Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



For in this one I am sighing, because I long to put on, like a robe, my heavenly body, my future home,


in accordance with my eager expectation and hope that I shall never disgrace myself, but that now as always hitherto, by my all-conquering courage, whether by living or dying, Christ will be honored in me. For to me living means Christ and dying brings gain. But if to keep on living here means fruit from my labor, I cannot tell which to choose. read more.
I am hesitating between two desires, for I long to depart and to be with Christ, for that is far, far better,


so that you may always approve the better things, and be men of transparent character and blameless life, men that are abounding in the fruits of right-doing with the help of Jesus Christ, to the honor and praise of God. Now I want you to rest assured, brothers, that those things which have befallen me have actually resulted in the progress of the good news; read more.
in this way it has become well known throughout the Imperial Guard and to all the rest here that I am a prisoner in the service of Christ, and that most of the Christian brothers have grown confident enough, because of my imprisonment, to dare to tell God's message without being afraid. Some, indeed, are actually preaching Christ because they are moved by jealousy and partisanship, but others are doing so from the motive of good will; the latter, indeed, are doing so from love to me, for they know that I am providentially put here to defend the good news; the former are preaching Christ from the motive of rivalry, not in sincerity, supposing that this is making it harder for me to bear my imprisonment. What difference then does it make? In one way or another, whether in pretense or in sincerity, Christ is being preached, and that is the thing that makes me glad; yes, more too, I will continue to be glad of it, for I know that through your prayers and a bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my spiritual welfare, in accordance with my eager expectation and hope that I shall never disgrace myself, but that now as always hitherto, by my all-conquering courage, whether by living or dying, Christ will be honored in me. For to me living means Christ and dying brings gain. But if to keep on living here means fruit from my labor, I cannot tell which to choose.