Bible in 90 Days

²⁶ for you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Sons and Heirs

²⁷ For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ like a garment.^{(A) 28} There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free,^(B) male or female;^(C) for you are all one^(D) in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs^(E) according to the promise.^(F) 4 ¹ Now I say that as long as the heir^(G) is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner^(H) of everything. ² Instead, he is under guardians and stewards until the time set by his father. ³ In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elemental forces^[a] of the world.^{(I) 4} When the time came to completion, God sent His Son,^(J) born of a woman,^(K) born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.^{(L) 6} And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son^(M) into our^[b] hearts, crying, “Abba,^(N) Father!”^{(O) 7} So you are no longer a slave^(P) but a son,^(Q) and if a son, then an heir^(R) through God.

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

⁸ But in the past, when you didn’t know God,^(S) you were enslaved to things^[c] that by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now, since you know God,^(T) or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and bankrupt^(U) elemental forces?^(V) Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? ¹⁰ You observe special days, months, seasons, and years.^{(W) 11} I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.

¹² I beg you, brothers: Become like me, for I also became like you. You have not wronged me; ¹³ you know that previously I preached the gospel to you because of a physical illness. ¹⁴ You did not despise or reject me though my physical condition was a trial for you.^[d] On the contrary, you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.

¹⁵ What happened to this sense of being blessed you had? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?^{(X) 17} They^[e] are enthusiastic about you, but not for any good. Instead, they want to isolate you so you will be enthusiastic about them. ¹⁸ Now it is always good to be enthusiastic about good—and not just when I am with you. ¹⁹ My children,^(Y) I am again suffering labor pains^(Z) for you until Christ is formed in you. ²⁰ I would like to be with you right now and change my tone of voice, because I don’t know what to do about you.

Sarah and Hagar: Two Covenants

²¹ Tell me, those of you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law? ²² For it is written that Abraham^(AA) had two sons, one by a slave^(AB) and the other by a free woman. ²³ But the one by the slave was born according to the impulse of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. ²⁴ These things are illustrations,^[f] for the women represent the two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai^(AC) and bears children into slavery—this is Hagar.^{(AD) 25} Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia^(AE) and corresponds to the present Jerusalem,^(AF) for she is in slavery with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem above^(AG) is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written:^(AH)

²⁸ Now you, brothers, like Isaac,^(AK) are children of promise.^{(AL) 29} But just as then the child born according to the flesh persecuted the one born according to the Spirit,^(AM) so also now.^{(AN) 30} But what does the Scripture say?

³¹ Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.^(AP)

Freedom of the Christian

5 Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm^(AQ) then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.^{(AR) 2} Take note! I, Paul, tell you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. ³ Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to keep the entire law. ⁴ You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.^{(AS) 5} For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait^(AT) for the hope^(AU) of righteousness. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith^(AV) working through love.^(AW)

⁷ You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth?^{(AX) 8} This persuasion did not come from the One who called you.^{(AY) 9} A little yeast leavens the whole lump of dough. ¹⁰ I have confidence in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty.^{(AZ) 11} Now brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross^(BA) has been abolished. ¹² I wish those who are disturbing you might also get themselves castrated!

¹³ For you were called^(BB) to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled^(BC) in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.^{(BD)[i] 15} But if you bite and devour^(BE) one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

The Spirit versus the Flesh

¹⁶ I say then, walk by the Spirit^(BF) and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires^(BG) what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.^{(BH) 18} But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are obvious:^[j][k] sexual immorality,^(BI) moral impurity,^(BJ) promiscuity,^{(BK) 20} idolatry,^(BL) sorcery,^(BM) hatreds,^(BN) strife,^(BO) jealousy,^(BP) outbursts of anger,^(BQ) selfish ambitions,^(BR) dissensions,^(BS) factions,^{(BT) 21} envy,^[l](BU) drunkenness, carousing,^(BV) and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.^(BW)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit^(BX) is love,^(BY) joy,^(BZ) peace, patience,^(CA) kindness,^(CB) goodness, faith,^{[m] 23} gentleness,^(CC) self-control.^(CD) Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Now those who belong to Christ Jesus^(CE) have crucified the flesh^(CF) with its passions and desires.^{(CG) 25} Since we live^(CH) by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. ²⁶ We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.^(CI)

Carry One Another’s Burdens

6 Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle^(CJ) spirit,^(CK) watching out for yourselves so you also won’t be tempted.^{(CL) 2} Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.^{(CM) 3} For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing,^(CN) he deceives himself. ⁴ But each person should examine his own work,^(CO) and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in respect to someone else. ⁵ For each person will have to carry his own load.

