TEAMWORK - cmvic.net

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT

TEAMWORK

OLD TESTAMENT—CANONICAL ORDER

Genesis 2:18 The LORD God said: It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suited to him.
References: Tobit 8:6; Sirach 36:24; 1 Corinthians 11:9; 1 Timothy 2:13.

Exodus 18:25 He (Moses) picked out able men from all Israel and put them in charge of the people as com-
manders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
References: Deuteronomy 1:15, 16:18.

Ruth 1:1-22 Naomi in Moab. Once back in the time of the judges there was a famine in the land; so a man
from Bethlehem of Judah left home with his wife and two sons to reside on the plateau of Moab. The man
was named Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and his sons Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethle-
hem of Judah. Some time after their arrival on the plateau of Moab, 3Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died,
and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah, the other Ruth. When
they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Chilion died also, and the woman was left with neither
her two boys nor her husband.
She and her daughters-in-law then prepared to go back from the plateau of Moab because word had reached
her there that the LORD had seen to his people’s needs and given them food. She and her two daughters-in-
law left the place where they had been living. On the road back to the land of Judah, Naomi said to her
daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you to your mother’s house. May the LORD show you the same kind-
ness as you have shown to the deceased and to me. May the LORD guide each of you to find a husband and a
home in which you will be at rest.” She kissed them good-bye, but they wept aloud, crying, “No! We will go
back with you, to your people.” Naomi replied, “Go back, my daughters. Why come with me? Have I other
sons in my womb who could become your husbands? Go, my daughters, for I am too old to marry again.
Even if I had any such hope, or if tonight I had a husband and were to bear sons, would you wait for them
and deprive yourselves of husbands until those sons grew up? No, my daughters, my lot is too bitter for you,
because the LORD has extended his hand against me.” Again they wept aloud; then Orpah kissed her mother
-in-law good-bye, but Ruth clung to her.
“See now,” she said, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her god. Go back after your sister-in
-law!” But Ruth said, “Do not press me to go back and abandon you! Wherever you go I will go, wherever
you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God, my God. Where you die I will die, and
there be buried. May the LORD do thus to me, and more, if even death separates me from you!” Naomi then
ceased to urge her, for she saw she was determined to go with her.
The Return to Bethlehem. So they went on together until they reached Bethlehem. On their arrival there, the
whole town was excited about them, and the women asked: “Can this be Naomi?” But she said to them, “Do
not call me Naomi [‘Sweet’]. Call me Mara [‘Bitter’], for the Almighty has made my life very bitter.

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Ruth 1:1-22 (cont’d) I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why should you call me
‘Sweet,’ since the LORD has brought me to trial, and the Almighty has pronounced evil sentence on me.”
Thus it was that Naomi came back with her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth, who accompanied her back from
the plateau of Moab. They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.
References: Exodus 15:23; Ruth 1:20, 3:1, 3:17; 1 Kings 17:20.

2 Samuel 1:1-27 Report of Saul’s Death. After the death of Saul, David returned from his victory over
the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days. On the third day a man came from the field of battle, one of
Saul’s people, with his garments torn and his head covered with dirt. Going to David, he fell to the ground in
homage. David asked him, “Where have you come from?” He replied, “From the Israelite camp: I have es-
caped.” “What happened?” David said. “Tell me.” He answered that the soldiers had fled the battle and many
of them had fallen and were dead; and that Saul and his son Jonathan were dead. Then David said to the
youth who was reporting to him, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” The youth
reporting to him replied: “I happened to find myself on Mount Gilboa and saw Saul leaning on his spear,
with chariots and horsemen closing in on him. He turned around and saw me, and called me to him. When I
said, ‘Here I am,’ he asked me, ‘Who are you?’ and I replied, ‘An Amalekite.’ Then he said to me, ‘Stand
over me, please, and put me to death, for I am in great suffering, but still alive.’ So I stood over him and put
him to death, for I knew that he could not survive his wound. I removed the crown from his head and the
armlet from his arm and brought them here to my lord.”
David seized his garments and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. They mourned and wept
and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Is-
rael, because they had fallen by the sword. David said to the youth who had reported to him, “Where are you
from?” He replied, “I am the son of a resident alien, an Amalekite.” David said to him, “How is it that you
were not afraid to put forth your hand to desecrate the LORD’s anointed?”
David then called one of the attendants and said to him, “Come, strike him down,” so he struck him and he
died. David said to him, “Your blood is on your head, for you testified against yourself when you said, ‘I put
the LORD’s anointed to death.’”

