JXyaDYcX

11 CORINTHIANS 343 
2
3
4Thanksgiving 
5
64 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God 
7that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have 
8been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind — 6 just 
9as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you — 7 so 
10that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the 
11revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the 
12end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
139 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, 
14Jesus Christ our Lord. 
15
16Paul's first major argument, for unity 
17
1810 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord 
19Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no 
20divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the 
21same purpose. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that 
22there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. 12 What I mean 
23is that each of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or 
24"I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." 13 Has Christ been 
25divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name 
26of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and 
27Gaius, 15 so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 
28(I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not 
29know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to 
30baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so 
31that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. 
32
33The contrast of Christ crucified with "heavenly" wisdom 
34
3518 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are 
36perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For 
37it is written, 
38
39"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, 
40
41and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." 
4220 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the 
43debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the 
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45343 
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491 CORINTHIANS 344 
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511 CORINTHIANS 344 
52
5326 Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were 
54wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of 
55noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the 
56wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God 
57chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to 
58reduce to nothing things that are, 29 so that no one might boast in the 
59presence of God. 30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who 
60became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification 
61and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written, "Let the one who 
62boasts, boast in the Lord." 
63
64[1 Corinthians 2] 
65
661 When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming 
67the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. 2 For I decided to 
68know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And 
69I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. 4 My 
70speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, 
71but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your 
72faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. 
73
74Spiritual wisdom is not for infants 
75
766 Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a 
77wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to 
78perish. 7 But we speak God's wisdom, secret and hidden, which God 
79decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age 
80understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord 
81of glory. 9 But, as it is written, 
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871 CORINTHIANS 345 
88
89
90"What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, 
91
92nor the human heart conceived, 
93
94what God has prepared for those who love him" — 
9510 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit 
96searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For what human being 
97knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So 
98also no one comprehends what is truly God's except the Spirit of God. 
9912 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that 
100is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by 
101God. 13 And we speak of these things in words not taught by human 
102wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those 
103who are spiritual. 
104
10514 Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God's Spirit, for 
106they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them 
107because they are spiritually discerned. 15 Those who are spiritual 
108discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else's 
109scrutiny. 
11016 "For who has known the mind of the Lord 
111
112so as to instruct him?" 
113But we have the mind of Christ. 
114
115[1 Corinthians 3] 
116
1171 And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual 
118people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed 
119you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. 
120Even now you are still not ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For as 
121long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the 
122flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? 4 For when one 
123says, "I belong to Paul," and another, "I belong to Apollos," are you 
124not merely human? 
125
126Warnings about Apollos 
127
1285 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you 
129came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos 
130watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither the one who plants 
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1361 CORINTHIANS 346 
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1381 CORINTHIANS 346 
139
14010 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master 
141builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each 
142builder must choose with care how to build on it. 11 For no one can lay 
143any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation 
144is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, 
145silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw — 13 the work of each builder 
146will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be 
147revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has 
148done. 14 If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder 
149will receive a reward. 15 If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer 
150loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire. 
151
15216 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit 
153dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that 
154person. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. 
155
15618 Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, 
157you should become fools so that you may become wise. 19 For the 
158wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, 
159
160"He catches the wise in their craftiness," 
16120 and again, 
162
163 "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, 
164
165that they are futile." 
16621 So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, 22 
167whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the 
168present or the future — all belong to you, 23 and you belong to Christ, 
169and Christ belongs to God. 
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1751 CORINTHIANS 347 
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177
178[1 Corinthians 4] 
179Paul's defense 
180
1811 Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's 
182mysteries. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found 
183trustworthy. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be 
184judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. 4 I 
185am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby 
186acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce 
187judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to 
188light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes 
189of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God. 
190
1916 I have applied all this to Apollos and myself for your benefit, brothers 
192and sisters, so that you may learn through us the meaning of the 
193saying, "Nothing beyond what is written," so that none of you will be 
194puffed up in favor of one against another. 7 For who sees anything 
195different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? And if 
196you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift? 
197
1988 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Quite 
199apart from us you have become kings! Indeed, I wish that you had 
200become kings, so that we might be kings with you! 9 For I think that 
201God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, as though sentenced to 
202death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels 
203and to mortals. 10 We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are wise 
204in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but 
205we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, we 
206are poorly clothed and beaten and homeless, 12 and we grow weary 
207from the work of our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when 
208persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we speak kindly. We have 
209become like the rubbish of the world, the dregs of all things, to this 
210very day. 
211
21214 I am not writing this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as 
213my beloved children. 15 For though you might have ten thousand 
214guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ 
215Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 I appeal to you, then, 
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217347 
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2211 CORINTHIANS 348 
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2231 CORINTHIANS 348 
224
225[1 Corinthians 5] 
226The need for community discipline 
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2291 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and 
230of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with 
231his father's wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Should you not rather have 
232mourned, so that he who has done this would have been removed 
233from among you? 
234
2353 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present I 
236have already pronounced judgment 4 in the name of the Lord Jesus on 
237the man who has done such a thing. When you are assembled, and my 
238spirit is present with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to hand 
239this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit 
240may be saved in the day of the Lord. 
241
2426 Your boasting is not a good thing. Do you not know that a little 
243yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? 7 Clean out the old yeast so 
244that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our 
245paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore, let us celebrate 
246the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but 
247with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 
248
2499 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral 
250persons — 10 not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the 
251greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out 
252of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with 
253anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually 
254immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do 
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2601 CORINTHIANS 349 
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2621 CORINTHIANS 349 
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264[1 Corinthians 6] 
265Lawsuits 
266
2671 When any of you has a grievance against another, do you dare to 
268take it to court before the unrighteous, instead of taking it before the 
269saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if 
270the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial 
271cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels — to say 
272nothing of ordinary matters? 4 If you have ordinary cases, then, do you 
273appoint as judges those who have no standing in the church? 5 I say 
274this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise 
275enough to decide between one believer and another, 6 but a believer 
276goes to court against a believer — and before unbelievers at that? 
277
2787 In fact, to have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for 
279you. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 But 
280you yourselves wrong and defraud — and believers at that. 
281
2829 Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of 
283God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male 
284prostitutes, sodomites, 10 thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, 
285robbers — none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And this is 
286what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were 
287sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and 
288in the Spirit of our God. 
289
290Sexual sins 
291
29212 "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are beneficial. "All 
293things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything. 13 
294"Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food," and God 
295will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for 
296fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God 
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3021 CORINTHIANS 350 
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3041 CORINTHIANS 350 
305
306[1 Corinthians 7] 
307Discussion of marriage and sexual relations 
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3101 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is well for a 
311man not to touch a woman." 2 But because of cases of sexual 
312immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her 
313own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal 
314rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not 
315have authority over her own body, but the husband does; likewise the 
316husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 
3175 Do not deprive one another except perhaps by agreement for a set 
318time, to devote yourselves to prayer, and then come together again, so 
319that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 
320This I say by way of concession, not of command. 7 I wish that all were 
321as I myself am. But each has a particular gift from God, one having one 
322kind and another a different kind. 
323
3248 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to 
325remain unmarried as I am. 9 But if they are not practicing self-control, 
326they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with 
327passion. 
328
32910 To the married I give this command — not I but the Lord — that the 
330wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does separate, 
331let her remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and 
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3371 CORINTHIANS 351 
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340that the husband should not divorce his wife. 
341
34212 To the rest I say — I and not the Lord — that if any believer has a 
343wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should 
344not divorce her. 13 And if any woman has a husband who is an 
345unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce 
346him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and 
347the unbelieving wife is made holy through her husband. Otherwise, 
348your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the 
349unbelieving partner separates, let it be so; in such a case the brother or 
350sister is not bound. It is to peace that God has called you. 16 Wife, for 
351all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you 
352know, you might save your wife. 
353
35417 However that may be, let each of you lead the life that the Lord has 
355assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches. 18 
356Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not 
357seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of 
358his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19 Circumcision is 
359nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but obeying the 
360commandments of God is everything. 20 Let each of you remain in the 
361condition in which you were called. 
362
36321 Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if 
364you can gain your freedom, make use of your present condition now 
365more than ever. 22 For whoever was called in the Lord as a slave is a 
366freed person belonging to the Lord, just as whoever was free when 
367called is a slave of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not 
368become slaves of human masters. 24 In whatever condition you were 
369called, brothers and sisters, there remain with God. 
370
37125 Now concerning virgins, I have no command of the Lord, but I give 
372my opinion as one who by the LORD's mercy is trustworthy. 26 I think 
373that, in view of the impending crisis, it is well for you to remain as you 
374are. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free 
375from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you marry, you do not sin, 
376and if a virgin marries, she does not sin. Yet those who marry will 
377experience distress in this life, and I would spare you that. 29 I mean, 
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3831 CORINTHIANS 352 
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3851 CORINTHIANS 352 
386
38732 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious 
388about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; 33 but the 
389married man is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please 
390his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman 
391and the virgin are anxious about the affairs of the Lord, so that they 
392may be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious 
393about the affairs of the world, how to please her husband. 35 I say this 
394for your own benefit, not to put any restraint upon you, but to 
395promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord. 
396
39736 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his fiancée, 
398if his passions are strong, and so it has to be, let him marry as he 
399wishes; it is no sin. Let them marry. 37 But if someone stands firm in his 
400resolve, being under no necessity but having his own desire under 
401control, and has determined in his own mind to keep her as his fiancée, 
402he will do well. 38 So then, he who marries his fiancée does well; and 
403he who refrains from marriage will do better. 
404
40539 A wife is bound as long as her husband lives. But if the husband 
406dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 But in 
407my judgment she is more blessed if she remains as she is. And I think 
408that I too have the Spirit of God. 
409
410[1 Corinthians 8] 
411Argument concerning food offered to idols 
412
413
4141 Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that "all of us 
415possess knowledge." Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 Anyone 
416who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary 
417knowledge; 3 but anyone who loves God is known by him. 
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4231 CORINTHIANS 353 
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4251 CORINTHIANS 353 
426
427— as in fact there are many gods and many lords — 6 yet for us there is 
428one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, 
429and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through 
430whom we exist. 
4317 It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some 
432have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the 
433food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being 
434weak, is defiled. 8 "Food will not bring us close to God." We are no 
435worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care 
436that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block 
437to the weak. 10 For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in 
438the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, 
439be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? 11 So by 
440your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are 
441destroyed. 12 But when you thus sin against members of your family, 
442and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 
443Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so 
444that I may not cause one of them to fall. 
445
446[1 Corinthians 9] 
447Paul's rights and his freedom not to exercise them 
448
449
4501 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? 
451Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If I am not an apostle to others, at 
452least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 
453
4543 This is my defense to those who would examine me. 4 Do we not 
455have the right to our food and drink? 5 Do we not have the right to be 
456accompanied by a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the 
457brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who 
458have no right to refrain from working for a living? 7 Who at any time 
459pays the expenses for doing military service? Who plants a vineyard 
460and does not eat any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not 
461get any of its milk? 
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4671 CORINTHIANS 354 
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4691 CORINTHIANS 354 
470
471Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure 
472anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. 
47313 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service 
474get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share 
475in what is sacrificed on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord 
476commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living 
477by the gospel. 
478
47915 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this 
480so that they may be applied in my case. Indeed, I would rather die than 
481that — no one will deprive me of my ground for boasting! 16 If I 
482proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an 
483obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! 
48417 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own 
485will, I am entrusted with a commission. 18 What then is my reward? 
486Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of 
487charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel. 
488
48919 For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave 
490to all, so that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a 
491Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one 
492under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might 
493win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one 
494outside the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under 
495Christ's law) so that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I 
496became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things 
497to all people, that I might by all means save some. 23 I do it all for the 
498sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings. 
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5041 CORINTHIANS 355 
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5061 CORINTHIANS 355 
507
508[1 Corinthians 10] 
509Warning that the Corinthians are risking God's wrath 
510
511
5121 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our 
513ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 
514and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all 
515ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. 
516For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock 
517was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, 
518and they were struck down in the wilderness. 
519
5206 Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not 
521desire evil as they did. 7 Do not become idolaters as some of them did; 
522as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose 
523up to play." 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of 
524them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must 
525not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by 
526serpents. 10 And do not complain as some of them did, and were 
527destroyed by the destroyer. 11 These things happened to them to serve 
528as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom 
529the ends of the ages have come. 12 So if you think you are standing, 
530watch out that you do not fall. 13 No testing has overtaken you that is 
531not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be 
532tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide 
533the way out so that you may be able to endure it. 
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5391 CORINTHIANS 356 
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541
542Prohibition of eating food offered to idols 
543
54414 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols. 15 I speak 
545as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of 
546blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The 
547bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 
548Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all 
549partake of the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel; are not 
550those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar? 19 What do I imply 
551then? That food sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is 
552anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice, they sacrifice to 
553demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with 
554demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of 
555demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of 
556demons. 22 Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger 
557than he? 
558
559Responsibility to others 
560
56123 "All things are lawful," but not all things are beneficial. "All things 
562are lawful," but not all things build up. 24 Do not seek your own 
563advantage, but that of the other. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat 
564market without raising any question on the ground of conscience, 26 
565for "the earth and its fullness are the LORD's." 27 If an unbeliever 
566invites you to a meal and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set 
567before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 
56828 But if someone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," 
569then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you, 
570and for the sake of conscience — 29 I mean the other's conscience, not 
571your own. For why should my liberty be subject to the judgment of 
572someone else's conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why 
573should I be denounced because of that for which I give thanks? 
574
57531 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for 
576the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the 
577church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not 
578seeking my own advantage, but that of many, so that they may be 
579saved. [1 Corinthians 11] 1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 
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5851 CORINTHIANS 357 
586
587
588[1 Corinthians 11] 
589Argument concerning hairstyles 
590
591
5922 I commend you because you remember me in everything and 
593maintain the traditions just as I handed them on to you. 3 But I want 
594you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the 
595husband is the head of his wife, and God is the head of Christ. 4 Any 
596man who prays or prophesies with something on his head disgraces his 
597head, 5 but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head 
598unveiled disgraces her head — it is one and the same thing as having 
599her head shaved. 6 For if a woman will not veil herself, then she should 
600cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut 
601off or to be shaved, she should wear a veil. 7 For a man ought not to 
602have his head veiled, since he is the image and reflection of God; but 
603woman is the reflection of man. 8 Indeed, man was not made from 
604woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for the sake 
605of woman, but woman for the sake of man. 10 For this reason a 
606woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of 
607the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of 
608man or man independent of woman. 12 For just as woman came from 
609man, so man comes through woman; but all things come from God. 13 
610Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her 
611head unveiled? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears 
612long hair, it is degrading to him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is 
613her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 But if anyone is 
614disposed to be contentious — we have no such custom, nor do the 
615churches of God. 
616
61717 Now in the following instructions I do not commend you, because 
618when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 
619For, to begin with, when you come together as a church, I hear that 
620there are divisions among you; and to some extent I believe it. 19 
621Indeed, there have to be factions among you, for only so will it become 
622clear who among you are genuine. 20 When you come together, it is 
623not really to eat the LORD's supper. 21 For when the time comes to eat, 
624each of you goes ahead with your own supper, and one goes hungry 
625and another becomes drunk. 22 What! Do you not have homes to eat 
626and drink in? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and 
627
628357 
629
630
631
6321 CORINTHIANS 358 
633
6341 CORINTHIANS 358 
635
63623 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the 
637Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, 24 
638and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body 
639that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way he 
640took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant 
641in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." 
64226 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim 
643the LORD's death until he comes. 
644
64527 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in 
646an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the 
647Lord. 28 Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink 
648of the cup. 29 For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, 
649eat and drink judgment against themselves. 30 For this reason many of 
650you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged 
651ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the 
652Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with 
653the world. 
654
65533 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, 
656wait for one another. 34 If you are hungry, eat at home, so that when 
657you come together, it will not be for your condemnation. About the 
658other things I will give instructions when I come. 
659
660[1 Corinthians 12] 
661Discrimination among spiritual gifts 
662
663
6641 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you 
665to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were 
666enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. 3 Therefore I want 
667you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says 
668"Let Jesus be cursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except by the 
669Holy Spirit. 
670
671358 
672
673
674
6751 CORINTHIANS 359 
676
677
678Variety in the community 
679
6804 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are 
681varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of 
682activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 
6837 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common 
684good. 8 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, 
685and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same 
686Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing 
687by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another 
688prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various 
689kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these 
690are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one 
691individually just as the Spirit chooses. 
692
69312 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the 
694members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 
69513 For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or 
696Greeks, slaves or free — and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 
697
69814 Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If 
699the foot would say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the 
700body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the 
701ear would say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," 
702that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole 
703body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body 
704were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But as it is, God 
705arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If 
706all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there 
707are many members, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I 
708have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need 
709of you." 22 On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be 
710weaker are indispensable, 23 and those members of the body that we 
711think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less 
712respectable members are treated with greater respect; 24 whereas our 
713more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged 
714the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, 25 that 
715there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may 
716
717359 
718
719
720
7211 CORINTHIANS 360 
722
723
724have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all 
725suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together 
726with it. 
727
72827 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 
729And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, 
730third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of 
731assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all 
732apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 
733Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all 
734interpret? 31 But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still 
735more excellent way. 
736
737[1 Corinthians 13] 
738Praising love 
739
7401 If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have 
741love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic 
742powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have 
743all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am 
744nothing. 3 If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body 
745so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 
746
7474 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or 
748arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable 
749or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the 
750truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures 
751all things. 
752
7538 Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as 
754for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. 9 
755For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; 10 but when 
756the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. 11 When I was a 
757child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; 
758when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. 12 For now we 
759see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know 
760only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 
761
762360 
763
764
765
7661 CORINTHIANS 361 
767
768
769And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of 
770these is love. 
771
772[1 Corinthians 14] 
773Advocating prophecy 
774
7751 Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you 
776may prophesy. 2 For those who speak in a tongue do not speak to 
777other people but to God; for nobody understands them, since they are 
778speaking mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, those who 
779prophesy speak to other people for their upbuilding and 
780encouragement and consolation. 4 Those who speak in a tongue build 
781up themselves, but those who prophesy build up the church. 5 Now I 
782would like all of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. 
783One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless 
784someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. 
785
7866 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how 
787will I benefit you unless I speak to you in some revelation or 
788knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7 It is the same way with lifeless 
789instruments that produce sound, such as the flute or the harp. If they 
790do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is being 
791played? 8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get 
792ready for battle? 9 So with yourselves; if in a tongue you utter speech 
793that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is being said? For 
794you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different 
795kinds of sounds in the world, and nothing is without sound. 11 If then I 
796do not know the meaning of a sound, I will be a foreigner to the 
797speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So with yourselves; since 
798you are eager for spiritual gifts, strive to excel in them for building up 
799the church. 
800
80113 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to 
802interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is 
803unproductive. 15 What should I do then? I will pray with the spirit, but I 
804will pray with the mind also; I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will 
805sing praise with the mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you say a blessing with 
806the spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say the 
807
808361 
809
810
811
8121 CORINTHIANS 362 
813
8141 CORINTHIANS 362 
815
81620 Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; rather, be 
817infants in evil, but in thinking be adults. 21 In the law it is written, 
818"By people of strange tongues 
819and by the lips of foreigners 
820I will speak to this people; 
821
822yet even then they will not listen to me," 
823says the Lord. 22 Tongues, then, are a sign not for believers but for 
824unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 
825If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in 
826tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you 
827are out of your mind? 24 But if all prophesy, an unbeliever or outsider 
828who enters is reproved by all and called to account by all. 25 After the 
829secrets of the unbeliever's heart are disclosed, that person will bow 
830down before God and worship him, declaring, "God is really among 
831you." 
832
83326 What should be done then, my friends? When you come together, 
834each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an 
835interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 27 If anyone 
836speaks in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in 
837turn; and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let 
838them be silent in church and speak to themselves and to God. 29 Let 
839two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 
840If a revelation is made to someone else sitting nearby, let the first 
841person be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may 
842learn and all be encouraged. 32 And the spirits of prophets are subject 
843to the prophets, 33 for God is a God not of disorder but of peace. 
844
845(As in all the churches of the saints, 34 women should be silent in the 
846churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be 
847subordinate, as the law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to 
848
849362 
850
851
852
8531 CORINTHIANS 363 
854
855
856know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a 
857woman to speak in church. 36 Or did the word of God originate with 
858you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?) 
859
86037 Anyone who claims to be a prophet, or to have spiritual powers, 
861must acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the 
862Lord. 38 Anyone who does not recognize this is not to be recognized. 
86339 So, my friends, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in 
864tongues; 40 but all things should be done decently and in order. 
865
866[1 Corinthians 15] 
867Arguments for the resurrection; the proclamation of Christ's death and 
868resurrection 
869
8701 Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I 
871proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, 
8722 through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the 
873message that I proclaimed to you — unless you have come to believe in 
874vain. 
875
8763 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had 
877received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 
8784 and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in 
879accordance with the scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then 
880to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers 
881and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have 
882died. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of 
883all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the 
884least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted 
885the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his 
886grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked 
887harder than any of them — though it was not I, but the grace of God 
888that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so 
889you have come to believe. 
890
891363 
892
893
894
8951 CORINTHIANS 364 
896
897
898The reality of the resurrection of the dead 
899
90012 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some 
901of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no 
902resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; 14 and if 
903Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and 
904your faith has been in vain. 15 We are even found to be 
905misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ 
906
907— whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 
908For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. 17 If 
909Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your 
910sins. 18 Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. 19 If for 
911this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be 
912pitied. 
91320 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of 
914those who have died. 21 For since death came through a human being, 
915the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; 22 
916for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. 23 But each in 
917his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who 
918belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he hands over the 
919kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and 
920every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his 
921enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 
922For "God has put all things in subjection under his feet." But when it 
923says, "All things are put in subjection," it is plain that this does not 
924include the one who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When 
925all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be 
926subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so 
927that God may be all in all. 
928
92929 Otherwise, what will those people do who receive baptism on 
930behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people 
931baptized on their behalf? 
932
93330 And why are we putting ourselves in danger every hour? 31 I die 
934every day! That is as certain, brothers and sisters, as my boasting of you 
935
936— a boast that I make in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If with merely human 
937364 
938
939
940
9411 CORINTHIANS 365 
942
9431 CORINTHIANS 365 
944
94534 Come to a sober and right mind, and sin no more; for some people 
946have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. 
947
948With what kind of body? 
949
95035 But someone will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of 
951body do they come?" 36 Fool! What you sow does not come to life 
952unless it dies. 37 And as for what you sow, you do not sow the body 
953that is to be, but a bare seed, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. 
95438 But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed 
955its own body. 39 Not all flesh is alike, but there is one flesh for human 
956beings, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. 40 
957There are both heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of 
958the heavenly is one thing, and that of the earthly is another. 41 There is 
959one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another 
960glory of the stars; indeed, star differs from star in glory. 
961
96242 So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, 
963what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in 
964glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a 
965physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, 
966there is also a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, "The first man, 
967Adam, became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving 
968spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and 
969then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; 
970the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so are 
971those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those 
972who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of 
973dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven. 
974
975365 
976
977
978
9791 CORINTHIANS 366 
980
9811 CORINTHIANS 366 
982
983"Death has been swallowed up in victory." 
98455 "Where, O death, is your victory? 
985
986Where, O death, is your sting?" 
98756 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But 
988thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus 
989Christ. 
990
99158 Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in 
992the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is 
993not in vain. 
994
995[1 Corinthians 16] 
996The collection, travel plans, and Apollos 
997
998
9991 Now concerning the collection for the saints: you should follow the 
1000directions I gave to the churches of Galatia. 2 On the first day of every 
1001week, each of you is to put aside and save whatever extra you earn, so 
1002that collections need not be taken when I come. 3 And when I arrive, I 
1003will send any whom you approve with letters to take your gift to 
1004Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will 
1005accompany me. 
1006
10075 I will visit you after passing through Macedonia — for I intend to pass 
1008through Macedonia — 6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend 
1009the winter, so that you may send me on my way, wherever I go. 7 I do 
1010not want to see you now just in passing, for I hope to spend some time 
1011with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay in Ephesus until 
1012
1013366 
1014
1015
1016
10171 CORINTHIANS 367 
1018
10191 CORINTHIANS 367 
1020
102110 If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear among you, for he 
1022is doing the work of the Lord just as I am; 11 therefore let no one 
1023despise him. Send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; 
1024for I am expecting him with the brothers. 
1025
102612 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit 
1027you with the other brothers, but he was not at all willing to come now. 
1028He will come when he has the opportunity. 
1029
1030Conclusion 
1031
103213 Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. 14 Let 
1033all that you do be done in love. 
1034
103515 Now, brothers and sisters, you know that members of the household 
1036of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted 
1037themselves to the service of the saints; 16 I urge you to put yourselves 
1038at the service of such people, and of everyone who works and toils 
1039with them. 17 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and 
1040Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence; 18 for they 
1041refreshed my spirit as well as yours. So give recognition to such 
1042persons. 
1043
104419 The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together 
1045with the church in their house, greet you warmly in the Lord. 20 All the 
1046brothers and sisters send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 
1047
104821 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. 22 Let anyone be 
1049accursed who has no love for the Lord. Our Lord, come! 23 The grace of 
1050the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with all of you in Christ 
1051Jesus. 
1052
1053367 
1054
1055
1056
10572 CORINTHIANS 368 
1058
1059
10602 CORINTHIANS 
1061
1062
1063Introduction 
1064
1065First and Second Corinthians are not the only letters Paul wrote to 
1066Corinth, and an examination of the sequence of events behind these 
1067letters gives an indication of the tensions in the relationship between 
1068Paul and the Corinthian church. Although the exact events cannot all 
1069be recovered from the materials in the New Testament, they can 
1070reasonably be reconstructed as follows. 
1071
1072After Paul founded the church at Corinth (2 Cor 1.19; see also Acts 18.17, 
1073esp. v. 5), the congregation wrote to him at least once (1 Cor 7.1), and 
1074Paul also wrote them a letter, now lost, which is mentioned in 1 Cor 
1075
10765.9. Then Paul wrote 1 Corinthians while he was in Ephesus (1 Cor 16.8). 
1077Timothy had worked with Paul in Corinth (Acts 18.5), and at some time 
1078after that, Paul sent Timothy to Corinth as his personal emissary (1 Cor 
10794.17; 16.10-11), but Timothy returned with news that a group of Jewish-
1080Christian missionaries had arrived at Corinth and might be 
1081undermining Paul's teaching and his apostolic authority. Paul refers to 
1082these missionaries ironically as "super-apostles" (2 Cor 11.5; 12.11), "false 
1083apostles" (11.13) and even "Satan's ministers" (11.15). This challenge to 
1084his missionary activity prompted Paul to visit Corinth a second time. 
1085The result was unfortunate: Evidently a member of the congregation 
1086offended him grievously (2.5-6); he later called this the "painful visit" 
1087(2.1; 7.2). After his bitter departure, Paul wrote what he called the 
1088"letter of tears" (2.4; 7.8), a letter that is now lost. Either despite or 
1089because of its severity, this letter evidently succeeded in persuading the 
1090majority of the church to Paul's position, as Titus reported when he 
1091met Paul in Macedonia (7.6-7). Paul, much relieved at the resolution of 
1092the conflict, wrote a conciliatory letter than may include 1.1-2.13; 7.5-16, 
1093and probably other parts, now lost. In addition, Paul sent two letters 
1094on the collection for the poor in the Jerusalem church (chs 8-9). Paul's 
1095confidence in the resolution was premature, however, for he later had 
1096368 
1097
1098
1099
11002 CORINTHIANS 369 
1101
1102
1103to write a bitter polemical letter directed against the "super-apostles" 
1104(chs 10-13). 
1105
1106Thus, 2 Corinthians as it now stands seems to be a composite of 
1107fragments from different letters, though their precise extent and 
1108relative chronology are open to question. For example, in 2.13 the 
1109narrative at this point drops Paul's anxious wait for Titus and resumes 
1110in 7.5; in 6.14-7.1 an abrupt interruption of Paul's appeal in the present 
1111context, since 7.2-4 more naturally follows 6.11-13. This passage contains 
1112many words (e.g., "mismatched" and "partnership") used nowhere else 
1113by Paul; the stark dualism is also uncharacteristic of him. Some scholars 
1114hold that chapters 8 and 9 are two separate letters to two different 
1115regions in Achaia. Chapter 9 starts the appeal for the collection afresh 
1116as if ch 8 had not preceded it. In 9.2, Macedonia, in contrast to 8.1, now 
1117has to listen to Paul's boasting of the achievements of the Achaian 
1118churches (see also v. 4) in contrast to the unfinished state of the 
1119Corinthian collection (8.10-11). Finally, the ironic and polemical tone of 
1120chs 10-13 contrasts sharply with that of the preceding chapters. Paul no 
1121longer refers to his opponents indirectly (see 2.17; 5.12), but pointedly. 
1122For these reasons, many take chs 10-13 to be a fragment of another 
1123letter. 
1124
1125This disjointed character underscores the difficulty of reading the letter 
1126as a coherent whole. After a standard salutation (1.1-2), Paul moves to a 
1127characteristic blessing of God and a thanksgiving for consoling his 
1128afflictions (1.3-7) and delivering him (1.8-11). He then dwells on his 
1129relationship with the Corinthians (1.12-2.13), but after a conciliatory 
1130passage and before he finishes recounting his travel plans (2.5-13) he 
1131enters into an argumentative discourse (2.14-5.21) that ends in an 
1132anxious appeal for reconciliation (6.1-13; 7.2-4 [6.14-7.1 appears to be 
1133parenthetical]). Thereafter the travelogue resumes, as does the earlier 
1134conciliatory theme, and Paul concludes by expressing his complete 
1135confidence in the Corinthians (7.5-16). Two chapters (8 and 9) on the 
1136collection for the poor in the Jerusalem church (1 Cor 16.1-4; see also 
1137Gal 2.10) may be two separate letters, one to Corinth and on to Achaia 
1138(compare 8.1 to 9.2). Finally a highly charged polemical letter (10.1
1139
1140
114113.10) ends with a farewell and Paul's fullest benediction (13.11-13). 
1142369 
1143
1144
1145
11462 CORINTHIANS 370 
1147
11482 CORINTHIANS 370 
1149
1150[2 Corinthians 1] 
1151Salutation 
1152
11531 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our 
1154brother, 
1155
1156To the church of God that is in Corinth, including all the saints 
1157throughout Achaia: 
11582 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus 
1159Christ. 
1160
1161Paul blesses God for rescuing him and consoling his afflictions 
1162
11633 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of 
1164mercies and the God of all consolation, 4 who consoles us in all our 
1165affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any 
1166affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by 
1167God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also 
1168our consolation is abundant through Christ. 6 If we are being afflicted, 
1169it is for your consolation and salvation; if we are being consoled, it is 
1170for your consolation, which you experience when you patiently endure 
1171the same sufferings that we are also suffering. 7 Our hope for you is 
1172unshaken; for we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you 
1173share in our consolation. 
1174
1175God delivers Paul 
1176
11778 We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of the 
1178affliction we experienced in Asia; for we were so utterly, unbearably 
1179crushed that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had 
1180
1181370 
1182
1183
1184
11852 CORINTHIANS 371 
1186
11872 CORINTHIANS 371 
1188
1189Paul stresses his bond with the Corinthians 
1190
119112 Indeed, this is our boast, the testimony of our conscience: we have 
1192behaved in the world with frankness and godly sincerity, not by earthly 
1193wisdom but by the grace of God — and all the more toward you. 13 For 
1194we write you nothing other than what you can read and also 
1195understand; I hope you will understand until the end — 14 as you have 
1196already understood us in part — that on the day of the Lord Jesus we 
1197are your boast even as you are our boast. 
1198
1199Paul remembers the Corinthians as he travels to Macedonia 
1200
120115 Since I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you 
1202might have a double favor; 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to 
1203Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you 
1204send me on to Judea. 17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do 
1205I make my plans according to ordinary human standards, ready to say 
1206"Yes, yes" and "No, no" at the same time? 18 As surely as God is 
1207faithful, our word to you has not been "Yes and No." 19 For the Son of 
1208God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and 
1209Timothy and I, was not "Yes and No"; but in him it is always "Yes." 20 
1210For in him every one of God's promises is a "Yes." For this reason it is 
1211through him that we say the "Amen," to the glory of God. 21 But it is 
1212God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, 22 by 
1213putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts as a first 
1214installment. 
1215
121623 But I call on God as witness against me: it was to spare you that I did 
1217not come again to Corinth. 24 I do not mean to imply that we lord it 
1218over your faith; rather, we are workers with you for your joy, because 
1219you stand firm in the faith. [2 Corinthians 2] 1 So I made up my mind 
1220
1221371 
1222
1223
1224
12252 CORINTHIANS 372 
1226
12272 CORINTHIANS 372 
1228
12295 But if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but to 
1230some extent — not to exaggerate it — to all of you. 6 This punishment 
1231by the majority is enough for such a person; 7 so now instead you 
1232should forgive and console him, so that he may not be overwhelmed 
1233by excessive sorrow. 8 So I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 I 
1234wrote for this reason: to test you and to know whether you are 
1235obedient in everything. 10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. 
1236What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your 
1237sake in the presence of Christ. 11 And we do this so that we may not be 
1238outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. 
1239
124012 When I came to Troas to proclaim the good news of Christ, a door 
1241was opened for me in the Lord; 13 but my mind could not rest because I 
1242did not find my brother Titus there. So I said farewell to them and 
1243went on to Macedonia. 
1244
1245Real character of Paul's ministry; the ministry of glory; God equips 
1246competent ministers 
1247
124814 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal 
1249procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that 
1250comes from knowing him. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God 
1251among those who are being saved and among those who are 
1252perishing; 16 to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other 
1253a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For 
1254we are not peddlers of God's word like so many; but in Christ we speak 
1255as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in his 
1256presence. 
