Bible in 90 Days

²⁶ You are all sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁷ For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, and there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

4 Now I say that as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ from a servant though he is lord of all. ² But he is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father. ³ So when we were children, we were in bondage to the elements of the world. ⁴ But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born from a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. ⁶ And because you are sons, God has sent forth into our hearts the Spirit of His Son, crying, “Abba, Father!” ⁷ Therefore you are no longer a servant, but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

⁸ Previously, when you did not know God, you served those who by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now, after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how do you turn again to the weak and beggarly elemental forces to which you desire again to be in bondage? ¹⁰ You observe days and months and seasons and years. ¹¹ I am afraid for you, lest I have worked for you in vain.

¹² Brothers, I ask you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong. ¹³ You know that it was because of an infirmity of the flesh that I first preached the gospel to you. ¹⁴ Though my infirmity was a trial to you, you neither despised nor rejected me, but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ So where is your blessing? For I bear witness of you that, if it had been 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 would zealously influence you, but not favorably. Yes, they would exclusively control you, so that you might consult them. ¹⁸ But it is good to be zealous in a good manner always and not only when I am present with you. ¹⁹ My little children, of whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, ²⁰ I desire to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am displeased with you.

The Allegory of Hagar and Sarah

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, the one by a slave woman, the other by a free woman. ²³ But he who was of the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but he of the free woman through the promise.

²⁴ These things are an allegory, for these are the two covenants. The one is from Mount Sinai, which gives birth to bondage; she is Hagar. ²⁵ Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and represents the present Jerusalem, and is in bondage with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem which is above is free, which is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written:

²⁸ Now we, brothers, like Isaac, are the children of promise. ²⁹ But as it was then, he who was born after the flesh persecuted him who was born after the Spirit, so it is now also. ³⁰ Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman.”^{[b] 31} So then, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

5 For freedom Christ freed us. Stand fast therefore and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Christian Freedom

² Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. ³ I testify again to every man who is circumcised that he is obligated to keep the whole law. ⁴ You have been cut off from Christ, whoever of you are justified by law; you have fallen from grace. ⁵ For we, through the Spirit, by faith, eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith which works through love.

⁷ You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? ⁸ This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. ⁹ A little yeast leavens the whole batch. ¹⁰ I have confidence in you through the Lord that you will not think otherwise. But he who is troubling you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is. ¹¹ Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. ¹² I wish that those who are troubling you would castrate themselves!

¹³ You, brothers, have been called to liberty. Only do not use liberty to give an opportunity to the flesh, but by love serve one another. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”^{[c] 15} But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you are not consumed by one another.

Spiritual Fruit and Fleshly Works

¹⁶ I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. These are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are revealed, which are these: adultery, sexual immorality, impurity, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousy, rage, selfishness, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I previously warned you, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³ meekness, and self-control; against such there is no law. ²⁴ Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not be conceited, provoking one another and envying one another.

Bear One Another’s Burdens

6 Brothers, if a man is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, watching yourselves, lest you also be tempted. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if someone thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. ⁵ For each one shall bear his own burden. ⁶ Let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches.

⁷ Be not deceived. God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that will he also reap. ⁸ For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. ⁹ And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Final Warning and Benediction

¹¹ You see what large letters I have written to you with my own hand.

¹² It is those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³ For they themselves who are circumcised do not keep the law. But they desire to have you circumcised, so that they may boast in your flesh. ¹⁴ God forbid that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but a new creation. ¹⁶ Peace and mercy be on all who walk according to this rule 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 Brothers, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Salutation

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

To the saints who are at Ephesus and to the faithful 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 with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before Him in love; ⁵ He predestined us to adoption as sons to Himself through Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace which He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved. ⁷ In Him we have redemption through His blood and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace, ⁸ which He lavished on us in all wisdom and insight, ⁹ making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Himself, ¹⁰ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, which are in heaven and on earth.