Lament for Saul and Jonathan. Then David chanted this lament for Saul and his son Jonathan (he com-
manded that it be taught to the Judahites; it is recorded in the Book of Jashar):

Alas! the glory of Israel, slain upon your heights! How can the warriors have fallen! Do not report it in Gath,
as good news in Ashkelon’s streets, Lest Philistine women rejoice, lest the women of the uncircumcised ex-
ult! O mountains of Gilboa, upon you be neither dew nor rain, nor surging from the deeps! Defiled there the
warriors’ shields, the shield of Saul—no longer anointed with oil! From the blood of the slain, from the bod-
ies of the warriors, The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, nor the sword of Saul return unstained. Saul and
Jonathan, beloved and dear, separated neither in life nor death, swifter than eagles, stronger than lions!

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WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT

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Women of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and in finery, covered your clothing with orna-
ments of gold. How can the warriors have fallen in the thick of battle! Jonathan—slain upon your heights! I
grieve for you, Jonathan my brother! Most dear have you been to me; More wondrous your love to me than
the love of women.j How can the warriors have fallen, the weapons of war have perished!
References: Genesis 27:28; Joshua 10:13; Judges 16:23; 1 Samuel 10:1, 14:47, 18:1-4, 24:7, 30:17-20;
31:1-13; 2 Samuel 4:10, 13:31; 1 Chronicles 10:1–4; Psalms 105:15; Micah 1:10.

2 Kings 6:1-9 The Lost Ax. The guild prophets once said to Elisha: “This place where we live with you is
too cramped for us. Let us go to the Jordan, where by getting one beam apiece we can build ourselves a place
to live.” Elisha said, “Go.” One of them requested, “Please agree to accompany your servants.” He replied,
“Yes, I will come.” So he went with them, and when they arrived at the Jordan they began to cut down trees.
While one of them was felling a tree trunk, the iron ax blade slipped into the water. He cried out, “Oh, no,
master! It was borrowed!” “Where did it fall?” asked the man of God. When he pointed out the spot, Elisha
cut off a stick, threw it into the water, and brought the iron to the surface. He said, “Pick it up.” And the man
stretched out his hand and grasped it.
References: none.

2 Chronicles 16:1-9 Asa’s Infidelity. In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign, Baasha, king of Israel, attacked
Judah and fortified Ramah to block all movement for Asa, king of Judah. Asa then brought out silver and
gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the house of the king and sent them to Ben-hadad,
king of Aram, who ruled in Damascus.
He said: “There is a treaty between you and me, as there was between your father and my father. I am send-
ing you silver and gold. Go, break your treaty with Baasha, king of Israel, that he may withdraw from me.”
Ben-hadad agreed with King Asa and sent the leaders of his troops against the cities of Israel. They attacked
Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim, besides all the store cities of Naphtali.
When Baasha heard of it, he left off fortifying Ramah, putting an end to his work. Then King Asa comman-
deered all Judah and they carried away the stones and beams with which Baasha was fortifying Ramah. With
them he fortified Geba and Mizpah.
At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa, king of Judah, and said to him: “Because you relied on the king of
Aram and did not rely on the LORD, your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped your power. Were
not the Ethiopians and Libyans a vast army, with great numbers of chariots and horses? And yet, because you
relied on the LORD, he delivered them into your power. The eyes of the LORD roam over the whole earth, to
encourage those who are devoted to him wholeheartedly. You have acted foolishly in this matter, for from
now on you will have wars.”
References: 1 Kings 15:16–21; 2 Chronicles 14:8–14; Psalms 33:13–15.

