Ephesians 3:1 This is why I, Paul, am in jail for Christ, having taken up the cause of you outsiders, so-called. I take it that you’re familiar with the part I was given i...

3:1 MSG

逐节对照

The Message - This is why I, Paul, am in jail for Christ, having taken up the cause of you outsiders, so-called. I take it that you’re familiar with the part I was given in God’s plan for including everybody. I got the inside story on this from God himself, as I just wrote you in brief.
新标点和合本 - 因此，我保罗为你们外邦人作了基督耶稣被囚的，替你们祈祷（此句乃对照14节所加）。
和合本2010（上帝版-简体） - 因此，我—保罗为你们外邦人作了基督耶稣囚徒的，替你们祈祷。
和合本2010（神版-简体） - 因此，我—保罗为你们外邦人作了基督耶稣囚徒的，替你们祈祷。
当代译本 - 为此，我保罗为了把基督耶稣传给你们外族人而做了囚犯。
圣经新译本 - 因此，我这为你们外族人的缘故，作了为基督耶稣被囚禁的保罗，为你们祈求─
中文标准译本 - 因此，我保罗为你们外邦人做了基督耶稣的囚犯。
现代标点和合本 - 因此，我保罗——为你们外邦人做了基督耶稣被囚的，替你们祈祷。
和合本（拼音版） - 因此，我保罗为你们外邦人作了基督耶稣被囚的，替你们祈祷。
New International Version - For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
New International Reader's Version - I, Paul, am a prisoner because of Christ Jesus. I am in prison because of my work among you who are Gentiles.
English Standard Version - For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—
New Living Translation - When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles . . .
Christian Standard Bible - For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles —
New American Standard Bible - For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
New King James Version - For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—
Amplified Bible - For this reason [because I preach that you and believing Jews are joint heirs] I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—
American Standard Version - For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,—
King James Version - For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
New English Translation - For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles –
World English Bible - For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,
新標點和合本 - 因此，我－保羅為你們外邦人作了基督耶穌被囚的，替你們祈禱（此句是照對十四節所加）。
和合本2010（上帝版-繁體） - 因此，我－保羅為你們外邦人作了基督耶穌囚徒的，替你們祈禱。
和合本2010（神版-繁體） - 因此，我—保羅為你們外邦人作了基督耶穌囚徒的，替你們祈禱。
