(For the Spirit ¹  had not yet come upon ²  any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) ³ 

Not ¹  only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,

For if only in this life we have hope in Christ, we should be pitied more than anyone.

They were only hearing, “The one who once persecuted us is now proclaiming the good news ¹  of the faith he once tried to destroy.”

The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law ¹  or by believing what you heard? ² 

For it has been granted to you ¹  not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him,

For the hidden power of lawlessness ¹  is already at work. However, the one who holds him back ²  will do so until he is taken out of the way,

Slaves, ¹  be subject ²  to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are perverse.

And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they?

He instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff ¹  – no bread, no bag, ²  no money in their belts –

And the one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, ¹  because I always do those things that please him.”

Now this ¹  is eternal life ²  – that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, ³  whom you sent.

And he is also the father of the circumcised, ¹  who are not only circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham possessed when he was still uncircumcised. ² 

Not ¹  only this, but we also rejoice ²  in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.

So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since you ¹  made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give,

because the service of this ministry is not only providing for ¹  the needs of the saints but is also overflowing with many thanks to God.

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; ¹  only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, ²  but through love serve one another. ³ 

Let each one examine ¹  his own work. Then he can take pride ²  in himself and not compare himself with ³  someone else.

Those who want to make a good showing in external matters ¹  are trying to force you to be circumcised. They do so ²  only to avoid being persecuted ³  for the cross of Christ.

far above every rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.