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Nehemiah 1:1-11 Nehemiah Hears Bad News. The words of Nehemiah, son of Hacaliah. In the month
Kislev of the twentieth year, I was in the citadel of Susa when Hanani, one of my brothers, came with other
men from Judah. I asked them about the Jews, the remnant preserved after the captivity, and about Jerusalem.
They answered me: “The survivors of the captivity there in the province are in great distress and under re-
proach. The wall of Jerusalem has been breached, its gates gutted by fire.” When I heard this report, I began
to weep and continued mourning for several days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
I prayed: “LORD, God of heaven, great and awesome God, you preserve your covenant of mercy with those
who love you and keep your commandments. May your ears be attentive, and your eyes open, to hear the
prayer that I, your servant, now offer in your presence day and night for your servants the Israelites, confess-
ing the sins we have committed against you, I and my ancestral house included. We have greatly offended
you, not keeping the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances you entrusted to your servant Moses.
But remember the admonition which you addressed to Moses, your servant, when you said: If you prove
faithless, I will scatter you among the peoples; but if you return to me and carefully keep my commandments,
even though your outcasts have been driven to the farthest corner of the world, I will gather them from there,
and bring them back to the place I have chosen as the dwelling place for my name. They are your servants,
your people, whom you freed by your great might and strong hand. LORD, may your ears be attentive to the
prayer of your servant and that of all your servants who willingly revere your name. Grant success to your
servant this day, and let him find favor with this man”—for I was cupbearer to the king.
References: Deuteronomy 7:9, 7:12, 9:29, 30:1-5; 2 Chronicles 6:40; Daniel 3:29–30, 9:4.

Nehemiah 2:18 Decision to Rebuild the City Wall. Afterward I said to them: “You see the trouble we

are in: how Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates have been gutted by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Je-

rusalem, so that we may no longer be a reproach!” Then I explained to them how God had shown his gra-

cious favor to me, and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us begin building!” And they under-

took the work with vigor.

References: Ezra 7:6.

Psalm 23:1-6 A psalm of David.

I The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters

he leads me; he restores my soul. He guides me along right paths for the sake of his name. Even though I

walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your

staff comfort me.

II You set a table before me in front of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Indeed,

goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD for endless

days.

References: Deuteronomy 2:7; Job 10:21–22; Psalms 16:5, 27:4, 78:19, 80:2, 92:11, 95:7, 100:3, 104:15;

Proverbs 4:11; Isaiah 40:11, 49:10, 50:10; Jeremiah 31:10; Matthew 26:7; Luke 7:37, 46; John 12:2.

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Psalms 127:1 A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

Unless the LORD build the house, they labor in vain who build. Unless the LORD guard the city, in vain

does the guard keep watch.

References: none.

Psalms 133:1 A song of ascents. Of David.

How good and how pleasant it is, when brothers dwell together as one!

References: None.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; In all

your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.

References: Deuteronomy 6:5-9.

Proverbs 11:14 For lack of guidance a people falls; security lies in many counselors.

References: Proverbs 15:22; 20:18; 24:6.

Proverbs 27:17 Iron is sharpened by iron; one person sharpens another.

References: none.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one: They get a good wage for their toil. If the one falls, the other
will help the fallen one. But woe to the solitary person! If that one should fall, there is no other to help. So
also, if two sleep together, they keep each other warm. How can one alone keep warm? Where one alone may
be overcome, two together can resist. A three-ply cord is not easily broken.
References: none.