¹¹ In Him also we have received an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His own will, ¹² that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, should live for the praise of His glory. ¹³ In Him you also, after hearing the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and after believing in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Paul’s Prayer

¹⁵ Therefore I also, after hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, ¹⁶ do not cease giving thanks for you, mentioning you in my prayers, ¹⁷ so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, ¹⁸ that the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance among the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, ²⁰ which He performed in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all principalities, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. ²² And He put all things in subjection under His feet and made Him the head over all things for the church, ²³ which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all things in all ways.

From Death to Life

2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, ² in which you formerly walked according to the age of this world and according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, ³ among them we all also once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and we were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. ⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in sins, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶ and He raised us up and seated us together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, so that no one should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, so that we should walk in them.

One in Christ

¹¹ Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called the “uncircumcision” by the so-called “circumcision” in the flesh by human hands, ¹² were at that time apart from Christ, alienated from the citizenship of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who were formerly far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

¹⁴ For He is our peace, who has made both groups one and has broken down the barrier of the dividing wall, ¹⁵ by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of the commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and that He might reconcile both to God into one body through the cross, thereby slaying the enmity. ¹⁷ And He 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 by one Spirit to the Father.

¹⁹ Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰ having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the entire building, tightly framed together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, ²² in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God through the Spirit.

Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles

3 For this reason I, Paul, am the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles.

² You may have heard of the administration of the grace of God which was given me for you, ³ how by revelation He made known to me the mystery, as I have written briefly already, ⁴ by which, when you read it, you may understand my knowledge of the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, ⁶ how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members, and partakers of the promise in Christ by the gospel.

⁷ Of this I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. ⁸ To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the incomprehensible riches of Christ, ⁹ and to reveal for all people what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ so that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, ¹¹ according to the eternal purpose which He completed in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. ¹³ Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

To Know the Love of Christ

¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, ¹⁶ that He would give you, according to the riches of His glory, power to be strengthened by His Spirit in the inner man, ¹⁷ and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or imagine, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Unity of the Body

4 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, exhort you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called. ² With all humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another in love, ³ be eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, even as you were called in one hope of your calling, ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

⁷ But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of the gift of Christ. ⁸ Therefore He says:

⁹ (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is also He who ascended far above all the heavens that He might fill all things.)

¹¹ He gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints, for the work of service, and for the building up of the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, into a complete man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, ¹⁴ so we may no longer be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the trickery of men, by craftiness with deceitful scheming. ¹⁵ But, speaking the truth in love, we may grow up in all things into Him, who is the head, Christ Himself, ¹⁶ from whom the whole body is joined together and connected by every joint and ligament, as every part effectively does its work and grows, building itself up in love.

The Old Life and New Life

¹⁷ Therefore this I say and testify in the Lord, that from now on you walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their minds, ¹⁸ having their understanding darkened, excluded from the life of God through the ignorance that is within them, due to the hardness of their hearts. ¹⁹ Being calloused they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

²⁰ But you did not learn about Christ in this manner, ²¹ if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: ²² that you put off the former way of life in the old nature, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, ²³ and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; ²⁴ and that you put on the new nature, which was created according to God in righteousness and true holiness.

Rules for the New Life

²⁵ Therefore, putting away lying, let every man speak truthfully with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. ²⁶ Be angry but do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger. ²⁷ Do not give place to the devil. ²⁸ Let him who steals steal no more. Instead, let him labor, working with his hands things which are good, that he may have something to share with him who is in need.

²⁹ Let no unwholesome word proceed out of your mouth, but only that which is good for building up, that it may give grace to the listeners. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you are sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outbursts, and blasphemies, with all malice, be taken away from you. ³² And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.

5 Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children. ² Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God.

³ And do not let sexual immorality, or any impurity, or greed be named among you, as these are not proper among saints. ⁴ Let there be no filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse joking, which are not fitting. Instead, give thanks. ⁵ For this you know, that no sexually immoral or impure person, or one who is greedy, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Walk as Children of Light

⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not be partakers with them.

⁸ For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light— ⁹ for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth— ¹⁰ proving what is pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹ And do not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; instead, expose them. ¹² For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. ¹³ But all things are exposed when they are revealed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. ¹⁴ Therefore He says:

¹⁵ See then that you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise men, ¹⁶ making the most of the time because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ Do not be drunk with wine, for that is reckless living. But be filled with the Spirit. ¹⁹ Speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. ²⁰ Give thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ being submissive to one another in the fear of God.

