQ)Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but (MR)in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 (MS)Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of (MT)others.
The Humbled and Exalted Christ
5 (MU)Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, (MV)being in the form of God, did not consider it [bh]robbery to be equal with God, 7 (MW)but [bi]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form (MX)of a bondservant, and (MY)coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and (MZ)became (NA)obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 (NB)Therefore God also (NC)has highly exalted Him and (ND)given Him the name which is above every name, 10 (NE)that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and (NF)that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Light Bearers
12 Therefore, my beloved, (NG)as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, (NH)work out your own salvation with (NI)fear and trembling; 13 for (NJ)it is God who works in you both to will and to do (NK)for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things (NL)without [bj]complaining and (NM)disputing,[bk] 15 that you may become blameless and [bl]harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as (NN)lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that (NO)I may rejoice in the day of Christ that (NP)I have not run in vain or labored in (NQ)vain.
17 Yes, and if (NR)I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice (NS)and service of your faith, (NT)I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.
Timothy Commended
19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send (NU)Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your [bm]state. 20 For I have no one (NV)like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, (NW)that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.
Epaphroditus Praised
25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you (NX)Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and (NY)fellow soldier, (NZ)but your messenger and (OA)the one who ministered to my need; 26 (OB)since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, [bn]not regarding his life, (OC)to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.
All for Christ
3 Finally, my brethren, (OD)rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.
2 (OE)Beware of dogs, beware of (OF)evil workers, (OG)beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are (OH)the circumcision, (OI)who worship [bo]God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though (OJ)I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I (OK)more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, (OL)of the tribe of Benjamin, (OM)a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, (ON)a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, (OO)persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But (OP)what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss (OQ)for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having (OR)my own righteousness, which is from the law, but (OS)that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the (OT)power of His resurrection, and (OU)the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may (OV)attain[bp] to the resurrection from the dead.
Pressing Toward the Goal
12 Not that I have already (OW)attained,[bq] or am already (OX)perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [br]apprehended; but one thing I do, (OY)forgetting those things which are behind and (OZ)reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 (PA)I press toward the goal for the prize of (PB)the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore let us, as many as are (PC)mature, (PD)have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, (PE)God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already [bs]attained, (PF)let us walk (PG)by the same [bt]rule, let us be of the same mind.
Our Citizenship in Heaven
17 Brethren, (PH)join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as (PI)you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are (PJ)the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 (PK)whose end is destruction, (PL)whose god is their belly, and (PM)whose glory is in their shame—(PN)who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For (PO)our citizenship is in heaven, (PP)from which we also (PQ)eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 (PR)who will transform our lowly body that it may be (PS)conformed to His glorious body, (PT)according to the working by which He is able even to (PU)subdue all things to Himself.
Be Anxious for Nothing; Think These Thoughts
4 Therefore, my beloved and (PV)longed-for brethren, (PW)my joy and crown, so (PX)stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
Be United, Joyful, and in Prayer
2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche (PY)to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 [bu]And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who (PZ)labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in (QA)the Book of Life.
4 (QB)Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your [bv]gentleness be known to all men. (QC)The Lord is at hand.
6 (QD)Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with (QE)thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and (QF)the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Meditate on These Things
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are (QG)true, whatever things are (QH)noble, whatever things are (QI)just, (QJ)whatever things are pure, whatever things are (QK)lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and (QL)the God of peace will be with you.
Philippian Generosity
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last (QM)your[bw] care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, (QN)to be content: 12 (QO)I know how to [bx]be abased, and I know how to [by]abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things (QP)through [bz]Christ who strengthens me.
14 Nevertheless you have done well that (QQ)you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, (QR)no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek (QS)the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I [ca]have all and abound. I am full, having received from (QT)Epaphroditus the things sent from you, (QU)a sweet-smelling aroma, (QV)an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God (QW)shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 (QX)Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Greeting and Blessing
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren (QY)who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with [cb]you all. Amen.
Greeting
1 Paul, (QZ)an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the saints (RA)and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse:
(RB)Grace to you and peace from God our Father [cc]and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Their Faith in Christ
3 (RC)We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 (RD)since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of (RE)your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope (RF)which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you, (RG)as it has also in all the world, and (RH)is bringing forth [cd]fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew (RI)the grace of God in truth; 7 as you also learned from (RJ)Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is (RK)a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your (RL)love in the Spirit.