Isaiah 1:1-31 The vision which Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of
Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Accusation and Appeal
Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth, for the LORD speaks: Sons have I raised and reared, but they have re-
belled against me! An ox knows its owner, and an ass, its master’s manger; But Israel does not know, my
people has not understood. Ah! Sinful nation, people laden with wickedness, evil offspring, corrupt children!
They have forsaken the LORD, spurned the Holy One of Israel, apostatized, Why would you yet be struck,
that you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot to the head
there is no sound spot in it; Just bruise and welt and oozing wound, not drained, or bandaged, or eased with
salve. Your country is waste, your cities burnt with fire; Your land—before your eyes strangers devour it, a
waste, like the devastation of Sodom. And daughter Zion is left like a hut in a vineyard, Like a shed in a
melon patch, like a city blockaded.

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Isaiah 1:1-31 (cont’d) If the LORD of hosts had not left us a small remnant, We would have become as
Sodom, would have resembled Gomorrah. Hear the word of the LORD, princes of Sodom! Listen to the in-
struction of our God, people of Gomorrah! What do I care for the multitude of your sacrifices? says the
LORD.
I have had enough of whole-burnt rams and fat of fatlings; In the blood of calves, lambs, and goats I find no
pleasure. When you come to appear before me, who asks these things of you? Trample my courts no more!
To bring offerings is useless; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and sabbath, calling assemblies—
festive convocations with wickedness—these I cannot bear. Your new moons and festivals I detest; they
weigh me down, I tire of the load. When you spread out your hands, I will close my eyes to you; Though you
pray the more, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood! Wash yourselves clean! Put away your mis-
deeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged,
hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow. Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD: Though your
sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be red like crimson, they may become
white as wool. If you are willing, and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land; But if you refuse and
resist, you shall be eaten by the sword: for the mouth of the LORD has spoken!

The Purification of Jerusalem
How she has become a prostitute, the faithful city, so upright! Justice used to lodge within her, but now, mur-
derers. Your silver is turned to dross, your wine is mixed with water. Your princes are rebels and comrades
of thieves; Each one of them loves a bribe and looks for gifts. The fatherless they do not defend, the widow’s
plea does not reach them. Now, therefore, says the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: Ah! I
will take vengeance on my foes and fully repay my enemies! I will turn my hand against you, and refine your
dross in the furnace, removing all your alloy. I will restore your judges as at first, and your counselors as in
the beginning; After that you shall be called city of justice, faithful city. Zion shall be redeemed by justice,
and her repentant ones by righteousness. Rebels and sinners together shall be crushed, those who desert the
LORD shall be consumed.

Judgment on the Sacred Groves
You shall be ashamed of the terebinths which you desired, and blush on account of the gardens which you
chose. You shall become like a terebinth whose leaves wither, like a garden that has no water. The strong tree
shall turn to tinder, and the one who tends it shall become a spark; Both of them shall burn together, and
there shall be none to quench them.
References: Exodus 23:6, 8; Deuteronomy 16:19; 24:17; 29:22; 32:1, 5–6, 15,18, 41; 33:7-11; Psalms 50:8–
13; 51:9; Proverbs 1:28; 15:8; 34:23; Sirach 4:9-10; 34:25–31; Isaiah 5:24; 13:19; Jeremiah 3:8; 6:20;
8:7; 22:3; 32:1-44; 49:18; 50:40; Ezekiel 22:7; Hosea 2:7; Amos 4:11; 5:14–15, 21-24; Micah 6:7; Zecha-
riah 7:9–10; 8:8. Luke 2:12; Romans 9:29.

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NEW TESTAMENT—CANONICAL ORDER

Luke 10:1 After this the Lord appointed seventy [-two] others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to
every town and place he intended to visit .
References: Mark 6:7.

John 6:1-14 After this, Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee [of Tiberias]. A large crowd followed him, be-
cause they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat
down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a
large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said
this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’
wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little [bit].” One of his disciples, An-
drew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish;
but what good are these for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of
grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave
thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When
they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be
wasted.” So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves
that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly
the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.”
References: Matthew 14:13–21; Mark 6:32–44; Luke 9:10–17.

John 17:20-23 “I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so
that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world
may believe that you sent me.m And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as
we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know
that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me.
References: John 10:30; 14:10–11, 20.