1257
1258372 
1259
1260
1261
12622 CORINTHIANS 373 
1263
1264
1265[2 Corinthians 3] 
1266Ministers of the new covenant of Spirit 
1267
1268
12691 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Surely we do not 
1270need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you or from you, do 
1271we? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, to be 
1272known and read by all; 3 and you show that you are a letter of Christ, 
1273prepared by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living 
1274God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 
1275
12764 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 
1277Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming 
1278from us; our competence is from God, 6 who has made us competent 
1279to be ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the 
1280letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 
1281
12827 Now if the ministry of death, chiseled in letters on stone tablets, 
1283came in glory so that the people of Israel could not gaze at Moses' face 
1284because of the glory of his face, a glory now set aside, 8 how much 
1285more will the ministry of the Spirit come in glory? 9 For if there was 
1286glory in the ministry of condemnation, much more does the ministry of 
1287justification abound in glory! 10 Indeed, what once had glory has lost 
1288its glory because of the greater glory; 11 for if what was set aside came 
1289through glory, much more has the permanent come in glory! 
1290
129112 Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, 13 not 
1292like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel 
1293from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. 14 But 
1294their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear 
1295the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only 
1296in Christ is it set aside. 15 Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is 
1297read, a veil lies over their minds; 16 but when one turns to the Lord, the 
1298veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of 
1299the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And all of us, with unveiled faces, 
1300seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being 
1301transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; 
1302for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. 
1303
1304373 
1305
1306
1307
13082 CORINTHIANS 374 
1309
1310
1311[2 Corinthians 4] 
1312Climax of Paul's self-defense 
1313
1314
13151 Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this 
1316ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced the shameful 
1317things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's 
1318word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves 
1319to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. 3 And even if our 
1320gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case 
1321the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep 
1322them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is 
1323the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim 
1324Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. 6 For it 
1325is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone 
1326in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in 
1327the face of Jesus Christ. 
1328
1329Ministry of hardship 
1330
13317 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear 
1332that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from 
1333us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not 
1334driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not 
1335destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that 
1336the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. 11 For while we 
1337live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the 
1338life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at 
1339work in us, but life in you. 
1340
134113 But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with 
1342scripture — "I believed, and so I spoke" — we also believe, and so we 
1343speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will 
1344raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. 15 
1345Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more 
1346and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 
1347
1348374 
1349
1350
1351
13522 CORINTHIANS 375 
1353
13542 CORINTHIANS 375 
1355
1356[2 Corinthians 5] 
1357
13581 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a 
1359building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the 
1360heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our 
1361heavenly dwelling — 3 if indeed, when we have taken it off we will not 
1362be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan under 
1363our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further 
1364clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who 
1365has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit 
1366as a guarantee. 
1367
13686 So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are 
1369at home in the body we are away from the Lord — 7 for we walk by 
1370faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather 
1371be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we 
1372are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For all of us 
1373must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may 
1374receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether 
1375good or evil. 
1376
1377Ministry of reconciliation 
1378
137911 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; 
1380but we ourselves are well known to God, and I hope that we are also 
1381well known to your consciences. 12 We are not commending ourselves 
1382to you again, but giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that 
1383you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance 
1384and not in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if 
1385we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ urges us 
1386on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all 
1387
1388375 
1389
1390
1391
13922 CORINTHIANS 376 
1393
13942 CORINTHIANS 376 
1395
139616 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of 
1397view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, 
1398we know him no longer in that way. 17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is 
1399a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has 
1400become new! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself 
1401through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that 
1402is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting 
1403their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of 
1404reconciliation to us. 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is 
1405making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be 
1406reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no 
1407sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 
1408
1409[2 Corinthians 6] 
1410Summary of defense 
1411
14121 As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the 
1413grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, 
1414
1415"At an acceptable time I have listened to you, 
1416
1417and on a day of salvation I have helped you." 
1418See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! 3 We 
1419are putting no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found 
1420with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we have commended 
1421ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, 
1422hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless 
1423nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of 
1424spirit, genuine love, 7 truthful speech, and the power of God; with the 
1425weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 in 
1426honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as 
1427impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet are well known; as 
1428dying, and see — we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as 
1429sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as 
1430having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 
1431
1432376 
1433
1434
1435
14362 CORINTHIANS 377 
1437
1438
1439Final appeal to the Corinthians 
1440
144111 We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open 
1442to you. 12 There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. 13 
1443In return — I speak as to children — open wide your hearts also. 
144414 Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is 
1445there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship is 
1446there between light and darkness? 15 What agreement does Christ 
1447have with Beliar? Or what does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 
1448What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the 
1449temple of the living God; as God said, 
1450
1451 "I will live in them and walk among them, 
1452
1453and I will be their God, 
1454
1455and they shall be my people. 
145617 Therefore come out from them, 
1457and be separate from them, says the Lord, 
1458and touch nothing unclean; 
1459then I will welcome you, 
146018 and I will be your father, 
1461and you shall be my sons and daughters, 
1462says the Lord Almighty." 
1463
1464[2 Corinthians 7] 
1465
14661 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from 
1467every defilement of body and of spirit, making holiness perfect in the 
1468fear of God. 
1469
14702 Make room in your hearts for us; we have wronged no one, we have 
1471corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. 3 I do not say 
1472this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die 
1473together and to live together. 4 I often boast about you; I have great 
1474pride in you; I am filled with consolation; I am overjoyed in all our 
1475affliction. 
1476
1477377 
1478
1479
1480
14812 CORINTHIANS 378 
1482
1483
1484Resumption of the travelogue 
1485
14865 For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but 
1487we were afflicted in every way — disputes without and fears within. 6 
1488But God, who consoles the downcast, consoled us by the arrival of 
1489Titus, 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with 
1490which he was consoled about you, as he told us of your longing, your 
1491mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. 8 For even if I 
1492made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it (though I did regret it, 
1493for I see that I grieved you with that letter, though only briefly). 9 Now 
1494I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to 
1495repentance; for you felt a godly grief, so that you were not harmed in 
1496any way by us. 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to 
1497salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death. 11 For 
1498see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, what 
1499eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what 
1500longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved 
1501yourselves guiltless in the matter. 12 So although I wrote to you, it was 
1502not on account of the one who did the wrong, nor on account of the 
1503one who was wronged, but in order that your zeal for us might be 
1504made known to you before God. 13 In this we find comfort. 
1505
1506In addition to our own consolation, we rejoiced still more at the joy of 
1507Titus, because his mind has been set at rest by all of you. 14 For if I have 
1508been somewhat boastful about you to him, I was not disgraced; but 
1509just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus has 
1510proved true as well. 15 And his heart goes out all the more to you, as 
1511he remembers the obedience of all of you, and how you welcomed him 
1512with fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice, because I have complete 
1513confidence in you. 
1514
1515[2 Corinthians 8] 
1516The collection for the Jerusalem church; letter of appeal to the 
1517Corinthians for the collection 
1518
15191 We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God 
1520that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia; 2 for during a 
1521severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme 
1522
1523378 
1524
1525
1526
15272 CORINTHIANS 379 
1528
15292 CORINTHIANS 379 
1530
15318 I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of 
1532your love against the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the 
1533generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for 
1534your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become 
1535rich. 10 And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for 
1536you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire 
1537to do something — 11 now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may 
1538be matched by completing it according to your means. 12 For if the 
1539eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has — 
1540not according to what one does not have. 13 I do not mean that there 
1541should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a 
1542fair balance between 14 your present abundance and their need, so 
1543that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be 
1544a fair balance. 15 As it is written, 
1545
1546 "The one who had much did not have too much, 
1547
1548 and the one who had little did not have too little." 
1549
155016 But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same 
1551eagerness for you that I myself have. 17 For he not only accepted our 
1552appeal, but since he is more eager than ever, he is going to you of his 
1553own accord. 18 With him we are sending the brother who is famous 
1554among all the churches for his proclaiming the good news; 19 and not 
1555only that, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel 
1556with us while we are administering this generous undertaking for the 
1557glory of the Lord himself and to show our goodwill. 20 We intend that 
1558no one should blame us about this generous gift that we are 
1559administering, 21 for we intend to do what is right not only in the 
1560
1561379 
1562
1563
1564
15652 CORINTHIANS 380 
1566
15672 CORINTHIANS 380 
1568
1569[2 Corinthians 9] 
1570A second letter of appeal for the collection 
1571
1572
15731 Now it is not necessary for me to write you about the ministry to the 
1574saints, 2 for I know your eagerness, which is the subject of my boasting 
1575about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been 
1576ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I 
1577am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you may not 
1578prove to have been empty in this case, so that you may be ready, as I 
1579said you would be; 4 otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me 
1580and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated — to say 
1581nothing of you — in this undertaking. 5 So I thought it necessary to 
1582urge the brothers to go on ahead to you, and arrange in advance for 
1583this bountiful gift that you have promised, so that it may be ready as a 
1584voluntary gift and not as an extortion. 
1585
15866 The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, 
1587and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each of 
1588you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or 
1589under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to 
1590provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having 
1591enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 
15929 As it is written, 
1593
1594 "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; 
1595
1596his righteousness endures forever." 
1597
159810 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply 
1599and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your 
1600righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way for your great 
1601
1602380 
1603
1604
1605
16062 CORINTHIANS 381 
1607
16082 CORINTHIANS 381 
1609
1610[2 Corinthians 10] 
1611Defense of apostolic authority; Paul attacks his opponents 
1612
1613
16141 I myself, Paul, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ 
1615
1616— I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you 
1617when I am away! — 2 I ask that when I am present I need not show 
1618boldness by daring to oppose those who think we are acting according 
1619to human standards. 3 Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not 
1620wage war according to human standards; 4 for the weapons of our 
1621warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy 
1622strongholds. We destroy arguments 5 and every proud obstacle raised 
1623up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive 
1624to obey Christ. 6 We are ready to punish every disobedience when your 
1625obedience is complete. 
16267 Look at what is before your eyes. If you are confident that you 
1627belong to Christ, remind yourself of this, that just as you belong to 
1628Christ, so also do we. 8 Now, even if I boast a little too much of our 
1629authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing 
1630you down, I will not be ashamed of it. 9 I do not want to seem as 
1631though I am trying to frighten you with my letters. 10 For they say, "His 
1632letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his 
1633speech contemptible." 11 Let such people understand that what we say 
1634by letter when absent, we will also do when present. 
1635
163612 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those 
1637who commend themselves. But when they measure themselves by one 
1638another, and compare themselves with one another, they do not show 
1639good sense. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond limits, but will keep 
1640
1641381 
1642
1643
1644
16452 CORINTHIANS 382 
1646
16472 CORINTHIANS 382 
1648
1649[2 Corinthians 11] 
1650A fool's speech; appeal to the Corinthians as a fool 
1651
1652
16531 I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with 
1654me! 2 I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I promised you in marriage to 
1655one husband, to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I am 
1656afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by its cunning, your thoughts 
1657will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if 
1658someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we 
1659proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you 
1660received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you submit 
1661to it readily enough. 5 I think that I am not in the least inferior to these 
1662super-apostles. 6 I may be untrained in speech, but not in knowledge; 
1663certainly in every way and in all things we have made this evident to 
1664you. 
1665
16667 Did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you might be exalted, 
1667because I proclaimed God's good news to you free of charge? 8 I 
1668robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to 
1669serve you. 9 And when I was with you and was in need, I did not 
1670burden anyone, for my needs were supplied by the friends who came 
1671from Macedonia. So I refrained and will continue to refrain from 
1672burdening you in any way. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boast 
1673of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. 11 And why? 
1674Because I do not love you? God knows I do! 
1675
1676382 
1677
1678
1679
16802 CORINTHIANS 383 
1681
16822 CORINTHIANS 383 
1683
1684Paul compares himself to the false apostles 
1685
168616 I repeat, let no one think that I am a fool; but if you do, then accept 
1687me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. 17 What I am saying in 
1688regard to this boastful confidence, I am saying not with the LORD's 
1689authority, but as a fool; 18 since many boast according to human 
1690standards, I will also boast. 19 For you gladly put up with fools, being 
1691wise yourselves! 20 For you put up with it when someone makes slaves 
1692of you, or preys upon you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, 
1693or gives you a slap in the face. 21 To my shame, I must say, we were too 
1694weak for that! 
1695
1696But whatever anyone dares to boast of — I am speaking as a fool — I 
1697also dare to boast of that. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they 
1698Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are 
1699they ministers of Christ? I am talking like a madman — I am a better 
1700one: with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless 
1701floggings, and often near death. 24 Five times I have received from the 
1702Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. 
1703Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked; for a night 
1704and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from 
1705rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own people, danger from 
1706Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, 
1707danger from false brothers and sisters; 27 in toil and hardship, through 
1708many a sleepless night, hungry and thirsty, often without food, cold 
1709and naked. 28 And, besides other things, I am under daily pressure 
1710because of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am 
1711not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I am not indignant? 
1712
1713383 
1714
1715
1716
17172 CORINTHIANS 384 
1718
17192 CORINTHIANS 384 
1720
1721[2 Corinthians 12] 
1722
17231 It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on 
1724to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a person in Christ who 
1725fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven — whether in 
1726the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. 3 And I know 
1727that such a person — whether in the body or out of the body I do not 
1728know; God knows — 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard things 
1729that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. 5 On 
1730behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, 
1731except of my weaknesses. 6 But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, 
1732for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one 
1733may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, 7 
1734even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. 
1735Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in 
1736the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being 
1737too elated. 8 Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it 
1738would leave me, 9 but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, 
1739for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more 
1740gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 
174110 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, 
1742persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am 
1743weak, then I am strong. 
1744
1745Conclusion of the fool's speech 
1746
174711 I have been a fool! You forced me to it. Indeed you should have 
1748been the ones commending me, for I am not at all inferior to these 
1749super-apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of a true 
1750apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, signs and 
1751wonders and mighty works. 13 How have you been worse off than the 
1752
1753384 
1754
1755
1756
17572 CORINTHIANS 385 
1758
1759
1760other churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me 
1761this wrong! 
1762
1763Paul prepares for a third visit 
1764
176514 Here I am, ready to come to you this third time. And I will not be a 
1766burden, because I do not want what is yours but you; for children 
1767ought not to lay up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 I 
1768will most gladly spend and be spent for you. If I love you more, am I to 
1769be loved less? 16 Let it be assumed that I did not burden you. 
1770Nevertheless (you say) since I was crafty, I took you in by deceit. 17 Did I 
1771take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I 
1772urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Titus did not take 
1773advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves with the same 
1774spirit? Did we not take the same steps? 
1775
177619 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending 
1777ourselves before you? We are speaking in Christ before God. 
1778Everything we do, beloved, is for the sake of building you up. 20 For I 
1779fear that when I come, I may find you not as I wish, and that you may 
1780find me not as you wish; I fear that there may perhaps be quarreling, 
1781jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 21 I 
1782fear that when I come again, my God may humble me before you, and 
1783that I may have to mourn over many who previously sinned and have 
1784not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and licentiousness 
1785that they have practiced. 
1786
1787[2 Corinthians 13] 
1788
17891 This is the third time I am coming to you. "Any charge must be 
1790sustained by the evidence of two or three witnesses." 2 I warned those 
1791who sinned previously and all the others, and I warn them now while 
1792absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again, I 
1793will not be lenient — 3 since you desire proof that Christ is speaking in 
1794me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful in you. 4 For he 
1795was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we are 
1796weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the 
1797power of God. 
1798
1799385 
1800
1801
1802
18032 CORINTHIANS 386 
1804
18052 CORINTHIANS 386 
1806
1807Final benediction 
1808
180911 Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my 
1810appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and 
1811peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the 
1812saints greet you. 
1813
181413 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the 
1815communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. 
1816
1817386 
1818
1819
1820
1821GALATIANS 387 
1822
1823
1824GALATIANS 
1825
1826
1827Introduction 
1828
1829By the middle of the first century CE, although the early Christian 
1830movement was still connected to Judaism, an increasing number of its 
1831members were Gentiles. The tireless missionary activity of Paul, who 
1832saw himself as the apostle to the Gentiles (1.16), had fostered this 
1833development. The relationship between these new, non-Jewish 
1834converts and Jewish Christians, and between the emerging Christian 
1835movement and Judaism, became an issue of burning importance. One 
1836crucial issue concerned the status of the law of Moses. Should Gentile 
1837Christians convert to Judaism in the process of becoming Christians? 
1838Were they required to observe Jewish law, even in part? The Letter to 
1839the Galatians gives Paul's view of this controversy and states a position 
1840on the Jewish law that will have far-reaching consequences. 
1841
1842Paul does not, however, discuss the issue in the abstract. Instead, facing 
1843a concrete situation in a particular place, he argues passionately that 
1844his view is crucial both to the survival of his mission in Galatia and, 
1845more important, to that of Christianity generally. In his confrontation 
1846with Peter at Antioch, he had held that the demands of the Jewish law 
1847were an unnecessary burden for Gentiles when even Jewish Christians 
1848had ceased to observe them (2.11-14). Now he argues that the 
1849observance of the Jewish law by Gentiles is in itself incompatible with 
1850acceptance of the gospel (2.15-21). Paul does not directly address the 
1851question of whether Jewish Christians were still bound to keep the law. 
1852In his allegorical argument based upon the story of Hagar and Sarah 
1853(4.21-31) he seems to propose that the Sinai covenant and the 
1854community of Israel based upon the observance of the law is drastically 
1855at odds with the authentic Israel, the community united with the one 
1856true heir of Abraham, Jesus Christ (3.16). Previously Paul has talked 
1857about the law as a provisional measure, a means to discipline those 
1858who would inherit Abraham's promise during their religious infancy 
1859
1860387 
1861
1862
1863
1864GALATIANS 388 
1865
1866GALATIANS 388 
1867
1868The exact date of the letter's composition is not known, but it was 
1869written presumably some time between the late forties and early fifties 
1870of the Common Era. Paul would develop his views on the law further in 
1871his Letter to the Romans, which is considered his last letter. Although 
1872Galatians follows the form of a letter to specific Christian churches, 
1873there are no references to anyone in the community and little 
1874information about Paul's mission among them. The letter is rather 
1875Paul's defense of his Gentile mission as a whole and the particular 
1876understanding of the law on which it is based. The addresses of the 
1877letter are an unspecified number of "the churches of Galatia" (1.2), a 
1878Roman province in central Asia Minor where, according to Acts, Paul 
1879had preached (Acts 13.14-14.23; cf. 16.6; 18.23). 
1880
1881Prior to writing Galatians, Paul had been involved in discussions of 
1882Gentile observance of the law with the leaders of the Jerusalem church 
1883(2.1-10). This meeting may be identical with the council at Jerusalem, 
1884reported in Acts 15.1-29. Paul's account of his visit to Jerusalem is, 
1885however, very different from the account in Acts. In Galatians Paul is 
1886insistent that no demand was made for Gentiles to observe the law. A 
1887conflict in Antioch ensued over table fellowship of Jews and Gentiles 
1888(2.11-14). Paul names as his opponents in Antioch "certain people... 
1889from James" and "the circumcision faction," but it is unclear whether 
1890the two groups are the same. Nonetheless, they persuaded the rest of 
1891the Jews, including Peter and Barnabas, to break off table fellowship 
1892with Gentiles. Paul repeats his accusation against Peter that Peter 
1893himself no longer observed Jewish law and customs, yet wanted to 
1894impose them on Gentiles. 
1895
1896The context of Paul's formulations was his better struggle with 
1897opponents in Galatia. The content and sharp polemic of Galatians were 
1898worked out in reply to what Paul knew of his opponents' teaching and 
1899
1900388 
1901
1902
1903
1904GALATIANS 389 
1905
1906GALATIANS 389 
1907
1908The letter falls naturally into three parts. In the first, after a salutation 
1909(1.1-5), Paul reviews his life (1.6-2.14): his missionary relationship to the 
1910Galatians (1.6-12); his past, including his own call (1.13-24); and his 
1911relationship with the Jerusalem church and the other apostles (2.1-14). 
1912The second section (2.15-5.1) is a complex and densely argued 
1913presentation of Paul's vision of the gospel: the opposition of faith and 
1914works of the law (2.15-21; the conversion of the Galatians (3.1-5); the 
1915promise to Abraham and his inheritance (3.6-18); the purpose of the 
1916law (3.19-25); baptism (3.26-29); the inheritance of the children of Christ 
1917(4.1-7); the danger of slipping back into bondage (4.8-11); the close 
1918relationship of Paul and the Galatians (4.12-20); and an allegorical 
1919argument based on the story of Hagar and Sarah (4.21-5.1). The third 
1920section (5.2-6.18) presents the practical application of Paul's view: 
1921reasons against the requirement of circumcision (5.2-12); true Christian 
1922liberty (5.13-26); moral exhortation (6.1-10); and a postscript (6.11-18). 
1923
1924389 
1925
1926
1927
1928GALATIANS 390 
1929
1930
1931[Galations 1] 
1932The salutation, stressing Paul's apostolic authority 
1933
1934
19351 Paul an apostle — sent neither by human commission nor from 
1936human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who 
1937raised him from the dead — 2 and all the members of God's family who 
1938are with me, 
1939
19403 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus 
1941Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present 
1942evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the 
1943glory forever and ever. Amen. 
1944
1945A recapitulation of Paul's life; Paul rebukes the Galatians 
1946
19476 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called 
1948you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — 7 not 
1949that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you 
1950and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel 
1951from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we 
1952proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! 9 As we have said before, 
1953so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what 
1954you received, let that one be accursed! 
1955
1956Paul states the defense of his gospel 
1957
195810 Am I now seeking human approval, or God's approval? Or am I 
1959trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a 
1960servant of Christ. 
1961
196211 For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that 
1963was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; 12 for I did not receive it 
1964from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a 
1965revelation of Jesus Christ. 
1966
1967390 
1968
1969
1970
1971GALATIANS 391 
1972
1973GALATIANS 391 
1974
197513 You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was 
1976violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. 14 
1977I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same 
1978age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. 15 
1979But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me 
1980through his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son to me, so that I 
1981might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any 
1982human being, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were 
1983already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and 
1984afterwards I returned to Damascus. 
1985
198618 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and 
1987stayed with him fifteen days; 19 but I did not see any other apostle 
1988except James the LORD's brother. 20 In what I am writing to you, before 
1989God, I do not lie! 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, 22 
1990and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in 
1991Christ; 23 they only heard it said, "The one who formerly was 
1992persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy." 
199324 And they glorified God because of me. 
1994
1995[Galatians 2] 
1996Paul meets with the Jerusalem leaders 
1997
1998
19991 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with 
2000Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up in response to a 
2001revelation. Then I laid before them (though only in a private meeting 
2002with the acknowledged leaders) the gospel that I proclaim among the 
2003Gentiles, in order to make sure that I was not running, or had not run, 
2004in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not compelled to be 
2005circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 But because of false believers 
2006secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on the freedom we have in 
2007Christ Jesus, so that they might enslave us — 5 we did not submit to 
2008them even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might always 
2009remain with you. 6 And from those who were supposed to be 
2010
2011391 
2012
2013
2014
2015GALATIANS 392 
2016
2017GALATIANS 392 
2018
2019Paul's confrontation with Peter at Antioch 
2020
202111 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, 
2022because he stood self-condemned; 12 for until certain people came 
2023from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But after they came, he 
2024drew back and kept himself separate for fear of the circumcision 
2025faction. 13 And the other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, so that even 
2026Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they 
2027were not acting consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to 
2028Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and 
2029not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?" 
2030
2031Paul's gospel: faith in Christ frees us from observance of Jewish law; 
2032Jews and Gentiles are both justified through Christ 
2033
203415 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we 
2035know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through 
2036faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so 
2037that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by doing the 
2038works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the 
2039law. 17 But if, in our effort to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have 
2040been found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 
204118 But if I build up again the very things that I once tore down, then I 
2042demonstrate that I am a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to 
2043the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; 
2044
2045392 
2046
2047
2048
2049GALATIANS 393 
2050
2051GALATIANS 393 
2052
2053[Galatians 3] 
2054Paul's challenge to the Galatians 
2055
2056
20571 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your 
2058eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified! 2 The only 
2059thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by 
2060doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you 
2061so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the 
2062flesh? 4 Did you experience so much for nothing? — if it really was for 
2063nothing. 5 Well then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work 
2064miracles among you by your doing the works of the law, or by your 
2065believing what you heard? 
2066
2067Abraham the model for Christian faith 
2068
20696 Just as Abraham "believed God, and it was reckoned to him as 
2070righteousness," 7 so, you see, those who believe are the descendants of 
2071Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the 
2072Gentiles by faith, declared the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, 
2073"All the Gentiles shall be blessed in you." 9 For this reason, those who 
2074believe are blessed with Abraham who believed. 
2075
207610 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; for it is 
2077written, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the 
2078things written in the book of the law." 11 Now it is evident that no one 
2079is justified before God by the law; for "The one who is righteous will 
2080live by faith." 12 But the law does not rest on faith; on the contrary, 
2081"Whoever does the works of the law will live by them." 13 Christ 
2082redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us — 
2083for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" — 14 in 
2084order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the 
2085Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through 
2086faith. 
2087
2088393 
2089
2090
2091
2092GALATIANS 394 
2093
2094
2095The inheritance of Abraham 
2096
209715 Brothers and sisters, I give an example from daily life: once a 
2098person's will has been ratified, no one adds to it or annuls it. 16 Now 
2099the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring; it does not 
2100say, "And to offsprings," as of many; but it says, "And to your 
2101offspring," that is, to one person, who is Christ. 17 My point is this: the 
2102law, which came four hundred thirty years later, does not annul a 
2103covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For 
2104if the inheritance comes from the law, it no longer comes from the 
2105promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise. 
2106
2107The purpose of the law of Moses 
2108
210919 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the 
2110offspring would come to whom the promise had been made; and it 
2111was ordained through angels by a mediator. 20 Now a mediator 
2112involves more than one party; but God is one. 
2113
211421 Is the law then opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if 
2115a law had been given that could make alive, then righteousness would 
2116indeed come through the law. 22 But the scripture has imprisoned all 
2117things under the power of sin, so that what was promised through 
2118faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 
2119
2120Baptism into Christ 
2121
212223 Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the 
2123law until faith would be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our 
2124disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. 
212525 But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a 
2126disciplinarian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through 
2127faith. 27 As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed 
2128yourselves with Christ. 28 There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no 
2129longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you 
2130are one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are 
2131Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise. 
2132
2133394 
2134
2135
2136
2137GALATIANS 395 
2138
2139
2140[Galatians 4] 
2141Christ brings believers into their inheritance as adopted children of 
2142God 
2143
21441 My point is this: heirs, as long as they are minors, are no better than 
2145slaves, though they are the owners of all the property; 2 but they 
2146remain under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. 3 
2147So with us; while we were minors, we were enslaved to the elemental 
2148spirits of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God 
2149sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 in order to 
2150redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive 
2151adoption as children. 6 And because you are children, God has sent the 
2152Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7 So you are 
2153no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through 
2154God. 
2155
2156The Galatians slip back into bondage 
2157
21588 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to beings 
2159that by nature are not gods. 9 Now, however, that you have come to 
2160know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back 
2161again to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits? How can you want 
2162to be enslaved to them again? 10 You are observing special days, and 
2163months, and seasons, and years. 11 I am afraid that my work for you 
2164may have been wasted. 
2165
2166Paul reminds the Galatians of their close relationship to him 
2167
216812 Friends, I beg you, become as I am, for I also have become as you 
2169are. You have done me no wrong. 13 You know that it was because of 
2170a physical infirmity that I first announced the gospel to you; 14 though 
2171my condition put you to the test, you did not scorn or despise me, but 
2172welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What has become 
2173of the goodwill you felt? For I testify that, had it been possible, you 
2174would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now 
2175become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They make much of 
2176you, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you 
2177may make much of them. 18 It is good to be made much of for a good 
2178
2179395 
2180
2181
2182
2183GALATIANS 396 
2184
2185GALATIANS 396 
2186
2187The allegory of Hagar and Sarah 
2188
218921 Tell me, you who desire to be subject to the law, will you not listen 
2190to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a 
2191slave woman and the other by a free woman. 23 One, the child of the 
2192slave, was born according to the flesh; the other, the child of the free 
2193woman, was born through the promise. 24 Now this is an allegory: 
2194these women are two covenants. One woman, in fact, is Hagar, from 
2195Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai 
2196in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery 
2197with her children. 26 But the other woman corresponds to the 
2198Jerusalem above; she is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written, 
2199
2200"Rejoice, you childless one, you who bear no children, 
2201
2202burst into song and shout, you who endure no birth pangs; 
2203
2204 for the children of the desolate woman are more numerous 
2205
2206than the children of the one who is married." 
220728 Now you, my friends, are children of the promise, like Isaac. 29 But 
2208just as at that time the child who was born according to the flesh 
2209persecuted the child who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now 
2210also. 30 But what does the scripture say? "Drive out the slave and her 
2211child; for the child of the slave will not share the inheritance with the 
2212child of the free woman." 31 So then, friends, we are children, not of 
2213the slave but of the free woman. [Galatians 5] 1 For freedom Christ has 
2214set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of 
2215slavery. 
2216
2217[Galatians 5] 
2218Practical applications and exhortations; Paul's case against 
2219circumcision 
2220
22212 Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, 
2222Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 Once again I testify to every man 
2223who lets himself be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the entire 
2224
2225396 
2226
2227
2228
2229GALATIANS 397 
2230
2231GALATIANS 397 
2232
22337 You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth? 
22348 Such persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 A little 
2235yeast leavens the whole batch of dough. 10 I am confident about you in 
2236the Lord that you will not think otherwise. But whoever it is that is 
2237confusing you will pay the penalty. 11 But my friends, why am I still 
2238being persecuted if I am still preaching circumcision? In that case the 
2239offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle 
2240you would castrate themselves! 
2241
2242The behavior of those called in freedom to live by the Spirit; Christian 
2243liberty 
2244
224513 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use 
2246your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love 
2247become slaves to one another. 14 For the whole law is summed up in a 
2248single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 15 If, 
2249however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not 
2250consumed by one another. 
2251
225216 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 
2253For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit 
2254desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to 
2255prevent you from doing what you want. 18 But if you are led by the 
2256Spirit, you are not subject to the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are 
2257obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, 
2258enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, 
2259drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I 
2260warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the 
2261kingdom of God. 
2262
2263397 
2264
2265
2266
2267GALATIANS 398 
2268
2269GALATIANS 398 
2270
2271[Galatians 6] 
2272Paul offers the Galatians several maxims by which to judge their 
2273behavior 
2274
22751 My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have 
2276received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. 
2277Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. 2 Bear one another's 
2278burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if those 
2279who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. 4 
2280All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their 
2281neighbor's work, will become a cause for pride. 5 For all must carry 
2282their own loads. 
2283
22846 Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with 
2285their teacher. 
2286
22877 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you 
2288sow. 8 If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the 
2289flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the 
2290Spirit. 9 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will 
2291reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we 
2292have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for 
2293those of the family of faith. 
2294
2295Postscript 
2296
229711 See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! 12 
2298It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to 
2299compel you to be circumcised — only that they may not be persecuted 
2300for the cross of Christ. 13 Even the circumcised do not themselves obey 
2301the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast 
2302
2303398 
2304
2305
2306
2307GALATIANS 399 
2308
2309GALATIANS 399 
2310
231117 From now on, let no one make trouble for me; for I carry the marks 
2312of Jesus branded on my body. 
2313
231418 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers 
2315and sisters. Amen. 
2316
2317399 
2318
2319
2320
2321EPHESIANS 400 
2322
2323
2324EPHESIANS 
2325
2326
2327Introduction 
2328
2329In powerful poetic language drawn from early Christian hymns and the 
2330Jewish scriptures, the Letter to the Ephesians celebrates the author's 
2331vision of the church. According to God's eternal plan for humanity, 
2332Christ's death brought together both Jews and Gentiles into a new, 
2333unified community: The Jewish law, which previously distinguished and 
2334divided Jew from Gentile, was rendered irrelevant by the cross, and 
2335Christ thus reconciled both groups to each other and to God (2.14-16). 
2336According to Ephesians, human existence is beset by the malevolent 
2337influence of demonic beings. Christ has been given power over them, 
2338and through God's grace human beings may be freed from their 
2339immoral and deceitful influences. The new life of believers is one of 
2340knowledge and spiritual power, and thus there is the recurring contrast 
2341of the old life with the new (2.1-6, 11-13, 19; 4.22-24; 5.8). Another 
2342prominent theme is Paul's role as revealer of God's previously hidden 
2343plan (3.1-12). The church must recognize both Christ as its Lord and 
2344exemplar (4.12-16, 20-24; 5.1-2) and its own exalted status as a spirit-
2345filled community that brings the power and presence of God to the 
2346world (1.22-23; 2.22; 3.10, 19; 4.24). Conflict with demonic forces 
2347continues (6.10-20), but the church looks forward to the complete 
2348reestablishment of God's sovereignty over the creation (1.10) and the 
2349perfection of the church as the body of Christ (4.12-16). 
2350
2351Ephesians begins with a salutation (1.1-2) and an introductory 
2352thanksgiving prayer (1.15-23) and ends with an epilogue (6.21-24), but it 
2353lacks many typical features of Paul's letters and is better classified as a 
2354homily. The text divides into two sections: theological teaching (chs 1-3) 
2355and ethical exhortation (chs 4-6). The first half focuses on the church as 
2356a new community in which Jews and Gentiles equally share in God's 
2357blessings. Tension between Jewish and Gentile believers persisted 
2358through the first century, and it is unclear whether Ephesians is 
2359
2360400 
2361
2362
2363
2364EPHESIANS 401 
2365
2366EPHESIANS 401 
2367
2368Some early manuscripts and early Christian writers make no reference 
2369to Ephesus in 1.1 (instead reading, "To the saints who are also faithful 
2370in Christ Jesus"), and Ephesians does not address problems specific to a 
2371single congregation. Some scholars conclude that Ephesians was 
2372originally a circular letter, distributed to a number of churches, perhaps 
2373in Asia Minor. Others, noting the text's similarities to Colossians, 
2374believe the original audience was the churches of Hierapolis and 
2375Laodicea (see Col 4.13, 16). The significant contrasts between Ephesians 
2376and the letters we can confidently ascribe to Paul raise questions about 
2377the identity of the author of Ephesians. Many important terms in 
2378Ephesians are not used by Paul elsewhere (e.g., heavenly places, 
2379dividing wall, fellow citizen), and some of Paul's characteristic terms 
2380and emphases either are given new meaning (e.g., mystery, church) or 
2381are completely absent (e.g., the Jews, justify). In addition, the verbose 
2382style of Ephesians, especially the use of complex, long sentences (many 
2383of which have been divided in the NRSV), is not characteristic of Paul. 
