1 Timothy 4

Paul counseled Timothy in his calling to not only be an example of the believers, but also -

"...give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine..."  (1 Timothy 4:13–16)

Obviously, teaching doctrine is a critical component of leadership.

1 Timothy 2

Paul teaches Timothy principles of living the gospel of Jesus Christ, one being -

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour…"  (1 Timothy 2:1–3)

Obviously, we should pray for those that lead this country.

2 Thessalonians

Paul suggests that disorderly conduct includes the choice not to work writing -

"For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies."  (2 Thessalonians 3:7–11)

Obviously, willingness to work and be self-reliant is part of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5

As Paul closes out his epistle to the Thessalonians (Chapter 4&5), it almost seems to me as current closing out general conference talk in our day.  He admonishes the saints to obey the commandments, keep themselves holy and clear, ministering, and live in faith.  One piece of counsel seemed so applicable today that my father often made  -

"Abstain from all appearance of evil."  (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

So much wisdom in our day.

1 Thessalonians 3

Paul teaches the Thessalonians -

"To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints."  (1 Thessalonians 3:13)

I note of the righteous that with the Savior's second coming, He will come "with all his saints".  This would include those that passed on as well as the righteous living.

Thessalonians 2

We learn a great deal about appropriate missionary work or the right way sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ as Paul writes to the saints of Thessalonica -

"we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness:
6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children..."  (1 Thessalonians 2:2–11)

Sounds like ministering to me.

Colossians 3

Paul instructs that after the saints are baptized or "risen with Christ", that they should -

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."  (Colossians 3:2–4)

In my mind, this is what it means to be born again or become new creatures.  Your old way of life should be dead and a new life in Christ for -

"...now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness."  (Colossians 3:8–14)

This is the challenge.

Colossians 1

John testifies -

"...the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)…"  (John 1:14)

It is apparent that the Savior was the only begotten of the Father in the flesh.  So when Paul testifies that the Savior was -

"...the firstborn of every creature..."  (Colossians 1:15)

It becomes clear to me that He was the firstborn of all of God's spirits.

Philippians 3

Paul supposedly writes the saints in Philipi -

"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead."  (Philippians 3:10–11)

The "might attain unto the resurrection of the dead" seems confusing do to that all shall be resurrected.  The Prophet Joseph Smith translation is - 

"11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the just." (JST)

...which makes sense.

Due to some incorrect comments in our recent Sunday School class concerning the resurrection, I want to add teachings of Joseph Fielding Smith -

“In the resurrection there will be different kinds of bodies; they will not all be alike. The body a man receives will determine his place hereafter. There will be celestial bodies, terrestrial bodies, and telestial bodies, and these bodies will differ as distinctly as do bodies here… Bodies will be quickened (resurrected) according to the kingdom which they are judged worthy to enter… Some will gain celestial bodies with all the powers of exaltation and eternal increase. These bodies will shine like the sun as our Savior’s does, as described by John. Those who enter the terrestrial kingdom will have terrestrial bodies, and they will not shine like the sun, but they will be more glorious than the bodies of those who receive the telestial glory. In both of these kingdoms there will be changes in the bodies and limitations. They will not have the power of increase, neither the power or nature to live as husbands and wives, for this will be denied them and they cannot increase. Those who receive the exaltation in the celestial kingdom will have the ‘continuation of the seeds forever.’ They will live in the family relationship. In the terrestrial and in the telestial kingdoms there will be no marriage. Those who enter there will remain ‘separately and singly’ forever. Some of the functions in the celestial body will not appear in the terrestrial body, neither in the telestial body, and the power of procreation will be removed.” (Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 2, pp. 286– 288.)

Philippians 1

I find it interesting as Paul suggests -

"Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice."  (Philippians 1:15–18)

I believe Paul is suggesting as we commonly say today that any news, good or bad, is good advertising and may bring many to the truth.

Ephesians 5

Again, for those that think that all you have to do is confess Jesus to be saved, Paul taught the Ephesians -

"But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them."  (Ephesians 5:3–7)

Obviously, obedience to the commandments are also a condition.

Ephesians 4

As Paul was about to describe the purpose of the Church or the "body of Christ" and callings therein, he prefaces -

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."  (Ephesians 4:1–3)

It is hard to come up with more wiser counsel.

Ephesians 2

Paul makes it clear that -

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast."  (Ephesians 2:8–9)

Obviously, by grace and the infinite atonement of Jesus Christ that can be saved.  We cannot do it on our own.  But at the same time -

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."  (Ephesians 2:10)

Which suggest to me that His grace is conditional.  Thus we are justified by grace.

Galatians 5

To always have His Spirit with us, Paul taught -

"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would...
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."  (Galatians 5:17–21)

It becomes obvious to me that those that confess only that Jesus is the Christ is not all that is required the inherit the kingdom of God.

The results of having the Spirit the fruits are -

"...love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance..."  (Galatians 5:22–23)

Galations 3

Paul asked the Galatians -

"...Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?"  (Galatians 3:2)

And again -

"He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?"  (Galatians 3:5)

He than explains of the law or law of Moses -

"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."  (Galatians 3:24–26)

It is important that Joseph Smith taught that "faith' is a word of action, in other words, keeping the commandments and serving and ministering to our fellowmen.

Galatians 1

Before Paul mentions his disagreement with Peter (chapter 2), he shares how each actually learned the gospel of Jesus Christ -

"But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."  (Galatians 1:11–12)

Explaining after his conversion -

"Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not."  (Galatians 1:17–20)

It appears to me that after his vision on the road to damascus, he spent a lot of time studying, praying, and being taught concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 12

After Paul recounts a vision of being in the celestial kingdom, he then speaks of a personal "thorn in the flesh" that as he confesses -

"...I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me..."  (2 Corinthians 12:8)

And when it doesn't, he speaks of the Lord's response with optimism -

"...My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."  (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)

Again, it seems to me that His grace and justification is conditioned upon humility, lowly of heart, and meekness.

2 Corinthians 11

Paul warned the saints -

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."  (2 Corinthians 11:13–15)

Obviously to be safe, on must receive and recognize the Holy Ghost.

2 Corinthians 7

When many say that all you have to do is confess Jesus and you are saved.  But Paul suggests more -

"Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter."  (2 Corinthians 7:9–11)

Obviously, repentance is also required for salvation.