NIV, Women's Devotional Bible

Corinth was a wealthy and prosperous center of commerce and trade when Paul wrote this letter. Morally, however, it was bankrupt. The term Corinthian came to be synonymous with immorality. And there, in the center of this immoral society, was a young Christian church struggling to survive.

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (

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

As illustrated by Solomon and a few other kings, it is possible to start life dedicated to God and end it distracted by false gods and wrong priorities. Even the kings of God’s own people were not immune to the lure of self-centered desires and false gods.

Paul wrote this letter to a young church set in the heart of a pagan society. Ephesus was a thriving commercial center, but in order for the church to thrive, its members needed to know how to live, how to stand apart as different and yet still be able to influence their society.

It is a high privilege to be saved by grace. While we can never earn our salvation, it does come with responsibilities. We have a calling to live up to. What we do or don’t do is a reflection on Jesus, either good or bad.

theme of Christian joy. Paul is joyful as he thinks of the Christians in Philippi. He rejoices that even his imprisonment advances the gospel.

Paul covers a broad spectrum of conduct and relationships, for every part of our life is a part of our calling. He tells us to be imitators of God, a task that would be impossible except for one thing: We are not alone. We have the Spirit in our inner being, and we have the protection of the full armor of God. It’s up to us, however, to use what we

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received (