2384Theological differences, especially Ephesians' emphasis on believers' 
2385present salvation (1.3-12; 2.4-10) and the use of household rules (5.226.9), 
2386are also evident (see the .
2387HTIntroduction to Colossians.
2388TH). As a result of 
2389the combine weight of these differences, many scholars hold that 
2390Ephesians was written in the late first century by a Jewish-Christian 
2391admirer of Paul who sought to apply Pauline thought to the situation 
2392of the church in his own day. A minority of scholars hold the author to 
2393be Paul, who was writing at the end of his career while imprisoned, 
2394probably in Rome; different theological emphases are attributed to 
2395developments in Paul's thinking and the particular situation addressed. 
2396There are, nevertheless, many verbal parallels between Ephesians and 
2397the Pauline letters, especially Colossians. If Paul was the author of both 
2398Ephesians and Colossians, they were probably written at the same time; 
2399
2400401 
2401
2402
2403
2404EPHESIANS 402 
2405
2406
2407if Ephesians was written by a later follower of Paul, he drew upon 
2408Colossians' established authority and modeled his work on it. 
2409
2410[Ephesians 1] 
2411Salutation 
2412
24131 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, 
2414
2415To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 
2416
24172 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus 
2418Christ. 
2419
2420Blessing of God for his blessings 
2421
24223 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has 
2423blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 
24244 just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be 
2425holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He destined us for adoption as 
2426his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his 
2427will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us 
2428in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the 
2429forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that 
2430he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9 he has made known to 
2431us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set 
2432forth in Christ, 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all 
2433things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In Christ we 
2434have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to 
2435the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his 
2436counsel and will, 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on 
2437Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when 
2438you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had 
2439believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 
244014 this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's 
2441own people, to the praise of his glory. 
2442
2443402 
2444
2445
2446
2447EPHESIANS 403 
2448
2449
2450Thanksgiving prayer for wisdom and power 
2451
245215 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all 
2453the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you 
2454as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord 
2455Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and 
2456revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your 
2457heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has 
2458called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the 
2459saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us 
2460who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20 God put 
2461this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and 
2462seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule 
2463and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is 
2464named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22 And he has 
2465put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things 
2466for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in 
2467all. 
2468
2469[Ephesians 2] 
2470The old life contrasted with the new life 
2471
2472
24731 You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once 
2474lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the 
2475power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are 
2476disobedient. 3 All of us once lived among them in the passions of our 
2477flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature 
2478children of wrath, like everyone else. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, 
2479out of the great love with which he loved us 5 even when we were 
2480dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by 
2481grace you have been saved — 6 and raised us up with him and seated 
2482us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages 
2483to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in 
2484kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved 
2485through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — 9 
2486not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are what 
2487he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God 
2488prepared beforehand to be our way of life. 
2489
2490403 
2491
2492
2493
2494EPHESIANS 404 
2495
2496
2497The unity of Jews and Gentiles in the church 
2498
249911 So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called 
2500"the uncircumcision" by those who are called "the circumcision" — a 
2501physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands — 12 
2502remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from 
2503the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of 
2504promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in 
2505Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the 
2506blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both 
2507groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the 
2508hostility between us. 15 He has abolished the law with its 
2509commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one 
2510new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, 16 and might 
2511reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus 
2512putting to death that hostility through it. 17 So he came and 
2513proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who 
2514were near; 18 for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to 
2515the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you 
2516are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, 
251720 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ 
2518Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21 In him the whole structure is joined 
2519together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you 
2520also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God. 
2521
2522[Ephesians 3] 
2523Paul reveals God's plan 
2524
2525
25261 This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the 
2527sake of you Gentiles — 2 for surely you have already heard of the 
2528commission of God's grace that was given me for you, 3 and how the 
2529mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a 
2530few words, 4 a reading of which will enable you to perceive my 
2531understanding of the mystery of Christ. 5 In former generations this 
2532mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been 
2533revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6 that is, the 
2534Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and 
2535sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 
2536
2537404 
2538
2539
2540
2541EPHESIANS 405 
2542
2543EPHESIANS 405 
2544
2545Prayer for the church's maturity 
2546
254714 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom 
2548every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, 
2549according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be 
2550strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17 and 
2551that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being 
2552rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to 
2553comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and 
2554height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses 
2555knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 
2556
255720 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to 
2558accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to 
2559him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, 
2560forever and ever. Amen. 
2561
2562[Ephesians 4] 
2563Ethical implications; appeal for unity amid diversity 
2564
2565
25661 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of 
2567the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and 
2568gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making 
2569every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 
2570There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one 
2571
2572405 
2573
2574
2575
2576EPHESIANS 406 
2577
2578EPHESIANS 406 
2579
25807 But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's 
2581gift. 8 Therefore it is said, 
2582
2583 "When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; 
2584
2585he gave gifts to his people." 
25869 (When it says, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had 
2587also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended 
2588is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he 
2589might fill all things.) 11 The gifts he gave were that some would be 
2590apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 
259112 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body 
2592of Christ, 13 until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the 
2593knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full 
2594stature of Christ. 14 We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro 
2595and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people's trickery, by 
2596their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15 But speaking the truth in love, 
2597we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 
2598from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every 
2599ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, 
2600promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love. 
2601
2602Appeal for a changed lifestyle 
2603
260417 Now this I affirm and insist on in the Lord: you must no longer live as 
2605the Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in 
2606their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their 
2607ignorance and hardness of heart. 19 They have lost all sensitivity and 
2608have abandoned themselves to licentiousness, greedy to practice every 
2609kind of impurity. 20 That is not the way you learned Christ! 21 For 
2610surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in 
2611Jesus. 22 You were taught to put away your former way of life, your 
2612old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, 23 and to be renewed in the 
2613spirit of your minds, 24 and to clothe yourselves with the new self, 
2614created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and 
2615holiness. 
2616
2617406 
2618
2619
2620
2621EPHESIANS 407 
2622
2623EPHESIANS 407 
2624
2625[Ephesians 5] 
2626
26273 But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be 
2628mentioned among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Entirely out of 
2629place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be 
2630thanksgiving. 5 Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or 
2631one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the 
2632kingdom of Christ and of God. 
2633
26346 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these 
2635things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. 7 
2636Therefore do not be associated with them. 8 For once you were 
2637darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light — 
26389 for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and 
2639true. 10 Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in 
2640the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is 
2641shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13 but 
2642everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for everything that 
2643becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, 
2644
2645"Sleeper, awake! 
2646
2647Rise from the dead, 
2648
2649and Christ will shine on you." 
2650
2651407 
2652
2653
2654
2655EPHESIANS 408 
2656
2657EPHESIANS 408 
2658
265921 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. 
2660
2661Rules for household relationships 
2662
266322 Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord. 23 For the 
2664husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, 
2665the body of which he is the Savior. 24 Just as the church is subject to 
2666Christ, so also wives ought to be, in everything, to their husbands. 
2667
266825 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave 
2669himself up for her, 26 in order to make her holy by cleansing her with 
2670the washing of water by the word, 27 so as to present the church to 
2671himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind 
2672
2673— yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same 
2674way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He 
2675who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hates his own 
2676body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for 
2677the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 "For this reason 
2678a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and 
2679the two will become one flesh." 32 This is a great mystery, and I am 
2680applying it to Christ and the church. 33 Each of you, however, should 
2681love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband. 
2682[Ephesians 6] 
2683
26841 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor 
2685your father and mother" — this is the first commandment with a 
2686promise: 3 "so that it may be well with you and you may live long on 
2687the earth." 
2688
2689408 
2690
2691
2692
2693EPHESIANS 409 
2694
2695EPHESIANS 409 
2696
26975 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, in 
2698singleness of heart, as you obey Christ; 6 not only while being watched, 
2699and in order to please them, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of 
2700God from the heart. 7 Render service with enthusiasm, as to the Lord 
2701and not to men and women, 8 knowing that whatever good we do, we 
2702will receive the same again from the Lord, whether we are slaves or 
2703free. 
2704
27059 And, masters, do the same to them. Stop threatening them, for you 
2706know that both of you have the same Master in heaven, and with him 
2707there is no partiality. 
2708
2709Appeal for strength in spiritual battle 
2710
271110 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Put 
2712on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against 
2713the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of 
2714blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against 
2715the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces 
2716of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of 
2717God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having 
2718done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt 
2719of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of 
2720righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you 
2721ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the 
2722shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming 
2723arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword 
2724of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 
2725
272618 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To 
2727that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the 
2728saints. 19 Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be 
2729given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 
273020 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it 
2731boldly, as I must speak. 
2732
2733409 
2734
2735
2736
2737EPHESIANS 410 
2738
2739
2740Epilogue 
2741
274221 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus 
2743will tell you everything. He is a dear brother and a faithful minister in 
2744the Lord. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, to let you 
2745know how we are, and to encourage your hearts. 
2746
274723 Peace be to the whole community, and love with faith, from God 
2748the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who have an 
2749undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ. 
2750
2751410 
2752
2753
2754
2755PHILIPPIANS 411 
2756
2757
2758PHILIPPIANS 
2759
2760
2761Introduction 
2762
2763Philippi was a major city of Macedonia and a Roman colony on the Via 
2764Egnatia, the Roman road linking Byzantium in the East to the western 
2765coast of Macedonia, from which ships could easily reach Italy. The 
2766Christian community in Philippi was the westernmost Pauline church at 
2767the time of its founding (Acts 16.11-13). The mutual affection between 
2768Paul and the Philippians is evident in the letter and stands in contrast 
2769to the problems he had with some other churches. 
2770
2771Paul writes from prison and is uncertain of the outcome for himself 
2772(1.12-26). The themes of opposition and the possibility of death are 
2773therefore prominent. Yet in the midst of suffering and uncertainty, the 
2774theme of joy emerges quite clearly and remarkably (1.4, 18, 25; 2.2, 1718, 
277528; 4.4, 10). The Philippians too are experiencing some kind of 
2776opposition (1.29), but Paul's major concern is to bring them together 
2777and thus to overcome the threat of internal disharmony. In keeping 
2778with that purpose, he uses the powerful hymnic passage that 
2779celebrates the self-emptying of Christ even to death, for which God 
2780bestowed on him the name of "Lord," the "name above all names" 
2781(2.6-11). The hymn was probably composed by a prior author and 
2782known both to Paul and the Philippians, perhaps as part of a baptismal 
2783liturgy. Here it is the prime example of why they should be willing also 
2784to empty themselves of their own opinions. The example of Paul 
2785himself follows and supports the argument (3.4-16). Paul offers both 
2786Christ and himself as examples of courage and self-surrender in the 
2787face of suffering and death. Thus he attempts to turn the Philippians 
2788from partisan interest to unity. 
2789
2790Except that Paul was in prison and awaiting trail at the time of writing 
2791(1.2-26), it is impossible to speak confidently of the time and place of 
2792the writing of this letter. Because of references to the imperial guard 
2793
2794411 
2795
2796
2797
2798PHILIPPIANS 412 
2799
2800PHILIPPIANS 412 
2801
2802The immediate occasion of Paul's writing was the return to Philippi of 
2803Epaphroditus (2.25-30), who had been sent by the Philippian church 
2804with gifts for Paul (4.18), and who had been seriously ill while staying 
2805with him. Paul took this opportunity to thank them for their gifts, and 
2806to set their difficulties in a wider framework by describing his and their 
2807situation in light of the reality of Christ. 
2808
2809The letter follows the usual pattern of Paul's letters, but some 
2810seemingly abrupt changes of topic (especially between 3.1 and 2, and 
2811
28124.3 and 4), in addition to the fact that an early Christian writer 
2813(Polycarp, Philippians 2.3), speaks of "letters" of Paul to the Philippians, 
2814has led some scholars to conclude that our present Philippians is 
2815composed of as many as three letters that Paul wrote to Philippi. Many 
2816others, however, find that Philippians is a coherent whole as it stands. 
2817After the greeting (1.1-2) and thanksgiving (1.3-11), Paul lays out the 
2818situation (1.12-26) and exhorts the community to unity (1.27-4.3) with 
2819many arguments, including proposing Christ (2.5-11), Timothy and 
2820Epaphroditus (2.19-30), and himself (3.4-14) as models of self-giving for 
2821the good of the whole. He thanks them for their recent gift (4.10-20) 
2822and concludes the letter (4.21-23). 
2823412 
2824
2825
2826
2827PHILIPPIANS 413 
2828
2829
2830[Philippians 1] 
2831Salutation 
2832
28331 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, 
2834To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and 
2835deacons: 
2836
2837
28382 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus 
2839Christ. 
2840
2841Thanksgiving 
2842
28433 I thank my God every time I remember you, 4 constantly praying with 
2844joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, 5 because of your sharing 
2845in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am confident of this, that 
2846the one who began a good work among you will bring it to 
2847completion by the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to think this 
2848way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you 
2849share in God's grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the 
2850defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I 
2851long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my 
2852prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge 
2853and full insight 10 to help you to determine what is best, so that in the 
2854day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, 11 having produced the 
2855harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory 
2856and praise of God. 
2857
2858Paul's situation in chains 
2859
286012 I want you to know, beloved, that what has happened to me has 
2861actually helped to spread the gospel, 13 so that it has become known 
2862throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my 
2863imprisonment is for Christ; 14 and most of the brothers and sisters, 
2864having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to 
2865speak the word with greater boldness and without fear. 
2866
2867413 
2868
2869
2870
2871PHILIPPIANS 414 
2872
2873PHILIPPIANS 414 
2874
2875Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your 
2876prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for 
2877my deliverance. 20 It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not 
2878be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, 
2879Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by 
2880death. 21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22 If I am to live in 
2881the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I 
2882prefer. 23 I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart 
2883and be with Christ, for that is far better; 24 but to remain in the flesh is 
2884more necessary for you. 25 Since I am convinced of this, I know that I 
2885will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in 
2886faith, 26 so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus 
2887when I come to you again. 
2888
2889Appeal to unity, to be followed by examples 
2890
289127 Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so 
2892that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I 
2893will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side 
2894with one mind for the faith of the gospel, 28 and are in no way 
2895intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their 
2896destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God's doing. 29 For he 
2897has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, 
2898but of suffering for him as well — 30 since you are having the same 
2899struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. 
2900
2901414 
2902
2903
2904
2905PHILIPPIANS 415 
2906
2907
2908[Philippians 2] 
2909First example: self-emptying of Christ 
2910
2911
29121 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from 
2913love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2 make 
2914my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in 
2915full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or 
2916conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let 
2917each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of 
2918others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 
2919
29206 who, though he was in the form of God, 
2921
2922did not regard equality with God 
2923
2924as something to be exploited, 
29257 but emptied himself, 
2926
2927taking the form of a slave, 
2928
2929being born in human likeness. 
2930
2931 And being found in human form, 
29328 he humbled himself 
2933
2934and became obedient to the point of death — 
2935
2936even death on a cross. 
2937
29389 Therefore God also highly exalted him 
2939
2940and gave him the name 
2941
2942that is above every name, 
294310 so that at the name of Jesus 
2944
2945every knee should bend, 
2946
2947in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 
294811 and every tongue should confess 
2949
2950that Jesus Christ is Lord, 
2951
2952to the glory of God the Father. 
2953
295412 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only 
2955in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own 
2956salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in 
2957you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 
2958
2959415 
2960
2961
2962
2963PHILIPPIANS 416 
2964
2965PHILIPPIANS 416 
2966
2967Second example: Timothy and Epaphroditus 
2968
296919 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may 
2970be cheered by news of you. 20 I have no one like him who will be 
2971genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 All of them are seeking their 
2972own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But Timothy's worth you 
2973know, how like a son with a father he has served with me in the work 
2974of the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him as soon as I see how 
2975things go with me; 24 and I trust in the Lord that I will also come soon. 
2976
297725 Still, I think it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus — my brother 
2978and co-worker and fellow soldier, your messenger and minister to my 
2979need; 26 for he has been longing for all of you, and has been distressed 
2980because you heard that he was ill. 27 He was indeed so ill that he 
2981nearly died. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on 
2982me also, so that I would not have one sorrow after another. 28 I am the 
2983more eager to send him, therefore, in order that you may rejoice at 
2984seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 Welcome him then 
2985in the Lord with all joy, and honor such people, 30 because he came 
2986close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for 
2987those services that you could not give me. 
2988
2989[Philippians 3] 
2990
29911 Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. 
2992
2993416 
2994
2995
2996
2997PHILIPPIANS 417 
2998
2999
3000A digression 
3001
3002To write the same things to you is not troublesome to me, and for you 
3003it is a safeguard. 
3004
30052 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those 
3006who mutilate the flesh! 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, who 
3007worship in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and have no 
3008confidence in the flesh — 4 even though I, too, have reason for 
3009confidence in the flesh. 
3010
3011Third example: Paul himself 
3012
3013If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: 5 
3014circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the 
3015tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a 
3016Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness 
3017under the law, blameless. 
3018
30197 Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because 
3020of Christ. 8 More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the 
3021surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have 
3022suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order 
3023that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a 
3024righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes 
3025through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. 10 I 
3026want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing 
3027of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11 if somehow I may 
3028attain the resurrection from the dead. 
3029
303012 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the 
3031goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made 
3032me his own. 13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; 
3033but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining 
3034forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize 
3035of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us then who 
3036are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about 
3037
3038417 
3039
3040
3041
3042PHILIPPIANS 418 
3043
3044PHILIPPIANS 418 
3045
304617 Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live 
3047according to the example you have in us. 18 For many live as enemies 
3048of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you 
3049even with tears. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and 
3050their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20 
3051But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are 
3052expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body 
3053of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, 
3054by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to 
3055himself. [Philippians 4] 1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I 
3056love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, 
3057my beloved. 
3058
3059[Philippians 4] 
3060Heart of the problem 
3061
3062
30632 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 
30643 Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for 
3065they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together 
3066with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the 
3067book of life. 
3068
30694 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your 
3070gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry 
3071about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with 
3072thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the 
3073peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your 
3074hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 
3075
30768 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is 
3077just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, 
3078if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, 
3079think about these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have 
3080learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace 
3081will be with you. 
3082
3083418 
3084
3085
3086
3087PHILIPPIANS 419 
3088
3089
3090Acknowledgment of their gifts 
3091
309210 I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your 
3093concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no 
3094opportunity to show it. 11 Not that I am referring to being in need; for I 
3095have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is 
3096to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all 
3097circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going 
3098hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. 13 I can do all things 
3099through him who strengthens me. 14 In any case, it was kind of you to 
3100share my distress. 
3101
310215 You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, 
3103when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of 
3104giving and receiving, except you alone. 16 For even when I was in 
3105Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. 17 Not 
3106that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that accumulates to your 
3107account. 18 I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am 
3108fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts 
3109you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to 
3110God. 19 And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to 
3111his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory 
3112forever and ever. Amen. 
3113
3114Conclusion 
3115
311621 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The friends who are with me greet 
3117you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of the emperor's 
3118household. 
3119
312023 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.: 
3121
3122419 
3123
3124
3125
3126COLOSSIANS 420 
3127
3128
3129COLOSSIANS 
3130
3131
3132Introduction 
3133
3134The church in Colossae, a town on the Lycus river in the Roman 
3135province of Asia, was founded by a Colossian associate of Paul's named 
3136Epaphras (1.7-8; 4.12-13). The letter begins with a highly complimentary 
3137description of the Colossians' lives, but unnamed teachers, who observe 
3138Jewish rituals and pursue mystical experiences through ascetic practices 
3139(2.8-23), pose a threat to their faith. Unfortunately we possess no 
3140independent description of these teachings, and the polemical tone of 
3141this letter (for instance, "empty deceit, according to human tradition," 
3142
31432.8) makes their precise identification difficult. The practices advocated 
3144are best understood as a form of Jewish apocalyptic mysticism, 
3145although others have preferred to see a synthesis of Judaism with 
3146proto-Gnostic thought, local Phrygian religious practices, or Hellenistic 
3147philosophy. The fact that these Jewish practices, which did not focus on 
3148Christ, were attractive to Christians reflects the continuing close 
3149connection of the synagogue and the church, as well as a typical first-
3150century Christian ambivalence toward Judaism: A Jewish eschatological 
3151outlook and morality are central to the author's Christian vision, 
3152although many Jewish practices are simultaneously rejected as 
3153incompatible with Christ. 
3154Colossians follows the basic structure of a Pauline letter, beginning 
3155with a salutation (1.1-2) and an introductory thanksgiving (1.3-8) and 
3156prayer (1.9-14), and ending with greetings and instructions (4.7-18). The 
3157body of the letter includes both a theological argument (2.6-23) and 
3158ethical instructions (3.1-4.6). The basis of the theological argument is 
3159laid in 1.12-2.5. In the elevated words of an early Christian hymn, Christ 
3160is praised as the supreme power over the cosmos and the church (1.1520). 
3161Although demonic forces enslaved humanity in the past, Christians 
3162were freed from their influence, forgiven through Christ's death, and 
3163made full citizens of the kingdom of Christ, to whom they now owe 
3164
3165420 
3166
3167
3168
3169COLOSSIANS 421 
3170
3171COLOSSIANS 421 
3172
3173There are many similarities to the undisputed letters of Paul in the 
3174structure, theology, and even language of Colossians. However, 
3175Colossians lacks certain central Pauline terms, utilizes new theological 
3176vocabulary, and is written in a significantly different, liturgical style. 
3177Two theological contrasts stand out: first, the vision of believers' 
3178present lives as nearly completely transformed by Christ's death and 
3179resurrection, instead of Paul's usual tension between the only partly 
3180fulfilled present and future resurrection and full enjoyment of Christ's 
3181benefits; second, the use of household rules, which is more 
3182characteristic of other post-Pauline literature (e.g., Ephesians and the 
3183Pastoral letters of 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus) than of Paul's own ethical 
3184instructions. The combined force of these differences has led some to 
3185conclude that Colossians was written in Paul's name by one of his 
3186disciples — either during Paul's own lifetime or a decade or two after 
3187his death — in order to lend authority to this application of Paul's 
3188thought to a new situation. Others, noting Colossians' close similarities 
3189to Philemon, think the letter was written by Paul himself while 
3190imprisoned (4.3, 10, 18) at Rome near the end of his life, and attribute 
3191the contrasts to developments in Paul's thinking and the particular 
3192
3193421 
3194
3195
3196
3197COLOSSIANS 422 
3198
3199
3200situation addressed in the letter. Colossians also has significant 
3201similarities to Ephesians and was probably used as a model by the 
3202author of that letter (see the .
3203HTIntroduction to Ephesians.
3204TH). 
3205
3206[Colossians 1] 
3207Salutation 
3208
32091 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our 
3210brother, 
3211
32122 To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae: 
3213
3214Grace to you and peace from God our Father. 
3215
3216Thanksgiving for Colossians' obedience 
3217
32183 In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord 
3219Jesus Christ, 4 for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the 
3220love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for 
3221you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the 
3222truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and 
3223growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among 
3224yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the 
3225grace of God. 7 This you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow 
3226servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 and he has 
3227made known to us your love in the Spirit. 
3228
3229Prayer for Colossians' growth 
3230
32319 For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased 
3232praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge 
3233of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you 
3234may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear 
3235fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. 11 
3236May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his 
3237
3238422 
3239
3240
3241
3242COLOSSIANS 423 
3243
3244COLOSSIANS 423 
3245
3246The supremacy of Christ 
3247
324815 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 
3249for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible 
3250and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers — all 
3251things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is 
3252before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head 
3253of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the 
3254dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For in 
3255him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him 
3256God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or 
3257in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. 
3258
3259Assurance and warning 
3260
326121 And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil 
3262deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so 
3263as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him — 
326423 provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the 
3265faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you 
3266heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, 
3267Paul, became a servant of this gospel. 
3268
3269Paul's mission and pastoral commitment 
3270
327124 I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I 
3272am completing what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his 
3273body, that is, the church. 25 I became its servant according to God's 
3274commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God 
3275fully known, 26 the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages 
3276and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. 27 To them 
3277
3278423 
3279
3280
3281
3282COLOSSIANS 424 
3283
3284COLOSSIANS 424 
3285
3286[Colossians 2] 
3287
32881 For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you, and for 
3289those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me face to face. 2 I 
3290want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they 
3291may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the 
3292knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ himself, 3 in whom are 
3293hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I am saying this 
3294so that no one may deceive you with plausible arguments. 5 For 
3295though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, and I rejoice to 
3296see your morale and the firmness of your faith in Christ. 
3297
3298Instruction in Christ and the cross 
3299
33006 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live 
3301your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the 
3302faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 
3303
33048 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and 
3305empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the 
3306elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. 9 For in 
3307him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have come to 
3308fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. 11 In him 
3309also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off 
3310the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; 12 when you were 
3311buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through 
3312faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And when 
3313you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God 
3314made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our 
3315trespasses, 14 erasing the record that stood against us with its legal 
3316demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the 
3317
3318424 
3319
3320
3321
3322COLOSSIANS 425 
3323
3324
3325rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing 
3326over them in it. 
3327
3328Warnings against destructive religious practices 
3329
333016 Therefore do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food and 
3331drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or sabbaths. 17 These are 
3332only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 
333318 Do not let anyone disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and 
3334worship of angels, dwelling on visions, puffed up without cause by a 
3335human way of thinking, 19 and not holding fast to the head, from 
3336whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments 
3337and sinews, grows with a growth that is from God. 
3338
333920 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why 
3340do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to 
3341regulations, 21 "Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch"? 22 All 
3342these regulations refer to things that perish with use; they are simply 
3343human commands and teachings. 23 These have indeed an appearance 
3344of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe 
3345treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-
3346indulgence. 
3347
3348[Colossians 3] 
3349Ethical implications; maintain a healthy perspective 
3350
3351
33521 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, 
3353where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on 
3354things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3 for you have 
3355died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is 
3356your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. 
3357
3358Reject sins of previous life 
3359
33605 Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, 
3361impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6 On 
3362account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are 
3363disobedient. 7 These are the ways you also once followed, when you 
3364
3365425 
3366
3367
3368
3369COLOSSIANS 426 
3370
3371COLOSSIANS 426 
3372
3373Adopt virtues of new life 
3374
337512 As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with 
3376compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with 
3377one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive 
3378each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 
337914 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything 
3380together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your 
3381hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be 
3382thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and 
3383admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts 
3384sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 And whatever you 
3385do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, 
3386giving thanks to God the Father through him. 
3387
3388Rules for household relationships 
3389
339018 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 
3391Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. 
3392
339320 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable 
3394duty in the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may 
3395lose heart. 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only 
3396while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, 
3397fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done 
3398for the Lord and not for your masters, 24 since you know that from the 
3399Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord 
3400Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong has 
3401been done, and there is no partiality. [Colossians 4] 1 Masters, treat 
3402
3403426 
3404
3405
3406
3407COLOSSIANS 427 
3408
3409
3410your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master 
3411in heaven. 
3412
3413[Colossians 4] 
3414Final admonitions 
3415
34162 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. 3 
3417At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for 
3418the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in 
3419prison, 4 so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should. 
3420
34215 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the 
3422time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that 
3423you may know how you ought to answer everyone. 
3424
3425Final greetings and instructions 
3426
34277 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved brother, 
3428a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him 
3429to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and 
3430that he may encourage your hearts; 9 he is coming with Onesimus, the 
3431faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you 
3432about everything here. 
3433
343410 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, as does Mark the cousin 
3435of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions — if he 
3436comes to you, welcome him. 11 And Jesus who is called Justus greets 
3437you. These are the only ones of the circumcision among my co-workers 
3438for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 
3439Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is 
3440always wrestling in his prayers on your behalf, so that you may stand 
3441mature and fully assured in everything that God wills. 13 For I testify for 
3442him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in 
3443Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. 15 
3444Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to 
3445Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been 
3446read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and 
3447see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to 
3448
3449427 
3450
3451
3452
3453COLOSSIANS 428 
3454
3455
3456Archippus, "See that you complete the task that you have received in 
3457the Lord." 
3458
345918 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. 
3460Grace be with you. 
3461
3462428 
3463
3464
3465
34661 THESSALONIANS 429 
3467
3468
34691 THESSALONIANS 
3470
3471
3472Introduction 
3473
3474First Thessalonians is a friendly, exhortative letter of encouragement. 
3475Paul extends affectionate praise for the audience's steadfast hope (1.3) 
3476and consistent behavior (4.1, 9). A stirring recounting of his separation 
3477from the community (2.17-3.7) reveals the community's affection for 
3478him. Allusions to family life such as "father" (1.1, 3; 2.11; 3.11, 13), "sons" 
3479(1.10; 5.5), and "brothers" (14 instances) also convey a friendly tone. 
3480
3481Yet, the numerous imperatives in chs 4 and 5 convey an exhortative 
3482tone as well. This tone also pervades the earlier chapters, for (as with 
3483other ancient letters of exhortation) the letter highlights the imitation 
3484of models (1.6; 2.14) and the remembrance of a teacher's previous 
3485words or deed (2.1-12; 3.4). With the friendly and exhortative tones, 
3486moreover, the letter encourages a community that is facing social 
3487pressures and perhaps outright persecution to maintain its apocalyptic 
3488vigilance. 
3489
3490Thessalonica, the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia, was 
3491strategically located on both sea and land routes. First Thessalonians, 
3492addressed to the congregation there, is Paul's earliest letter. After 
3493being mistreated at Philippi (2.2; Acts 16.19-40), Paul went to 
3494Thessalonica where he established this congregation. After a painful 
3495separation (2.17) and the failure of repeated efforts to return (2.18), 
3496Paul dispatched Timothy to Thessalonica from Athens (3.1) while he 
3497later moved on to Corinth (Acts 18.1-17). From there, perhaps around 50 
3498CE, he wrote this letter. 
3499
3500Commencing with a typical though simple Pauline opening (1.1) and 
3501ending with a typical Pauline closing (5.23-28), the letter offers 
3502repeated encouragement toward steadfastness. A thanksgiving 
3503acknowledges the congregation's growth, the gospel's power, and 
3504
3505429 
3506
3507
3508
35091 THESSALONIANS 430 
3510
35111 THESSALONIANS 430 
3512
3513[1 Thessalonians 1] 
3514Salutation 
3515
35161 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, 
3517To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord 
3518Jesus Christ: 
3519Grace to you and peace. 
3520
3521
3522Thanksgiving; the gospel's effectiveness 
3523
35242 We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our 
3525prayers, constantly 3 remembering before our God and Father your 
3526work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord 
3527Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that 
3528he has chosen you, 5 because our message of the gospel came to you 
3529not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full 
3530conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be 
3531among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the 
3532Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy 
3533inspired by the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the 
3534
3535430 
3536
3537
3538
35391 THESSALONIANS 431 
3540
35411 THESSALONIANS 431 
3542
3543[1 Thessalonians 2] 
3544
35451 You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you 
3546was not in vain, 2 but though we had already suffered and been 
3547shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our 
3548God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. 3 
3549For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or 
3550trickery, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted 
3551with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please 
3552mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 As you know and as 
3553God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a 
3554pretext for greed; 6 nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from 
3555you or from others, 7 though we might have made demands as 
3556apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly 
3557caring for her own children. 8 So deeply do we care for you that we 
3558are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also 
3559our own selves, because you have become very dear to us. 
3560
35619 You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked 
3562night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we 
3563proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God 
3564also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was toward you 
3565believers. 11 As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father 
3566with his children, 12 urging and encouraging you and pleading that 
3567you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and 
3568glory. 
3569
3570431 
3571
3572
3573
35741 THESSALONIANS 432 
3575
35761 THESSALONIANS 432 
3577
3578Separation and reunion 
3579
358017 As for us, brothers and sisters, when, for a short time, we were made 
3581orphans by being separated from you — in person, not in heart — we 
3582longed with great eagerness to see you face to face. 18 For we wanted 
3583to come to you — certainly I, Paul, wanted to again and again — but 
3584Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of 
3585boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 Yes, you 
3586are our glory and joy! 
3587
3588[1 Thessalonians 3] 
3589
35901 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we decided to be left 
3591alone in Athens; 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and co-worker for 
3592God in proclaiming the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage 
3593you for the sake of your faith, 3 so that no one would be shaken by 
3594these persecutions. Indeed, you yourselves know that this is what we 
3595are destined for. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we told you 
3596beforehand that we were to suffer persecution; so it turned out, as you 
3597know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find 
3598out about your faith; I was afraid that somehow the tempter had 
3599tempted you and that our labor had been in vain. 
3600
36016 But Timothy has just now come to us from you, and has brought us 
3602the good news of your faith and love. He has told us also that you 
3603always remember us kindly and long to see us — just as we long to see 
3604
3605432 
3606
3607
3608
36091 THESSALONIANS 433 
3610
36111 THESSALONIANS 433 
3612
361311 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our 
3614way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in 
3615love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13 
3616And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be 
3617blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus 
3618with all his saints. 
3619
3620[1 Thessalonians 4] 
3621Exhortation to maintain apocalyptic vigilance 
3622
3623
36241 Finally, brothers and sisters, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus 
3625that, as you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God 
3626(as, in fact, you are doing), you should do so more and more. 2 For you 
3627know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this 
3628is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from 
3629fornication; 4 that each one of you know how to control your own 
3630body in holiness and honor, 5 not with lustful passion, like the Gentiles 
3631who do not know God; 6 that no one wrong or exploit a brother or 
3632sister in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, 
3633just as we have already told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 
36347 For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness. 8 Therefore 
3635whoever rejects this rejects not human authority but God, who also 
3636gives his Holy Spirit to you. 
3637
36389 Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters, you do not need to 
3639have anyone write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God 
3640to love one another; 10 and indeed you do love all the brothers and 
3641sisters throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, beloved, to do so 
3642more and more, 11 to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, 
3643
3644433 
3645
3646
3647
36481 THESSALONIANS 434 
3649
36501 THESSALONIANS 434 
3651
365213 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, 
3653about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do 
3654who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose 
3655again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have 
3656died. 15 For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we 
3657who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no 
3658means precede those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself, with a cry 
3659of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's 
3660trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise 
3661first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the 
3662clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will 
3663be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with 
3664these words. 