⁶ The one who is taught the message must share^(CP) all his good things with the teacher. ⁷ Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap, ⁸ because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit^(CQ) will reap eternal life^(CR) from the Spirit. ⁹ So we must not get tired^(CS) of doing good,^(CT) for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work^(CU) for the good^(CV) of all, especially for those who belong to the household^(CW) of faith.^(CX)

Concluding Exhortation

¹¹ Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting. ¹² Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh^(CY) are the ones who would compel you to be circumcised^(CZ)—but only to avoid being persecuted^(DA) for the cross^(DB) of Christ. ¹³ For even the circumcised don’t keep^(DC) the law themselves; however, they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh. ¹⁴ But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world. ¹⁵ For^[n] both circumcision and uncircumcision^(DD) mean nothing; what matters instead is a new creation.^{(DE) 16} May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy to the Israel^(DF) of God!

¹⁷ From now on, let no one cause me trouble, because I bear on my body scars for the cause of Jesus.^{(DG) 18} Brothers, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.^(DH) Amen.

Greeting

1 Paul,^(DI) an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will:^(DJ)

To the faithful saints^(DK) in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.^[o](DL)

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

God’s Rich Blessings

³ Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.^{(DM) 4} For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.^[p](DN) In love^{[q] 5} He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, ⁶ to the praise of His glorious grace^(DO) that He favored us with in the Beloved.^(DP)

⁷ We have redemption in Him^(DQ) through His blood, the forgiveness^(DR) of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace ⁸ that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. ⁹ He made known to us the mystery of His will,^(DS) according to His good pleasure that He planned in Him^{(DT) 10} for the administration^[r] of the days of fulfillment^[s]—to bring everything together in the Messiah,^(DU) both things in heaven and things on earth^(DV) in Him.^(DW)

¹¹ We have also received an inheritance^[t] in Him, predestined^(DX) according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will, ¹² so that we who had already put our hope^(DY) in the Messiah might bring praise to His glory.^(DZ)

¹³ When you heard the message of truth,^(EA) the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.^{(EB) 14} He is the down payment^(EC) of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession,^[u] to the praise of His glory.

Prayer for Spiritual Insight

¹⁵ This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,^[v] would give you a spirit^[w](ED) of wisdom and revelation^(EE) in the knowledge of Him. ¹⁸ I pray that the perception of your mind^[x] may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope^(EF) of His calling,^(EG) what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power^(EH) to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.

God’s Power in Christ

²⁰ He demonstrated this power in the Messiah by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand^(EI) in the heavens^(EJ)— ²¹ far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given,^[y](EK) not only in this age but also in the one to come.^{(EL) 22} And He put everything under His feet^(EM)[z] and appointed Him as head^(EN) over everything for the church, ²³ which is His body,^(EO) the fullness^(EP) of the One who fills all things^(EQ) in every way.

From Death to Life

2 And you were dead^(ER) in your trespasses and sins ² in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world,^(ES) according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens,^[aa](ET) the spirit^(EU) now working in the disobedient.^{[ab] 3} We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly^(EV) desires, carrying out the inclinations^(EW) of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath^(EX) as the others were also. ⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy,^(EY) because of His great love^(EZ) that He had for us,^{[ac] 5} made us alive^(FA) with the Messiah even though we were dead^(FB) in trespasses. You are saved by grace! ⁶ Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens,^{(FC) 7} so that in the coming ages^(FD) He might display the immeasurable riches^(FE) of His grace through His kindness^(FF) to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For you are saved by grace^(FG) through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— ⁹ not from works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are His creation, created^(FH) in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time^(FI) so that we should walk in them.

Unity in Christ

¹¹ So then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,”^(FJ) which is done in the flesh by human hands.^{(FK) 12} At that time you were without the Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise,^(FL) without hope^(FM) and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood^(FN) of the Messiah. ¹⁴ For He is our peace, who made both groups one^(FO) and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In His flesh, ¹⁵ He made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that He might create^(FP) in Himself one^(FQ) new man from the two, resulting in peace. ¹⁶ He did this so that He might reconcile both to God in one body^(FR) through the cross and put the hostility to death by it.^{[ad] 17} When the Messiah came, He proclaimed the good news^(FS) of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^{(FT) 18} For through Him we both have access^(FU) by one Spirit to the Father.^{(FV) 19} So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,^(FW) with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. ²¹ The whole building, being put together^(FX) by Him, grows into a holy sanctuary in the Lord.^{(FY) 22} You also are being built together^(FZ) for God’s dwelling^(GA) in the Spirit.

Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles

3 For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner^(GB) of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— ² you have heard, haven’t you, about the administration of God’s grace that He gave to me for you? ³ The mystery was made known to me by revelation,^(GC) as I have briefly written above. ⁴ By reading this you are able to understand my insight about the mystery of the Messiah.^{(GD) 5} This was not made known to people^[ae] in other generations as it is now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets^(GE) by the Spirit: ⁶ The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners of the promise^(GF) in Christ Jesus through the gospel. ⁷ I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of His power.^(GG)

⁸ This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches^(GH) of the Messiah, ⁹ and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created^(GI) all things. ¹⁰ This is so God’s multi-faceted wisdom^(GJ) may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens.^{(GK) 11} This is according to His eternal purpose^(GL) accomplished in the Messiah, Jesus our Lord. ¹² In Him we have boldness and confident access^(GM) through faith in Him.^{[af] 13} So then I ask you not to be discouraged^(GN) over my afflictions on your behalf, for they are your glory.^(GO)

Prayer for Spiritual Power

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel^(GP) before the Father^{[ag] 15} from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. ¹⁶ I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches^(GQ) of His glory,^(GR) to be strengthened with power^(GS) in the inner man^(GT) through His Spirit, ¹⁷ and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love,^{(GU) 19} and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to Him who is able^(GV) to do above and beyond all that we ask or think^(GW) according to the power^(GX) that works in us— ²¹ to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.^(GY)

Unity and Diversity in the Body of Christ

4 Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord,^(GZ) urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, ² with all humility^(HA) and gentleness, with patience,^(HB) accepting^[ah](HC) one another in love,^{(HD) 3} diligently keeping the unity^(HE) of the Spirit^(HF) with the peace^(HG) that binds us. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit^(HH)—just as you were called to one hope^[ai](HI) at your calling— ⁵ one Lord,^(HJ) one faith,^(HK) one baptism, ⁶ one God^(HL) and Father^(HM) of all, who is above all and through all and in all.^(HN)

⁷ Now grace was given to each one of us^(HO) according to the measure of the Messiah’s gift. ⁸ For it says:

⁹ But what does “He ascended” mean except that He^[al] descended to the lower parts of the earth?^{[am](HR) 10} The One who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens,^(HS) that He might fill^[an] all things.^{(HT) 11} And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,^{(HU) 13} until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son,^(HV) growing into a mature man with a stature^(HW) measured by Christ’s fullness. ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching,^(HX) by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head^(HY)—Christ. ¹⁶ From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together^(HZ) by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth^(IA) of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.

Living the New Life

¹⁷ Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their thoughts. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts. ¹⁹ They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity^(IB) with a desire for more and more.^[ao]

²⁰ But that is not how you learned about the Messiah, ²¹ assuming you heard about Him and were taught by Him, because the truth^(IC) is in Jesus. ²² You took off^[ap](ID) your former way of life,^(IE) the old self^[aq](IF) that is corrupted by deceitful desires; ²³ you are being renewed^[ar] in the spirit^(IG) of your minds; ²⁴ you put on^[as](IH) the new self, the one created^(II) according to God’s likeness^(IJ) in righteousness and purity of the truth.

²⁵ Since you put away^(IK) lying, Speak the truth, each one to his neighbor,^(IL)[at] because we are members of one another. ²⁶ Be angry and do not sin.^(IM)[au] Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷ and don’t give the Devil an opportunity. ²⁸ The thief must no longer steal. Instead, he must do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share^(IN) with anyone in need. ²⁹ No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need,^[av] so that it gives grace to those who hear. ³⁰ And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit.^(IO) You were sealed by Him^[aw] for the day of redemption.^{(IP) 31} All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. ³² And be kind^(IQ) and compassionate^(IR) to one another, forgiving^(IS) one another, just as God also forgave you^[ax] in Christ.

5 Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. ² And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us,^(IT) a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. ³ But sexual immorality^(IU) and any impurity^(IV) or greed^(IW) should not even be heard of^[ay] among you, as is proper for saints. ⁴ Coarse and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. ⁵ For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral^(IX) or impure^(IY) or greedy^(IZ) person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom^(JA) of the Messiah and of God.