Acts 2:42-47 Communal Life. They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal

life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs

were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would

sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Every day they

devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate

their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And

every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. References: Acts 4:32–35.

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Acts 4:31 As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the
holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
References: Exodus 19:18; Isaiah 6:4.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that
you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect
References: Ephesians 4:17, 22–23, 5:10, 17; Philippians 1:10; 1 Peter 1:14.

Romans 15:5-6 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one an-
other, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
References: Romans 12:16; Philippians 2:2; 4:2.

1 Corinthians 1:10 I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what
you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same
purpose
References: Philippians 2:2.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth. Therefore, neither the one who
plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth.
References: Acts 18:1–11, 24–28.

1 Corinthians 12:12-31 One Body, May Parts. As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of
the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Now the body is not a single part, but many. If a foot should say, “Because I am not a hand I do not belong to
the body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. Or if an ear should say, “Because I am not
an eye I do not belong to the body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. If the whole body
were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell
be? But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. If they were all one part,
where would the body be? But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I do not need you.” In-
deed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, and those parts of the body that
we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with
greater propriety, whereas our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructed the body
as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the
parts may have the same concern for one another. If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part
is honored, all the parts share its joy.

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1 Corinthians 12:12-31 (cont’d) Application to Christ. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of
it. Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then,
mighty deeds; then, gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are
all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in
tongues? Do all interpret? Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.
References: cf. Romans 12:6–8; Ephesians 4:11.

2 Corinthians 6:14-17 Do not be yoked with those who are different, with unbelievers. For what partnership
do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What accord has
Christ with Beliar? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of
God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said:
“I will live with them and move among them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people. Therefore,
come forth from them and be separate,” says the Lord, “and touch nothing unclean; then I will receive you
and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”
References: 2 Samuel 7:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Revelation 21:7.

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.
References: Colossians 3:13; 1 Corinthians 9:21.

Ephesians 4:15-16 Rather, living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head,
Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper
functioning of each part, brings about the body’s growth and builds itself up in love.
References: Colossians 1:18; Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.

Ephesians 4:32 [And] be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you
in Christ.
References: Matthew 6:14; Colossians 3:12–13.

Philippians 2:1-30 Plea for Unity and Humility. If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love,
any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with
the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather,
humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but
[also] everyone for those of others.

Philippians 2:1-30 (cont’d) Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, Who,
though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in ap-
pearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.

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Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the
name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Obedience and Service in the World. So then, my beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when
I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For
God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work. Do everything without
grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the
midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, as you hold on
to the word of life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
But, even if I am poured out as a libation upon the sacrificial service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy
with all of you. In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me.
Timothy and Paul. I hope, in the Lord Jesus, to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be heartened by
hearing news of you. For I have no one comparable to him for genuine interest in whatever concerns you. For
they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know his worth, how as a child with a fa-
ther he served along with me in the cause of the gospel. He it is, then, whom I hope to send as soon as I see
how things go with me, but I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.
Epaphroditus. With regard to Epaphroditus, my brother and co-worker and fellow soldier, your messenger
and minister in my need, I consider it necessary to send him to you. For he has been longing for all of you
and was distressed because you heard that he was ill. He was indeed ill, close to death; but God had mercy on
him, not just on him but also on me, so that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow. I send him therefore with
the greater eagerness, so that, on seeing him, you may rejoice again, and I may have less anxiety. Welcome
him then in the Lord with all joy and hold such people in esteem, because for the sake of the work of Christ
he came close to death, risking his life to make up for those services to me that you could not perform.
References: research references here- http://www.usccb.org/bible/philippians/2.

Philippians 4:1-8 Live in Concord. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in
this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to come to a mutual understand-
ing in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my true yokemate, to help them, for they have struggled at my side
in promoting the gospel, along with Clement and my other co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Joy and Peace. Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to
all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your
hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about
these things.
References: http://www.usccb.org/bible/philippians/4.