3665
3666[1 Thessalonians 5] 
3667
36681 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you 
3669do not need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves 
3670know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the 
3671night. 3 When they say, "There is peace and security," then sudden 
3672destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant 
3673woman, and there will be no escape! 4 But you, beloved, are not in 
3674darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; 5 for you are all 
3675children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of 
3676darkness. 6 So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep 
3677awake and be sober; 7 for those who sleep sleep at night, and those 
3678who are drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, 
3679let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a 
3680helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has destined us not for wrath 
3681but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died 
3682for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. 
368311 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as 
3684indeed you are doing. 
3685
3686434 
3687
3688
3689
36901 THESSALONIANS 435 
3691
36921 THESSALONIANS 435 
3693
3694Epistolary closing 
3695
369623 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your 
3697spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of 
3698our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will 
3699do this. 
3700
370125 Beloved, pray for us. 
3702
370326 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. 27 I solemnly 
3704command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all of them. 
3705
370628 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 
3707
3708435 
3709
3710
3711
37122 THESSALONIANS 436 
3713
3714
37152 THESSALONIANS 
3716
3717
3718Introduction 
3719
3720Like 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians is an exhortative letter of 
3721encouragement. As with other ancient letters of exhortation, this one 
3722accentuates imitation (3.7a, 9) and remembrance of a teacher's words 
3723and deeds (2.5; 3.7b-10). Also, imperatives recur in chs 2 and 3, 
3724especially in the latter's disciplinary notices (3.6-15). Although the letter 
3725lacks the personal tone of 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians also 
3726encourages a community beset with opposition. Several forms of 
3727encouragement are evident: reports of the congregation's progress 
3728(1.3-4; 2.13); intercessory prayers (1.11-12; 2.16-17; 3.5, 16); and apocalyptic 
3729narratives about the opposition's termination (1.5-10; 2.3-12). 
3730
3731The curiosity of several verbal and structural similarities between 1 and 
37322 Thessalonians — for example, simple letter openings (1 Thess 1.1; 2 
3733Thess 1.2), repeated words of thanks (1 Thess 1.2; 2.13; 3.9; 2 Thess 1.3, 
37342.13), and repeated intercessory prayers (1 Thess 3.11; 2 Thess 2.16) — 
3735lead scholars to different conclusions about the authorship of 2 
3736Thessalonians. One deduction from the similarities is that Paul wrote 2 
3737Thessalonians shortly after writing 1 Thessalonians, in the early 50s. 
3738Another deduction, however, is that 2 Thessalonians is a conscious 
3739imitation of 1 Thessalonians written much later by someone else. 
3740Uncertainty remains, but a key argument against Paul's authorship is 
3741the letter's assumption of forgeries (or non-genuine letters, 2.1-2). 
3742Forgeries did not like circulate while an author was alive (for their 
3743authorship could easily be disproved). As well, the letter's insistence 
3744that it contains a distinctive "mark" found in "every letter" (3.17) from 
3745Paul presupposes a time (probably in the late first century) when a 
3746body of Paul's letters had been collected. 
3747
3748436 
3749
3750
3751
37522 THESSALONIANS 437 
3753
37542 THESSALONIANS 437 
3755
3756— are references that may have been clear to the letter's recipients 
3757(2.6), but are not clear to us. The letter's emphasis on a delayed 
3758struggle prepared the church for a period of continued life in this 
3759world. 
3760A typical, though simple, epistolary opening (1.1-2) begins the letter, 
3761and a typical epistolary ending (3.16-18) closes it. The rest offers 
3762encouragement through prayer forms, apocalyptic narratives, and 
3763exhortations (1.3-3.15). An initial thanksgiving prayer with praise for the 
3764congregation's steadfastness despite affliction (1.3-4) closes with an 
3765apocalyptic narrative that promises relief for beleaguered believers and 
3766reprisal for the opposition (1.5-10). Then, a brief intercessory prayer 
3767(1.11-12) acknowledges God's power in bringing the congregation's 
3768election to fruition. Two sets of exhortations follow: one (2.1-17) to 
3769refute apocalyptic enthusiasm and suggest instead an indefinite 
3770interim before the cataclysmic end of time; and a second (3.1-15) to 
3771steer the congregation toward practical pursuits during the interim. 
3772Both sets of admonitions, moreover, include prayer forms: a 
3773thanksgiving (2.13-14) to remind the congregation of its election and 
3774need for sanctification; a prayer request (3.1, 2) for deliverance from 
3775evil persons; and an intercessory prayer 3.3) for God's aid in securing 
3776the congregation's steadfastness. 
3777
3778437 
3779
3780
3781
37822 THESSALONIANS 438 
3783
3784
3785[2 Thessalonians 1] 
3786Salutation 
3787
37881 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, 
3789To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord 
3790Jesus Christ: 
3791
3792
37932 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus 
3794Christ. 
3795
3796A thanksgiving prayer with apocalyptic expectations 
3797
37983 We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is 
3799right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of 
3800everyone of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we 
3801ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your 
3802steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions 
3803that you are enduring. 
3804
3805God's election 
3806
38075 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, and is intended to 
3808make you worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also 
3809suffering. 6 For it is indeed just of God to repay with affliction those 
3810who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to the afflicted as well as to us, 
3811when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 
3812in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God 
3813and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These 
3814will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the 
3815presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he 
3816comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at on that day 
3817among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was 
3818believed. 11 To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God 
3819will make you worthy of his call and will fulfill by his power every good 
3820resolve and work of faith, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be 
3821glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and 
3822the Lord Jesus Christ. 
3823
3824438 
3825
3826
3827
38282 THESSALONIANS 439 
3829
3830
3831[2 Thessalonians 2] 
3832Correction of apocalyptic enthusiasm 
3833
3834
38351 As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered 
3836together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to be quickly 
3837shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as 
3838though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. 3 
3839Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless 
3840the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one 
3841destined for destruction. 4 He opposes and exalts himself above every 
3842so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the 
3843temple of God, declaring himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember 
3844that I told you these things when I was still with you? 6 And you know 
3845what is now restraining him, so that he may be revealed when his time 
3846comes. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but only 
3847until the one who now restrains it is removed. 8 And then the lawless 
3848one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath 
3849of his mouth, annihilating him by the manifestation of his coming. 9 
3850The coming of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, 
3851who uses all power, signs, lying wonders, 10 and every kind of wicked 
3852deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love 
3853the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a 
3854powerful delusion, leading them to believe what is false, 12 so that all 
3855who have not believed the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness 
3856will be condemned. 
3857
385813 But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters 
3859beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for 
3860salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the 
3861truth. 14 For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of 
3862the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus 
3863Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the 
3864traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by 
3865our letter. 
3866
3867439 
3868
3869
3870
38712 THESSALONIANS 440 
3872
38732 THESSALONIANS 440 
3874
3875[2 Thessalonians 3] 
3876Correction for dissident behavior 
3877
3878
38791 Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord 
3880may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among 
3881you, 2 and that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people; for 
3882not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and 
3883guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord 
3884concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things 
3885that we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of 
3886God and to the steadfastness of Christ. 
3887
38886 Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
3889to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not 
3890according to the tradition that they received from us. 7 For you 
3891yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when 
3892we were with you, 8 and we did not eat anyone's bread without 
3893paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that 
3894we might not burden any of you. 9 This was not because we do not 
3895have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. 10 For 
3896even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone 
3897unwilling to work should not eat. 11 For we hear that some of you are 
3898living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. 12 Now such 
3899persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their 
3900work quietly and to earn their own living. 13 Brothers and sisters, do 
3901not be weary in doing what is right. 
3902
390314 Take note of those who do not obey what we say in this letter; have 
3904nothing to do with them, so that they may be ashamed. 15 Do not 
3905regard them as enemies, but warn them as believers. 
3906
3907440 
3908
3909
3910
39112 THESSALONIANS 441 
3912
3913
3914Epistolary closing 
3915
391616 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all 
3917ways. The Lord be with all of you. 
3918
391917 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in 
3920every letter of mine; it is the way I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus 
3921Christ be with all of you. 
3922
3923441 
3924
3925
3926
3927INTRO TO THE PASTORAL EPISTLES 442 
3928
3929
3930INTRODUCTION TO THE 
3931PASTORAL EPISTLES 
3932
3933
3934The term "Pastoral epistles" has been applied, since the eighteenth 
3935century, to the three letters from Paul to his two coworkers and 
3936envoys, Timothy and Titus. The name reflects the central concern in 
3937these three epistles for the internal life, governance, and behavior of 
3938Christian churches, as well as the individuals who comprise them. 
3939Scholars have long debated whether these letters were written by the 
3940apostle Paul himself, or by a loyal disciple who who sought to provide 
3941Pauline answers for new times and places. While most scholars today 
3942regard them as pseudepigraphical (that is, ascribed to the authority of 
3943a major figure, but not actually written by him, a custom well attested 
3944both in ancient Jewish literature and in Greco-Roman philosophical 
3945and other texts), there is not complete unanimity on the question. The 
3946conclusion that these three epistles were not written by Paul is based 
3947upon literary, historical, and theological criteria. First and Second 
3948Timothy and Titus share a common Greek vocabulary and style which 
3949diverges in many ways from the rest of the Pauline epistles. Historically, 
3950the Pastoral epistles presume a situation marked by increasing 
3951institutionalization of the church and by heretical opposition, which 
3952perhaps better fits a period well after the death of Paul, at the 
3953beginning of the second century CE. And theologically these letters 
3954minimize or lack characteristic Pauline themes (such as justification by 
3955faith, or the church as the body of Christ) in favor of a new emphasis 
3956on adherence to tradition and regulation as signs of the Christian piety 
3957they seek to inculcate in their readers. 
3958
3959Recent challenges to the pseudepigraphical nature of all three letters 
3960have come from those who argue that each should be judged 
3961separately, that the letters contain fragments of original Pauline 
3962material, or that the very concept of "authorship" of a Pauline letter 
3963requires nuance, given that Paul used secretaries and served as a 
3964
3965442 
3966
3967
3968
3969INTRO TO THE PASTORAL EPISTLES 443 
3970
3971INTRO TO THE PASTORAL EPISTLES 443 
3972
3973Regardless of authorship, the Pastoral epistles share the same 
3974rhetorical strategy: Each is addressed to a single individual among 
3975Paul's coworkers, but also has in mind a wider circle of readers. In each 
3976the author presents himself as a Paul who speaks as an unambiguously 
3977authoritative figure of the past to church leaders and members of later 
3978generations who have not known him personally. 
3979
3980Copyright ©2001, New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha: New Revised Standard 
3981Version. Ed. Michael D. Coogan. 3rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001. Used by 
3982permission. All rights reserved. 
3983
3984443 
3985
3986
3987
39881 TIMOTHY 444 
3989
3990
39911 TIMOTHY 
3992
3993
3994Introduction 
3995
3996This letter from Paul to his "loyal child" Timothy (1.2) presents Paul as a 
3997wise and sure teacher who hands on to his student his deposit of 
3998tradition, his "sound teaching," so that his legacy will be handed down 
3999with fidelity to the next generation. The text presents a vision of 
4000household ethics that brings together instructions on Christian 
4001"godliness" (or "piety") for the individual, with a church order of 
4002regulations and qualifications for various roles in the church, 
4003designated "the household of God" (3.15). This advice is set in a dual 
4004context formed by the positively remembered relationship between 
4005Paul and Timothy, and, negatively, by the frequent allusions to 
4006purveyors of alternate teachings in or near Timothy's church in 
4007Ephesus. (For further information on Timothy, see the .
4008HTIntroduction to 2 
4009Timothy.
4010TH.) 
4011
4012The structure of this epistle is somewhat discursive, alternating sections 
4013containing contrast between true and false teaching with instruction 
4014for church order and governance. At times Timothy is directly 
4015addressed, but more often he recedes into the background, and the 
4016author speaks to a more universal audience. As ethical instruction 
4017(parenesis), 1 Timothy is cast in characteristic forms of Greco-Roman 
4018moral exhortation: letters between friends about progress in the 
4019ethical life, lists of virtues and vices, and contrasts between illustrious 
4020examples and notorious counterexamples. Likewise, the content is in 
4021many ways similar to contemporaneous moralizing literature: the 
4022emphasis on decorum and decency, on the hierarchical, orderly 
4023disposition of the patriarchal household, on reliable speech, and 
4024against accumulation of wealth. But the letter's theological universe, 
4025which is punctuated by shorthand terminology and quotations from 
4026established, is distinctly Christian. 
4027
4028444 
4029
4030
4031
40321 TIMOTHY 445 
4033
40341 TIMOTHY 445 
4035
4036The structure of 1 Timothy weaves between contrasting threads that 
4037are picked up, dropped, and then picked up again. After an epistolary 
4038prescript (1.1-2) the author launches (without the customary 
4039thanksgiving) into the body of the letter, which is roughly arranged 
4040with alternating sections of contrast between true and false teachers 
4041(1.3-2.15; 4.1-5.2; 6.2b-21a) and instructions for church order and 
4042governance, understood as the means for living in the church of God 
4043(3.1-16; 5.3-6.2a). The letter concludes with summary exhortations to 
4044Timothy to guard this tradition with which he has been entrusted (6.1121). 
4045As with all Pauline letters a final benediction (6.21) seals the letter, 
4046perhaps in preparation for liturgical appropriation. 
4047
4048[1 Timothy 1] 
4049Epistolary prescript: sender, addresses, and salutation 
4050
4051
40521 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior 
4053and of Christ Jesus our hope, 
4054
40552 To Timothy, my loyal child in the faith: 
4056
4057 Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our 
4058Lord. 
4059
4060445 
4061
4062
4063
40641 TIMOTHY 446 
4065
4066
4067The contrast of true and false teaching (part one); opening warning 
4068against false teachers 
4069
40703 I urge you, as I did when I was on my way to Macedonia, to remain in 
4071Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach any 
4072different doctrine, 4 and not to occupy themselves with myths and 
4073endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine 
4074training that is known by faith. 5 But the aim of such instruction is love 
4075that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. 6 
4076Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk, 
40777 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either 
4078what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions. 
4079
40808 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately. 9 This 
4081means understanding that the law is laid down not for the innocent 
4082but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the 
4083unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for 
4084murderers, 10 fornicators, sodomites, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and 
4085whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching 11 that conforms to the 
4086glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me. 
4087
4088Contrasting portraits of faithfulness and faithlessness 
4089
409012 I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, 
4091because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, 13 even 
4092though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of 
4093violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in 
4094unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith 
4095and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is sure and worthy of full 
4096acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of 
4097whom I am the foremost. 16 But for that very reason I received mercy, 
4098so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost 
4099patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe 
4100in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, 
4101the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 
4102
4103446 
4104
4105
4106
41071 TIMOTHY 447 
4108
41091 TIMOTHY 447 
4110
4111[1 Timothy 2] 
4112Instruction on prayer 
4113
41141 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and 
4115thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all who are in 
4116high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all 
4117godliness and dignity. 3 This is right and is acceptable in the sight of 
4118God our Savior, 4 who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the 
4119knowledge of the truth. 5 For 
4120
4121there is one God; 
4122there is also one mediator between God and humankind, 
4123Christ Jesus, himself human, 
41246 who gave himself a ransom for all 
4125
4126— this was attested at the right time. 7 For this I was appointed a 
4127herald and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher 
4128of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 
4129The proper demeanor of faithful women 
4130
41318 I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy 
4132hands without anger or argument; 9 also that the women should dress 
4133themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing, not with their 
4134hair braided, or with gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, 10 but with 
4135good works, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God. 11 
4136Let a woman learn in silence with full submission. 12 I permit no 
4137woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent. 
413813 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not 
4139deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 
4140Yet she will be saved through childbearing, provided they continue in 
4141faith and love and holiness, with modesty. 
4142
4143447 
4144
4145
4146
41471 TIMOTHY 448 
4148
4149
4150[1 Timothy 3] 
4151Living in the church of God (part one) 
4152
4153
41541 The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a 
4155noble task. 2 Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, 
4156temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, 3 not a 
4157drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of 
4158money. 4 He must manage his own household well, keeping his 
4159children submissive and respectful in every way — 5 for if someone 
4160does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take 
4161care of God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may be 
4162puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 
4163Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not 
4164fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil. 
4165
41668 Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging 
4167in much wine, not greedy for money; 9 they must hold fast to the 
4168mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them first be 
4169tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as 
4170deacons. 11 Women likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but 
4171temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be married only once, 
4172and let them manage their children and their households well; 13 for 
4173those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves 
4174and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. 
4175
417614 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to 
4177you so that, 15 if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to 
4178behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, 
4179the pillar and bulwark of the truth. 16 Without any doubt, the mystery 
4180of our religion is great: 
4181
4182He was revealed in flesh, 
4183
4184vindicated in spirit, 
4185
4186seen by angels, 
4187
4188proclaimed among Gentiles, 
4189
4190believed in throughout the world, 
4191
4192taken up in glory. 
4193
4194448 
4195
4196
4197
41981 TIMOTHY 449 
4199
4200
4201[1 Timothy 4] 
4202The contrast of true and false teaching (part two) 
4203
4204
42051 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will renounce 
4206the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of 
4207demons, 2 through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared 
4208with a hot iron. 3 They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from 
4209foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those 
4210who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is 
4211good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is received with 
4212thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by God's word and by prayer. 
4213
42146 If you put these instructions before the brothers and sisters, you will 
4215be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith 
4216and of the sound teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to 
4217do with profane myths and old wives' tales. Train yourself in godliness, 
42188 for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in 
4219every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to 
4220come. 9 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. 10 For to this 
4221end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living 
4222God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 
4223
422411 These are the things you must insist on and teach. 12 Let no one 
4225despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and 
4226conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I arrive, give attention to 
4227the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. 14 Do not 
4228neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through 
4229prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. 15 Put 
4230these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see 
4231your progress. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; 
4232continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself 
4233and your hearers. 
4234
4235449 
4236
4237
4238
42391 TIMOTHY 450 
4240
4241
4242[1 Timothy 5] 
4243Living in the church of God (part two) 
4244
4245
42461 Do not speak harshly to an older man, but speak to him as to a 
4247father, to younger men as brothers, 2 to older women as mothers, to 
4248younger women as sisters — with absolute purity. 
4249
42503 Honor widows who are really widows. 4 If a widow has children or 
4251grandchildren, they should first learn their religious duty to their own 
4252family and make some repayment to their parents; for this is pleasing 
4253in God's sight. 5 The real widow, left alone, has set her hope on God 
4254and continues in supplications and prayers night and day; 6 but the 
4255widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Give these 
4256commands as well, so that they may be above reproach. 8 And 
4257whoever does not provide for relatives, and especially for family 
4258members, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 
4259
42609 Let a widow be put on the list if she is not less than sixty years old 
4261and has been married only once; 10 she must be well attested for her 
4262good works, as one who has brought up children, shown hospitality, 
4263washed the saints' feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to 
4264doing good in every way. 11 But refuse to put younger widows on the 
4265list; for when their sensual desires alienate them from Christ, they want 
4266to marry, 12 and so they incur condemnation for having violated their 
4267first pledge. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idle, gadding about from 
4268house to house; and they are not merely idle, but also gossips and 
4269busybodies, saying what they should not say. 14 So I would have 
4270younger widows marry, bear children, and manage their households, 
4271so as to give the adversary no occasion to revile us. 15 For some have 
4272already turned away to follow Satan. 16 If any believing woman has 
4273relatives who are really widows, let her assist them; let the church not 
4274be burdened, so that it can assist those who are real widows. 
4275
427617 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, 
4277especially those who labor in preaching and teaching; 18 for the 
4278scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the 
4279grain," and, "The laborer deserves to be paid." 19 Never accept any 
4280accusation against an elder except on the evidence of two or three 
4281
4282450 
4283
4284
4285
42861 TIMOTHY 451 
4287
42881 TIMOTHY 451 
4289
429023 No longer drink only water, but take a little wine for the sake of 
4291your stomach and your frequent ailments. 
4292
429324 The sins of some people are conspicuous and precede them to 
4294judgment, while the sins of others follow them there. 25 So also good 
4295works are conspicuous; and even when they are not, they cannot 
4296remain hidden. 
4297
4298[1 Timothy 6] 
4299
43001 Let all who are under the yoke of slavery regard their masters as 
4301worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may 
4302not be blasphemed. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be 
4303disrespectful to them on the ground that they are members of the 
4304church; rather they must serve them all the more, since those who 
4305benefit by their service are believers and beloved. 
4306
4307The contrast of true and false teaching (part three) 
4308
4309Teach and urge these duties. 3 Whoever teaches otherwise and does 
4310not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the 
4311teaching that is in accordance with godliness, 4 is conceited, 
4312understanding nothing, and has a morbid craving for controversy and 
4313for disputes about words. From these come envy, dissension, slander, 
4314base suspicions, 5 and wrangling among those who are depraved in 
4315mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of 
4316gain. 6 Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with 
4317contentment; 7 for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can 
4318take nothing out of it; 8 but if we have food and clothing, we will be 
4319content with these. 9 But those who want to be rich fall into 
4320temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires 
4321
4322451 
4323
4324
4325
43261 TIMOTHY 452 
4327
43281 TIMOTHY 452 
4329
433011 But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, 
4331godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of 
4332the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and 
4333for which you made the good confession in the presence of many 
4334witnesses. 13 In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of 
4335Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good 
4336confession, I charge you 14 to keep the commandment without spot or 
4337blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will 
4338bring about at the right time — he who is the blessed and only 
4339Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. 16 It is he alone who has 
4340immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever 
4341seen or can see; to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. 
4342
434317 As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to 
4344be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but 
4345rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our 
4346enjoyment. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, 
4347generous, and ready to share, 19 thus storing up for themselves the 
4348treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take 
4349hold of the life that really is life. 
4350
4351Timothy the guardian of the true teaching 
4352
435320 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane 
4354chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge; 21 by 
4355professing it some have missed the mark as regards the faith. 
4356
4357Concluding benediction 
4358
4359Grace be with you. 
4360
4361452 
4362
4363
4364
43652 TIMOTHY 453 
4366
4367
43682 TIMOTHY 
4369
4370
4371Introduction 
4372
4373The second epistle addressed to Paul's "beloved child" Timothy, despite 
4374its similarities in address and diction, has a more personal tone than 
4375the first. (See the .
4376HTIntroduction to The Pastoral Epistles.
4377TH.) Less concerned 
4378with general church order and roles, here Paul is portrayed as near 
4379death, in testamentary fashion handing on to his spiritual heir, 
4380Timothy, the wisdom and truth he has accumulated through a life of 
4381mission, ministry and, above all, suffering for the gospel. The letter is 
4382set within a carefully scripted historical circumstance marked by Paul's 
4383imminent death and Timothy's bereavement, at a time of distortions to 
4384the sound doctrine or "healthy teaching" received from the apostle. 
4385
4386Timothy is known from Paul's letters as one of his most loyal disciples 
4387(Phil 2.19-22), who acts as a delegate to churches (1 Cor 4.17; 16.10) and 
4388co-sender of six of the Pauline epistles (2 Cor 1.1; Phil 1.1; Col 1.1; 1 Thess 
43891.1; 2 Thess 1.1; Philem 1), as well as being the recipient of two. 
4390According to Acts 16, Timothy's mother was Jewish and his father 
4391Greek, which is why Paul circumcised him in the face of probably 
4392Jewish persecution (Acts 16.3, an event not corroborated by the 
4393epistles). This letter sketches Timothy's life only in broad strokes, from 
4394his early immersion in the scriptures (3.15) and matrilineal Christian 
4395pedigree (1.5), to his authorization for ministry by the laying on of 
4396Paul's hands (1.6), and his present ecclesiastical challenges. More 
4397prominent in the letter, however, is the detailed and passionate 
4398portrait of Paul, imprisoned for the gospel in Rome (1.8, 16-17; 2.9), and 
4399forsaken by even his close friends (1.15; 4.10, 16), yet empowered by his 
4400Lord not only to endure suffering and death, but to celebrate them as 
4401the fitting culmination of his life of ministry and service (4.6-8, 17-18). 
4402
4403453 
4404
4405
4406
44072 TIMOTHY 454 
4408
44092 TIMOTHY 454 
4410
4411Second Timothy follows a regular epistolary structure with prescript 
4412(1.1-2), thanksgiving (1.3-7), and body (1.8-4.18). Timothy is urged to 
4413suffer for the gospel through contemplating the positive example of 
4414Paul (1.8-14) and the negative one afforded by those who deserted Paul 
4415in time of need (1.15-18). The exhortation to Timothy to be strong and 
4416teach others rightly (2.1-13) is contrasted with false teachers who must 
4417be contended with (2.14-26), for, as expected at the end time, signs of 
4418their appearance are already here (3.1-9). But Timothy is to follow in 
4419Paul's footsteps (3.10-4.5). These exhortations build up to the depiction 
4420of Paul's death-bed reflections on his life and its imminent conclusion 
4421(4.6-8). But the letter ends on a more hopeful note as the imprisoned 
4422apostle exults in his divine deliverance (both past and future) and 
4423issues spirited directives for the ministry, including a future visit from 
4424Timothy (4.8-18). 
4425
4426[2 Timothy 1] 
4427Salutation, following the typical form of a Pauline letter 
4428
4429
44301 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the 
4431promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 
4432
44332 To Timothy, my beloved child: 
4434Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 
4435
4436
4437454 
4438
4439
4440
44412 TIMOTHY 455 
4442
4443
4444Thanksgiving for Timothy's faith 
4445
44463 I am grateful to God — whom I worship with a clear conscience, as 
4447my ancestors did — when I remember you constantly in my prayers 
4448night and day. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be 
4449filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived 
4450first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am 
4451sure, lives in you. 6 For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of 
4452God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; 7 for God 
4453did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of 
4454love and of self-discipline. 
4455
4456Theme: co-suffering, rather than shame, for the gospel and its apostle 
4457
44588 Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me 
4459his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the 
4460power of God, 9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not 
4461according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. 
4462This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 but 
4463it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ 
4464Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light 
4465through the gospel. 11 For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an 
4466apostle and a teacher, 12 and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am 
4467not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am 
4468sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to 
4469him. 13 Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard 
4470from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the 
4471good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living 
4472in us. 
4473
4474Examples, worthy and unworthy 
4475
447615 You are aware that all who are in Asia have turned away from me, 
4477including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord grant mercy to 
4478the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was 
4479not ashamed of my chain; 17 when he arrived in Rome, he eagerly 
4480searched for me and found me 18 — may the Lord grant that he will 
4481
4482455 
4483
4484
4485
44862 TIMOTHY 456 
4487
4488
4489find mercy from the Lord on that day! And you know very well how 
4490much service he rendered in Ephesus. 
4491
4492[2 Timothy 2] 
4493Timothy's charge to suffer for the gospel 
4494
4495
44961 You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; 2 and 
4497what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to 
4498faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. 3 Share in 
4499suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving in the 
4500army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier's aim is to please 
4501the enlisting officer. 5 And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned 
4502without competing according to the rules. 6 It is the farmer who does 
4503the work who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over 
4504what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things. 
4505
45068 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David 
4507
4508— that is my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of 
4509being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10 
4510Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they 
4511may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 
451211 The saying is sure: 
4513If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 
451412 if we endure, we will also reign with him; 
4515if we deny him, he will also deny us; 
451613 if we are faithless, he remains faithful — 
4517for he cannot deny himself. 
4518
4519Strategies for proper combat with false teachers 
4520
452114 Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to 
4522avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those 
4523who are listening. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one 
4524approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly 
4525explaining the word of truth. 16 Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead 
4526people into more and more impiety, 17 and their talk will spread like 
4527gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have 
4528swerved from the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already 
4529
4530456 
4531
4532
4533
45342 TIMOTHY 457 
4535
45362 TIMOTHY 457 
4537
453820 In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but 
4539also of wood and clay, some for special use, some for ordinary. 21 All 
4540who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned will become 
4541special utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready 
4542for every good work. 22 Shun youthful passions and pursue 
4543righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the 
4544Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with stupid and 
4545senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the 
4546LORD's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt 
4547teacher, patient, 25 correcting opponents with gentleness. God may 
4548perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, 26 
4549and that they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held 
4550captive by him to do his will. 
4551
4552[2 Timothy 3] 
4553End-time now: a close-up picture of the opposition 
4554
4555
45561 You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will 
4557come. 2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, 
4558boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, 
4559unholy, 3 inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters 
4560of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of 
4561pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the outward form of 
4562godliness but denying its power. Avoid them! 6 For among them are 
4563those who make their way into households and captivate silly women, 
4564overwhelmed by their sins and swayed by all kinds of desires, 7 who are 
4565always being instructed and can never arrive at a knowledge of the 
4566truth. 8 As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people, of 
4567corrupt mind and counterfeit faith, also oppose the truth. 9 But they 
4568will not make much progress, because, as in the case of those two men, 
4569their folly will become plain to everyone. 
4570
4571457 
4572
4573
4574
45752 TIMOTHY 458 
4576
4577
4578Timothy's charge to steadfastness in his ministry 
4579
458010 Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my 
4581faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions, and 
4582my suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and 
4583Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all 
4584of them. 12 Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will 
4585be persecuted. 13 But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to 
4586worse, deceiving others and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue 
4587in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom 
4588you learned it, 15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred 
4589writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in 
4590Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for 
4591teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 
459217 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped 
4593for every good work. 
4594
4595[2 Timothy 4] 
4596
45971 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living 
4598and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly 
4599urge you: 2 proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is 
4600favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the 
4601utmost patience in teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will 
4602not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will 
4603accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, 4 and will 
4604turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. 5 As 
4605for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an 
4606evangelist, carry out your ministry fully. 
4607
4608Paul's reflections on his impending death; an update from prison 
4609
46106 As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time 
4611of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have 
4612finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 From now on there is 
4613reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the 
4614righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also 
4615to all who have longed for his appearing. 
4616
4617458 
4618
4619
4620
46212 TIMOTHY 459 
4622
46232 TIMOTHY 459 
4624
462516 At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. 
4626May it not be counted against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and 
4627gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully 
4628proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from 
4629the lion's mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and 
4630save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and 
4631ever. Amen. 
4632
4633Epistolary greetings 
4634
463519 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 
4636Erastus remained in Corinth; Trophimus I left ill in Miletus. 21 Do your 
4637best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do 
4638Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers and sisters. 
4639
4640Concluding benediction 
4641
464222 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you. 
4643
4644459 
4645
4646
4647
4648TITUS 460 
4649
4650
4651TITUS 
4652
4653
4654Introduction 
4655
4656This epistle directed to Paul's envoy and coworker, Titus, bears many 
4657similarities to 1 Timothy. It is cast as a reminder and incitement to Titus 
4658to complete the things which remain to be done in his mission on Crete 
4659(1.5). Acts and the other Pauline letters make no mention of an 
4660apostolic mission to this, the largest of the Aegean islands, and home 
4661to a large Jewish community. Those who argue that the letter is 
4662genuine contend that such a mission could have taken place after 
4663Paul's imprisonment at Rome recounted in Acts 28, while those who 
4664regard it as pseudepigraphical (see the .
4665HTIntroduction to The Pastoral 
4666Epistles.
4667TH for the terms of the debate) think the author has chose Crete 
4668simply as a locale representing quintessential disobedience (1.12), or 
4669because of a later tradition associating Titus with the island. 
4670
4671Although he is never mentioned in Acts, we are well informed about 
4672Titus from Paul's letters. According to Gal 2.3 he was a Gentile who 
4673accompanied Paul on his famous conference with the Jerusalem 
4674apostles, where he served as a kind of test case for the noncircumcision 
4675of Gentile converts. In the pastoral ministry to Corinth Titus played a 
4676crucial role, first as a key administrator of the collection for the saints 
4677in Jerusalem (2 Cor 8.6, 16-17, 23; 12.18), and later as Paul's diplomatic 
4678envoy who successfully brokered a reconciliation between the apostle 
4679and the church, which had harbored doubts about Paul's legitimacy 
4680and financial reliability (2 Cor 2.13; 7.6-7, 13-16). 
4681
4682Paul delegates two tasks to Titus in this letter, under the heading of 
4683"putting things in order" (1.5): exhorting the faithful in sound teaching 
4684(1.9, 13; 2.1-2, 8), and refuting the opposition (2.2, 15; cf. 1.9). The 
4685mainstay of sound teaching, as the author defines it, is strict 
4686maintenance of a patriarchal church order and the proper submission it 
4687demands (2.5, 9; 3.1; contrast the characterization of the opponents as 
4688
4689460 
4690
4691
4692
4693TITUS 461 
4694
4695TITUS 461 
4696
4697Though short, this epistle is theologically dense, requiring readers to 
4698pause and reconstruct the underlying gospel narrative and theological 
4699concepts, which the author often invokes by terse shorthand. Passages 
4700such as 1.1-3; 2.11-14; 3.4-7 allow for instructive comparison with other 
4701tight Pauline formulations (such as Gal 4.1-11; Rom 3.21-26; 2 Tim 1.9-10), 
4702so the theology constructed here can be appreciated both for its 
4703distinctiveness and for its continuity with earlier traditions. 
4704
4705The epistle to Titus is framed as a commissioning letter for Paul's envoy 
4706to Crete. After the usual epistolary prescript (1.1-4, which is expanded 
4707with a theological creed), the body of the letter focuses on Titus's dual 
4708commission to correct things on Crete and appoint elders (1.5-16). The 
4709basis for his work follows in sections devoted to the submission 
4710expected of various roles in the church (2.1-10), the theological basis for 
4711pious living (2.11-15), and a final section bringing the two themes — of 
4712submission and good works — together (3.1-11). The epistle concludes 
4713with a discussion of travel plans (3.12-13), a final exhortation to good 
4714works (3.14), epistolary greetings (3.15a), and a benediction (3.15b). 