當代譯本 - 為此，我保羅為了把基督耶穌傳給你們外族人而作了囚犯。
聖經新譯本 - 因此，我這為你們外族人的緣故，作了為基督耶穌被囚禁的保羅，為你們祈求─
呂振中譯本 - 因這緣故、我保羅為你們外國人做基督耶穌囚犯的、替你們祈禱 ——
中文標準譯本 - 因此，我保羅為你們外邦人做了基督耶穌的囚犯。
現代標點和合本 - 因此，我保羅——為你們外邦人做了基督耶穌被囚的，替你們祈禱。
文理和合譯本 - 緣此、我保羅因爾異邦人、為基督耶穌之囚、
文理委辦譯本 - 為傳此道、我保羅宗耶穌基督緣爾異邦人被囚、
施約瑟淺文理新舊約聖經 - 為此、我保羅因基督耶穌緣爾異邦人被囚、
吳經熊文理聖詠與新經全集 - 因此、我葆樂竟為爾異邦人之故、而作基督耶穌之囚徒矣。
Nueva Versión Internacional - Por esta razón yo, Pablo, prisionero de Cristo Jesús por el bien de ustedes los gentiles, me arrodillo en oración.
현대인의 성경 - 그래서 나 바울은 그리스도 예수님의 일로 이방인인 여러분을 위해 갇힌 몸 이 되었습니다.
Новый Русский Перевод - Вот почему я, Павел, нахожусь в заключении за Иисуса Христа ради вас, язычников.
Восточный перевод - Вот почему я, Паул, нахожусь в заключении за Ису Масиха, ради вас, язычников.
Восточный перевод, версия с «Аллахом» - Вот почему я, Паул, нахожусь в заключении за Ису аль-Масиха, ради вас, язычников.
Восточный перевод, версия для Таджикистана - Вот почему я, Павлус, нахожусь в заключении за Исо Масеха, ради вас, язычников.
La Bible du Semeur 2015 - C’est pourquoi moi Paul, le prisonnier de Jésus-Christ pour vous, les non-Juifs…
リビングバイブル - 私パウロは、今、キリスト・イエスの囚人となって投獄されています。それは、あなたがた外国人も、ユダヤ人と同じように神の家族の一員だと語ったからです。
Nestle Aland 28 - Τούτου χάριν ἐγὼ Παῦλος ὁ δέσμιος τοῦ Χριστοῦ [Ἰησοῦ] ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν τῶν ἐθνῶν
unfoldingWord® Greek New Testament - τούτου χάριν, ἐγὼ Παῦλος, ὁ δέσμιος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν τῶν ἐθνῶν—
Nova Versão Internacional - Por essa razão oro, eu, Paulo, prisioneiro de Cristo Jesus, em favor de vocês, gentios.
Hoffnung für alle - Weil ich, Paulus, euch Nichtjuden diese rettende Botschaft verkündete, bin ich nun im Gefängnis. Als Gefangener von Jesus Christus bete ich für euch.
Kinh Thánh Hiện Đại - Vì truyền giảng Phúc Âm cho các dân tộc nước ngoài, mà tôi, Phao-lô, đầy tớ của Chúa Cứu Thế phải chịu lao tù.
พระคริสตธรรมคัมภีร์ไทย ฉบับอมตธรรมร่วมสมัย - ด้วยเหตุนี้ข้าพเจ้าเปาโลผู้เป็นนักโทษเพราะเห็นแก่พระเยซูคริสต์เพื่อท่านผู้เป็นคนต่างชาติ
พระคัมภีร์ ฉบับแปลใหม่ - ด้วยเหตุนี้ ข้าพเจ้าเปาโลผู้เป็นนักโทษเนื่องจากการรับใช้พระเยซูคริสต์เพื่อผลประโยชน์ของพวกท่านซึ่งเป็นคนนอก

