¹⁷ So faith^[a] comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.^[b]

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

⁵ Well then, does God^[a] supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law or by your believing what you heard?

¹³ We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers.^(A)

¹⁶ Let the word of Christ^[a] dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.^[b](A)

The Power of the Gospel

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is God’s saving power for everyone who believes,^[a] for the Jew first and also for the Greek.^(A)

²⁴ And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and it will be added to you.^(A)

Chosen for Salvation

¹³ But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits^[a] for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth.^{(A) 14} For this purpose he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.^(B)

²⁸ But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!”^(A)

²¹ But he said to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”^(A)