4715
4716[Titus 1] 
4717Salutation 
4718
47191 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of 
4720the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that is in 
4721accordance with godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life that God, who 
4722never lies, promised before the ages began — 3 in due time he 
4723
4724461 
4725
4726
4727
4728TITUS 462 
4729
4730
4731revealed his word through the proclamation with which I have been 
4732entrusted by the command of God our Savior, 
4733
4734
47354 To Titus, my loyal child in the faith we share: 
4736Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 
4737
4738
4739Titus's commission in Crete 
4740
47415 I left you behind in Crete for this reason, so that you should put in 
4742order what remained to be done, and should appoint elders in every 
4743town, as I directed you: 6 someone who is blameless, married only 
4744once, whose children are believers, not accused of debauchery and not 
4745rebellious. 7 For a bishop, as God's steward, must be blameless; he must 
4746not be arrogant or quick-tempered or addicted to wine or violent or 
4747greedy for gain; 8 but he must be hospitable, a lover of goodness, 
4748prudent, upright, devout, and self-controlled. 9 He must have a firm 
4749grasp of the word that is trustworthy in accordance with the teaching, 
4750so that he may be able both to preach with sound doctrine and to 
4751refute those who contradict it. 
4752
475310 There are also many rebellious people, idle talkers and deceivers, 
4754especially those of the circumcision; 11 they must be silenced, since they 
4755are upsetting whole families by teaching for sordid gain what it is not 
4756right to teach. 12 It was one of them, their very own prophet, who said, 
4757
4758"Cretans are always liars, vicious brutes, lazy gluttons." 
475913 That testimony is true. For this reason rebuke them sharply, so that 
4760they may become sound in the faith, 14 not paying attention to Jewish 
4761myths or to commandments of those who reject the truth. 15 To the 
4762pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is 
4763pure. Their very minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 They profess 
4764to know God, but they deny him by their actions. They are detestable, 
4765disobedient, unfit for any good work. 
4766
4767462 
4768
4769
4770
4771TITUS 463 
4772
4773
4774[Titus 2] 
4775The proclamation of sound teaching in submission 
4776
4777
47781 But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine. 2 Tell the 
4779older men to be temperate, serious, prudent, and sound in faith, in 
4780love, and in endurance. 
4781
47823 Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in behavior, not to be 
4783slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is good, 4 so that 
4784they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love 
4785their children, 5 to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the 
4786household, kind, being submissive to their husbands, so that the word 
4787of God may not be discredited. 
4788
47896 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show 
4790yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching 
4791show integrity, gravity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be censured; 
4792then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of 
4793us. 
4794
47959 Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in 
4796every respect; they are not to talk back, 10 not to pilfer, but to show 
4797complete and perfect fidelity, so that in everything they may be an 
4798ornament to the doctrine of God our Savior. 
4799
4800The theological basis for present pious living 
4801
480211 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12 
4803training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the 
4804present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13 
4805while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory 
4806of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He it is who gave himself 
4807for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself 
4808a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. 
4809
481015 Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no 
4811one look down on you. 
4812
4813463 
4814
4815
4816
4817TITUS 464 
4818
4819
4820[Titus 3] 
4821Submission and good works are the marks of the saved 
4822
4823
48241 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, 
4825to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid 
4826quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. 3 For 
4827we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to 
4828various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, 
4829despicable, hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving 
4830kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of any 
4831works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, 
4832through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 This 
4833Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so 
4834that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs 
4835according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is sure. 
4836
4837I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to 
4838believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; 
4839these things are excellent and profitable to everyone. 9 But avoid 
4840stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the 
4841law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 After a first and 
4842second admonition, have nothing more to do with anyone who causes 
4843divisions, 11 since you know that such a person is perverted and sinful, 
4844being self-condemned. 
4845
4846Travel plans; concluding exhortation to good works 
4847
484812 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, do your best to come to 
4849me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Make 
4850every effort to send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way, and 
4851see that they lack nothing. 14 And let people learn to devote 
4852themselves to good works in order to meet urgent needs, so that they 
4853may not be unproductive. 
4854
4855464 
4856
4857
4858
4859TITUS 465 
4860
4861
4862Epistolary greetings and benediction 
4863
486415 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us 
4865in the faith. 
4866
4867Grace be with all of you. 
4868
4869465 
4870
4871
4872
4873PHILEMON 466 
4874
4875
4876PHILEMON 
4877
4878
4879Introduction 
4880
4881This enigmatic text is a piece of the apostle Paul's business 
4882correspondence, a curious but intentional blend of personal and public 
4883appeal, addressed to three named recipients (Philemon, Apphia, and 
4884Archippus) and to the church that meets in one their houses (v. 2). The 
4885letters shows Paul's epistolary style at its very best, and employs some 
4886of his most subtle rhetoric to make a request of one of the recipients — 
4887probably Philemon, because he is the first named. The exact nature of 
4888the request, however, is the basis for the enigma that the epistle to 
4889Philemon represents. 
4890
4891In order to interpret this brief epistle, one must reconstruct the 
4892situation it presupposes, but to do so the reader must largely depend 
4893upon the letter itself. Paul writes this letter while he is in prison (vv. 1, 
48949-10, but the precise location is not specified), where he has been 
4895joined by a person named Onesimus, whom, Paul recounts, he has 
4896converted to the gospel while there (v. 10). This Onesimus, who is the 
4897slave of Philemon, (v. 16), is the subject of the letter, and the object of 
4898Paul's appeal (v. 10). While the circumstances that led to Onesimus's 
4899encounter with Paul are not described in the letter itself, two quite 
4900different possibilities suggest themselves: Either Onesimus ran away 
4901from his master, perhaps after causing him some financial loss (vv. 15, 
490218), or Onesimus was sent by his owner to serve Paul in prison (v. 13), 
4903much like Epaphroditus appears to have been sent to Paul in prison by 
4904the Philippians (Phil 2.25-30). The advantage of the latter possibility is 
4905that it explains how Onesimus came to be in prison with Paul, whereas 
4906the former option must explain why a slave would run away to a 
4907prison, though this can perhaps be overcome by the suggestion that 
4908Onesimus, according to legal precedent, sought out a friend of his 
4909master's to act as an intermediary for himself. The precise occasion of 
4910the letter is the moment of Paul's sending Onesimus back to his master 
4911
4912466 
4913
4914
4915
4916PHILEMON 467 
4917
4918PHILEMON 467 
491912). The letter is intended to accompany Onesimus and register a 
4920plea on his behalf (v. 10). What exactly is Paul asking Philemon to do? 
4921Because Paul formulates his request for Onesimus in intentionally 
4922vague and suggestively persuasive terms, a certain judgment is hard to 
4923make. Readers should try out at least three possible interpretations: (1) 
4924Paul is asking Philemon to receive Onesimus back into service and 
4925forgive his transgressions, whatever they might have been (vv. 17-18); 
4926
4927(2) Paul is primarily asking Philemon to send Onesimus back to him to 
4928continue to serve his physical needs while in prison (vv. 13-14); (3) Paul is 
4929strongly hinting that Philemon should not only receive Onesimus back, 
4930but free him (vv. 16, 21). Each of these options has some grounding in 
4931the text, and the choice of which the reader adopts depends upon 
4932which verses are thought to be the highlight of the argument, and 
4933upon how one assesses Paul's tone at various points. One thing, 
4934however, is certain about this letter: Paul engages in full-strength arm-
4935twisting of Philemon to do his "good deed" (v. 14). But the final 
4936decision of what to do is left up to Philemon himself to decide — in the 
4937context of a range of onlookers among his fellow Christians! One of 
4938the most remarkable things about this letter is that it was preserved at 
4939all, and ultimately incorporated in the canonical collection of Paul's 
4940letters, which perhaps gives us a hint about Philemon's ultimate 
4941decision. 
4942This letter has played a key role in the history of Christian social ethics 
4943disproportionate to its length. The adequacy of Paul's attitude and 
4944actions toward the institution of slavery, both in his context and as a 
4945legacy for Christian social thought, continues to be debated. 
4946
4947The structure of Philemon is neatly exact. After the epistolary 
4948salutation (vv. 1-3) and thanksgiving (vv. 4-7), which praise Philemon for 
4949his past benefactions, in the epistolary body (vv. 8-22) Paul makes a 
4950fresh request for the present situation involving Onesimus through 
4951various forms of subtle and overt appeal, ending with a forecast of his 
4952impending visit. He closes the letter with epistolary greetings from 
4953missionary coworkers that accent the public arena of Philemon's 
4954decision. 
4955
4956467 
4957
4958
4959
4960PHILEMON 468 
4961
4962
4963[Philemon 1] 
4964Salutation 
4965
49661 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, 
4967
4968To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, 2 to Apphia our sister, to 
4969Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: 
4970
49713 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus 
4972Christ. 
4973
4974Thanksgiving for Philemon's past good deeds 
4975
49764 When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God 5 
4977because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the 
4978Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective 
4979when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. 7 I have 
4980indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because 
4981the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother. 
4982
4983Paul's appeal for another good deed from Philemon 
4984
49858 For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you 
4986to do your duty, 9 yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love 
4987
4988— and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of 
4989Christ Jesus. 10 I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose 
4990father I have become during my imprisonment. 11 Formerly he was 
4991useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. 12 I 
4992am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. 13 I wanted to 
4993keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place 
4994during my imprisonment for the gospel; 14 but I preferred to do 
4995nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be 
4996voluntary and not something forced. 15 Perhaps this is the reason he 
4997was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back 
4998forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved 
4999brother — especially to me but how much more to you, both in the 
5000flesh and in the Lord. 
5001468 
5002
5003
5004
5005PHILEMON 469 
5006
5007PHILEMON 469 
5008
500922 One thing more — prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping 
5010through your prayers to be restored to you. 
5011
5012Greetings and concluding benediction 
5013
501423 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 
501524 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. 
5016
501725 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. 
5018
5019469 
5020
5021
5022
5023HEBREWS 470 
5024
5025
5026HEBREWS 
5027
5028
5029Introduction 
5030
5031Traditionally known as "The Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews," this New 
5032Testament writing can best be understood as an anonymous sermon 
5033written to encourage an early Christian community to continued faith 
5034and hope in the face of hardship. In a manner unique among New 
5035Testament books, the sermon develops the image of Christ as the great 
5036high priest who fulfills and complete the Jewish system of sacrifice. In a 
5037sophisticated rhetorical style, the author alternates argument and 
5038exhortation. Although it concludes with greetings and other features 
5039of a letter (13.22-25), the work has not opening greeting and no 
5040identification of the author or of those addressed. Rather, the author 
5041refers to it as a "word of exhortation" (13.22) a phrase used in Acts 13.15 
5042to describe a synagogue sermon of Paul. 
5043
5044When the New Testament was being formed, this anonymous sermon 
5045was attributed to Paul, presumably because of the growing authority 
5046of Paul's name and reputation as a letter writer. The early church 
5047leaders Origen, Clement, and Tertullian, however, recognized the 
5048differences in style and theology between Hebrews and Paul's letters. 
5049Clement argued that Luke translated Paul's Hebrew original into Greek 
5050and Origen suggested that a disciple of Paul wrote the letter based on 
5051Paul's notes. Modern interpreters have suggested other authors, 
5052including Apollos and Prisca (Priscilla). There is not sufficient historical 
5053evidence, however, to prove that any person named in the New 
5054Testament was the author of Hebrews. 
5055
5056Like the name of the author, the precise date of Hebrews cannot be 
5057determined. Because the argument depends on description of the 
5058Temple sacrifice, some scholars argue that it must originate before the 
5059destruction of the Temple in 70 CE. Because the work deals with the 
5060exegesis of scriptural texts, however, the literal existence of Temple 
5061
5062470 
5063
5064
5065
5066HEBREWS 471 
5067
5068HEBREWS 471 
5069
5070Despite the title "to the Hebrews," the audience probably consists of 
5071people of both Jewish and Gentile background. Evidence within the 
5072sermon for the identity of its audience suggests that the community 
5073has suffered hardship and persecution (10.32) and that some may have 
5074renounced their faith (2.3; 6.4-6; 12.25). The central role of 
5075interpretation of the Jewish scriptures (used by the author in their 
5076ancient Greek translation, the Septuagint [LXX]) in the argument of 
5077the sermon shows the continued importance of the Bible and of Jewish 
5078tradition for those who believed in Christ. The author seeks both to 
5079ground the argument in scripture and to argue that Jesus is superior to 
5080Jewish traditions. Within the audience were both Jewish Christians well 
5081versed in scripture and Gentile Christians who also would have found 
5082such arguments persuasive. 
5083
5084Because so many of the standard historical introductory questions 
5085about Hebrews are uncertain, Hebrews can best be read by leaving 
5086those questions open and exploring the work as a distinctive Christian 
5087writing. The work attempts to interpret the significance of Jesus Christ 
5088and his death in categories familiar to the author and audience. Its 
5089readers could appreciate the sophisticated rhetorical style, follow the 
5090repetition and development of images and vocabulary, and understand 
5091the logic of the author's argument in the context of Platonic and 
5092allegorical interpretation and of other early Christian language. 
5093
5094Hebrews is a document in which themes and motifs anticipate and 
5095reinforce each other. The sermon is organized into four main sections. 
5096Heb 1.1-4.13 explores the word of God spoken through the Son. Heb 
50974.14-10.31 interprets Jesus as the eternal high priest against the 
5098background of the Israelite priesthood. The third part, 10.32-12.29, 
5099describes faith as insight into a heavenly world of reality. Finally, 
5100chapter 13 gives practical advice and greetings. 
5101
5102471 
5103
5104
5105
5106HEBREWS 472 
5107
5108
5109[Hebrews 1] 
5110Work of God spoken through the Son; the prologue; God has spoken 
5111through a Son 
5112
51131 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by 
5114the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, 
5115whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created 
5116the worlds. 3 He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint 
5117of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. 
5118When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand 
5119of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as 
5120the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 
5121
5122The superiority of the Son to the angels 
5123
51245 For to which of the angels did God ever say, 
5125"You are my Son; 
5126today I have begotten you"? 
5127Or again, 
5128"I will be his Father, 
5129and he will be my Son"? 
51306 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, 
5131"Let all God's angels worship him." 
51327 Of the angels he says, 
5133"He makes his angels winds, 
5134and his servants flames of fire." 
51358 But of the Son he says, 
5136"Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, 
5137and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom. 
5138
51399 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; 
5140therefore God, your God, has anointed you 
5141with the oil of gladness beyond your companions." 
5142
514310 And, 
5144"In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, 
5145and the heavens are the work of your hands; 
514611 they will perish, but you remain; 
5147they will all wear out like clothing; 
5148
5149472 
5150
5151
5152
5153HEBREWS 473 
5154
5155
515612 like a cloak you will roll them up, 
5157and like clothing they will be changed. 
5158But you are the same, 
5159and your years will never end." 
516013 But to which of the angels has he ever said, 
5161"Sit at my right hand 
5162
5163until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? 
516414 Are not all angels spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the 
5165sake of those who are to inherit salvation? 
5166
5167[Hebrews 2] 
5168Exhortation not to fall away 
5169
5170
51711 Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so 
5172that we do not drift away from it. 2 For if the message declared 
5173through angels was valid, and every transgression or disobedience 
5174received a just penalty, 3 how can we escape if we neglect so great a 
5175salvation? It was declared at first through the Lord, and it was attested 
5176to us by those who heard him, 4 while God added his testimony by 
5177signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, 
5178distributed according to his will. 
5179
5180Jesus' exaltation through abasement 
5181
51825 Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are 
5183speaking, to angels. 6 But someone has testified somewhere, 
5184"What are human beings that you are mindful of them, 
5185or mortals, that you care for them? 
51867 You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; 
5187
5188you have crowned them with glory and honor, 
51898 subjecting all things under their feet." 
5190Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their 
5191control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, 9 
5192but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the 
5193angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of 
5194death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 
5195
5196473 
5197
5198
5199
5200HEBREWS 474 
5201
5202HEBREWS 474 
5203
5204 "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, 
5205in the midst of the congregation I will praise you." 
520613 And again, 
5207"I will put my trust in him." 
5208And again, 
5209"Here am I and the children whom God has given me." 
5210
521114 Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself 
5212likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might 
5213destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and 
5214free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 
521516 For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the 
5216descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to become like his 
5217brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and 
5218faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of 
5219atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself was tested 
5220by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. 
5221
5222[Hebrews 3] 
5223Comparison of Jesus and Moses 
5224
5225
52261 Therefore, brothers and sisters, holy partners in a heavenly calling, 
5227consider that Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 was 
5228faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses also "was faithful 
5229in all God's house." 3 Yet Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses, just 
5230as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For 
5231every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 
5232Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the 
5233things that would be spoken later. 6 Christ, however, was faithful over 
5234God's house as a son, and we are his house if we hold firm the 
5235confidence and the pride that belong to hope. 
5236
5237474 
5238
5239
5240
5241HEBREWS 475 
5242
5243
5244Entering God's rest 
5245
52467 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, 
5247"Today, if you hear his voice, 
52488 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, 
5249as on the day of testing in the wilderness, 
52509 where your ancestors put me to the test, 
5251
5252though they had seen my works 10 for forty years. 
5253
5254Therefore I was angry with that generation, 
5255
5256and I said, 'They always go astray in their hearts, 
5257
5258and they have not known my ways.' 
525911 As in my anger I swore, 
5260
5261'They will not enter my rest.'" 
526212 Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil, 
5263unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But exhort 
5264one another every day, as long as it is called "today," so that none of 
5265you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have 
5266become partners of Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to 
5267the end. 15 As it is said, 
5268
5269"Today, if you hear his voice, 
5270
5271do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." 
527216 Now who were they who heard and yet were rebellious? Was it not 
5273all those who left Egypt under the leadership of Moses? 17 But with 
5274whom was he angry forty years? Was it not those who sinned, whose 
5275bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they 
5276would not enter his rest, if not to those who were disobedient? 19 So 
5277we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. 
5278
5279[Hebrews 4] 
5280The faithfulness required of Christians 
5281
5282
52831 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest is still open, let us 
5284take care that none of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For 
5285indeed the good news came to us just as to them; but the message 
5286they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by 
5287faith with those who listened. 3 For we who have believed enter that 
5288rest, just as God has said, 
5289
5290475 
5291
5292
5293
5294HEBREWS 476 
5295
5296
5297"As in my anger I swore, 
5298
5299'They shall not enter my rest,'" 
5300though his works were finished at the foundation of the world. 4 For 
5301in one place it speaks about the seventh day as follows, "And God 
5302rested on the seventh day from all his works." 5 And again in this place 
5303it says, "They shall not enter my rest." 6 Since therefore it remains 
5304open for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good 
5305news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he sets a certain 
5306day — "today" — saying through David much later, in the words 
5307already quoted, 
5308
5309"Today, if you hear his voice, 
5310
5311do not harden your hearts." 
53128 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not speak later about 
5313another day. 9 So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of 
5314God; 10 for those who enter God's rest also cease from their labors as 
5315God did from his. 11 Let us therefore make every effort to enter that 
5316rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs. 
5317
531812 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-
5319edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from 
5320marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 
5321And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare 
5322to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account. 
5323
5324Jesus as the eternal high priest; Christ as the great high priest 
5325
532614 Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the 
5327heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For 
5328we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our 
5329weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as 
5330we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore approach the throne of 
5331grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to 
5332help in time of need. 
5333
5334476 
5335
5336
5337
5338HEBREWS 477 
5339
5340
5341[Hebrews 5] 
5342
53431 Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of 
5344things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices 
5345for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, 
5346since he himself is subject to weakness; 3 and because of this he must 
5347offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. 4 And 
5348one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called 
5349by God, just as Aaron was. 
5350
53515 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but 
5352was appointed by the one who said to him, 
5353"You are my Son, 
5354today I have begotten you"; 
53556 as he says also in another place, 
5356"You are a priest forever, 
5357according to the order of Melchizedek." 
5358
53597 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, 
5360with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from 
5361death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 
5362Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he 
5363suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became the source of 
5364eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 having been designated by 
5365God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. 
5366
5367Exhortation to hope 
5368
536911 About this we have much to say that is hard to explain, since you 
5370have become dull in understanding. 12 For though by this time you 
5371ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic 
5372elements of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food; 13 for 
5373everyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is unskilled in the 
5374word of righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those 
5375whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from 
5376evil. 
5377
5378477 
5379
5380
5381
5382HEBREWS 478 
5383
5384
5385[Hebrews 6] 
5386
53871 Therefore let us go on toward perfection, leaving behind the basic 
5388teaching about Christ, and not laying again the foundation: 
5389repentance from dead works and faith toward God, 2 instruction about 
5390baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal 
5391judgment. 3 And we will do this, if God permits. 4 For it is impossible to 
5392restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, 
5393and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 
5394and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of 
5395the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, since on their own they 
5396are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to 
5397contempt. 7 Ground that drinks up the rain falling on it repeatedly, 
5398and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is cultivated, 
5399receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it produces thorns and thistles, it 
5400is worthless and on the verge of being cursed; its end is to be burned 
5401over. 
5402
54039 Even though we speak in this way, beloved, we are confident of 
5404better things in your case, things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is 
5405not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you 
5406showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we 
5407want each one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize the 
5408full assurance of hope to the very end, 12 so that you may not become 
5409sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit 
5410the promises. 
5411
541213 When God made a promise to Abraham, because he had no one 
5413greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, "I will surely 
5414bless you and multiply you." 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently 
5415endured, obtained the promise. 16 Human beings, of course, swear by 
5416someone greater than themselves, and an oath given as confirmation 
5417puts an end to all dispute. 17 In the same way, when God desired to 
5418show even more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable 
5419character of his purpose, he guaranteed it by an oath, 18 so that 
5420through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God 
5421would prove false, we who have taken refuge might be strongly 
5422encouraged to seize the hope set before us. 19 We have this hope, a 
5423
5424478 
5425
5426
5427
5428HEBREWS 479 
5429
5430HEBREWS 479 
5431
5432[Hebrews 7] 
5433The priesthood of Melchizedek and the Levitical priesthood compared 
5434
5435
54361 This "King Melchizedek of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met 
5437Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed 
5438him"; 2 and to him Abraham apportioned "one-tenth of everything." 
5439His name, in the first place, means "king of righteousness"; next he is 
5440also king of Salem, that is, "king of peace." 3 Without father, without 
5441mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end 
5442of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. 
5443
54444 See how great he is! Even Abraham the patriarch gave him a tenth of 
5445the spoils. 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly 
5446office have a commandment in the law to collect tithes from the 
5447people, that is, from their kindred, though these also are descended 
5448from Abraham. 6 But this man, who does not belong to their ancestry, 
5449collected tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had received the 
5450promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the 
5451superior. 8 In the one case, tithes are received by those who are mortal; 
5452in the other, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might 
5453even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through 
5454Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when 
5455Melchizedek met him. 
5456
5457The Levitical priesthood is inadequate 
5458
545911 Now if perfection had been attainable through the levitical 
5460priesthood — for the people received the law under this priesthood — 
5461what further need would there have been to speak of another priest 
5462arising according to the order of Melchizedek, rather than one 
5463according to the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the 
5464priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 Now the 
5465one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from 
5466
5467479 
5468
5469
5470
5471HEBREWS 480 
5472
5473
5474which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our 
5475Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe 
5476Moses said nothing about priests. 
5477
547815 It is even more obvious when another priest arises, resembling 
5479Melchizedek, 16 one who has become a priest, not through a legal 
5480requirement concerning physical descent, but through the power of an 
5481indestructible life. 17 For it is attested of him, 
5482
5483"You are a priest forever, 
5484
5485according to the order of Melchizedek." 
548618 There is, on the one hand, the abrogation of an earlier 
5487commandment because it was weak and ineffectual 19 (for the law 
5488made nothing perfect); there is, on the other hand, the introduction of 
5489a better hope, through which we approach God. 
5490
549120 This was confirmed with an oath; for others who became priests 
5492took their office without an oath, 21 but this one became a priest with 
5493an oath, because of the one who said to him, 
5494
5495"The Lord has sworn 
5496
5497and will not change his mind, 
5498
5499'You are a priest forever'" — 
550022 accordingly Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better 
5501covenant. 
5502
550323 Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they 
5504were prevented by death from continuing in office; 24 but he holds his 
5505priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 
5506Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God 
5507through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 
5508
5509Summary of the merits of the high priest, Jesus the Son of God 
5510
551126 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, 
5512blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the 
5513heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer 
5514sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the 
5515people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law 
5516appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the 
5517
5518480 
5519
5520
5521
5522HEBREWS 481 
5523
5524
5525word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who 
5526has been made perfect forever. 
5527
5528[Hebrews 8] 
5529Old and new ministry 
5530
5531
55321 Now the main point in what we are saying is this: we have such a 
5533high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the 
5534Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent 
5535that the Lord, and not any mortal, has set up. 3 For every high priest is 
5536appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; hence it is necessary for this 
5537priest also to have something to offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, he 
5538would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts 
5539according to the law. 5 They offer worship in a sanctuary that is a 
5540sketch and shadow of the heavenly one; for Moses, when he was about 
5541to erect the tent, was warned, "See that you make everything 
5542according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain." 6 But 
5543Jesus has now obtained a more excellent ministry, and to that degree 
5544he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted 
5545through better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, 
5546there would have been no need to look for a second one. 
5547
5548Old and new covenant 
5549
55508 God finds fault with them when he says: 
5551
5552 "The days are surely coming, says the Lord, 
5553
5554when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel 
5555
5556and with the house of Judah; 
55579 not like the covenant that I made with their ancestors, 
5558
5559on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the 
5560
5561land of Egypt; 
5562
5563 for they did not continue in my covenant, 
5564
5565and so I had no concern for them, says the Lord. 
5566
5567481 
5568
5569
5570
5571HEBREWS 482 
5572
5573
557410 This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel 
5575after those days, says the Lord: 
5576I will put my laws in their minds, 
5577and write them on their hearts, 
5578and I will be their God, 
5579and they shall be my people. 
558011 And they shall not teach one another 
5581or say to each other, 'Know the Lord,' 
5582for they shall all know me, 
5583from the least of them to the greatest. 
558412 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, 
5585
5586and I will remember their sins no more." 
558713 In speaking of "a new covenant," he has made the first one 
5588obsolete. And what is obsolete and growing old will soon disappear. 
5589
5590[Hebrews 9] 
5591The earthly sanctuary 
5592
5593
55941 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an 
5595earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tent was constructed, the first one, in which 
5596were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the Presence; this is 
5597called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a tent called the 
5598Holy of Holies. 4 In it stood the golden altar of incense and the ark of 
5599the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which there were a 
5600golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the 
5601tablets of the covenant; 5 above it were the cherubim of glory 
5602overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot speak now 
5603in detail. 
5604
56056 Such preparations having been made, the priests go continually into 
5606the first tent to carry out their ritual duties; 7 but only the high priest 
5607goes into the second, and he but once a year, and not without taking 
5608the blood that he offers for himself and for the sins committed 
5609unintentionally by the people. 8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that 
5610the way into the sanctuary has not yet been disclosed as long as the 
5611first tent is still standing. 9 This is a symbol of the present time, during 
5612which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the 
5613conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and 
5614
5615482 
5616
5617
5618
5619HEBREWS 483 
5620
5621
5622various baptisms, regulations for the body imposed until the time 
5623comes to set things right. 
5624
5625The sacrifice of Christ 
5626
562711 But when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have 
5628come, then through the greater and perfect tent (not made with 
5629hands, that is, not of this creation), 12 he entered once for all into the 
5630Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own 
5631blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats 
5632and bulls, with the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those 
5633who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified, 14 how much 
5634more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered 
5635himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead 
5636works to worship the living God! 
5637
563815 For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those 
5639who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, because a 
5640death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions under 
5641the first covenant. 16 Where a will is involved, the death of the one 
5642who made it must be established. 17 For a will takes effect only at 
5643death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. 18 
5644Hence not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. 19 
5645For when every commandment had been told to all the people by 
5646Moses in accordance with the law, he took the blood of calves and 
5647goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the 
5648scroll itself and all the people, 20 saying, "This is the blood of the 
5649covenant that God has ordained for you." 21 And in the same way he 
5650sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in 
5651worship. 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with 
5652blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of 
5653sins. 
5654
565523 Thus it was necessary for the sketches of the heavenly things to be 
5656purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves need 
5657better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary 
5658made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered 
5659into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 
5660
5661483 
5662
5663
5664
5665HEBREWS 484 
5666
5667HEBREWS 484 
5668
5669[Hebrews 10] 
5670Old and new sacrifice 
5671
5672
56731 Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come and not 
5674the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that 
5675are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who 
5676approach. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased being offered, 
5677since the worshipers, cleansed once for all, would no longer have any 
5678consciousness of sin? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin 
5679year after year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to 
5680take away sins. 5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he 
5681said, 
5682
5683"Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, 
5684but a body you have prepared for me; 
56856 in burnt offerings and sin offerings 
5686you have taken no pleasure. 
56877 Then I said, 'See, God, I have come to do your will, O God' 
5688
5689(in the scroll of the book it is written of me)." 
56908 When he said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in 
5691sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these 
5692are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, "See, I have come 
5693to do your will." He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. 
569410 And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the 
5695offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 
5696
569711 And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again 
5698and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 But 
5699when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, "he sat 
5700
5701484 
5702
5703
5704
5705HEBREWS 485 
5706
5707HEBREWS 485 
5708
5709after those days, says the Lord: 
5710I will put my laws in their hearts, 
5711and I will write them on their minds," 
571217 he also adds, 
5713
5714"I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." 
571518 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering 
5716for sin. 
5717
5718Exhortations and warnings 
5719
572019 Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the 
5721sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he 
5722opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21 and 
5723since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us approach 
5724with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled 
5725clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 
572623 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for 
5727he who has promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to provoke 
5728one another to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to meet 
5729together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all 
5730the more as you see the Day approaching. 
5731
573226 For if we willfully persist in sin after having received the knowledge 
5733of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a 
5734fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the 
5735adversaries. 28 Anyone who has violated the law of Moses dies without 
5736mercy "on the testimony of two or three witnesses." 29 How much 
5737worse punishment do you think will be deserved by those who have 
5738spurned the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant by which 
5739they were sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know 
5740the one who said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay." And again, "The 
5741Lord will judge his people." 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands 
5742of the living God. 
5743
5744485 
5745
5746
5747
5748HEBREWS 486 
5749
5750
5751Living by faith and its power 
5752
575332 But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, 
5754you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being 
5755publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being 
5756partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion for those 
5757who were in prison, and you cheerfully accepted the plundering of 
5758your possessions, knowing that you yourselves possessed something 
5759better and more lasting. 35 Do not, therefore, abandon that 
5760confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. 36 For you need 
5761endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may 
5762receive what was promised. 37 For yet 
5763
5764"in a very little while, 
5765the one who is coming will come and will not delay; 
576638 but my righteous one will live by faith. 
5767
5768My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back." 
576939 But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but 
5770among those who have faith and so are saved. 
5771
5772[Hebrews 11] 
5773A cloud of witnesses to faith 
5774
5775
57761 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of 
5777things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3 By 
5778faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of 
5779God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. 
5780
57814 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain's. 
5782Through this he received approval as righteous, God himself giving 
5783approval to his gifts; he died, but through his faith he still speaks. 5 By 
5784faith Enoch was taken so that he did not experience death; and "he 
5785was not found, because God had taken him." For it was attested 
5786before he was taken away that "he had pleased God." 6 And without 
5787faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him 
5788must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 
5789By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected 
5790the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he 
5791
5792486 
5793
5794
5795
5796HEBREWS 487 
5797
5798HEBREWS 487 
5799
58008 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place 
5801that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing 
5802where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had 
5803been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and 
5804Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he looked 
5805forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is 
5806God. 11 By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was 
5807too old — and Sarah herself was barren — because he considered him 
5808faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one person, and this one 
5809as good as dead, descendants were born, "as many as the stars of 
5810heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore." 
5811
581213 All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but 
5813from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they 
5814were strangers and foreigners on the earth, 14 for people who speak in 
5815this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had 
5816been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have 
5817had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, 
5818that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their 
5819God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them. 
5820
582117 By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who 
5822had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, 18 of 
5823whom he had been told, "It is through Isaac that descendants shall be 
5824named for you." 19 He considered the fact that God is able even to 
5825raise someone from the dead — and figuratively speaking, he did 
5826receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac invoked blessings for the future on 
5827Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons 
5828of Joseph, "bowing in worship over the top of his staff." 22 By faith 
5829Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the 
5830Israelites and gave instructions about his burial. 
5831
5832487 
5833
5834
5835
5836HEBREWS 488 
5837
5838HEBREWS 488 
5839
584029 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry 
5841land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. 
584230 By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for 
5843seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those 
5844who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace. 
5845
584632 And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of 
5847Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the 
5848prophets — 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered 
5849justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched 
5850raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of 
5851weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 
5852Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, 
5853refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. 36 
5854Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and 
5855imprisonment. 37 They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, 
5856they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and 
5857goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented — 38 of whom the world was 
5858not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and 
5859holes in the ground. 
5860
586139 Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not 
5862receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something 
5863better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect. 
5864
5865488 
5866
5867
5868
5869HEBREWS 489 
5870
5871
5872[Hebrews 12] 
5873Jesus, the ultimate example of faith 
5874
5875
58761 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 
5877let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and 
5878let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to 
5879Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the 
5880joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, 
5881and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 
5882
5883The discipline of God 
5884
58853 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from 
5886sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. 4 In your 
5887struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding 
5888your blood. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses 
5889you as children — 
5890
5891 "My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, 
5892or lose heart when you are punished by him; 
58936 for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, 
5894
5895and chastises every child whom he accepts." 
58967 Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as 
5897children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? 8 If 
5898you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are 
5899illegitimate and not his children. 9 Moreover, we had human parents 
5900to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more 
5901willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they 
5902disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he 
5903disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. 11 
5904Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, 
5905but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have 
5906been trained by it. 
5907
590812 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 
590913 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not 
5910be put out of joint, but rather be healed. 
5911
5912489 
5913
5914
5915
5916HEBREWS 490 
5917
5918HEBREWS 490 
5919
5920Mount Sinai and Mount Zion contrasted 
5921
592218 You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing 
5923fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, 19 and the sound of a 
5924trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not 
5925another word be spoken to them. 20 (For they could not endure the 
5926order that was given, "If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall 
5927be stoned to death." 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses 
5928said, "I tremble with fear.") 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and 
5929to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to 
5930innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the 
5931firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and 
5932to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the 
5933mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a 
5934better word than the blood of Abel. 