交叉引用

Galatians 5:11 - As for the rumor that I continue to preach the ways of circumcision (as I did in those pre-Damascus Road days), that is absurd. Why would I still be persecuted, then? If I were preaching that old message, no one would be offended if I mentioned the Cross now and then—it would be so watered-down it wouldn’t matter one way or the other. Why don’t these agitators, obsessive as they are about circumcision, go all the way and castrate themselves!
Galatians 5:2 - I am emphatic about this. The moment any one of you submits to circumcision or any other rule-keeping system, at that same moment Christ’s hard-won gift of freedom is squandered. I repeat my warning: The person who accepts the ways of circumcision trades all the advantages of the free life in Christ for the obligations of the slave life of the law.
Revelation 2:10 - “Fear nothing in the things you’re about to suffer—but stay on guard! Fear nothing! The Devil is about to throw you in jail for a time of testing—ten days. It won’t last forever. “Don’t quit, even if it costs you your life. Stay there believing. I have a Life-Crown sized and ready for you.
Acts 21:33 - The captain came up and put Paul under arrest. He first ordered him handcuffed, and then asked who he was and what he had done. All he got from the crowd were shouts, one yelling this, another that. It was impossible to tell one word from another in the mob hysteria, so the captain ordered Paul taken to the military barracks. But when they got to the Temple steps, the mob became so violent that the soldiers had to carry Paul. As they carried him away, the crowd followed, shouting, “Kill him! Kill him!”
2 Corinthians 10:1 - And now a personal but most urgent matter; I write in the gentle but firm spirit of Christ. I hear that I’m being painted as cringing and wishy-washy when I’m with you, but harsh and demanding when at a safe distance writing letters. Please don’t force me to take a hard line when I’m present with you. Don’t think that I’ll hesitate a single minute to stand up to those who say I’m an unprincipled opportunist. Then they’ll have to eat their words.
Colossians 4:18 - I’m signing off in my own handwriting—Paul. Remember to pray for me in this jail. Grace be with you.
2 Corinthians 11:23 - I’ve worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death’s door time after time. I’ve been flogged five times with the Jews’ thirty-nine lashes, beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled with rocks once. I’ve been shipwrecked three times, and immersed in the open sea for a night and a day. In hard traveling year in and year out, I’ve had to ford rivers, fend off robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. I’ve been at risk in the city, at risk in the country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers. I’ve known drudgery and hard labor, many a long and lonely night without sleep, many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather.
Acts 26:29 - Paul, still in chains, said, “That’s what I’m praying for, whether now or later, and not only you but everyone listening today, to become like me—except, of course, for this prison jewelry!”
Acts 28:17 - Three days later, Paul called the Jewish leaders together for a meeting at his house. He said, “The Jews in Jerusalem arrested me on trumped-up charges, and I was taken into custody by the Romans. I assure you that I did absolutely nothing against Jewish laws or Jewish customs. After the Romans investigated the charges and found there was nothing to them, they wanted to set me free, but the Jews objected so fiercely that I was forced to appeal to Caesar. I did this not to accuse them of any wrongdoing or to get our people in trouble with Rome. We’ve had enough trouble through the years that way. I did it for Israel. I asked you to come and listen to me today to make it clear that I’m on Israel’s side, not against her. I’m a hostage here for hope, not doom.”
Philemon 1:23 - Epaphras, my cellmate in the cause of Christ, says hello. Also my coworkers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke. All the best to you from the Master, Jesus Christ!
Luke 21:12 - “But before any of this happens, they’ll arrest you, hunt you down, and drag you to court and jail. It will go from bad to worse, dog-eat-dog, everyone at your throat because you carry my name. You’ll end up on the witness stand, called to testify. Make up your mind right now not to worry about it. I’ll give you the words and wisdom that will reduce all your accusers to stammers and stutters.
Acts 23:18 - The centurion brought him to the captain and said, “The prisoner Paul asked me to bring this young man to you. He said he has something urgent to tell you.”
Philippians 1:7 - It’s not at all fanciful for me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God. He knows how much I love and miss you these days. Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does!
Philemon 1:1 - I, Paul, am a prisoner for the sake of Christ, here with my brother Timothy. I write this letter to you, Philemon, my good friend and companion in this work—also to our sister Apphia, to Archippus, a real trooper, and to the church that meets in your house. God’s best to you! Christ’s blessings on you!
2 Timothy 1:8 - So don’t be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus.
Philippians 1:15 - It’s true that some here preach Christ because with me out of the way, they think they’ll step right into the spotlight. But the others do it with the best heart in the world. One group is motivated by pure love, knowing that I am here defending the Message, wanting to help. The others, now that I’m out of the picture, are merely greedy, hoping to get something out of it for themselves. Their motives are bad. They see me as their competition, and so the worse it goes for me, the better—they think—for them.
Colossians 1:24 - I want you to know how glad I am that it’s me sitting here in this jail and not you. There’s a lot of suffering to be entered into in this world—the kind of suffering Christ takes on. I welcome the chance to take my share in the church’s part of that suffering. When I became a servant in this church, I experienced this suffering as a sheer gift, God’s way of helping me serve you, laying out the whole truth.
Ephesians 4:1 - In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.

