My aim is to know him, to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, and to be like him in his death,

For I have received everything, and I have plenty. I have all I need because I received from Epaphroditus what you sent – a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, very pleasing to God.

Your faith and love have arisen from the hope laid up for you in heaven, which you have heard about in the message of truth, the gospel

Having been buried with him in baptism, you also have been raised with him through your faith in the power of God who raised him from the dead.

He has destroyed what was against us, a certificate of indebtedness expressed in decrees opposed to us. He has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.

Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of much opposition.

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.

For how can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy we feel because of you before our God?

In this matter no one should violate the rights of his brother or take advantage of him, because the Lord is the avenger in all these cases, as we also told you earlier and warned you solemnly.

With flaming fire he will mete out punishment on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will destroy by the breath of his mouth and wipe out by the manifestation of his arrival.

But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note of him and do not associate closely with him, so that he may be ashamed.

So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, a prisoner for his sake, but by God’s power accept your share of suffering for the gospel.

May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my imprisonment.

So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.

Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.