5935
593625 See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did 
5937not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, 
5938how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from 
5939heaven! 26 At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has 
5940promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the 
5941heaven." 27 This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of 
5942what is shaken — that is, created things — so that what cannot be 
5943shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom 
5944that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an 
5945acceptable worship with reverence and awe; 29 for indeed our God is a 
5946consuming fire. 
5947
5948490 
5949
5950
5951
5952HEBREWS 491 
5953
5954
5955[Hebrews 13] 
5956Practical instructions to the community and greetings; the sermon 
5957concludes 
5958
59591 Let mutual love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to 
5960strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without 
5961knowing it. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though you were 
5962in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you 
5963yourselves were being tortured. 4 Let marriage be held in honor by all, 
5964and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge 
5965fornicators and adulterers. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of 
5966money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will 
5967never leave you or forsake you." 6 So we can say with confidence, 
5968
5969"The Lord is my helper; 
5970
5971I will not be afraid. 
5972
5973What can anyone do to me?" 
5974
59757 Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; 
5976consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 
5977Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be 
5978carried away by all kinds of strange teachings; for it is well for the 
5979heart to be strengthened by grace, not by regulations about food, 
5980which have not benefited those who observe them. 10 We have an 
5981altar from which those who officiate in the tent have no right to eat. 11 
5982For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the 
5983sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the 
5984camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the city gate in order to 
5985sanctify the people by his own blood. 13 Let us then go to him outside 
5986the camp and bear the abuse he endured. 14 For here we have no 
5987lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. 15 Through 
5988him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, 
5989the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good 
5990and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. 
5991
599217 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch 
5993over your souls and will give an account. Let them do this with joy and 
5994not with sighing — for that would be harmful to you. 
5995
5996491 
5997
5998
5999
6000HEBREWS 492 
6001
6002
6003Greetings, blessing, and postscript 
6004
600518 Pray for us; we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to 
6006act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you all the more to do this, so that 
6007I may be restored to you very soon. 
6008
600920 Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our 
6010Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the 
6011eternal covenant, 21 make you complete in everything good so that 
6012you may do his will, working among us that which is pleasing in his 
6013sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. 
6014Amen. 
6015
601622 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, bear with my word of 
6017exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23 I want you to know 
6018that our brother Timothy has been set free; and if he comes in time, he 
6019will be with me when I see you. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the 
6020saints. Those from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with all of you. 
6021
6022492 
6023
6024
6025
6026JAMES 493 
6027
6028
6029JAMES 
6030
6031
6032Introduction 
6033
6034This letter takes its name from the authority and tradition associated 
6035with James, the brother of Jesus (Mt 13.55; Mk 6.3; Gal 1.19), who 
6036eventually became the leader of the church in Jerusalem (Gal 2.9, 12; 
6037Acts 12.17; 15.13; 21.18). Throughout the document, a consistent tone of 
6038moral authority (59 of 108 versions are in the imperative) determines its 
6039literary character as a series of moral instructions (parenesis or 
6040exhortation) and wisdom sayings, inspired by different parts of the 
6041Bible. The advice alludes both to the Hebrew Bible and to the Jesus 
6042tradition (particularly that of Matthew and Luke); there may also be 
6043references to Paul's teaching (2.14-26). The letter thereby combines 
6044pastoral, prophetic, and teaching moods appropriate to address the 
6045community crises. Its basic message is an urgent appeal for those who 
6046call themselves Christians to adopt a courageous faith that will help 
6047them cope effectively with the trials of life, and will produce in them 
6048heightened moral integrity and loving actions. 
6049
6050Directed by Jewish Christian congregations ("your assembly," lit. 
6051"synagogue," 2.2) toward the close of the first century, this letter was 
6052probably written in at least two stages. The original text was a sermon 
6053by James in the months prior to his martyrdom in the mid-60s. Then, 
6054someone skilled in Hellenistic rhetoric edited, expanded, and 
6055distributed the sermon in the form of a circular letter, probably in the 
6056late 80s or 90s. It went to Diaspora churches that were in disarray and 
6057needed to hear again the authoritative voice of the Jerusalem church's 
6058leader. Its aim was to instruct Jewish Christians experiencing tensions 
6059between their allegiance to the Torah and their newfound faith in 
6060Jesus. In this sense, James and Jude are the last New Testament echoes 
6061of Jewish Christianity. 
6062
6063493 
6064
6065
6066
6067JAMES 494 
6068
6069JAMES 494 
6070
6071— "And he [Abraham] believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to 
6072him as righteousness" (Gen 15.6) — to support his own view (Paul in 
6073Gal 3.6-14, James in Jas 2.21-24). For Paul, the believer's justification 
6074comes through faith, not works (Rom 4.16-5.2); for James, "faith by 
6075itself, if it has no works, is dead" (2.17). The conflict, however, is more 
6076apparent than real. For Paul, faith is primarily trust in God (Rom 4.5), a 
6077sense of the word that James also shares (1.5); but, in his critique of 
6078faith, James means by it essentially the assent to ideas about God 
6079without any personal relationship or commitment to inform them: 
6080"Even the demons believe" (2.19). James sees works as the acts that 
6081spring from the love of the believer for God (2.14), whereas for Paul 
6082works are the external observations of ritual, like circumcision, 
6083regarded in isolation from any connection to one's relationship to God. 
6084The letter of James may strike the reader as having little in the way of 
6085unity and coherence, but rather as skipping from one topic to another 
6086without much connection. Its inherent unity, however, can bee seen if 
6087one views the letter as a response to the situation in which these early 
6088Christians found themselves. The Christian assemblies were tiny 
6089minorities existing within large populations that were indifferent or 
6090hostile to their beliefs. The writer is concerned that these early 
6091Christian groups should not adopt, or fall back into, the values or the 
6092behavior of the surrounding population (4.4). From this comes the 
6093strategic mixture in the letter of the prophetic tradition (for instance, 
60942.5-7) and the wisdom tradition (for instance, 1.5-8). This combination is 
6095meant to help those who are struggling to live morally: the prophetic 
6096denunciations of arrogant wealth and immorality (2.6-7); 5.1-6) are 
6097strengthened and completed through the development of wisdom 
6098(3.13). Wisdom can serve both as a guide to behavior (for instance, 
6099guarding against malicious speech 3.8-10; 4.11) and as an aid to 
6100discernment (seeing the joy that lies beyond present suffering, 3.17-18). 
6101The testing to which the faithful are subjected will help them learn and 
6102be transformed (1.12): it will show them what really matters, and it can 
6103
6104494 
6105
6106
6107
6108JAMES 495 
6109
6110JAMES 495 
6111
6112Martin Luther's cavalier assessment of James as "an epistle of straw" 
6113because it seemingly denigrated the Pauline doctrine of justification by 
6114faith (2.14-26) influenced its interpretation for many years. Yet as a 
6115witness to Jewish Christianity the letter of James constitutes "the 
6116second voice of Jesus," reminding Christians that a faith that fails to 
6117bear fruit in the moral life cannot save. 
6118
6119[James 1] 
6120Salutation 
6121
61221 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, 
6123To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: 
6124Greetings. 
6125
6126
6127Faith that rejoices in trials 
6128
61292 My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, 
6130consider it nothing but joy, 3 because you know that the testing of 
6131your faith produces endurance; 4 and let endurance have its full effect, 
6132so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. 
6133
61345 If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all 
6135generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. 6 But ask in 
6136faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, 
6137driven and tossed by the wind; 7, 8 for the doubter, being double-
6138minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything 
6139from the Lord. 
6140
6141495 
6142
6143
6144
6145JAMES 496 
6146
6147
6148A reversal of fortunes 
6149
61509 Let the believer who is lowly boast in being raised up, 10 and the rich 
6151in being brought low, because the rich will disappear like a flower in 
6152the field. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the 
6153field; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. It is the same way with 
6154the rich; in the midst of a busy life, they will wither away. 
6155
6156God who rewards faithful endurance 
6157
615812 Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the 
6159test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to 
6160those who love him. 13 No one, when tempted, should say, "I am being 
6161tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself 
6162tempts no one. 14 But one is tempted by one's own desire, being lured 
6163and enticed by it; 15 then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth 
6164to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. 16 Do 
6165not be deceived, my beloved. 
6166
616717 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, 
6168coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no 
6169variation or shadow due to change. 18 In fulfillment of his own 
6170purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would 
6171become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. 
6172
6173Righteousness in word and deed 
6174
617519 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to 
6176listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for your anger does not 
6177produce God's righteousness. 21 Therefore rid yourselves of all 
6178sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with 
6179meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. 
6180
618122 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive 
6182themselves. 23 For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they 
6183are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; 24 for they look at 
6184themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were 
6185like. 25 But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and 
6186
6187496 
6188
6189
6190
6191JAMES 497 
6192
6193
6194persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act — they will 
6195be blessed in their doing. 
6196
6197Religion that is personal and social 
6198
619926 If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but 
6200deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure 
6201and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and 
6202widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. 
6203
6204[James 2] 
6205Faith and acts of discrimination 
6206
6207
62081 My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really 
6209believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? 2 For if a person with gold 
6210rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person 
6211in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 and if you take notice of the one 
6212wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat here, please," while to 
6213the one who is poor you say, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," 4 have 
6214you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with 
6215evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God 
6216chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the 
6217kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have 
6218dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they 
6219who drag you into court? 7 Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent 
6220name that was invoked over you? 
6221
62228 You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the 
6223scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 9 But if you show 
6224partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 
622510 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become 
6226accountable for all of it. 11 For the one who said, "You shall not 
6227commit adultery," also said, "You shall not murder." Now if you do not 
6228commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of 
6229the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the 
6230law of liberty. 13 For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who 
6231has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. 
6232
6233497 
6234
6235
6236
6237JAMES 498 
6238
6239
6240The unity of faith and deeds 
6241
624214 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith 
6243but do not have works? Can faith save you? 15 If a brother or sister is 
6244naked and lacks daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in 
6245peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do not supply their 
6246bodily needs, what is the good of that? 17 So faith by itself, if it has no 
6247works, is dead. 
6248
624918 But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me 
6250your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my 
6251faith. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons 
6252believe — and shudder. 20 Do you want to be shown, you senseless 
6253person, that faith apart from works is barren? 21 Was not our ancestor 
6254Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 
625522 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was 
6256brought to completion by the works. 23 Thus the scripture was fulfilled 
6257that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as 
6258righteousness," and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a 
6259person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 Likewise, was not 
6260Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the 
6261messengers and sent them out by another road? 26 For just as the body 
6262without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead. 
6263
6264[James 3] 
6265Faithfulness through a disciplined tongue 
6266
6267
62681 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for 
6269you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 
6270For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in 
6271speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 
62723 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we 
6273guide their whole bodies. 4 Or look at ships: though they are so large 
6274that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very 
6275small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue 
6276is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. 
6277
6278498 
6279
6280
6281
6282JAMES 499 
6283
6284JAMES 499 
6285
6286Two kinds of wisdom 
6287
628813 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life 
6289that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. 14 But if 
6290you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be 
6291boastful and false to the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down 
6292from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. 16 For where there is 
6293envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of 
6294every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, 
6295gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace 
6296of partiality or hypocrisy. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in 
6297peace for those who make peace. 
6298
6299[James 4] 
6300Faithlessness in the community 
6301
6302
63031 Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? 
6304Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? 2 You 
6305want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you 
6306covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and 
6307conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do 
6308not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get 
6309on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers! Do you not know that friendship with 
6310the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend 
6311of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose that it is 
6312
6313499 
6314
6315
6316
6317JAMES 500 
6318
6319JAMES 500 
6320
6321"God opposes the proud, 
6322
6323but gives grace to the humble." 
6324
6325Corrective formulae: a call to repentance 
6326
63277 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee 
6328from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse 
6329your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 
6330Lament and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned into 
6331mourning and your joy into dejection. 10 Humble yourselves before the 
6332Lord, and he will exalt you. 
6333
6334Warning against improper speech 
6335
633611 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters. Whoever 
6337speaks evil against another or judges another, speaks evil against the 
6338law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of 
6339the law but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to 
6340save and to destroy. So who, then, are you to judge your neighbor? 
6341
6342Cautions to those who take God for granted 
6343
634413 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such 
6345and such a town and spend a year there, doing business and making 
6346money." 14 Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What 
6347is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then 
6348vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wishes, we will live 
6349and do this or that." 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such 
6350boasting is evil. 17 Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and 
6351fails to do it, commits sin. 
6352
6353500 
6354
6355
6356
6357JAMES 501 
6358
6359
6360[James 5] 
6361Warnings to the rich 
6362
6363
63641 Come now, you rich people, weep and wail for the miseries that are 
6365coming to you. 2 Your riches have rotted, and your clothes are moth-
6366eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be 
6367evidence against you, and it will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid 
6368up treasure for the last days. 4 Listen! The wages of the laborers who 
6369mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries 
6370of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You 
6371have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened 
6372your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and 
6373murdered the righteous one, who does not resist you. 
6374
6375A word of consolation to the faithful 
6376
63777 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The 
6378farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it 
6379until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also must be patient. 
6380Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Beloved, 
6381do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. 
6382See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10 As an example of suffering 
6383and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of 
6384the Lord. 11 Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You 
6385have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of 
6386the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. 
6387
638812 Above all, my beloved, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or 
6389by any other oath, but let your "Yes" be yes and your "No" be no, so 
6390that you may not fall under condemnation. 
6391
6392A closing litany of pastoral concerns 
6393
639413 Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? 
6395They should sing songs of praise. 14 Are any among you sick? They 
6396should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, 
6397anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith 
6398will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has 
6399
6400501 
6401
6402
6403
6404JAMES 502 
6405
6406JAMES 502 
6407
640819 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the 
6409truth and is brought back by another, 20 you should know that 
6410whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner's 
6411soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. 
6412
6413502 
6414
6415
6416
64171 PETER 503 
6418
6419
64201 PETER 
6421
6422
6423Introduction 
6424
6425The First Letter of Peter presents itself as a pastoral letter written by 
6426the apostle Peter from "Babylon," where he is accompanied by Silvanus 
6427(= Silas) and Mark (5.12-13), to churches in five provinces of Asia Minor 
6428(1.1). Some scholars continue to understand this as a literal description, 
6429with Silvanus often regarded as the actual writer at Peter's behest. The 
6430situation indirectly described by the letter, however, points to a time 
6431after Peter's death. The language, style, content, and thought would 
6432seem inappropriate to Peter the Galilean fisherman and missionary to 
6433the Jews (Gal 2.9). The excellent and sophisticated Greek, the lack of 
6434references to the life and teaching of the earthly Jesus, the 
6435christological emphasis on the cosmic Christ, and the address to Gentile 
6436Christians who had previously lived a sinful, idolatrous life (1.14, 18,21; 
64372.1, 9-11, 25; 4.3) point to a disciple of Peter writing in the name of the 
6438revered apostle. Thus most critical scholars interpret the document as a 
6439letter from the last decade of the first century CE, written in Peter's 
6440name in order to claim that its teaching represented the apostolic 
6441faith. The letter itself indicates it was written by a presbyter (elder; 5.1) 
6442of the Roman church — the "Babylon" of 5.13 was a common 
6443cryptogram for Rome at the end of the first century (see, for instance, 
6444Rev 17.5, 9; 18.2, 10, 21). The references to Silvanus and Mark, both 
6445known companions of Paul (1 Thess 1.1; Philem 24), are part of the 
6446fictive literary picture that combines elements of Pauline tradition with 
6447the figure of Peter, as is the Pauline letter form itself adopted by 1 
6448Peter. The letter thus represents the combination of Pauline and 
6449Petrine traditions in the church of Rome at the end of the first century, 
6450set forth in Peter's name as a pastoral letter to churches struggling in a 
6451difficult social situation. 
6452
6453503 
6454
6455
6456
64571 PETER 504 
6458
64591 PETER 504 
6460
6461The author does not present a theological essay, but the instructions he 
6462gives are based on deep theological reflection, expressed indirectly by 
6463the narrative milieu the letter projects: God created the world (4.19); 
6464God chose an elect people (2.9-10); God sent the Christ who was 
6465rejected by humans but exalted by God (2.4); God sent the Spirit and 
6466Christian evangelists who established a new people of God and 
6467converted the addressees (1.12); and God will send Christ in the near 
6468future to conduct the final judgment (1.7, 13; 4.7). Christians live their 
6469lives in the time between Christ's resurrection and return. The 
6470christological pattern of suffering and exaltation is foundational for 
6471the ethic he commends: Just as Christ was misunderstood and suffered 
6472unjustly for the sake of others, so Christians are now called to follow 
6473"in his steps" (2.21). Just as all Christians are instructed to respect the 
6474government authorities (2.13-17), so the most vulnerable Christians, 
6475slaves of unbelieving master and wives of unbelieving husbands, are 
6476instructed to fit complacently into the given structures of society as a 
6477testimony to the faith (2.18-3.6). Such behavior may convert the 
6478oppressor (3.1-2), but if not it is still following the example set by Christ 
6479and will be vindicated at the last judgment that is soon to come (4.5-7). 
6480
6481504 
6482
6483
6484
64851 PETER 505 
6486
64871 PETER 505 
6488
6489[1 Peter 1] 
6490Salutation 
6491
64921 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, 
6493To the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and 
6494Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen and destined by God the Father and 
6495sanctified by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be 
6496sprinkled with his blood: 
6497
6498May grace and peace be yours in abundance. 
6499
6500Thanksgiving 
6501
65023 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great 
6503mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the 
6504resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance 
6505that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 
6506who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a 
6507salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, 
6508even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 7 so 
6509that the genuineness of your faith — being more precious than gold 
6510that, though perishable, is tested by fire — may be found to result in 
6511praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Although 
6512you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see 
6513him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and 
6514glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the 
6515salvation of your souls. 
6516
6517505 
6518
6519
6520
65211 PETER 506 
6522
65231 PETER 506 
6524
6525Body of the letter; the new identity as the elect and holy people of 
6526God 
6527
652813 Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all 
6529your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is 
6530revealed. 14 Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires 
6531that you formerly had in ignorance. 15 Instead, as he who called you is 
6532holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, "You 
6533shall be holy, for I am holy." 
6534
653517 If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially 
6536according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your 
6537exile. 18 You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways 
6538inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or 
6539gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb 
6540without defect or blemish. 20 He was destined before the foundation 
6541of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. 21 
6542Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the 
6543dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. 
6544
654522 Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the 
6546truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply 
6547from the heart. 23 You have been born anew, not of perishable but of 
6548imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 
6549For 
6550
6551"All flesh is like grass 
6552
6553and all its glory like the flower of grass. 
6554
6555The grass withers, 
6556
6557and the flower falls, 
6558
6559506 
6560
6561
6562
65631 PETER 507 
6564
6565
656625 but the word of the Lord endures forever." 
6567That word is the good news that was announced to you. 
6568
6569[1 Peter 2] 
6570
65711 Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, 
6572and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual 
6573milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation — 3 if indeed you have 
6574tasted that the Lord is good. 
6575
65764 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen 
6577and precious in God's sight, and 5 like living stones, let yourselves be 
6578built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual 
6579sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in 
6580scripture: 
6581
6582"See, I am laying in Zion a stone, 
6583
6584a cornerstone chosen and precious; 
6585
6586 and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." 
65877 To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not 
6588believe, 
6589
6590"The stone that the builders rejected 
6591has become the very head of the corner," 
65928 and 
6593"A stone that makes them stumble, 
6594
6595and a rock that makes them fall." 
6596They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to 
6597do. 
6598
65999 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's 
6600own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him 
6601who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 
660210 Once you were not a people, 
6603
6604
6605but now you are God's people; 
6606
6607once you had not received mercy, 
6608
6609but now you have received mercy. 
6610
6611507 
6612
6613
6614
66151 PETER 508 
6616
6617
6618Christian existence and conduct in society 
6619
662011 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of 
6621the flesh that wage war against the soul. 12 Conduct yourselves 
6622honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as 
6623evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he 
6624comes to judge. 
6625
662613 For the LORD's sake accept the authority of every human institution, 
6627whether of the emperor as supreme, 14 or of governors, as sent by him 
6628to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. 15 For 
6629it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of 
6630the foolish. 16 As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use 
6631your freedom as a pretext for evil. 17 Honor everyone. Love the family 
6632of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 
6633
663418 Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not 
6635only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh. 19 
6636For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while 
6637suffering unjustly. 20 If you endure when you are beaten for doing 
6638wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and 
6639suffer for it, you have God's approval. 21 For to this you have been 
6640called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so 
6641that you should follow in his steps. 
664222 "He committed no sin, 
6643
6644and no deceit was found in his mouth." 
664523 When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he 
6646did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges 
6647justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free 
6648from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have 
6649been healed. 25 For you were going astray like sheep, but now you 
6650have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. 
6651
6652[1 Peter 3] 
6653
66541 Wives, in the same way, accept the authority of your husbands, so 
6655that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won 
6656over without a word by their wives' conduct, 2 when they see the 
6657
6658508 
6659
6660
6661
66621 PETER 509 
6663
66641 PETER 509 
6665
66667 Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in 
6667your life together, paying honor to the woman as the weaker sex, since 
6668they too are also heirs of the gracious gift of life — so that nothing 
6669may hinder your prayers. 
6670
66718 Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one 
6672another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for 
6673evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is 
6674for this that you were called — that you might inherit a blessing. 10 For 
6675
6676 "Those who desire life 
6677and desire to see good days, 
6678let them keep their tongues from evil 
6679and their lips from speaking deceit; 
668011 let them turn away from evil and do good; 
6681let them seek peace and pursue it. 
668212 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, 
6683and his ears are open to their prayer. 
6684But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." 
6685
6686Responsible suffering in the face of hostility; suffering for doing right; 
6687Christological grounding 
6688
668913 Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14 But 
6690even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not 
6691fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts 
6692sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to 
6693anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in 
6694you; 16 yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience 
6695
6696509 
6697
6698
6699
67001 PETER 510 
6701
67021 PETER 510 
6703
6704[1 Peter 4] 
6705Application to the Christian life 
6706
6707
67081 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with 
6709the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished 
6710with sin), 2 so as to live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by 
6711human desires but by the will of God. 3 You have already spent 
6712enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in 
6713licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless 
6714idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same 
6715excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme. 5 But they will have to 
6716give an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the 
6717dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the 
6718dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is 
6719judged, they might live in the spirit as God does. 
6720
6721Eschatological exhortation 
6722
67237 The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline 
6724yourselves for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, maintain constant 
6725love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be 
6726hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Like good stewards 
6727of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift 
6728
6729510 
6730
6731
6732
67331 PETER 511 
6734
67351 PETER 511 
6736
6737Suffering in joy and hope 
6738
673912 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place 
6740among you to test you, as though something strange were happening 
6741to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so 
6742that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. 
674314 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because 
6744the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. 15 But 
6745let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a 
6746mischief maker. 16 Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not 
6747consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. 17 
6748For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of 
6749God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not 
6750obey the gospel of God? 18 And 
6751
6752"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, 
6753
6754what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?" 
675519 Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God's will entrust 
6756themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good. 
6757
6758[1 Peter 5] 
6759Concluding exhortation 
6760
6761
67621 Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as 
6763well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders 
6764among you 2 to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising 
6765the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have 
6766you do it — not for sordid gain but eagerly. 3 Do not lord it over those 
6767in your charge, but be examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief 
6768shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades 
6769away. 5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the 
6770authority of the elders. And all of you must clothe yourselves with 
6771humility in your dealings with one another, for 
6772
6773511 
6774
6775
6776
67771 PETER 512 
6778
6779
6780"God opposes the proud, 
6781but gives grace to the humble." 
6782
6783
67846 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that 
6785he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because 
6786he cares for you. 8 Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion 
6787your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to 
6788devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your 
6789brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of 
6790suffering. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of 
6791all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself 
6792restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the power 
6793forever and ever. Amen. 
6794
6795Conclusion of the letter 
6796
679712 Through Silvanus, whom I consider a faithful brother, I have written 
6798this short letter to encourage you and to testify that this is the true 
6799grace of God. Stand fast in it. 13 Your sister church in Babylon, chosen 
6800together with you, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark. 14 
6801Greet one another with a kiss of love. 
6802
6803Peace to all of you who are in Christ. 
6804
6805512 
6806
6807
6808
68092 PETER 513 
6810
6811
68122 PETER 
6813
6814
6815Introduction 
6816
6817The Second Letter of Peter follows the typical form of a letter, except 
6818that it lacks the customary final greeting. It also shares the 
6819characteristics of a testament (especially in 1.12-14), the final advice and 
6820warnings of a patriarch before his death (compare Paul's final address 
6821to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20.25-35). This combination of forms has 
6822resulted in the modification of each. Testaments are usually presented 
6823as a third-person report of the last spoken words of a patriarch to his 
6824sons before his death. Second Peter, however, is a first-person, written 
6825delivery of the last words of Peter to all who are of like faith (1.1). The 
6826writer makes use of a rich cultural heritage, including Hellenistic 
6827philosophical speculation, Jewish exegetical and apocalyptic traditions, 
6828the Hebrew Bible, traditions about Jesus, the Letter of Jude, and a 
6829collection of Paul's letters. The Greek style of 2 Peter is an example of 
6830the popular Greek rhetorical style of that age, characterized by 
6831grandiose, elaborate language. 
6832
6833There is little historical or literary evidence to connect the author of 
6834this letter to either Simon Peter or to the author of 1 Peter. The author 
6835wrote in the name of Peter, not to transmit a particular form of Petrine 
6836tradition, but to convey the common apostolic tradition of the church. 
6837Peter is chosen because of his reputation and his closeness to Jesus. 
6838Such pseudepigraphical attribution is frequent in the Bible and in other 
6839ancient literatures. The writer takes pains to appeal to the common 
6840apostolic teaching (3.2), explicitly including Paul (3.15-16). The letter was 
6841probably written from Rome around the end of the first century CE or 
6842the beginning of the second. 
6843
6844513 
6845
6846
6847
68482 PETER 514 
6849
68502 PETER 514 
6851
6852After a brief greeting, the letter opens with an ethical exhortation to 
6853pursue a chain of virtues based on the all-sufficient promises and gifts 
6854of God and achieved through knowledge and remembering (1.1-11). 
6855Three statements follow that establish the solemnity of the 
6856exhortation. The letter represents Peter's final "testament" (1.12-15); 
6857the heavenly voice guarantees the power and coming of Jesus (1.16-18); 
6858and the scripture is certain (1.19-21). Chapter 2 (much of which is 
6859adapted from Jude) is a warning against false teachers who want to 
6860exploit the unstable for the sake of greed and licentiousness. Their 
6861final destruction is as sure as is the final salvation of the godly. Those 
6862who are enticed by their empty promise of freedom are likewise 
6863doomed. Chapter 3 returns to the admonitions of chapter 1 and warns 
6864of the certainty of judgment. Just as the heaven and earth in Noah's 
6865time were destroyed through water, so the present heavens and earth 
6866will be destroyed through fire. Finally, there will be "new heavens and 
6867a new earth, where righteousness is at home" (3.13). Those who wait 
6868for these things should take Paul's advice and use the time that 
6869remains to repent. They should abstain from the defilement of the 
6870world, avoid being led astray by the error of the lawless, and grow in 
6871grace and knowledge. 
6872
6873514 
6874
6875
6876
68772 PETER 515 
6878
6879
6880[2 Peter 1] 
6881Salutation 
6882
68831 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, 
6884
6885To those who have received a faith as precious as ours through the 
6886righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 
6887
68882 May grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of 
6889God and of Jesus our Lord. 
6890
6891Opening exhortation 
6892
68933 His divine power has given us everything needed for life and 
6894godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own 
6895glory and goodness. 4 Thus he has given us, through these things, his 
6896precious and very great promises, so that through them you may 
6897escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and 
6898may become participants of the divine nature. 5 For this very reason, 
6899you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and 
6900goodness with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and 
6901self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, 7 and 
6902godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. 8 For 
6903if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you 
6904from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord 
6905Jesus Christ. 9 For anyone who lacks these things is nearsighted and 
6906blind, and is forgetful of the cleansing of past sins. 10 Therefore, 
6907brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and 
6908election, for if you do this, you will never stumble. 11 For in this way, 
6909entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will 
6910be richly provided for you. 
6911
6912Three solemn appeals 
6913
691412 Therefore I intend to keep on reminding you of these things, though 
6915you know them already and are established in the truth that has come 
6916to you. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to refresh your 
6917memory, 14 since I know that my death will come soon, as indeed our 
6918
6919515 
6920
6921
6922
69232 PETER 516 
6924
69252 PETER 516 
6926
692716 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known 
6928to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had 
6929been eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory 
6930from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the 
6931Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am 
6932well pleased." 18 We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, 
6933while we were with him on the holy mountain. 
6934
693519 So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do 
6936well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until 
6937the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 First of all 
6938you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of 
6939one's own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by human 
6940will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 
6941
6942[2 Peter 2] 
6943Warnings against false teachings 
6944
6945
69461 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be 
6947false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive 
6948opinions. They will even deny the Master who bought them — 
6949bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Even so, many will follow 
6950their licentious ways, and because of these teachers the way of truth 
6951will be maligned. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with 
6952deceptive words. Their condemnation, pronounced against them long 
6953ago, has not been idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 
6954
69554 For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them 
6956into hell and committed them to chains of deepest darkness to be kept 
6957until the judgment; 5 and if he did not spare the ancient world, even 
6958though he saved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, 
6959when he brought a flood on a world of the ungodly; 6 and if by 
6960turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned 
6961them to extinction and made them an example of what is coming to 
6962
6963516 
6964
6965
6966
69672 PETER 517 
6968
6969
6970the ungodly; 7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man greatly distressed 
6971by the licentiousness of the lawless 8 (for that righteous man, living 
6972among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by 
6973their lawless deeds that he saw and heard), 9 then the Lord knows how 
6974to rescue the godly from trial, and to keep the unrighteous under 
6975punishment until the day of judgment 10 — especially those who 
6976indulge their flesh in depraved lust, and who despise authority. 
6977
6978Bold and willful, they are not afraid to slander the glorious ones, 11 
6979whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not bring 
6980against them a slanderous judgment from the Lord. 12 These people, 
6981however, are like irrational animals, mere creatures of instinct, born to 
6982be caught and killed. They slander what they do not understand, and 
6983when those creatures are destroyed, they also will be destroyed, 13 
6984suffering the penalty for doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel 
6985in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their 
6986dissipation while they feast with you. 14 They have eyes full of 
6987adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have 
6988hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! 15 They have left the 
6989straight road and have gone astray, following the road of Balaam son 
6990of Bosor, who loved the wages of doing wrong, 16 but was rebuked for 
6991his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with a human voice 
6992and restrained the prophet's madness. 
6993
699417 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm; for them the 
6995deepest darkness has been reserved. 18 For they speak bombastic 
6996nonsense, and with licentious desires of the flesh they entice people 
6997who have just escaped from those who live in error. 19 They promise 
6998them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for people 
6999are slaves to whatever masters them. 20 For if, after they have escaped 
7000the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and 
7001Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and 
7002overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 
700321 For it would have been better for them never to have known the 
7004way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy 
7005commandment that was passed on to them. 22 It has happened to 
7006them according to the true proverb, 
7007
7008517 
7009
7010
7011
70122 PETER 518 
7013
7014
7015"The dog turns back to its own vomit," 
7016and, 
7017
7018"The sow is washed only to wallow in the mud." 
7019
7020[2 Peter 3] 
7021A defense of the expectation of the coming of Christ 
7022
7023
70241 This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you; in them I 
7025am trying to arouse your sincere intention by reminding you 2 that you 
7026should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets, 
7027and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken through your 
7028apostles. 3 First of all you must understand this, that in the last days 
7029scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts 4 and saying, 
7030"Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, 
7031all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!" 5 
7032They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens 
7033existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means 
7034of water, 6 through which the world of that time was deluged with 
7035water and perished. 7 But by the same word the present heavens and 
7036earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgment 
7037and destruction of the godless. 
7038
70398 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day 
7040is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9 The 
7041Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is 
7042patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to 
7043repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then 
7044the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be 
7045dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will 
7046be disclosed. 
7047
704811 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of 
7049persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, 12 
7050waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of 
7051which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements 
7052will melt with fire? 13 But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for 
7053new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. 
7054
7055518 
7056
7057
7058
70592 PETER 519 
7060
7061
7062Final exhortation and doxology 
7063
706414 Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to 
7065be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; 15 and regard the 
7066patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul 
7067wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 speaking of this as 
7068he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to 
7069understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own 
7070destruction, as they do the other scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, 
7071since you are forewarned, beware that you are not carried away with 
7072the error of the lawless and lose your own stability. 18 But grow in the 
7073grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be 
7074the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 
7075
7076519 
7077
7078
7079
70801 JOHN 520 
7081
7082
70831 JOHN 
7084
7085
7086Introduction 
7087
7088Though it lacks the formal features of an ancient letter — such as the 
7089opening greeting, designation of recipients and sender, reference to 
7090local persons, sender's plans, and concluding greeting (see 2 and 3 
7091John) — 1 John presents itself as an authoritative, written 
7092communication between the sender and its audience (1.4; 2.1, 7-8, 12-14, 
709321, 26). The opening (1.1-4) echoes the prologue of the Fourth Gospel 
7094(Jn 1.1-18), including the testimony of a communal "we" to its belief in 
7095Jesus Christ (1.1; Jn 1.14). Where the Gospel emphasized the presence of 
7096the eternal Word of God in Jesus, the epistle focuses on the physical 
7097reality of the word of life. 
7098
7099The "we" of a group of authorized teachers provides a formal 
7100backdrop for the individual who writes these instructions to the 
7101community. In the rest of the letter, the author uses "we" to indicate 
7102the common faith that he shares with the readers (e.g., 3.23-24). First 
7103John is the work of a single teacher, writing in the Johannine tradition. 
7104The opening "we" suggests that he belongs to a school of such 
7105teachers. 