Light versus Darkness

⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath^(JB) is coming on the disobedient because of these things.^{[az] 7} Therefore, do not become their partners. ⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light^(JC) in the Lord. Walk as children of light^(JD)— ⁹ for the fruit of the light^[ba] results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth^(JE)— ¹⁰ discerning^(JF) what is pleasing^(JG) to the Lord. ¹¹ Don’t participate in the fruitless^(JH) works of darkness, but instead expose them. ¹² For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. ¹³ Everything exposed by the light is made clear,^{(JI) 14} for what makes everything clear is light. Therefore it is said:

Consistency in the Christian Life

¹⁵ Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise— ¹⁶ making the most of the time,^[bc](JM) because the days are evil. ¹⁷ So don’t be foolish, but understand^(JN) what the Lord’s will^(JO) is. ¹⁸ And don’t get drunk^(JP) with wine,^(JQ) which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit:^(JR)

Wives and Husbands

²² Wives,^(JT) submit^[bd](JU) to your own husbands^(JV) as to the Lord, ²³ for the husband is the head of the wife^(JW) as Christ is the head^(JX) of the church. He is the Savior of the body.^{(JY) 24} Now as the church submits to Christ, so wives are to submit to their husbands in everything. ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives,^(JZ) just as Christ loved^(KA) the church and gave Himself^(KB) for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing^[be] her with the washing of water by the word. ²⁷ He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.^{(KC) 28} In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no one ever hates his own flesh but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, ³⁰ since we are members of His body.^[bf]

³² This mystery^(KF) is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³ To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband.

Children and Parents

6 Children, obey^(KG) your parents as you would the Lord,^[bh] because this is right. ² Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment^[bi] with a promise, ³ so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.^{[bj](KH)[bk] 4} Fathers, don’t stir up anger^(KI) in your children, but bring them up in the training^(KJ) and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

⁵ Slaves, obey your human^[bl] masters^(KK) with fear and trembling,^(KL) in the sincerity^(KM) of your heart, as to Christ. ⁶ Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will^(KN) from your heart.^{[bm] 7} Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men,^{(KO) 8} knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. ⁹ And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening^(KP) them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism^(KQ) with Him.^(KR)

Christian Warfare

¹⁰ Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength.^{(KS) 11} Put on^(KT) the full armor^(KU) of God so that you can stand against the tactics^[bn] of the Devil. ¹² For our battle is not against flesh^(KV) and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(KW) against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil^(KX) in the heavens.^{(KY) 13} This is why you must take up the full armor^(KZ) of God, so that you may be able to resist^(LA) in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. ¹⁴ Stand,^(LB) therefore,

¹⁸ Pray^(LL) at all times in the Spirit^(LM) with every prayer and request, and stay alert^(LN) in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness^(LO) the mystery of the gospel. ²⁰ For this I am an ambassador^(LP) in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should.

Paul’s Farewell

²¹ Tychicus,^(LQ) our dearly loved brother and faithful servant^[bp] in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed. ²² I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage^(LR) your hearts.^(LS)

²³ Peace to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father^(LT) and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.^[bq][br]

Greeting

1 Paul^(LU) and Timothy,^(LV) slaves of Christ Jesus:

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi,^(LW) including the overseers^(LX) and deacons.^(LY)

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

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,^{[bs] 4} always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day^(LZ) until now.^{(MA) 6} I am sure of this, that He who started a good work^(MB) in you^[bt] will carry it on to completion^(MC) until the day of Christ Jesus. ⁷ It is right^(MD) for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart,^[bu] and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment^(ME) and in the defense^(MF) and establishment of the gospel. ⁸ For God is my witness,^(MG) how deeply I miss all of you^(MH) with the affection of Christ Jesus. ⁹ And I pray this: that your love^(MI) will keep on growing^(MJ) in knowledge and every kind of discernment,^{(MK) 10} so that you can approve the things that are superior^(ML) and can be pure^(MM) and blameless^(MN) in^[bv] the day of Christ,^{(MO) 11} filled with the fruit^(MP) of righteousness^(MQ) that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory^(MR) and praise of God.