逐节对照

交叉引用

The Message - This is why I, Paul, am in jail for Christ, having taken up the cause of you outsiders, so-called. I take it that you’re familiar with the part I was given in God’s plan for including everybody. I got the inside story on this from God himself, as I just wrote you in brief.
新标点和合本 - 因此，我保罗为你们外邦人作了基督耶稣被囚的，替你们祈祷（此句乃对照14节所加）。
和合本2010（上帝版-简体） - 因此，我—保罗为你们外邦人作了基督耶稣囚徒的，替你们祈祷。
和合本2010（神版-简体） - 因此，我—保罗为你们外邦人作了基督耶稣囚徒的，替你们祈祷。
当代译本 - 为此，我保罗为了把基督耶稣传给你们外族人而做了囚犯。
圣经新译本 - 因此，我这为你们外族人的缘故，作了为基督耶稣被囚禁的保罗，为你们祈求─
中文标准译本 - 因此，我保罗为你们外邦人做了基督耶稣的囚犯。
现代标点和合本 - 因此，我保罗——为你们外邦人做了基督耶稣被囚的，替你们祈祷。
和合本（拼音版） - 因此，我保罗为你们外邦人作了基督耶稣被囚的，替你们祈祷。
New International Version - For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
New International Reader's Version - I, Paul, am a prisoner because of Christ Jesus. I am in prison because of my work among you who are Gentiles.
English Standard Version - For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—
New Living Translation - When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles . . .
Christian Standard Bible - For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles —
New American Standard Bible - For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
New King James Version - For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—
Amplified Bible - For this reason [because I preach that you and believing Jews are joint heirs] I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—
American Standard Version - For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,—
King James Version - For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
New English Translation - For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles –
World English Bible - For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,
新標點和合本 - 因此，我－保羅為你們外邦人作了基督耶穌被囚的，替你們祈禱（此句是照對十四節所加）。
和合本2010（上帝版-繁體） - 因此，我－保羅為你們外邦人作了基督耶穌囚徒的，替你們祈禱。
和合本2010（神版-繁體） - 因此，我—保羅為你們外邦人作了基督耶穌囚徒的，替你們祈禱。
當代譯本 - 為此，我保羅為了把基督耶穌傳給你們外族人而作了囚犯。
聖經新譯本 - 因此，我這為你們外族人的緣故，作了為基督耶穌被囚禁的保羅，為你們祈求─
呂振中譯本 - 因這緣故、我保羅為你們外國人做基督耶穌囚犯的、替你們祈禱 ——
中文標準譯本 - 因此，我保羅為你們外邦人做了基督耶穌的囚犯。
現代標點和合本 - 因此，我保羅——為你們外邦人做了基督耶穌被囚的，替你們祈禱。
文理和合譯本 - 緣此、我保羅因爾異邦人、為基督耶穌之囚、
文理委辦譯本 - 為傳此道、我保羅宗耶穌基督緣爾異邦人被囚、
施約瑟淺文理新舊約聖經 - 為此、我保羅因基督耶穌緣爾異邦人被囚、
吳經熊文理聖詠與新經全集 - 因此、我葆樂竟為爾異邦人之故、而作基督耶穌之囚徒矣。
Nueva Versión Internacional - Por esta razón yo, Pablo, prisionero de Cristo Jesús por el bien de ustedes los gentiles, me arrodillo en oración.
현대인의 성경 - 그래서 나 바울은 그리스도 예수님의 일로 이방인인 여러분을 위해 갇힌 몸 이 되었습니다.
Новый Русский Перевод - Вот почему я, Павел, нахожусь в заключении за Иисуса Христа ради вас, язычников.
Восточный перевод - Вот почему я, Паул, нахожусь в заключении за Ису Масиха, ради вас, язычников.
Восточный перевод, версия с «Аллахом» - Вот почему я, Паул, нахожусь в заключении за Ису аль-Масиха, ради вас, язычников.
Восточный перевод, версия для Таджикистана - Вот почему я, Павлус, нахожусь в заключении за Исо Масеха, ради вас, язычников.
La Bible du Semeur 2015 - C’est pourquoi moi Paul, le prisonnier de Jésus-Christ pour vous, les non-Juifs…
リビングバイブル - 私パウロは、今、キリスト・イエスの囚人となって投獄されています。それは、あなたがた外国人も、ユダヤ人と同じように神の家族の一員だと語ったからです。
Nestle Aland 28 - Τούτου χάριν ἐγὼ Παῦλος ὁ δέσμιος τοῦ Χριστοῦ [Ἰησοῦ] ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν τῶν ἐθνῶν
unfoldingWord® Greek New Testament - τούτου χάριν, ἐγὼ Παῦλος, ὁ δέσμιος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν τῶν ἐθνῶν—
Nova Versão Internacional - Por essa razão oro, eu, Paulo, prisioneiro de Cristo Jesus, em favor de vocês, gentios.
Hoffnung für alle - Weil ich, Paulus, euch Nichtjuden diese rettende Botschaft verkündete, bin ich nun im Gefängnis. Als Gefangener von Jesus Christus bete ich für euch.
Kinh Thánh Hiện Đại - Vì truyền giảng Phúc Âm cho các dân tộc nước ngoài, mà tôi, Phao-lô, đầy tớ của Chúa Cứu Thế phải chịu lao tù.
พระคริสตธรรมคัมภีร์ไทย ฉบับอมตธรรมร่วมสมัย - ด้วยเหตุนี้ข้าพเจ้าเปาโลผู้เป็นนักโทษเพราะเห็นแก่พระเยซูคริสต์เพื่อท่านผู้เป็นคนต่างชาติ
พระคัมภีร์ ฉบับแปลใหม่ - ด้วยเหตุนี้ ข้าพเจ้าเปาโลผู้เป็นนักโทษเนื่องจากการรับใช้พระเยซูคริสต์เพื่อผลประโยชน์ของพวกท่านซึ่งเป็นคนนอก