Wives and Husbands

²² Wives, be submissive to your own husbands as unto the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head and Savior of the church, which is His body. ²⁴ But as the church submits to Christ, so also let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, ²⁶ that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷ and that He might present to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. ²⁸ In this way men ought to love their 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 cares for the church. ³⁰ For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. ³¹ “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh.”^{[e] 32} This is a great mystery, but I am speaking about Christ and the church. ³³ However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Children and Parents

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise, ³ “so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”^[f]

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

Servants and Masters

⁵ Servants, obey those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of your heart, as to Christ, ⁶ not serving when eyes are on you, but as pleasing men as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, ⁸ knowing that whatever good thing any man does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is enslaved or free.

⁹ And masters, do the same things for them, no longer threatening, knowing that your Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

The Battle Against Evil

¹⁰ Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your waist girded with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ having your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace, ¹⁶ and above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the fiery arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit always with all kinds of prayer and supplication. To that end be alert with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. ¹⁹ Pray for me, that the power to speak may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may speak boldly as I ought to speak.

Final Greetings

²¹ Now that you also may know my activities and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. ²² I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you might know our activities and that he might comfort your hearts.

²³ Peace be to the brothers, 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.

Salutation

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, 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 for every reminder of you. ⁴ In every prayer of mine for you all, I have always made requests with joy, ⁵ due to your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶ I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.

⁷ It is right for me to think this of you all because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonments and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are fellow partakers of my grace. ⁸ For God is my witness, how I long after you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all discernment, ¹⁰ that you may approve things that are excellent so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ being filled with the fruit of righteousness, which comes through Jesus Christ, for the glory and praise of God.

To Live Is Christ

¹² But I want you to know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have resulted in advancing the gospel, ¹³ so that my imprisonments in Christ have become known throughout the entire palace guard and to all the rest. ¹⁴ And a great many of the brothers in the Lord, having become confident because of my incarcerations, have dared to speak the word without fear.

¹⁵ Some indeed are preaching Christ out of envy and strife, and some also from good will. ¹⁶ The former preach Christ out of contention, not sincerely, intending to add trouble to my circumstance. ¹⁷ But the latter preach 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.

Indeed, I will rejoice. ¹⁹ For I know that through your prayer and the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will result in my deliverance. ²⁰ Accordingly, it is my earnest expectation and my hope that I shall be ashamed in nothing, but that with all boldness as always, so now also, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death. ²¹ For to me, to continue living is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor to me. Yet I do not know what I shall choose. ²³ I am in a difficult position between the two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better. ²⁴ Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake. ²⁵ Having this confidence, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your joyful advancement of the faith, ²⁶ so that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ when I am in your presence again.

²⁷ Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, that whether or not I come and see you, I may hear of your activities, that you are standing fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel. ²⁸ Do not be frightened by your adversaries. This is a sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and this from God. ²⁹ For to you it was granted on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, ³⁰ having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

Christian Humility and Christ’s Humility

2 If there is any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any compassion and mercy, ² then fulfill my joy and be like-minded, having the same love, being in unity with one mind. ³ Let nothing be done out of strife or conceit, but in humility let each esteem the other better than himself. ⁴ Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

⁵ Let this mind be in you all, which was also in Christ Jesus,

Shining as Lights in the World

¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but so much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ¹³ For God is the One working in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without murmuring and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may be blameless and harmless, sons of God, without fault, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world. ¹⁶ Hold forth the word of life that I may rejoice on the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. ¹⁷ Yes, and even if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I take delight and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ For this reason you also take delight and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

¹⁹ I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly to you, that I also may be of good comfort when I get word concerning you. ²⁰ For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your welfare. ²¹ For all seek their own, not the things of Christ Jesus. ²² But you know of his proven worth, that as a son with a father, he has served with me in the gospel. ²³ Therefore I hope to send him soon after my situation is resolved. ²⁴ But I trust in the Lord that I, myself, shall also come shortly.