Advance of the Gospel

¹² Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the advance of the gospel,^{(MS) 13} so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard,^[bw] and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is in the cause of Christ. ¹⁴ Most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the message^[bx](MT) fearlessly. ¹⁵ To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and strife,^(MU) but others out of good will.^{[by] 16} These do so out of love,^(MV) knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; ¹⁷ the others proclaim Christ out of rivalry,^(MW) not sincerely, seeking to cause me anxiety in my imprisonment.^{[bz] 18} What does it matter? Just that in every way, whether out of false motives^(MX) or true, Christ is proclaimed. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice ¹⁹ because I know this will lead to my deliverance^[ca](MY) through your prayers and help from the Spirit^(MZ) of Jesus Christ.^{(NA) 20} My eager expectation and hope^(NB) is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life^(NC) or by death.^(ND)

Living Is Christ

²¹ For me, living is Christ^(NE) and dying is gain.^{(NF) 22} Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful^(NG) work^(NH) for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. ²³ I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ^(NI)—which is far better^(NJ)— ²⁴ but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. ²⁵ Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,^{(NK) 26} so that, because of me, your confidence may grow^(NL) in Christ Jesus^(NM) when I come to you again.

²⁷ Just one thing: Live your life^(NN) in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm^(NO) in one^(NP) spirit, with one mind,^[cb] working side by side for the faith^(NQ) that comes from the gospel, ²⁸ not being frightened in any way by your opponents.^(NR) This is a sign of destruction for them,^(NS) but of your deliverance^(NT)—and this is from God. ²⁹ For it has been given to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe^(NU) in Him, but also to suffer for Him, ³⁰ having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.

Christian Humility

2 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love,^(NV) if any fellowship with the Spirit,^(NW) if any affection and mercy,^{(NX) 2} fulfill my joy by thinking the same way,^(NY) having the same love,^(NZ) sharing the same feelings, focusing on one^(OA) goal. ³ Do nothing out of rivalry^(OB) or conceit,^(OC) but in humility^(OD) consider others as more important^(OE) than yourselves. ⁴ Everyone should look out not only for his own interests,^(OF) but also for the interests of others.^(OG)

Christ’s Humility and Exaltation

⁵ Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus,

Lights in the World

¹² So then, my dear friends,^(OS) just as you have always obeyed,^(OT) not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ¹³ For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose. ¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling^(OU) and arguing,^{(OV) 15} so that you may be blameless^(OW) and pure,^(OX) children of God who are faultless^(OY) in a crooked^(OZ) and perverted^(PA) generation,^(PB) among whom you shine like stars in the world. ¹⁶ Hold firmly to^[ce] the message^(PC) of life. Then I can boast^(PD) in the day of Christ^(PE) that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. ¹⁷ But even if I am poured out^(PF) as a drink offering^(PG) on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. ¹⁸ In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

¹⁹ Now I hope in the Lord Jesus^(PH) to send Timothy^(PI) to you soon so that I also may be encouraged when I hear news about you. ²⁰ For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; ²¹ all seek their own interests,^(PJ) not those of Jesus Christ.^{(PK) 22} But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father. ²³ Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. ²⁴ I am convinced in the Lord that I myself will also come quickly.^(PL)

²⁵ But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus^(PM)—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need^(PN)— ²⁶ since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. ²⁷ Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have one grief on top of another. ²⁸ For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice when you see him again and I may be less anxious. ²⁹ Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with all joy and hold men like him in honor, ³⁰ because he came close to death for the work^(PO) of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.

Knowing Christ

3 Finally, my brothers, rejoice^(PP) in the Lord. To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a protection for you.

² Watch out for “dogs,”^[cf] watch out for evil^(PQ) workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh. ³ For we are the circumcision,^(PR) the ones who serve by the Spirit^(PS) of God, boast in Christ Jesus,^(PT) and do not put confidence in the flesh— ⁴ although I once also had confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised the eighth day;^(PU) of the nation of Israel,^(PV) of the tribe of Benjamin,^(PW) a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law,^(PX) a Pharisee; ⁶ regarding zeal,^(PY) persecuting^(PZ) the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law,^(QA) blameless.^(QB)

⁷ But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. ⁸ More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value^(QC) of knowing Christ^(QD) Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ^{(QE) 9} and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law,^(QF) but one that is through faith in Christ^[cg]—the righteousness from God based on faith.^{(QG) 10} My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings,^(QH) being conformed to His death,^{(QI) 11} assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.