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Colossians 1:1-29 Greeting. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,a to
the holy ones and faithful brothers in Christ in Colossae: grace to you and peace from God our Father.
Thanksgiving. We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, for
we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the holy ones because of the
hope reserved for you in heaven. Of this you have already heard through the word of truth, the gospel,c that
has come to you. Just as in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing, so also among you, from the day
you heard it and came to know the grace of God in truth, as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow
slave, who is a trustworthy minister of Christ on your behalf and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
Prayer for Continued Progress. Therefore, from the day we heard this, we do not cease praying for you and
asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understandinge
to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and grow-
ing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with every power, in accord with his glorious might, for all endur-
ance and patience, with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of
the holy ones in light. He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his
beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
His Person and Work
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven
and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things
were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the
head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself
might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things
for him, making peace by the blood of his cross [through him], whether those on earth or those in heaven.
And you who once were alienated and hostile in mind because of evil deeds he has now reconciled in his
fleshly body through his death, to present you holy, without blemish, and irreproachable before him, pro-
vided that you persevere in the faith, firmly grounded, stable, and not shifting from the hope of the gospel
that you heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, am a minister.
Christ in Us. Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in
the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church, of which I am a minister in accordance
with God’s stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God, the mystery hidden
from ages and from generations past.
But now it has been manifested to his holy ones, to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the Gentiles; it is Christ in you, the hope for glory. It is he whom we proclaim, ad-
monishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
For this I labor and struggle, in accord with the exercise of his power working within me.
References: http://www.usccb.org/bible/colossians/1

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WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT

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1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 Mutual Charity. On the subject of mutual charity you have no need for anyone to
write you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another. Indeed, you do this for all the
brothers throughout Macedonia. Nevertheless we urge you, brothers, to progress even more, and to aspire to
live a tranquil life, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your [own] hands, as we instructed you, that
you may conduct yourselves properly toward outsiders and not depend on anyone.
References: http://www.usccb.org/bible/1thessalonians/4

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace from God [our] Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving. We ought to thank God always for you, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith flourishes
ever more, and the love of every one of you for one another grows ever greater. Accordingly, we ourselves
boast of you in the churches of God regarding your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the af-
flictions you endure.
This is evidence of the just judgment of God, so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God
for which you are suffering. For it is surely just on God’s part to repay with afflictions those who are afflict-
ing you, and to grant rest along with us to you who are undergoing afflictions, at the revelation of the Lord
Jesus from heaven with his mighty angels, in blazing fire, inflicting punishment on those who do not ac-
knowledge God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of
eternal ruin, separated from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power, when he comes to be
glorified among his holy ones and to be marveled at on that day among all who have believed, for our testi-
mony to you was believed.
Prayer. To this end, we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and power-
fully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may
be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.
References: http://www.usccb.org/bible/2thessalonians/1

1 Timothy 2:1-15 First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered
for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and
dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowl-
edge of the truth. For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ
Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as ransom for all. This was the testimony at the proper time. For this
I was appointed preacher and apostle (I am speaking the truth, I am not lying), teacher of the Gentiles in faith
and truth.
It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.
Similarly, [too,] women should adorn themselves with proper conduct, with modesty and self-control, not
with braided hairstyles and gold ornaments, or pearls, or expensive clothes, but rather, as befits women who
profess reverence for God, with good deeds. A woman must receive instruction silently and under complete
control. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. She must be quiet.

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1 Timothy 2:1-15 (cont’d) For Adam was formed first, then Eve. Further, Adam was not deceived, but the
woman was deceived and transgressed. But she will be saved through motherhood, provided women perse-
vere in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
References: http://usccb.org/bible/1timothy/2
Hebrews 10:24-25 We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. We should not stay
away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you
see the day drawing near.
References: http://usccb.org/bible/hebrews/10
3 John 1:8 Therefore, we ought to support such persons, so that we may be co-workers in the truth.
References: http://usccb.org/bible/3john/1

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