Preeminence of Christ
9 (RM)For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask (RN)that you may be filled with (RO)the knowledge of His will (RP)in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 (RQ)that you may walk worthy of the Lord, (RR)fully pleasing Him, (RS)being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the (RT)knowledge of God; 11 (RU)strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, (RV)for all patience and longsuffering (RW)with joy; 12 (RX)giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of (RY)the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from (RZ)the power of darkness (SA)and [ce]conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 (SB)in whom we have redemption [cf]through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
15 He is (SC)the image of the invisible God, (SD)the firstborn over all creation. 16 For (SE)by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or (SF)dominions or [cg]principalities or [ch]powers. All things were created (SG)through Him and for Him. 17 (SH)And He is before all things, and in Him (SI)all things consist. 18 And (SJ)He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, (SK)the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Reconciled in Christ
19 For it pleased the Father that (SL)in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and (SM)by Him to reconcile (SN)all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, (SO)having made peace through the blood of His cross.
21 And you, (SP)who once were alienated and enemies in your mind (SQ)by wicked works, yet now He has (SR)reconciled 22 (SS)in the body of His flesh through death, (ST)to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue (SU)in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are (SV)not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, (SW)which was preached to every creature under heaven, (SX)of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Sacrificial Service for Christ
24 (SY)I now rejoice in my sufferings (SZ)for you, and fill up in my flesh (TA)what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for (TB)the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to (TC)the [ci]stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 (TD)the [cj]mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, (TE)but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 (TF)To them God willed to make known what are (TG)the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: [ck]which is (TH)Christ in you, (TI)the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, (TJ)warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, (TK)that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me (TL)mightily.
Not Philosophy but Christ
2 For I want you to know what a great (TM)conflict[cl] I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, [cm]both of the Father and of Christ, 3 (TN)in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 Now this I say (TO)lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For (TP)though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing [cn]to see (TQ)your good order and the (TR)steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 (TS)As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 (TT)rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding [co]in it with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest anyone [cp]cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to (TU)the tradition of men, according to the (TV)basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For (TW)in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead [cq]bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the (TX)head of all [cr]principality and power.
Not Legalism but Christ
11 In Him you were also (TY)circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by (TZ)putting off the body [cs]of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 (UA)buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through (UB)faith in the working of God, (UC)who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 (UD)having wiped out the [ct]handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 (UE)Having disarmed (UF)principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
16 So let no one (UG)judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a [cu]festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 (UH)which are a shadow of things to come, but the [cv]substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has [cw]not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to (UI)the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, (UJ)grows with the increase that is from God.
20 [cx]Therefore, if you (UK)died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, (UL)why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— 21 (UM)“Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22 which all concern things which perish with the using—(UN)according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 (UO)These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and [cy]neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
Not Carnality but Christ
3 If then you were (UP)raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, (UQ)where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the (UR)earth. 3 (US)For you died, (UT)and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 (UU)When Christ who is (UV)our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in (UW)glory.
5 (UX)Therefore put to death (UY)your members which are on the earth: (UZ)fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, (VA)which is idolatry. 6 (VB)Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon (VC)the sons of disobedience, 7 (VD)in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
8 (VE)But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who (VF)is renewed in knowledge (VG)according to the image of Him who (VH)created him, 11 where there is neither (VI)Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, (VJ)but Christ is all and in all.
Character of the New Man
12 Therefore, (VK)as the elect of God, holy and beloved, (VL)put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 (VM)bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 (VN)But above all these things (VO)put on love, which is the (VP)bond of perfection. 15 And let (VQ)the peace of God rule in your hearts, (VR)to which also you were called (VS)in one body; and (VT)be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another (VU)in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And (VV)whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
The Christian Home(VW)
18 (VX)Wives, submit to your own husbands, (VY)as is fitting in the Lord.
19 (VZ)Husbands, love your wives and do not be (WA)bitter toward them.
20 (WB)Children, obey your parents (WC)in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
21 (WD)Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
22 (WE)Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 (WF)And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 (WG)knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; (WH)for[cz] you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and (WI)there is no partiality.
Christian Graces; Final Greetings
4 Masters,(WJ) give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Christian Graces
2 (WK)Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it (WL)with thanksgiving; 3 (WM)meanwhile praying also for us, that God would (WN)open to us a door for the word, to speak (WO)the [da]mystery of Christ, (WP)for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 (WQ)Walk in (WR)wisdom toward those who are outside, (WS)redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be (WT)with grace, (WU)seasoned with salt, (WV)that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Final Greetings(WW)
7 (WX)Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 (WY)I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that [db]he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 with (WZ)Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
10 (XA)Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with (XB)Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
12 (XC)Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always (XD)laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand (XE)perfect and [dc]complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a great [dd]zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14 (XF)Luke the beloved physician and (XG)Demas greet you. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and [de]Nymphas and (XH)the church that is in [df]his house.
Closing Exhortations and Blessing
16 Now when (XI)this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to (XJ)Archippus, “Take heed to (XK)the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
18 (XL)This salutation by my own hand—Paul. (XM)Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.