²⁵ Yet I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, who is my brother and companion in labor, fellow soldier, your messenger, and he who ministered to my necessity. ²⁶ For he longed after you all and was filled with heaviness, because you heard that he was sick. ²⁷ Indeed he was sick, near death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him, but also on me, lest I should have had 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 So receive him in the Lord with all joy. And hold such ones in high regard, ³⁰ because for the work of Christ he was near death, not regarding his life, endeavoring to make up for your lack of service toward me.

The True Righteousness

3 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me, and it is reassuring for you. ² Watch out for dogs, watch out for evil workers, watch out for those who practice mutilation. ³ For we are the circumcision who worship God in the Spirit, and boast in Christ Jesus, and place no trust in the flesh, ⁴ though I also have confidence in the flesh.

If any other man thinks that he has reason to trust in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ I was circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, and a Hebrew of Hebrews; as concerning the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ concerning zeal, persecuting the church; and concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

⁷ But what things were gain to me, I have counted these things to be loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ Yes, certainly, I count everything as loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have forfeited the loss of all things and count them as rubbish that I may gain Christ, ⁹ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ,^[h] the righteousness which is of God on the basis of faith, ¹⁰ to know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, ¹¹ if somehow I might make it to the resurrection of the dead.

Pressing Toward the Mark

¹² Not that I have already attained or have already been perfected, but I follow after it so that I may lay hold of that for which I was seized by Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brothers, I do not count myself to have attained, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ Therefore let those of us who are mature be thus minded. And if you think differently in any way, God will reveal even this to you. ¹⁶ Nevertheless, according to what we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

¹⁷ Brothers, become fellow imitators with me and observe those who walk according to our example. ¹⁸ For many are walking in such a way that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. I have told you of them often and tell you again, even weeping. ¹⁹ Their destination is destruction, their god is their appetite, their glory is in their shame, their minds are set on earthly things. ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven, from where also we await for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who will transform our body of humiliation, so that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working of His power even to subdue all things to Himself.

4 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brothers, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved.

Exhortations

² I exhort Euodia and Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³ I ask you also, true companion, help those women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with my other fellow laborers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! ⁵ Let everyone come to know your gentleness. The Lord is at hand. ⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things. ⁹ Do those things which you have both learned and received, and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Acknowledgment of the Philippians’ Gift

¹⁰ I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me. Regarding this, you did care, but you lacked opportunity. ¹¹ I do not speak because I have need, for I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. ¹² I know both how to face humble circumstances and how to have abundance. Everywhere and in all things I have learned the secret, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things because of Christ who strengthens me.

¹⁴ Nevertheless you did well having shared in my affliction. ¹⁵ Now you Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. ¹⁶ Even in Thessalonica, you sent aid once and again for my necessity, ¹⁷ not because I desired a gift, but I desire fruit that accumulates to your account. ¹⁸ But I have everything and abound. I have been filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, like a sweet fragrance, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. ¹⁹ But my God shall supply your every need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

²⁰ Now to God and our 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 of Caesar’s household.

²³ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Salutation

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

² To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ who are at Colosse:

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

Thankfulness for the Colossians

³ We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you. ⁴ For we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints, ⁵ because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of the truth of the gospel, ⁶ which has come to you, as it has in all the world, and brings forth fruit, as it has also in you, since the day you heard it and knew the grace of God in truth. ⁷ And you also learned of Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ for you, ⁸ who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.

The Person and Work of Christ

⁹ For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ¹⁰ that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, pleasing to all, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹ strengthened with all might according to His glorious power, enduring everything with perseverance and patience joyfully, ¹² giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled us to be partakers in the inheritance of the saints in light. ¹³ He has delivered us from the power of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of His dear Son, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God and the firstborn of every creature. ¹⁶ For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they are thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by Him and for Him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. ¹⁸ He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in all things He may have the preeminence. ¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that in Him all fullness should dwell, ²⁰ and to reconcile all things to Himself by Him, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him, I say—whether they are things in earth, or things in heaven.