7106
7107By the end of the second century, the author of 1 John had been 
7108identified with John, the evangelist (Eusebius, Historia ecclesiastica 
7109iii.39.17; Muratorian Canon, lines 26-31; Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses 
71103.16.5). Eventually, the Elder, author of 2 and 3 John, was also 
7111identified with John, the evangelist. Both theology and language, 
7112however, suggest that the Johannine letter were written ca. 100 CE by 
7113one or more teachers who are heirs to the evangelist's teaching, rather 
7114than by the evangelist himself. 
7115
7116520 
7117
7118
7119
71201 JOHN 521 
7121
71221 JOHN 521 
7123
7124The writer accuses the dissidents of denying that Jesus is the messiah, 
7125that is, dying the Father and Son (2.22-23). Early Christian sayings warn 
7126that those who deny Jesus will be rejected in the judgment (cf. Mt 
712710.32-33 and its parallel at Lk 12.8-9). In the Gospel, denying the divinity 
7128of the Son is equivalent to denying the Father (e.g., Jn 5.20-23). Since 
7129the author of 1 John writes to ensure that its readers will not be 
7130deceived by the doctrine of opposing teachers (2.26-27), it would hardly 
7131have been the case that the secessionists denied the Christian belief 
7132that Jesus is the messiah or the Johannine insight that Jesus is identical 
7133with the Father. The link between christological belief and salvation is 
7134central to the Johannine tradition (5.1; Jn 1.12). The false teaching must 
7135have been one that introduced a subtle change into the tradition. First 
7136John 4.1-3 provides a clue: The opponents do not confess that Jesus has 
7137come "in the flesh." Combined with the opening stress on testimony to 
7138the physical reality of the word of life (1.1-4), this phrase suggests that 
7139their dispute concerned the humanity of Jesus. 
7140
7141521 
7142
7143
7144
71451 JOHN 522 
7146
7147
7148Since 1 John does not argue against opposing views directly, 
7149interpreters often turn to other reports about dissident teachers in 
7150early Christianity. A close similarity to the views rejected in Christ 1 
7151John appears in references to the Gnostic heretic, Cerinthus (ca. 100 
7152CE). He argued that the divine Christ descended upon the righteous 
7153man, Jesus, at his baptism. This gift of the Spirit enabled Jesus to work 
7154miracles and reveal the unknown Father-God, who is the above Jewish 
7155creator. Since the divine cannot suffer, the Christ separated from Jesus 
7156prior to his death on the cross (see Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses 1.26.1). 
7157First John hints that the dissidents taught that Jesus Christ came in 
7158water only, not in water and blood (5.6). They apparently denied any 
7159saving significance to the death of Jesus on the cross. Though the clues 
7160in 1 John suggest that the opponents held some views in common with 
7161Cerinthus, the evidence is not decisive. There are no traces of the 
7162typical Gnostic teaching about a Father God beyond the creator or 
7163hostility to the God of Genesis in 1 John. Perhaps the secessionists 
7164derived their views of Jesus and the Spirit from the portrayal of Jesus in 
7165the Gospel of John. 
7166
7167Since the Gospel highlights the unity of believers with Jesus and 
7168through him with God (e.g., Jn 15.1-10; 17.6-19), schism threatened the 
7169promise of salvation at the heart of the Johannine Christianity. First 
7170John charges the dissidents with breaking the commandment of love 
7171by which Jesus and the Father dwell with the community (2.9-11, 20-21; 
71724.7-12; cf. Jn 14.15, 21; 15.9-10). The appearance of such schismatics 
7173fulfills the prediction that false prophets and messiahs will attempt to 
7174deceive God's faithful (2.22; 4.1; cf. Mk 13.22). Because 1 John is so 
7175indirect in speaking about dissident teachers, one cannot determine 
7176whether all of the exhortation concerns them. Certainly questions 
7177concerning sin, judgment, mutual love among Christians, and 
7178confidence in prayer and in the redemptive death of Christ arose in 
7179other early Christian churches. Much of 1 John may reflect the ordinary 
7180style of preaching in the circle of Johannine teachers (for instance, 5.1321). 
7181First John remains confident that the Spirit's presence in the 
7182community will enable readers to recognize this work as an expression 
7183of the truth revealed in Jesus (2.27; 4.6, 13). 
7184
7185522 
7186
7187
7188
71891 JOHN 523 
7190
7191
7192[1 John 1] 
7193Introduction 
7194
71951 We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have 
7196heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and 
7197touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — 2 this life was 
7198revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the 
7199eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us — 3 we 
7200declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have 
7201fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with 
7202his Son Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that our joy may 
7203be complete. 
7204
7205Holiness in the community 
7206
72075 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, 
7208that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that 
7209we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie 
7210and do not do what is true; 7 but if we walk in the light as he himself is 
7211in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of 
7212Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, 
7213we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, 
7214he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from 
7215all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him 
7216a liar, and his word is not in us. 
7217
7218[1 John 2] 
7219Christ, our advocate 
7220
72211 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may 
7222not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, 
7223Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, 
7224and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 
7225
72263 Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his 
7227commandments. 4 Whoever says, "I have come to know him," but does 
7228not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth 
7229does not exist; 5 but whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the 
7230
7231523 
7232
7233
7234
72351 JOHN 524 
7236
7237
7238love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are 
7239in him: 6 whoever says, "I abide in him," ought to walk just as he 
7240walked. 
7241
7242The love commandment 
7243
72447 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old 
7245commandment that you have had from the beginning; the old 
7246commandment is the word that you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you 
7247a new commandment that is true in him and in you, because the 
7248darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 
7249Whoever says, "I am in the light," while hating a brother or sister, is 
7250still in the darkness. 10 Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the 
7251light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But 
7252whoever hates another believer is in the darkness, walks in the 
7253darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has 
7254brought on blindness. 
7255
7256Victory over evil 
7257
725812 I am writing to you, little children, 
7259because your sins are forgiven on account of his name. 
726013 I am writing to you, fathers, 
7261because you know him who is from the beginning. 
7262I am writing to you, young people, 
7263because you have conquered the evil one. 
726414 I write to you, children, 
7265because you know the Father. 
7266I write to you, fathers, 
7267because you know him who is from the beginning.
7268
7269 I write to you, young people, 
7270
7271because you are strong 
7272
7273and the word of God abides in you, 
7274
7275and you have overcome the evil one. 
7276
727715 Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the 
7278Father is not in those who love the world; 16 for all that is in the world 
7279— the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches — 
7280
7281524 
7282
7283
7284
72851 JOHN 525 
7286
7287
7288comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 And the world and 
7289its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live 
7290forever. 
7291
7292Victory over false teaching 
7293
729418 Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that antichrist is 
7295coming, so now many antichrists have come. From this we know that it 
7296is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to 
7297us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. 
7298But by going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us. 
729920 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have 
7300knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, 
7301but because you know it, and you know that no lie comes from the 
7302truth. 22 Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the 
7303Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the 
7304Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who 
7305confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the 
7306beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides 
7307in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is 
7308what he has promised us, eternal life. 
7309
731026 I write these things to you concerning those who would deceive 
7311you. 27 As for you, the anointing that you received from him abides in 
7312you, and so you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing 
7313teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it 
7314has taught you, abide in him. 
7315
731628 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he is revealed 
7317we may have confidence and not be put to shame before him at his 
7318coming. 
7319
7320God's children are holy 
7321
732229 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone 
7323who does right has been born of him. [1 John 3] 1 See what love the 
7324Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that 
7325is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did 
7326
7327525 
7328
7329
7330
73311 JOHN 526 
7332
7333
7334not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be 
7335has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is 
7336revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3 And all who 
7337have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 
7338
73394 Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 
7340You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is 
7341no sin. 6 No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either 
7342seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. 
7343Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 
7344Everyone who commits sin is a child of the devil; for the devil has been 
7345sinning from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this 
7346purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Those who have been 
7347born of God do not sin, because God's seed abides in them; they 
7348cannot sin, because they have been born of God. 10 The children of 
7349God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do 
7350not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love 
7351their brothers and sisters. 
7352
7353Moral examples 
7354
735511 For this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we 
7356should love one another. 12 We must not be like Cain who was from 
7357the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? 
7358Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous. 13 Do not 
7359be astonished, brothers and sisters, that the world hates you. 14 We 
7360know that we have passed from death to life because we love one 
7361another. Whoever does not love abides in death. 15 All who hate a 
7362brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not 
7363have eternal life abiding in them. 16 We know love by this, that he laid 
7364down his life for us — and we ought to lay down our lives for one 
7365another. 17 How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's 
7366goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? 
7367
7368Love as confidence before God 
7369
737018 Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and 
7371action. 19 And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will 
7372
7373526 
7374
7375
7376
73771 JOHN 527 
7378
73791 JOHN 527 
7380
738123 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of 
7382his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded 
7383us. 24 All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in 
7384them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he 
7385has given us. 
7386
7387[1 John 4] 
7388Testing spirits 
7389
73901 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether 
7391they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the 
7392world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses 
7393that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit 
7394that does not confess Jesus is not from God. And this is the spirit of the 
7395antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming; and now it is 
7396already in the world. 4 Little children, you are from God, and have 
7397conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who 
7398is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore what they say is 
7399from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. 
7400Whoever knows God listens to us, and whoever is not from God does 
7401not listen to us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of 
7402error. 
7403
7404God's love as the basis of salvation 
7405
74067 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone 
7407who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love 
7408does not know God, for God is love. 9 God's love was revealed among 
7409us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might 
7410live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he 
7411loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 
7412Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one 
7413
7414527 
7415
7416
7417
74181 JOHN 528 
7419
74201 JOHN 528 
7421
742213 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has 
7423given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify that the 
7424Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15 God abides in 
7425those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. 
742616 So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. 
7427
7428God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides 
7429in them. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may 
7430have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in 
7431this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; 
7432for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached 
7433perfection in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Those who 
7434say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those 
7435who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love 
7436God whom they have not seen. 21 The commandment we have from 
7437him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters 
7438also. 
7439
7440[1 John 5] 
7441Concluding appeal to keep the true faith 
7442
7443
74441 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, 
7445and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. 2 By this we know 
7446that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his 
7447commandments. 3 For the love of God is this, that we obey his 
7448commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, 4 for 
7449whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory 
7450that conquers the world, our faith. 5 Who is it that conquers the world 
7451but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 
7452
74536 This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with 
7454the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the 
7455one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth. 7 There are three that 
7456testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three 
7457agree. 9 If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is 
7458
7459528 
7460
7461
7462
74631 JOHN 529 
7464
74651 JOHN 529 
7466
746713 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of 
7468God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 
7469
7470Epilogue. Sin and forgiveness in the community 
7471
747214 And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything 
7473according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in 
7474whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made 
7475of him. 16 If you see your brother or sister committing what is not a 
7476mortal sin, you will ask, and God will give life to such a one — to those 
7477whose sin is not mortal. There is sin that is mortal; I do not say that you 
7478should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is 
7479not mortal. 
7480
748118 We know that those who are born of God do not sin, but the one 
7482who was born of God protects them, and the evil one does not touch 
7483them. 19 We know that we are God's children, and that the whole 
7484world lies under the power of the evil one. 20 And we know that the 
7485Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may 
7486know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus 
7487Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 
7488
748921 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 
7490
7491529 
7492
7493
7494
74952 JOHN 530 
7496
7497
74982 JOHN 
7499
7500
7501Introduction 
7502
7503Second John follows the structural conventions of an ancient letter: 
7504designation of sender and recipient (v. 1a); greeting formula, 
7505somewhat expanded (vv. 1b-3); wish or thanksgiving for well-being of 
7506recipient (v. 4); body of letter vv. 5-11); concluding matters, travel plans 
7507
7508(v. 12), and final greeting (v. 13). However, no concrete names, places, 
7509or details are specified. The expression "elect lady" (v. 1) may refer to 
7510one or more of the Johannine churches in Asia Minor. The author 
7511refers to himself as "the Elder," an expression which could indicate 
7512that he held the office of presbyter in a house church (cf. Acts 14.23; 
751320.17; 1 Pet 5.1; 1 Tim 5.17) or which may be a reminder of the respect 
7514due elders in the community (cf. 1 Pet 5.5; 1 Tim 5.2). Because the term 
7515is not used in 1 John, some scholars conclude that 2 John was composed 
7516by another person in the circle of the Johannine teachers. However, its 
7517genre did not require that 1 John refer to either sender or addressee. 
7518The similarity in language and situation makes it more likely that the 
7519same individual composed both letters. 
7520Use of an allusion to the love command and teaching held from the 
7521beginning (vv. 5-6; cf. 1 John 2.24; 3.11; 5.3) to bolster warnings against 
7522dissident teachers (v. 7; 1 John 4.3) shows that 2 John refers to the 
7523opponents refuted in 1 John. The Elder asks the recipients to exclude 
7524dissidents from any hospitality. To aid them would be to share in their 
7525diabolical work (vv. 8-11). Perhaps a copy of 1 John accompanied these 
7526instructions. 
7527
7528530 
7529
7530
7531
75322 JOHN 531 
7533
7534
7535[2 John] 
7536Letter opening 
7537
75381 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, 
7539and not only I but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth 
7540that abides in us and will be with us forever: 
7541
75423 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and 
7543from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, in truth and love. 
7544
7545Letter body 
7546
75474 I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, 
7548just as we have been commanded by the Father. 5 But now, dear lady, I 
7549ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but 
7550one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another. 6 And 
7551this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the 
7552commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning — you 
7553must walk in it. 
7554
75557 Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not 
7556confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the 
7557deceiver and the antichrist! 8 Be on your guard, so that you do not lose 
7558what we have worked for, but may receive a full reward. 9 Everyone 
7559who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does 
7560not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and 
7561the Son. 10 Do not receive into the house or welcome anyone who 
7562comes to you and does not bring this teaching; 11 for to welcome is to 
7563participate in the evil deeds of such a person. 
7564
7565Letter closing 
7566
756712 Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper 
7568and ink; instead I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, 
7569so that our joy may be complete. 
7570
757113 The children of your elect sister send you their greetings. 
7572
7573531 
7574
7575
7576
75773 JOHN 532 
7578
7579
75803 JOHN 
7581
7582
7583Introduction 
7584
7585Third John has the form of a private letter from the Elder (see the .
7586HTIntroduction to 2 John.
7587TH) to a certain Gaius, who is well known for 
7588showing hospitality to traveling missionaries (vv. 5-8). Because 3 John 
7589does not refer to the dissidents of 1 and 2 John, some interpreters hold 
7590that the Elder is not the same person who wrote those letters. 
7591However, the similarity of language in the conclusions of 2 John (vv. 12
7592
7593
759413) and 3 John (vv. 13-15) makes it more likely that the same person is 
7595writing 3 John. Demetrius, whom the Elder recommends in v. 12, may 
7596have brought the letter to Gaius. The early Christian mission was 
7597dependent upon hospitality (Mt 10.40-42; Acts 16.14-15; Rom 16.1-2). 
7598However, the Elder is not writing to continue a relationship that is 
7599already well established. Verses 9-10 speak of a letter to a church in the 
7600region that was rejected. A certain Diotrephes not only refused 
7601hospitality to persons associated with the Elder, he even excluded 
7602other who did so from the church. Thus, 3 John appears to be seeking 
7603an alternate source of support in the region. 
7604Has Diotrephes given the Elder a dose of the medicine prescribed in 2 
7605John 8-11? Perhaps, though in that case one might suppose that the 
7606Elder would have distinguished his emissaries from dissident teachers. 
7607In the language of ancient diplomacy, refusing hospitality to 
7608someone's envoy implied rejecting the message he bears and the 
7609sender as well (cf. 1 Macc 14.21-23). The Gospel of John uses similar 
7610language about Jesus as God's emissary (John 13.20). Verses 9-10 
7611indicate that the rift between Diotrephes and the Elder is serious, but 
7612provide no evidence about its cause. 
7613
7614532 
7615
7616
7617
76183 JOHN 533 
7619
7620
7621[3 John 1] 
7622Letter opening and health wish 
7623
7624
76251 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 
7626
7627Letter body 
7628
76292 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in 
7630good health, just as it is well with your soul. 3 I was overjoyed when 
7631some of the friends arrived and testified to your faithfulness to the 
7632truth, namely how you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than 
7633this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 
7634
76355 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the friends, even 
7636though they are strangers to you; 6 they have testified to your love 
7637before the church. You will do well to send them on in a manner 
7638worthy of God; 7 for they began their journey for the sake of Christ, 
7639accepting no support from non-believers. 8 Therefore we ought to 
7640support such people, so that we may become co-workers with the 
7641truth. 
7642
76439 I have written something to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to 
7644put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I 
7645will call attention to what he is doing in spreading false charges 
7646against us. And not content with those charges, he refuses to welcome 
7647the friends, and even prevents those who want to do so and expels 
7648them from the church. 
7649
765011 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but imitate what is good. 
7651Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 
765212 Everyone has testified favorably about Demetrius, and so has the 
7653truth itself. We also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is 
7654true. 
7655
7656533 
7657
7658
7659
76603 JOHN 534 
7661
7662
7663Letter closing 
7664
766513 I have much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen 
7666and ink; 14 instead I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together 
7667face to face. 
7668
766915 Peace to you. The friends send you their greetings. Greet the friends 
7670there, each by name. 
7671
7672534 
7673
7674
7675
7676JUDE 535 
7677
7678
7679JUDE 
7680
7681
7682Introduction 
7683
7684Although the addressees of the Letter of Jude are rather vaguely 
7685defined (v. 1), the emergency identified as its occasion (vv. 3-4) and the 
7686concrete descriptions of the opponents indicate that it was a real letter 
7687to particular recipients. The purpose of the letter is to encourage the 
7688addressees "to contend for the faith" against those who "pervert the 
7689grace of our God into licentiousness" (vv.3-4). The date of composition 
7690is uncertain, except that it must be earlier than 2 Peter, which uses 
7691Jude. The reference to "the words spoken by the apostles" (v. 17) may 
7692indicate a period in the church when the apostles could be spoken of 
7693as a unified group from the past. If so, this may point to a date late in 
7694the first century CE. Others have dated Jude as early as the 50s. 
7695
7696Jude is the brother of James (Mt 13.55; Mk 6.3), who was the LORD's 
7697brother (Gal 1.19) and leader of the Jerusalem church. Only this James 
7698was prominent enough to have been sufficient identification for his 
7699brother. Attributing the authorship of a writing to a major figure is 
7700well attested in the Bible and in other ancient literature. 
7701
7702The letter is organized by an exhortation to "contend for the faith" (v. 
7703
77043) and a closing exhortation to keep oneself "in the love of God" (v. 21) 
7705and have "mercy" on other who are erring (vv. 22-23). Between these 
7706two exhortations, a series of biblical and nonbiblical stories and 
7707prophecies are interpreted to show the error and eventual doom of the 
7708writer's opponents. They are an interpretation of selected judgments 
7709from Genesis to Exodus (vv. 5-8) with a note on Michael the archangel 
7710(vv. 9-10), an interpretation of selected errors from Genesis to Numbers 
7711(vv. 11-13), an application of the prophecy of 1 Enoch 1.9 to the 
7712opponents (vv. 14-16), and an application of apostolic prophecy (vv. 1719). 
7713In each case the transition from citation to interpretation is marked 
7714by the word "these" as subject of the sentence: "these dreamers" (v. 
7715535 
7716
7717
7718
7719JUDE 536 
7720
7721
77228); "these people" (v. 10); "these are..." (vv. 12, 16). The letter closes 
7723with an elaborate and beautiful doxology (vv. 24-25). 
7724
7725[Jude 1] 
7726Salutation 
7727
77281 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, 
7729To those who are called, who are beloved in God the Father and kept 
7730safe for Jesus Christ: 
7731
7732
77332 May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance. 
7734
7735
7736Occasion 
7737
77383 Beloved, while eagerly preparing to write to you about the salvation 
7739we share, I find it necessary to write and appeal to you to contend for 
7740the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. 4 For certain 
7741intruders have stolen in among you, people who long ago were 
7742designated for this condemnation as ungodly, who pervert the grace of 
7743our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus 
7744Christ. 
7745
7746Three examples of judgment 
7747
77485 Now I desire to remind you, though you are fully informed, that the 
7749Lord, who once for all saved a people out of the land of Egypt, 
7750afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who 
7751did not keep their own position, but left their proper dwelling, he has 
7752kept in eternal chains in deepest darkness for the judgment of the 
7753great day. 7 Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, 
7754which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual immorality and 
7755pursued unnatural lust, serve as an example by undergoing a 
7756punishment of eternal fire. 
7757
7758536 
7759
7760
7761
7762JUDE 537 
7763
7764
7765A further example of the impropriety of slander; three examples of 
7766error 
7767
77688 Yet in the same way these dreamers also defile the flesh, reject 
7769authority, and slander the glorious ones. 9 But when the archangel 
7770Michael contended with the devil and disputed about the body of 
7771Moses, he did not dare to bring a condemnation of slander against 
7772him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" 10 But these people slander 
7773whatever they do not understand, and they are destroyed by those 
7774things that, like irrational animals, they know by instinct. 11 Woe to 
7775them! For they go the way of Cain, and abandon themselves to 
7776Balaam's error for the sake of gain, and perish in Korah's rebellion. 12 
7777These are blemishes on your love-feasts, while they feast with you 
7778without fear, feeding themselves. They are waterless clouds carried 
7779along by the winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, uprooted; 
778013 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; 
7781wandering stars, for whom the deepest darkness has been reserved 
7782forever. 
7783
7784A prophecy of judgment 
7785
778614 It was also about these that Enoch, in the seventh generation from 
7787Adam, prophesied, saying, "See, the Lord is coming with ten thousands 
7788of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on all, and to convict everyone 
7789of all the deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an 
7790ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have 
7791spoken against him." 16 These are grumblers and malcontents; they 
7792indulge their own lusts; they are bombastic in speech, flattering people 
7793to their own advantage. 
7794
7795An apostolic prophecy; exhortations 
7796
779717 But you, beloved, must remember the predictions of the apostles of 
7798our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 for they said to you, "In the last time there will 
7799be scoffers, indulging their own ungodly lusts." 19 It is these worldly 
7800people, devoid of the Spirit, who are causing divisions. 20 But you, 
7801beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy 
7802Spirit; 21 keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy 
7803
7804537 
7805
7806
7807
7808JUDE 538 
7809
7810JUDE 538 
7811
7812Doxology 
7813
781424 Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you 
7815stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, 25 to 
7816the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, 
7817majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever. 
7818Amen. 
7819
7820538 
7821
7822
7823
7824REVELATION 539 
7825
7826
7827REVELATION 
7828
7829
7830Introduction 
7831
7832The book of Revelation, also known as the Apocalypse (from the Greek 
7833word meaning "disclosure," "unveiling," or "revelation") brings the 
7834canon of the New Testament to a close, appropriately so in view of its 
7835vivid visions of the consummation of God's plan of judgment and 
7836salvation. While the book presents itself as a work of prophecy (1.3; 
783722.10), it has given its name to a literary genre, the "apocalypse," 
7838found in a range of Jewish and Christian writings that first appeared 
7839about 250 BCE. Like other apocalyptic literature, the book of 
7840Revelation presents God's revelation to a human recipient. Unlike 
7841other apocalypses, which are pseudonymous, with their authors writing 
7842in the name of some revered figure from antiquity, the author of this 
7843book of Revelation identifies himself by his own name as John (1.1, 4, 9; 
784422.8). Although some ancient authorities (e.g., Justin, Dialogue with 
7845Trypho 81.4) have suggested that this is the apostle John, the son of 
7846Zebedee (see Mk 3.17), the internal evidence of the book itself is 
7847inconclusive. The author's acquaintance with the Jerusalem Temple and 
7848the rites conducted there, the depth of his knowledge of the Hebrew 
7849Bible (of the 404 verses in Revelation, some 275 include one or more 
7850allusions to passages in the Hebrew Bible, or to its Greek version, the 
7851Septuagint), as well as his adoption of a literary genre that was familiar 
7852in Palestinian Judaism, combine to suggest that John might have been 
7853a Palestinian Jewish Christian who fled to the Diaspora as a 
7854consequence of the First Jewish Revolt against the Romans (66-73 CE). 
7855His self-identification to the seven churches as "your brother who share 
7856with you in Jesus the persecution and the kingdom and the patient 
7857endurance" (1.9) suggests that he was well known to his audience, 
7858probably because he exercised a prophetic ministry among them (see 
785922.9). But he mentions the twelve apostles as figures from the past 
7860
7861(21.14) and does not refer to himself as one of them. The traditional 
7862539 
7863
7864
7865
7866REVELATION 540 
7867
7868REVELATION 540 
7869
7870While it is likely that the book of Revelation draws on traditional 
7871material and on source were set in writing before the fall of Jerusalem 
7872in 70 CE (e.g., chs 11 and 12), it is probable that the book was composed 
7873toward the end of the reign of the emperor Domitian (81-96 CE). The 
7874book is addressed to "the seven churches that are in Asia" (1.4), 
7875Christian communities in the Roman pro-consular province of Asia, 
7876located in the western portion of present-day Turkey. The book 
7877demonstrates its author's familiarity with the specific situation of each 
7878of the seven churches, beginning with Ephesus, the city that was the 
7879administrative capital of the province. The seven cities were complex 
7880and diverse in economic, social, political, and religious terms. Whether 
7881or not Christians faced organized and widespread persecutions 
7882sanctioned by Roman imperial authorities at the time the book was 
7883written, Christians in Asia were suffering serious oppression, facing the 
7884danger of being "slaughtered for the word of God and the testimony 
7885they had given" (6.9). One such martyr is Antipas, identified by name 
7886in the message to the church at Pergamum (2.13). John himself endured 
7887exile on the island of Patmos "because of the word of God and the 
7888testimony of Jesus" (1.9), and he reports that his visions took place 
7889there. A variety of voices and viewpoints competed for the attention of 
7890the late first-century Christians to whom the book of Revelation was 
7891originally addressed. John exhorts them to stand firm in their 
7892convictions, to resist "with patient endurance" (2.2, 19; 3.10) and at any 
7893cost the overwhelming pressures to yield to accommodation and 
7894compromise. The destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 CE gave 
7895John ample cause to identify Rome as Babylon, recalling the 
7896Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE. The breadth and 
7897depth of Rome's political and economic power found expression in the 
7898widespread worship of the emperor in the book of province of Asia, 
7899with temples to the emperor and to Rome personified as the goddess 
7900Roma. The book of Revelation takes sides in a battle over sovereignty, 
7901where the Roman emperor competes with God and Christ in a contest 
7902for the allegiance of the faithful. Warning that those who worship the 
7903emperor, symbolized by "the beast" (13.1-10), will suffer ultimate 
7904defeat, the book urges believers to "hold fast to the faith of Jesus" 
7905
7906540 
7907
7908
7909
7910REVELATION 541 
7911
7912REVELATION 541 
7913and to share in the paradoxical victory of his death and 
7914resurrection. 
7915The book of Revelation is a work of extremes, ranging from soaring 
7916heights of hymnody inspired by Hebrew psalms and canticles to the 
7917gruesome language of plagues, warfare, and bloodshed. It uses the 
7918dualistic language characteristic of the apocalyptic genre to paint vivid 
7919portraits of the opposing sides in the eschatological conflict that will 
7920culminate in the victory of God and the final defeat of all evil. With its 
7921symbolic numbers and colors, animals, and angelic and demonic beings, 
7922and replete with echoes and images drawn from the literature of the 
7923ancient Near East, the Hebrew Bible, Greece, and Rome, the book of 
7924Revelation is so notoriously complex that the church father Jerome 
7925(345-420 CE) was led to remark that it contains as many mysteries as it 
7926contains words. Origen (185-254 CE) exclaimed, "Who can read the 
7927revelations granted to John without being amazed at the hidden 
7928depth of the ineffable mysteries, a depth apparent even to the person 
7929who does not understand what the text says?" (On First Principles 
79304.2.4). Many centuries later, the modern writer D.H. Lawrence wrote, 
7931"When we read Revelation, we feel at once there are meaning behind 
7932meanings.' The symbolic visions of the book are by no means self-
7933explanatory, and even John reports the need for the intervention of an 
7934angelic mediator to explain the meaning of the mystery disclosed to 
7935him (17.7). This characteristic, common in other works of the same 
7936genre, serves to emphasize that there are transcendent levels of 
7937meaning that must be discerned. The significance of events on earth is 
7938to be sought above and beyond what is immediately apparent, and it is 
7939ultimately to God that believers must turn to receive the meaning and 
7940guidance that strengthen their perseverance in the face of adversity. 
7941Over the centuries, the book of Revelation has been considered from a 
7942wide variety of interpretive strategies and approaches, ranging from 
7943literal readings of the book as predictive prophecy to readings that 
7944recognize in its utopian language the promise of hope in the midst of 
7945contemporary situations of suffering and oppression. 
7946
7947Although the structure of the book of Revelation is widely debated 
7948among scholars, there is general agreement that it involves a series of 
7949parallel, interconnected, and yet ever progressing sections. It begins 
7950
7951541 
7952
7953
7954
7955REVELATION 542 
7956
7957REVELATION 542 
7958
7959[Revelation 1] 
7960The prologue 
7961
79621 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his 
7963servants what must soon take place; he made it known by sending his 
7964angel to his servant John, 2 who testified to the word of God and to 
7965the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 
7966
79673 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and 
7968blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it; for the 
7969time is near. 
7970
7971Epistolary salutation 
7972
79734 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: 
7974
7975542 
7976
7977
7978
7979REVELATION 543 
7980
7981REVELATION 543 
7982
7983To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and 
7984made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be 
7985glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 
7986
79877 Look! He is coming with the clouds; 
7988every eye will see him, 
7989even those who pierced him; 
7990and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. 
7991So it is to be. Amen. 
7992
79938 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is and who 
7994was and who is to come, the Almighty. 
7995
7996Inaugural vision and commission 
7997
79989 I, John, your brother who share with you in Jesus the persecution and 
7999the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island called 
8000Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I 
8001was in the spirit on the LORD's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice 
8002like a trumpet 11 saying, "Write in a book what you see and send it to 
8003the seven churches, to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, 
8004to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." 
8005
800612 Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and on 
8007turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the 
8008lampstands I saw one like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe 
8009and with a golden sash across his chest. 14 His head and his hair were 
8010white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, 
801115 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his 
8012voice was like the sound of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held 
8013seven stars, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword, and 
8014his face was like the sun shining with full force. 
8015
8016543 
8017
8018
8019
8020REVELATION 544 
8021
8022REVELATION 544 
8023
8024[Revelation 2] 
8025The messages to the seven churches; the first message to Ephesus 
8026
8027
80281 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of 
8029him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the 
8030seven golden lampstands: 
8031
80322 "I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know 
8033that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to 
8034be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. 3 I also know 
8035that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my 
8036name, and that you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against 
8037you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember 
8038then from what you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at 
8039first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its 
8040place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this is to your credit: you hate the works 
8041of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 Let anyone who has an ear listen 
8042to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers, 
8043I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise 
8044of God. 
8045
8046The second message to Smyrna 
8047
80488 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the 
8049words of the first and the last, who was dead and came to life: 
8050
80519 "I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich. I 
8052know the slander on the part of those who say that they are Jews and 
8053are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are 
8054
8055544 
8056
8057
8058
8059REVELATION 545 
8060
8061REVELATION 545 
8062
8063The third message to Pergamum 
8064
806512 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the 
8066words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword: 
8067
806813 "I know where you are living, where Satan's throne is. Yet you are 
8069holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even 
8070in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed 
8071among you, where Satan lives. 14 But I have a few things against you: 
8072you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught 
8073Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel, so that they 
8074would eat food sacrificed to idols and practice fornication. 15 So you 
8075also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent 
8076then. If not, I will come to you soon and make war against them with 
8077the sword of my mouth. 17 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what 
8078the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will 
8079give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on 
8080the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the 
8081one who receives it. 
8082
8083The fourth message to Thyatira 
8084
808518 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the 
8086words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose 
8087feet are like burnished bronze: 
8088
808919 "I know your works — your love, faith, service, and patient 
8090endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first. 20 
8091But I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls 
8092herself a prophet and is teaching and beguiling my servants to practice 
8093fornication and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to 
8094repent, but she refuses to repent of her fornication. 22 Beware, I am 
8095
8096545 
8097
8098
8099
8100REVELATION 546 
8101
8102REVELATION 546 
8103
8104I will give authority over the nations; 
810527 to rule them with an iron rod, 
8106
8107as when clay pots are shattered — 
810828 even as I also received authority from my Father. To the one who 
8109conquers I will also give the morning star. 29 Let anyone who has an 
8110ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. 
8111
8112[Revelation 3] 
8113The fifth message to Sardis 
8114
8115
81161 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words 
8117of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: 
8118
8119"I know your works; you have a name of being alive, but you are dead. 
81202 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is on the point of death, 
8121for I have not found your works perfect in the sight of my God. 3 
8122Remember then what you received and heard; obey it, and repent. If 
8123you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at 
8124what hour I will come to you. 4 Yet you have still a few persons in 
8125Sardis who have not soiled their clothes; they will walk with me, 
8126dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 If you conquer, you will be 
8127clothed like them in white robes, and I will not blot your name out of 
8128the book of life; I will confess your name before my Father and before 
8129his angels. 6 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is 
8130saying to the churches. 
8131
8132546 
8133
8134
8135
8136REVELATION 547 
8137
8138
8139The sixth message to Philadelphia 
8140
81417 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 
8142
8143These are the words of the holy one, the true one, 
8144
8145who has the key of David, 
8146
8147who opens and no one will shut, 
8148
8149who shuts and no one opens: 
8150
81518 "I know your works. Look, I have set before you an open door, which 
8152no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet 
8153you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make 
8154those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are 
8155not, but are lying — I will make them come and bow down before your 
8156feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. 10 Because you have 
8157kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of 
8158trial that is coming on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the 
8159earth. 11 I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have, so that no one 
8160may seize your crown. 12 If you conquer, I will make you a pillar in the 
8161temple of my God; you will never go out of it. I will write on you the 
8162name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new 
8163Jerusalem that comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own 
8164new name. 13 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is 
8165saying to the churches. 