Reaching Forward to God’s Goal

¹² Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold^(QJ) of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brothers, I do not^[ch] consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind^(QK) and reaching forward to what is ahead, ¹⁴ I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly^[ci] call in Christ Jesus.^{(QL) 15} Therefore, all who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal^(QM) this also to you. ¹⁶ In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained. ¹⁷ Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. ¹⁸ For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross^(QN) of Christ. ¹⁹ Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory^(QO) is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things, ²⁰ but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. ²¹ He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious^(QP) body,^(QQ) by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself.

Practical Counsel

4 So then, my brothers, you are dearly loved and longed for—my joy and crown.^(QR) In this manner stand firm^(QS) in the Lord, dear friends. ² I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. ³ Yes, I also ask you, true partner,^[cj] to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life. ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.^{(QT) 6} Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses^(QU) every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.^(QV)

⁸ Finally brothers, whatever is true,^(QW) whatever is honorable,^(QX) whatever is just,^(QY) whatever is pure,^(QZ) whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence^(RA) and if there is any praise—dwell on these things. ⁹ Do what you have learned and received^(RB) and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Appreciation of Support

¹⁰ I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again^(RC) you renewed your care for me.^(RD) You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. ¹² I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot.^(RE) In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. ¹³ I am able to do all things through Him^[ck] who strengthens me.^{(RF) 14} Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship.

¹⁵ And you Philippians^(RG) know that in the early days of the gospel,^(RH) when I left Macedonia,^(RI) no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. ¹⁶ For even in Thessalonica^(RJ) you sent gifts for my need^(RK) several times. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit^[cl](RL) that is increasing to your account. ¹⁸ But I have received everything in full,^(RM) and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus^(RN) what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing^(RO) to God. ¹⁹ And my God^(RP) will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now to our God and Father^(RQ) be glory forever and ever.^(RR) Amen.^(RS)

Final Greetings

²¹ Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. Those brothers who are with me greet you. ²² All the saints greet you, but especially those from Caesar’s^(RT) household.^{(RU) 23} The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.^[cm](RV)

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will,^(RW) and Timothy^(RX) our^[cn] brother:

² To the saints in Christ at Colossae, who are faithful brothers.

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

Thanksgiving

³ We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴ for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints ⁵ because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. You have already heard about this hope in the message of truth,^(RY) the gospel ⁶ that has come to you. It is bearing fruit^(RZ) and growing all over the world,^(SA) just as it has among you since the day you heard it and recognized God’s grace^(SB) in the truth.^{[cp](SC) 7} You learned this from Epaphras,^(SD) our dearly loved fellow slave. He is a faithful servant of the Messiah^(SE) on your^[cq] behalf, ⁸ and he has told us about your love in the Spirit.^(SF)

Prayer for Spiritual Growth

⁹ For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking^(SG) that you may be filled with the knowledge^(SH) of His will^(SI) in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,^{[cr] 10} so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work^(SJ) and growing in the knowledge of God.^{(SK) 11} May you be strengthened^(SL) with all power,^(SM) according to His glorious^(SN) might, for all endurance and patience, with joy ¹² giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you^[cs] to share in the saints’^[ct] inheritance in the light.^{(SO) 13} He has rescued^(SP) us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom^(SQ) of the Son^(SR) He loves.^{(SS) 14} We have redemption,^[cu] the forgiveness of sins, in Him.

The Centrality of Christ

²¹ Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds because of your evil actions. ²² But now He has reconciled you by His physical body^[cx] through His death,^(TG) to present you holy, faultless,^(TH) and blameless before Him^(TI)— ²³ if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith^(TJ) and are not shifted away from the hope^(TK) of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation^(TL) under heaven,^(TM) and I, Paul,^(TN) have become a servant of it.

Paul’s Ministry

²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings^(TO) for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for His body,^(TP) that is, the church. ²⁵ I have become its servant, according to God’s administration that was given to me for you, to make God’s message fully known, ²⁶ the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints. ²⁷ God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ^(TQ) in you, the hope^(TR) of glory. ²⁸ We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. ²⁹ I labor for this, striving^(TS) with His strength that works powerfully in me.^(TT)

2 For I want you to know how great a struggle^(TU) I have for you, for those in Laodicea,^(TV) and for all who have not seen me in person. ² I want their hearts to be encouraged^(TW) and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery^(TX)—Christ.^{[cy](TY) 3} All the treasures of wisdom^(TZ) and knowledge^(UA) are hidden in Him.