Galatians 5:11 - As for the rumor that I continue to preach the ways of circumcision (as I did in those pre-Damascus Road days), that is absurd. Why would I still be persecuted, then? If I were preaching that old message, no one would be offended if I mentioned the Cross now and then—it would be so watered-down it wouldn’t matter one way or the other. Why don’t these agitators, obsessive as they are about circumcision, go all the way and castrate themselves!
Galatians 5:2 - I am emphatic about this. The moment any one of you submits to circumcision or any other rule-keeping system, at that same moment Christ’s hard-won gift of freedom is squandered. I repeat my warning: The person who accepts the ways of circumcision trades all the advantages of the free life in Christ for the obligations of the slave life of the law.
Revelation 2:10 - “Fear nothing in the things you’re about to suffer—but stay on guard! Fear nothing! The Devil is about to throw you in jail for a time of testing—ten days. It won’t last forever. “Don’t quit, even if it costs you your life. Stay there believing. I have a Life-Crown sized and ready for you.
Acts 21:33 - The captain came up and put Paul under arrest. He first ordered him handcuffed, and then asked who he was and what he had done. All he got from the crowd were shouts, one yelling this, another that. It was impossible to tell one word from another in the mob hysteria, so the captain ordered Paul taken to the military barracks. But when they got to the Temple steps, the mob became so violent that the soldiers had to carry Paul. As they carried him away, the crowd followed, shouting, “Kill him! Kill him!”
2 Corinthians 10:1 - And now a personal but most urgent matter; I write in the gentle but firm spirit of Christ. I hear that I’m being painted as cringing and wishy-washy when I’m with you, but harsh and demanding when at a safe distance writing letters. Please don’t force me to take a hard line when I’m present with you. Don’t think that I’ll hesitate a single minute to stand up to those who say I’m an unprincipled opportunist. Then they’ll have to eat their words.
Colossians 4:18 - I’m signing off in my own handwriting—Paul. Remember to pray for me in this jail. Grace be with you.
2 Corinthians 11:23 - I’ve worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death’s door time after time. I’ve been flogged five times with the Jews’ thirty-nine lashes, beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled with rocks once. I’ve been shipwrecked three times, and immersed in the open sea for a night and a day. In hard traveling year in and year out, I’ve had to ford rivers, fend off robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. I’ve been at risk in the city, at risk in the country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers. I’ve known drudgery and hard labor, many a long and lonely night without sleep, many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather.
Acts 26:29 - Paul, still in chains, said, “That’s what I’m praying for, whether now or later, and not only you but everyone listening today, to become like me—except, of course, for this prison jewelry!”
Acts 28:17 - Three days later, Paul called the Jewish leaders together for a meeting at his house. He said, “The Jews in Jerusalem arrested me on trumped-up charges, and I was taken into custody by the Romans. I assure you that I did absolutely nothing against Jewish laws or Jewish customs. After the Romans investigated the charges and found there was nothing to them, they wanted to set me free, but the Jews objected so fiercely that I was forced to appeal to Caesar. I did this not to accuse them of any wrongdoing or to get our people in trouble with Rome. We’ve had enough trouble through the years that way. I did it for Israel. I asked you to come and listen to me today to make it clear that I’m on Israel’s side, not against her. I’m a hostage here for hope, not doom.”
Philemon 1:23 - Epaphras, my cellmate in the cause of Christ, says hello. Also my coworkers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke. All the best to you from the Master, Jesus Christ!
Luke 21:12 - “But before any of this happens, they’ll arrest you, hunt you down, and drag you to court and jail. It will go from bad to worse, dog-eat-dog, everyone at your throat because you carry my name. You’ll end up on the witness stand, called to testify. Make up your mind right now not to worry about it. I’ll give you the words and wisdom that will reduce all your accusers to stammers and stutters.
Acts 23:18 - The centurion brought him to the captain and said, “The prisoner Paul asked me to bring this young man to you. He said he has something urgent to tell you.”
Philippians 1:7 - It’s not at all fanciful for me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God. He knows how much I love and miss you these days. Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does!
Philemon 1:1 - I, Paul, am a prisoner for the sake of Christ, here with my brother Timothy. I write this letter to you, Philemon, my good friend and companion in this work—also to our sister Apphia, to Archippus, a real trooper, and to the church that meets in your house. God’s best to you! Christ’s blessings on you!
2 Timothy 1:8 - So don’t be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus.
Philippians 1:15 - It’s true that some here preach Christ because with me out of the way, they think they’ll step right into the spotlight. But the others do it with the best heart in the world. One group is motivated by pure love, knowing that I am here defending the Message, wanting to help. The others, now that I’m out of the picture, are merely greedy, hoping to get something out of it for themselves. Their motives are bad. They see me as their competition, and so the worse it goes for me, the better—they think—for them.
Colossians 1:24 - I want you to know how glad I am that it’s me sitting here in this jail and not you. There’s a lot of suffering to be entered into in this world—the kind of suffering Christ takes on. I welcome the chance to take my share in the church’s part of that suffering. When I became a servant in this church, I experienced this suffering as a sheer gift, God’s way of helping me serve you, laying out the whole truth.
Ephesians 4:1 - In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.