8166
8167The seventh message to Laodicea 
8168
816914 "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the 
8170Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God's creation: 
8171
817215 "I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you 
8173were either cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither 
8174cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, 'I 
8175am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.' You do not realize that 
8176you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 Therefore I 
8177counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be 
8178rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your 
8179nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you 
8180may see. 19 I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, 
8181
8182547 
8183
8184
8185
8186REVELATION 548 
8187
8188REVELATION 548 
8189
8190[Revelation 4] 
8191Vision of God enthroned and of the Lamb 
8192
8193
81941 After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the 
8195first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, 
8196"Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." 2 
8197At once I was in the spirit, and there in heaven stood a throne, with 
8198one seated on the throne! 3 And the one seated there looks like jasper 
8199and carnelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an 
8200emerald. 4 Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on 
8201the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden 
8202crowns on their heads. 5 Coming from the throne are flashes of 
8203lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and in front of the 
8204throne burn seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God; 
82056 and in front of the throne there is something like a sea of glass, like 
8206crystal. 
8207
8208Around the throne, and on each side of the throne, are four living 
8209creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 7 the first living creature like 
8210a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature 
8211with a face like a human face, and the fourth living creature like a 
8212flying eagle. 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six 
8213wings, are full of eyes all around and inside. Day and night without 
8214ceasing they sing, 
8215
8216"Holy, holy, holy, 
8217
8218the Lord God the Almighty, 
8219
8220who was and is and is to come." 
82219 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks 
8222to the one who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 
8223the twenty-four elders fall before the one who is seated on the throne 
8224
8225548 
8226
8227
8228
8229REVELATION 549 
8230
8231REVELATION 549 
8232s 
8233before the throne, singing, 
823411 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, 
8235
8236
8237to receive glory and honor and power, 
8238
8239 for you created all things, 
8240
8241and by your will they existed and were created." 
8242
8243[Revelation 5] 
8244
82451 Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll 
8246written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; 2 and I 
8247saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to 
8248open the scroll and break its seals?" 3 And no one in heaven or on 
8249earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. 4 
8250And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to 
8251open the scroll or to look into it. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, 
8252"Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, 
8253has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals." 
8254
82556 Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and 
8256among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, 
8257having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God 
8258sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right 
8259hand of the one who was seated on the throne. 8 When he had taken 
8260the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell 
8261before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, 
8262which are the prayers of the saints. 9 They sing a new song: 
8263
8264"You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, 
8265
8266 for you were slaughtered and by your blood you 
8267
8268ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language 
8269
8270and people and nation; 
827110 you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God, 
8272
8273and they will reign on earth." 
8274
827511 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the 
8276throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads 
8277of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 singing with full voice, 
8278
8279549 
8280
8281
8282
8283REVELATION 550 
8284
8285
8286"Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered 
8287
8288to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might 
8289
8290and honor and glory and blessing!" 
829113 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the 
8292earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, 
8293
8294"To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb 
8295
8296be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" 
829714 And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the elders fell 
8298down and worshiped. 
8299
8300[Revelation 6] 
8301The opening of the first six seals; four seals of destruction 
8302
8303
83041 Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals, and I heard one of 
8305the four living creatures call out, as with a voice of thunder, "Come!" 2 
8306I looked, and there was a white horse! Its rider had a bow; a crown was 
8307given to him, and he came out conquering and to conquer. 
8308
83093 When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature 
8310call out, "Come!" 4 And out came another horse, bright red; its rider 
8311was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people would 
8312slaughter one another; and he was given a great sword. 
8313
83145 When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature call 
8315out, "Come!" I looked, and there was a black horse! Its rider held a 
8316pair of scales in his hand, 6 and I heard what seemed to be a voice in 
8317the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a 
8318day's pay, and three quarts of barley for a day's pay, but do not 
8319damage the olive oil and the wine!" 
8320
83217 When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth 
8322living creature call out, "Come!" 8 I looked and there was a pale green 
8323horse! Its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed with him; they 
8324were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, 
8325famine, and pestilence, and by the wild animals of the earth. 
8326
8327550 
8328
8329
8330
8331REVELATION 551 
8332
8333
8334Three seals of judgment; the fifth seal 
8335
83369 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of 
8337those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the 
8338testimony they had given; 10 they cried out with a loud voice, 
8339"Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will it be before you judge 
8340and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?" 11 They were 
8341each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the 
8342number would be complete both of their fellow servants and of their 
8343brothers and sisters, who were soon to be killed as they themselves had 
8344been killed. 
8345
8346The opening of the sixth seal 
8347
834812 When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and there came a great 
8349earthquake; the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became 
8350like blood, 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree 
8351drops its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. 14 The sky vanished like a 
8352scroll rolling itself up, and every mountain and island was removed 
8353from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth and the magnates and 
8354the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and 
8355free, hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling 
8356to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of 
8357the one seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb; 17 for 
8358the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" 
8359
8360[Revelation 7] 
8361An interlude 
8362
83631 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, 
8364holding back the four winds of the earth so that no wind could blow 
8365on earth or sea or against any tree. 2 I saw another angel ascending 
8366from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God, and he 
8367called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power 
8368to damage earth and sea, 3 saying, "Do not damage the earth or the 
8369sea or the trees, until we have marked the servants of our God with a 
8370seal on their foreheads." 
8371
8372551 
8373
8374
8375
8376REVELATION 552 
8377
8378
83794 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred 
8380forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the people of Israel: 
8381
83825 
8383From the tribe of Judah twelve thousand sealed, 
8384from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, 
8385from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand, 
8386
83876 
8388from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, 
8389from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, 
8390from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand, 
8391
83927 
8393from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, 
8394from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, 
8395from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand, 
8396
83978 
8398from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, 
8399from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, 
8400from the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand sealed. 
8401
84029 After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one 
8403could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and 
8404languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in 
8405white, with palm branches in their hands. 10 They cried out in a loud 
8406voice, saying, 
8407
8408"Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and 
8409
8410 to the Lamb!" 
841111 And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders 
8412and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the 
8413throne and worshiped God, 12 singing, 
8414
8415"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom 
8416and thanksgiving and honor 
8417and power and might 
8418be to our God forever and ever! Amen." 
8419
8420
842113 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, robed 
8422in white, and where have they come from?" 14 I said to him, "Sir, you 
8423are the one that knows." Then he said to me, "These are they who 
8424have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and 
8425made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 
8426
8427552 
8428
8429
8430
8431REVELATION 553 
8432
8433
843415 For this reason they are before the throne of God, 
8435
8436and worship him day and night within his temple, 
8437
8438and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. 
843916 They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; 
8440
8441the sun will not strike them, 
8442
8443nor any scorching heat; 
844417 for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, 
8445
8446and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, 
8447
8448 and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." 
8449
8450[Revelation 8] 
8451The seventh seal 
8452
84531 When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven 
8454for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before 
8455God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 
8456
84573 Another angel with a golden censer came and stood at the altar; he 
8458was given a great quantity of incense to offer with the prayers of all 
8459the saints on the golden altar that is before the throne. 4 And the 
8460smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God 
8461from the hand of the angel. 5 Then the angel took the censer and 
8462filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth; and there 
8463were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an 
8464earthquake. 
8465
8466The first six trumpets; four trumpets of destruction 
8467
84686 Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets made ready to 
8469blow them. 
8470
84717 The first angel blew his trumpet, and there came hail and fire, mixed 
8472with blood, and they were hurled to the earth; and a third of the earth 
8473was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green 
8474grass was burned up. 
8475
8476553 
8477
8478
8479
8480REVELATION 554 
8481
8482REVELATION 554 
8483
848410 The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, 
8485blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the 
8486springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the 
8487waters became wormwood, and many died from the water, because it 
8488was made bitter. 
8489
849012 The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, 
8491and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of 
8492their light was darkened; a third of the day was kept from shining, and 
8493likewise the night. 
8494
849513 Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it 
8496flew in midheaven, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, at 
8497the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to 
8498blow!" 
8499
8500[Revelation 9] 
8501Three trumpets of woe; the plague of monstrous locusts 
8502
8503
85041 And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen 
8505from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the 
8506bottomless pit; 2 he opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and from 
8507the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun 
8508and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft. 3 Then from 
8509the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given authority 
8510like the authority of scorpions of the earth. 4 They were told not to 
8511damage the grass of the earth or any green growth or any tree, but 
8512only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 
85135 They were allowed to torture them for five months, but not to kill 
8514them, and their torture was like the torture of a scorpion when it 
8515stings someone. 6 And in those days people will seek death but will not 
8516find it; they will long to die, but death will flee from them. 
8517
8518554 
8519
8520
8521
8522REVELATION 555 
8523
8524REVELATION 555 
8525
852612 The first woe has passed. There are still two woes to come. 
8527
8528The plague of monstrous cavalry 
8529
853013 Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the 
8531four horns of the golden altar before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel 
8532who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the 
8533great river Euphrates." 15 So the four angels were released, who had 
8534been held ready for the hour, the day, the month, and the year, to kill 
8535a third of humankind. 16 The number of the troops of cavalry was two 
8536hundred million; I heard their number. 17 And this was how I saw the 
8537horses in my vision: the riders wore breastplates the color of fire and of 
8538sapphire and of sulfur; the heads of the horses were like lions' heads, 
8539and fire and smoke and sulfur came out of their mouths. 18 By these 
8540three plagues a third of humankind was killed, by the fire and smoke 
8541and sulfur coming out of their mouths. 19 For the power of the horses 
8542is in their mouths and in their tails; their tails are like serpents, having 
8543heads; and with them they inflict harm. 
8544
854520 The rest of humankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did 
8546not repent of the works of their hands or give up worshiping demons 
8547and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which 
8548cannot see or hear or walk. 21 And they did not repent of their murders 
8549or their sorceries or their fornication or their thefts. 
8550
8551555 
8552
8553
8554
8555REVELATION 556 
8556
8557
8558[Revelation 10] 
8559An interlude; the commission renewed 
8560
8561
85621 And I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped 
8563in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head; his face was like the sun, and 
8564his legs like pillars of fire. 2 He held a little scroll open in his hand. 
8565Setting his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 he gave 
8566a great shout, like a lion roaring. And when he shouted, the seven 
8567thunders sounded. 4 And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was 
8568about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Seal up what 
8569the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down." 5 Then the 
8570angel whom I saw standing on the sea and the land 
8571
8572raised his right hand to heaven 
85736 and swore by him who lives forever and ever, 
8574who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and 
8575the sea and what is in it: "There will be no more delay, 7 but in the 
8576days when the seventh angel is to blow his trumpet, the mystery of 
8577God will be fulfilled, as he announced to his servants the prophets." 
8578
85798 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, 
8580saying, "Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is 
8581standing on the sea and on the land." 9 So I went to the angel and told 
8582him to give me the little scroll; and he said to me, "Take it, and eat; it 
8583will be bitter to your stomach, but sweet as honey in your mouth." 10 
8584So I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it; it was 
8585sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach was 
8586made bitter. 
8587
858811 Then they said to me, "You must prophesy again about many 
8589peoples and nations and languages and kings." 
8590
8591[Revelation 11] 
8592The measuring of the temple and the two witnesses 
8593
8594
85951 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, "Come 
8596and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship 
8597there, 2 but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that 
8598out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample over the 
8599
8600556 
8601
8602
8603
8604REVELATION 557 
8605
8606REVELATION 557 
8607
86084 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand 
8609before the Lord of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire 
8610pours from their mouth and consumes their foes; anyone who wants to 
8611harm them must be killed in this manner. 6 They have authority to shut 
8612the sky, so that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, 
8613and they have authority over the waters to turn them into blood, and 
8614to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. 
8615
86167 When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up 
8617from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and 
8618kill them, 8 and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city 
8619that is prophetically called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was 
8620crucified. 9 For three and a half days members of the peoples and 
8621tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and 
8622refuse to let them be placed in a tomb; 10 and the inhabitants of the 
8623earth will gloat over them and celebrate and exchange presents, 
8624because these two prophets had been a torment to the inhabitants of 
8625the earth. 
8626
862711 But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God 
8628entered them, and they stood on their feet, and those who saw them 
8629were terrified. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to 
8630them, "Come up here!" And they went up to heaven in a cloud while 
8631their enemies watched them. 13 At that moment there was a great 
8632earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; seven thousand people were 
8633killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to 
8634the God of heaven. 
8635
8636The seventh trumpet 
8637
863814 The second woe has passed. The third woe is coming very soon. 
8639
864015 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud 
8641voices in heaven, saying, 
8642
8643557 
8644
8645
8646
8647REVELATION 558 
8648
8649
8650"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord 
8651and of his Messiah, 
8652and he will reign forever and ever." 
8653
865416 Then the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell 
8655on their faces and worshiped God, 17 singing, 
8656"We give you thanks, Lord God Almighty, 
8657who are and who were, 
8658for you have taken your great power 
8659and begun to reign. 
8660
866118 The nations raged, 
8662
8663but your wrath has come, 
8664
8665and the time for judging the dead, 
8666
8667for rewarding your servants, the prophets 
8668
8669and saints and all who fear your name, 
8670
8671both small and great, 
8672
8673and for destroying those who destroy the earth." 
8674
867519 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his 
8676covenant was seen within his temple; and there were flashes of 
8677lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail. 
8678
8679[Revelation 12] 
8680The vision of the woman, the child, and the dragon 
8681
8682
86831 A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, 
8684with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve 
8685stars. 2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pangs, in the 
8686agony of giving birth. 3 Then another portent appeared in heaven: a 
8687great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems 
8688on his heads. 4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and 
8689threw them to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman 
8690who was about to bear a child, so that he might devour her child as 
8691soon as it was born. 5 And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is 
8692to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. But her child was snatched 
8693away and taken to God and to his throne; 6 and the woman fled into 
8694the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, so that there 
8695she can be nourished for one thousand two hundred sixty days. 
8696
8697558 
8698
8699
8700
8701REVELATION 559 
8702
8703REVELATION 559 
8704
870510 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming, 
8706
8707"Now have come the salvation and the power 
8708
8709and the kingdom of our God 
8710
8711and the authority of his Messiah, 
8712
8713 for the accuser of our comrades has been thrown down, 
8714who accuses them day and night before our God. 
871511 But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb 
8716and by the word of their testimony, 
8717for they did not cling to life even in the face of death. 
871812 Rejoice then, you heavens 
8719and those who dwell in them! 
8720But woe to the earth and the sea, 
8721for the devil has come down to you 
8722with great wrath, 
8723because he knows that his time is short!" 
8724
872513 So when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the 
8726earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 
8727But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle, so that she 
8728could fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to her place where she 
8729is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. 15 Then from his 
8730mouth the serpent poured water like a river after the woman, to 
8731sweep her away with the flood. 16 But the earth came to the help of 
8732the woman; it opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the 
8733dragon had poured from his mouth. 17 Then the dragon was angry 
8734with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her children, 
8735those who keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony of 
8736Jesus. 
8737
8738559 
8739
8740
8741
8742REVELATION 560 
8743
8744
8745The two beasts 
8746
874718 Then the dragon took his stand on the sand of the seashore. 
8748[Revelation 13] 1 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, having ten 
8749horns and seven heads; and on its horns were ten diadems, and on its 
8750heads were blasphemous names. 2 And the beast that I saw was like a 
8751leopard, its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's 
8752mouth. And the dragon gave it his power and his throne and great 
8753authority. 3 One of its heads seemed to have received a death-blow, 
8754but its mortal wound had been healed. In amazement the whole earth 
8755followed the beast. 4 They worshiped the dragon, for he had given his 
8756authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is 
8757like the beast, and who can fight against it?" 
8758
87595 The beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous 
8760words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6 
8761It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his 
8762name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 Also it 
8763was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. It was 
8764given authority over every tribe and people and language and nation, 
87658 and all the inhabitants of the earth will worship it, everyone whose 
8766name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the 
8767book of life of the Lamb that was slaughtered. 
8768
87699 Let anyone who has an ear listen: 
877010 If you are to be taken captive, 
8771
8772into captivity you go; 
8773
8774if you kill with the sword, 
8775
8776with the sword you must be killed. 
8777Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. 
8778
877911 Then I saw another beast that rose out of the earth; it had two horns 
8780like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercises all the authority of 
8781the first beast on its behalf, and it makes the earth and its inhabitants 
8782worship the first beast, whose mortal wound had been healed. 13 It 
8783performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to 
8784earth in the sight of all; 14 and by the signs that it is allowed to 
8785perform on behalf of the beast, it deceives the inhabitants of earth, 
8786
8787560 
8788
8789
8790
8791REVELATION 561 
8792
8793REVELATION 561 
8794
8795[Revelation 14] 
8796A series of three visions 
8797
8798
87991 Then I looked, and there was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion! And 
8800with him were one hundred forty-four thousand who had his name 
8801and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice 
8802from heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud 
8803thunder; the voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on 
8804their harps, 3 and they sing a new song before the throne and before 
8805the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that 
8806song except the one hundred forty-four thousand who have been 
8807redeemed from the earth. 4 It is these who have not defiled themselves 
8808with women, for they are virgins; these follow the Lamb wherever he 
8809goes. They have been redeemed from humankind as first fruits for God 
8810and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found; they are 
8811blameless. 
8812
88136 Then I saw another angel flying in midheaven, with an eternal gospel 
8814to proclaim to those who live on the earth — to every nation and tribe 
8815and language and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give 
8816him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come; and worship him 
8817who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water." 
8818
88198 Then another angel, a second, followed, saying, "Fallen, fallen is 
8820Babylon the great! She has made all nations drink of the wine of the 
8821wrath of her fornication." 
8822
8823561 
8824
8825
8826
8827REVELATION 562 
8828
8829REVELATION 562 
8830
883112 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the 
8832commandments of God and hold fast to the faith of Jesus. 
8833
883413 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the 
8835dead who from now on die in the Lord." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they 
8836will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them." 
8837
883814 Then I looked, and there was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud 
8839was one like the Son of Man, with a golden crown on his head, and a 
8840sharp sickle in his hand! 15 Another angel came out of the temple, 
8841calling with a loud voice to the one who sat on the cloud, "Use your 
8842sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of 
8843the earth is fully ripe." 16 So the one who sat on the cloud swung his 
8844sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped. 
8845
884617 Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too 
8847had a sharp sickle. 18 Then another angel came out from the altar, the 
8848angel who has authority over fire, and he called with a loud voice to 
8849him who had the sharp sickle, "Use your sharp sickle and gather the 
8850clusters of the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe." 19 So the angel 
8851swung his sickle over the earth and gathered the vintage of the earth, 
8852and he threw it into the great wine press of the wrath of God. 20 And 
8853the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from 
8854the wine press, as high as a horse's bridle, for a distance of about two 
8855hundred miles. 
8856
8857562 
8858
8859
8860
8861REVELATION 563 
8862
8863
8864[Revelation 15] 
8865The seven bowls of the wrath of God; the preparation for judgment 
8866
8867
88681 Then I saw another portent in heaven, great and amazing: seven 
8869angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath 
8870of God is ended. 
8871
88722 And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mixed with fire, and 
8873those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of 
8874its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their 
8875hands. 3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the 
8876song of the Lamb: 
8877
8878"Great and amazing are your deeds, 
8879Lord God the Almighty! 
8880Just and true are your ways, 
8881King of the nations! 
88824 Lord, who will not fear 
8883and glorify your name? 
8884
8885For you alone are holy. 
8886
8887All nations will come 
8888
8889and worship before you, 
8890
8891 for your judgments have been revealed." 
8892
88935 After this I looked, and the temple of the tent of witness in heaven 
8894was opened, 6 and out of the temple came the seven angels with the 
8895seven plagues, robed in pure bright linen, with golden sashes across 
8896their chests. 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave the seven 
8897angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever 
8898and ever; 8 and the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of 
8899God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the 
8900seven plagues of the seven angels were ended. 
8901
8902[Revelation 16] 
8903The pouring of the bowls 
8904
8905
89061 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, 
8907"Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God." 
8908
8909563 
8910
8911
8912
8913REVELATION 564 
8914
8915REVELATION 564 
8916
89173 The second angel poured his bowl into the sea, and it became like 
8918the blood of a corpse, and every living thing in the sea died. 
8919
89204 The third angel poured his bowl into the rivers and the springs of 
8921water, and they became blood. 5 And I heard the angel of the waters 
8922say, 
8923
8924 "You are just, O Holy One, who are and were, 
8925for you have judged these things; 
89266 because they shed the blood of saints and prophets, 
8927you have given them blood to drink. 
8928It is what they deserve!" 
89297 And I heard the altar respond, 
8930"Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, 
8931your judgments are true and just!" 
8932
89338 The fourth angel poured his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to 
8934scorch people with fire; 9 they were scorched by the fierce heat, but 
8935they cursed the name of God, who had authority over these plagues, 
8936and they did not repent and give him glory. 
8937
893810 The fifth angel poured his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its 
8939kingdom was plunged into darkness; people gnawed their tongues in 
8940agony, 11 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and 
8941sores, and they did not repent of their deeds. 
8942
894312 The sixth angel poured his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its 
8944water was dried up in order to prepare the way for the kings from the 
8945east. 13 And I saw three foul spirits like frogs coming from the mouth 
8946of the dragon, from the mouth of the beast, and from the mouth of 
8947the false prophet. 14 These are demonic spirits, performing signs, who 
8948go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for 
8949battle on the great day of God the Almighty. 15 ("See, I am coming like 
8950a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and is clothed, not going 
8951
8952564 
8953
8954
8955
8956REVELATION 565 
8957
8958REVELATION 565 
8959
896017 The seventh angel poured his bowl into the air, and a loud voice 
8961came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, "It is done!" 18 And 
8962there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a 
8963violent earthquake, such as had not occurred since people were upon 
8964the earth, so violent was that earthquake. 19 The great city was split 
8965into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. God remembered 
8966great Babylon and gave her the wine-cup of the fury of his wrath. 20 
8967And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found; 21 
8968and huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, dropped 
8969from heaven on people, until they cursed God for the plague of the 
8970hail, so fearful was that plague. 
8971
8972[Revelation 17] 
8973The fall of Babylon, which is Rome; the vision of the woman 
8974
8975
89761 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said 
8977to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great whore who is 
8978seated on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth have 
8979committed fornication, and with the wine of whose fornication the 
8980inhabitants of the earth have become drunk." 3 So he carried me away 
8981in the spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet 
8982beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and 
8983ten horns. 4 The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and 
8984adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden 
8985cup full of abominations and the impurities of her fornication; 5 and 
8986on her forehead was written a name, a mystery: "Babylon the great, 
8987mother of whores and of earth's abominations." 6 And I saw that the 
8988woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and the blood of the 
8989witnesses to Jesus. 
8990
8991When I saw her, I was greatly amazed. 7 But the angel said to me, 
8992"Why are you so amazed? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and 
8993of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her. 8 The 
8994beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to ascend from the 
8995bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the inhabitants of the earth, 
8996
8997565 
8998
8999
9000
9001REVELATION 566 
9002
9003
9004whose names have not been written in the book of life from the 
9005foundation of the world, will be amazed when they see the beast, 
9006because it was and is not and is to come. 
9007
90089 "This calls for a mind that has wisdom: the seven heads are seven 
9009mountains on which the woman is seated; also, they are seven kings, 10 
9010of whom five have fallen, one is living, and the other has not yet come; 
9011and when he comes, he must remain only a little while. 11 As for the 
9012beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, 
9013and it goes to destruction. 12 And the ten horns that you saw are ten 
9014kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they are to receive 
9015authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. 13 These are 
9016united in yielding their power and authority to the beast; 14 they will 
9017make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord 
9018of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen 
9019and faithful." 
9020
902115 And he said to me, "The waters that you saw, where the whore is 
9022seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. 16 And 
9023the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the whore; 
9024they will make her desolate and naked; they will devour her flesh and 
9025burn her up with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to carry 
9026out his purpose by agreeing to give their kingdom to the beast, until 
9027the words of God will be fulfilled. 18 The woman you saw is the great 
9028city that rules over the kings of the earth." 
9029
9030[Revelation 18] 
9031Dirge over the fallen city 
9032
9033
90341 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having 
9035great authority; and the earth was made bright with his splendor. 2 He 
9036called out with a mighty voice, 
9037
9038"Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! 
9039
9040It has become a dwelling place of demons, 
9041
9042a haunt of every foul spirit, 
9043
9044a haunt of every foul bird, 
9045
9046a haunt of every foul and hateful beast. 
9047
9048566 
9049
9050
9051
9052REVELATION 567 
9053
9054
90553 For all the nations have drunk 
9056of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, 
9057
9058 and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, 
9059and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power 
9060of her luxury." 
9061
90624 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, 
9063"Come out of her, my people, 
9064so that you do not take part in her sins, 
9065and so that you do not share in her plagues; 
90665 for her sins are heaped high as heaven, 
9067and God has remembered her iniquities. 
9068
90696 Render to her as she herself has rendered, 
9070and repay her double for her deeds; 
9071mix a double draught for her in the cup she mixed. 
9072
90737 As she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, 
9074so give her a like measure of torment and grief. 
9075Since in her heart she says, 
9076'I rule as a queen; 
9077I am no widow, 
9078and I will never see grief,' 
90798 therefore her plagues will come in a single day — 
9080pestilence and mourning and famine — 
9081and she will be burned with fire; 
9082for mighty is the Lord God who judges her." 
9083
90849 And the kings of the earth, who committed fornication and lived in 
9085luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke 
9086of her burning; 10 they will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and 
9087say, 
9088
9089"Alas, alas, the great city, 
9090Babylon, the mighty city! 
9091For in one hour your judgment has come." 
9092
9093
909411 And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no 
9095one buys their cargo anymore, 12 cargo of gold, silver, jewels and 
9096pearls, fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet, all kinds of scented wood, all 
9097articles of ivory, all articles of costly wood, bronze, iron, and marble, 13 
9098cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, olive oil, choice 
9099
9100567 
9101
9102
9103
9104REVELATION 568 
9105
9106REVELATION 568 
9107
9108has gone from you, 
9109
9110and all your dainties and your splendor 
9111are lost to you, 
9112never to be found again!" 
9113
9114
911515 The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will 
9116stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud, 
911716 "Alas, alas, the great city, 
9118
9119clothed in fine linen, 
9120in purple and scarlet, 
9121adorned with gold, 
9122with jewels, and with pearls! 
912317 For in one hour all this wealth has been laid waste!" 
9124
9125And all shipmasters and seafarers, sailors and all whose trade is on the 
9126sea, stood far off 18 and cried out as they saw the smoke of her 
9127burning, 
9128
9129"What city was like the great city?" 
913019 And they threw dust on their heads, as they wept and mourned, 
9131crying out, 
9132
9133"Alas, alas, the great city, 
9134where all who had ships at sea 
9135grew rich by her wealth! 
9136
9137
9138For in one hour she has been laid waste." 
9139
914020 Rejoice over her, O heaven, you saints and apostles and prophets! 
9141For God has given judgment for you against her. 
9142
914321 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and 
9144threw it into the sea, saying, 
9145
9146 "With such violence Babylon the great city 
9147will be thrown down, 
9148and will be found no more; 
9149
9150
9151568 
9152
9153
9154
9155REVELATION 569 
9156
9157
915822 and the sound of harpists and minstrels and of flutists and 
9159trumpeters will be heard in you no more; 
9160and an artisan of any trade 
9161will be found in you no more; 
9162and the sound of the millstone 
9163will be heard in you no more; 
916423 and the light of a lamp 
9165will shine in you no more; 
9166and the voice of bridegroom and bride 
9167will be heard in you no more; 
9168for your merchants were the magnates of the earth, 
9169and all nations were deceived by your sorcery. 
917024 And in you was found the blood of prophets and of saints, 
9171and of all who have been slaughtered on earth." 
9172
9173[Revelation 19] 
9174Doxology 
9175
91761 After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great 
9177
9178multitude in heaven, saying, 
9179
9180"Hallelujah! 
9181
9182Salvation and glory and power to our God, 
91832 for his judgments are true and just; 
9184
9185 he has judged the great whore 
9186
9187who corrupted the earth with her fornication, 
9188
9189 and he has avenged on her the blood of his servants." 
91903 Once more they said, 
9191
9192"Hallelujah! 
9193
9194The smoke goes up from her forever and ever." 
9195
91964 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down 
9197and worshiped God who is seated on the throne, saying, 
9198"Amen. Hallelujah!" 
91995 And from the throne came a voice saying, 
9200"Praise our God, 
9201all you his servants, 
9202and all who fear him, 
9203small and great." 
9204
9205569 
9206
9207
9208
9209REVELATION 570 
9210
9211REVELATION 570 
9212
9213"Hallelujah! 
9214For the Lord our God 
9215the Almighty reigns. 
92167 Let us rejoice and exult 
9217and give him the glory, 
9218for the marriage of the Lamb has come, 
9219and his bride has made herself ready; 
92208 to her it has been granted to be clothed 
9221with fine linen, bright and pure" — 
9222for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 
9223
92249 And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are 
9225invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, 
9226"These are true words of God." 10 Then I fell down at his feet to 
9227worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow 
9228servant with you and your comrades who hold the testimony of Jesus. 
9229Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." 
9230
9231The victory of Christ and the heavenly armies 
9232
923311 Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is 
9234called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes 
9235war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many 
9236diadems; and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself. 
923713 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The 
9238Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white 
9239and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth 
9240comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he 
9241will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the 
9242fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh 
9243he has a name inscribed, "King of kings and Lord of lords." 
9244
924517 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he 
9246called to all the birds that fly in midheaven, "Come, gather for the 
9247great supper of God, 18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, 
9248
9249570 
9250
9251
9252
9253REVELATION 571 
9254
9255REVELATION 571 
9256
9257[Revelation 20] 
9258The defeat of Satan; the temporary imprisonment of Satan and the 
9259reign of Christ and the martyrs 
9260
92611 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand 
9262the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2 He seized the 
9263dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound 
9264him for a thousand years, 3 and threw him into the pit, and locked and 
9265sealed it over him, so that he would deceive the nations no more, until 
9266the thousand years were ended. After that he must be let out for a 
9267little while. 
9268
92694 Then I saw thrones, and those seated on them were given authority 
9270to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for 
9271their testimony to Jesus and for the word of God. They had not 
9272worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on 
9273their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with 
9274Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life 
9275until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 
9276Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. Over 
9277these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God 
9278and of Christ, and they will reign with him a thousand years. 
9279
9280The release of Satan and the final conflict 
9281
92827 When the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his 
9283prison 8 and will come out to deceive the nations at the four corners of 
9284
9285571 
9286
9287
9288
9289REVELATION 572 
9290
9291REVELATION 572 
9292
9293The last judgment 
9294
929511 Then I saw a great white throne and the one who sat on it; the earth 
9296and the heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for 
9297them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the 
9298throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, the 
9299book of life. And the dead were judged according to their works, as 
9300recorded in the books. 13 And the sea gave up the dead that were in it, 
9301Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and all were 
9302judged according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades 
9303were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of 
9304fire; 15 and anyone whose name was not found written in the book of 
9305life was thrown into the lake of fire. 
9306
9307[Revelation 21] 
9308Vision of the new Jerusalem; the renewal of creation 
9309
9310
93111 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and 
9312the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw 
9313the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from 
9314God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a 
9315loud voice from the throne saying, 
9316
9317"See, the home of God is among mortals. 
9318
9319He will dwell with them; 
9320
9321they will be his peoples, 
9322
9323and God himself will be with them; 
9324
9325he will wipe every tear from their eyes. 
9326
9327Death will be no more; 
9328
9329mourning and crying and pain will be no more, 
9330
9331for the first things have passed away." 
9332
9333572 
9334
9335
9336
9337REVELATION 573 
9338
9339REVELATION 573 
9340
9341The measuring of the city 
9342
93439 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the 
9344seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the 
9345bride, the wife of the Lamb." 10 And in the spirit he carried me away 
9346to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem 
9347coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It has the glory of God and a 
9348radiance like a very rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It has a 
9349great, high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and 
9350on the gates are inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of the 
9351Israelites; 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the 
9352south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the 
9353city has twelve foundations, and on them are the twelve names of the 
9354twelve apostles of the Lamb. 
9355
935615 The angel who talked to me had a measuring rod of gold to 
9357measure the city and its gates and walls. 16 The city lies foursquare, its 
9358length the same as its width; and he measured the city with his rod, 
9359fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal. 17 He 
9360also measured its wall, one hundred forty-four cubits by human 
9361measurement, which the angel was using. 18 The wall is built of jasper, 
9362while the city is pure gold, clear as glass. 19 The foundations of the wall 
9363of the city are adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the 
9364second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, 
9365the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth 
9366topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth 
9367amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, each of the gates 
9368
9369573 
9370
9371
9372
9373REVELATION 574 
9374
9375REVELATION 574 
9376
937722 I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the 
9378Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to 
9379shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 
9380The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring 
9381their glory into it. 25 Its gates will never be shut by day — and there 
9382will be no night there. 26 People will bring into it the glory and the 
9383honor of the nations. 27 But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone 
9384who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are 
9385written in the Lamb's book of life. 
9386
9387[Revelation 22] 
9388The river and the tree of life 
9389
9390
93911 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as 
9392crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the 
9393middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of 
9394life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and 
9395the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 Nothing 
9396accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of 
9397the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; 4 they will see 
9398his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And there will be 
9399no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will 
9400be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. 
9401
9402Epilogue 
9403
94046 And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true, for the 
9405Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show 
9406his servants what must soon take place." 
9407
94087 "See, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of 
9409the prophecy of this book." 
9410
9411574 
9412
9413
9414
9415REVELATION 575 
9416
9417REVELATION 575 
9418
941910 And he said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of 
9420this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the 
9421filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be 
9422holy." 
9423
942412 "See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to 
9425everyone's work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the 
9426last, the beginning and the end." 
9427
942814 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the 
9429right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside 
9430are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and 
9431idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 
9432
943316 "It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the 
9434churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright 
9435morning star." 
943617 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." 
9437
9438
9439 And let everyone who hears say, "Come." 
9440
9441 And let everyone who is thirsty come. 
9442
9443 Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. 
9444
944518 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: 
9446if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues 
9447described in this book; 19 if anyone takes away from the words of the 
9448book of this prophecy, God will take away that person's share in the 
9449tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 
9450
9451575 
9452
9453
9454
9455REVELATION 576 
9456
9457
945820 The one who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming 
9459soon." 
9460Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 
946121 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen. 
9462
9463
9464Copyright ©1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in 
9465the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 
9466
9467576