²¹ And you, who were formerly alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled ²² in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight, ²³ if you continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and are not removed from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Paul’s Ministry to the Church

²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake and fill up in my flesh that which is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church. ²⁵ I have been made a servant of it according to the commission of God, which has been given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, ²⁶ even the mystery which has been hidden from past ages and generations, but now is revealed to His saints. ²⁷ To them God would make known what is the glorious riches of this mystery among the nations. It is Christ in you, the hope of glory, ²⁸ whom we preach, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present them perfect in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ In this I labor, striving according to His power, which effectively works in me.

2 I would like you to know what a great struggle I am having for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for everyone who has not seen my face in the flesh, ² that their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, and receive all the riches and assurance of full understanding, and knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴ Now this I say lest anyone beguile you with enticing words. ⁵ For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing and seeing your orderliness and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

Fullness of Life in Christ

⁶ As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷ rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, and abounding with thanksgiving.

⁸ Beware lest anyone captivate you through philosophy and vain deceit, in the tradition of men and the elementary principles of the world, and not after Christ.

⁹ For in Him lives all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. ¹⁰ And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all authority and power. ¹¹ In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, ¹² buried with Him in baptism, in which also you were raised with Him through the faith of the power of God, who has raised Him from the dead.

¹³ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has resurrected together with Him, having forgiven you all sins. ¹⁴ He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and contrary to us, and He took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ And having disarmed authorities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them by the cross.

¹⁶ Therefore let no one judge you regarding food, or drink, or in respect of a holy day or new moon or sabbath days. ¹⁷ These are shadows of things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. ¹⁸ Do not let anyone cheat you of your reward by delighting in false humility and the worship of angels, dwelling on those things which he has not seen, vainly arrogant due to his unspiritual mind, ¹⁹ and not supporting the head, from which the entire body, nourished and knit together by joints and sinews, grows as God gives the increase.

The New Life in Christ

²⁰ Therefore, if you died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you subject yourself to legalistic rules? ²¹ “Do not touch! Do not taste! Do not handle!” ²² These all are to perish with use and are aligned with the commandments and doctrines of men. ²³ These things have indeed a show of wisdom in self-imposed worship and humility and neglecting of the body, but are worthless against the indulgence of the flesh.

3 If you then were raised with Christ, desire those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God. ² Set your affection on things above, not on things on earth. ³ For you are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life shall appear, then you also shall appear with Him in glory.

⁵ Therefore put to death the parts of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the sons of disobedience. ⁷ You also once walked in these, when you lived in them. ⁸ But now you must also put away all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy language out of your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie one to another, since you have put off the old nature with its deeds, ¹⁰ and have embraced the new nature, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him who created it, ¹¹ where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

¹² So embrace, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, a spirit of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering. ¹³ Bear with one another and forgive one another. If anyone has a quarrel against anyone, even as Christ forgave you, so you must do. ¹⁴ And above all these things, embrace love, which is the bond of perfection.

¹⁵ Let the peace of God, to which also you are called in one body, rule in your hearts. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Social Duties of the New Life

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as it is fitting in the Lord.

¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and do not be bitter toward them.

²⁰ Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

²² Servants, obey your masters in all things according to the flesh, serving not only when they are watching, as the servants of men, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. ²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. For you serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ But he who does wrong will receive for the wrong which he has done, and there is no partiality.

4 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Exhortations

² Continue in prayer, and be watchful with thanksgiving, ³ while praying also for us, that God would open to us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, ⁴ that I may reveal it clearly, as I ought to speak. ⁵ Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, wisely using the opportunity. ⁶ Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you should answer everyone.

Final Greetings

⁷ Tychicus, who is a beloved brother and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. ⁸ I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that he might know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, ⁹ with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything which is happening here.

¹⁰ Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions: If he comes to you, receive 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 been a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras greets you. He is one of you, a servant of Christ, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand mature and complete in the entire will of God. ¹³ I bear witness of him, that he has a great zeal for you, those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. ¹⁵ Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nympha, and the church which is in his house.

¹⁶ When this epistle is read among you, ensure that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you, likewise, read the epistle from Laodicea.

¹⁷ Tell Archippus, “Make sure that you fulfill the ministry which you have received in the Lord.”

¹⁸ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.