Christ versus the Colossian Heresy

⁴ I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive arguments. ⁵ For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit,^(UB) rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ.

⁶ Therefore, as you have received^(UC) Christ Jesus the Lord,^(UD) walk in Him, ⁷ rooted and built up in Him^(UE) and established in the faith, just as you were taught,^(UF) overflowing with gratitude.

⁸ Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition,^(UG) based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ.^{(UH) 9} For the entire fullness^(UI) of God’s nature^[cz] dwells bodily^[da] in Christ, ¹⁰ and you have been filled by Him, who is the head^(UJ) over every ruler and authority. ¹¹ You were also circumcised in Him with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh,^(UK) in the circumcision of the Messiah.^{[db](UL) 12} Having been buried with Him^(UM) in baptism, you were also raised with Him^(UN) through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.^{(UO) 13} And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive with Him and forgave us all our trespasses. ¹⁴ He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the cross.^{(UP) 15} He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; He triumphed over them by Him.^[dc](UQ)

¹⁶ Therefore, don’t let anyone judge^(UR) you in regard to food and drink^(US) or in the matter of a festival or a new moon^(UT) or a Sabbath day.^{[dd] 17} These are a shadow^(UU) of what was to come;^(UV) the substance is^[de] the Messiah.^{(UW) 18} Let no one disqualify you,^[df](UX) insisting on ascetic practices^(UY) and the worship of angels, claiming access to a visionary realm and inflated^(UZ) without cause by his unspiritual^[dg] mind. ¹⁹ He doesn’t hold on to the head, from whom the whole body,^(VA) nourished and held together by its ligaments and tendons, develops with growth from God.

²⁰ If you died with the Messiah^(VB) to the elemental forces of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations: ²¹ “Don’t handle, don’t taste, don’t touch”? ²² All these regulations refer to what is destroyed by being used up; they are commands and doctrines of men. ²³ Although these have a reputation of wisdom^(VC) by promoting ascetic practices, humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value in curbing self-indulgence.^[dh](VD)

The Life of the New Man

3 So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God.^{(VE) 2} Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.^{(VF) 3} For you have died,^(VG) and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. ⁴ When the Messiah, who is your^[di] life, is revealed,^(VH) then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.^(VI)

⁵ Therefore, put to death what belongs to your worldly nature:^[dj] sexual immorality, impurity,^(VJ) lust,^(VK) evil desire, and greed,^(VL) which is idolatry.^{(VM) 6} Because of these, God’s wrath^(VN) comes on the disobedient,^{[dk] 7} and you once walked in these things when you were living^(VO) in them. ⁸ But now you must also put away^(VP) all the following: anger,^(VQ) wrath,^(VR) malice,^(VS) slander,^(VT) and filthy language from your mouth.^{(VU) 9} Do not lie^(VV) to one another, since you have put off^(VW) the old self^[dl](VX) with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on^(VY) the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your^[dm] Creator.^{(VZ) 11} In Christ^[dn] there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian,^[do] slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.^(WA)

The Christian Life

¹² Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved,^(WB) put on heartfelt compassion, kindness,^(WC) humility,^(WD) gentleness,^(WE) and patience,^{(WF) 13} accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.^{(WG) 14} Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity. ¹⁵ And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called^(WH) in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name^(WI) of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Christ in Your Home

Speaking to God and Others

² Devote yourselves^(WV) to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. ³ At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door^(WW) to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah,^(WX) for which I am in prison,^{(WY) 4} so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak. ⁵ Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.^{(WZ) 6} Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt,^(XA) so that you may know how you should answer each person.^(XB)

Christian Greetings

⁷ Tychicus,^(XC) our dearly loved brother, faithful^(XD) servant, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. ⁸ I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are^[dq] and so that he may encourage^(XE) your hearts.^{(XF) 9} He is with Onesimus,^(XG) a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

¹⁰ Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, as does Mark,^(XH) Barnabas’s^(XI) cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), ¹¹ and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcision are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras,^(XJ) who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always contending^(XK) for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured^[dr] in everything God wills.^{(XL) 13} For I testify about him that he works hard^[ds](XM) for you, for those in Laodicea,^(XN) and for those in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas^(XO) greet you. ¹⁵ Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her home.^{(XP) 16} When this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. ¹⁷ And tell Archippus,^(XQ) “Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it.”^(XR)

¹⁸ This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my imprisonment.^(XS) Grace be with you.^[dt](XT)