[Table of Contents]
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The Self-Interpreting New Testament (1898)

 

THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE
ROMANS.

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

 

CHAPTER 1.

P AUL, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
      "And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles (Acts, 22:21)."
      "According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust (I. Tim., 1:11)."
      2   (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
      "And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
      Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews (Acts, 26:6, 7)."
      "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
      But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour (Titus, 1:2, 3)."
      3   Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
      "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David (Luke, 1:32)."
      4   And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
      "And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
      God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee (Acts, 13:32, 33)."
      "And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
      And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean (Mark, 9:9, 10)."
      "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept (I. Cor., 15:20)."
      5   By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
      "And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7)."
      "But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
      For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake (Acts, 9:15, 16)."
      6   Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
      7   To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
      "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men (Titus, 2:11)."
      "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (Jno., 14:27)."
      8   First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
      "For your obedience is come abroad unto all men (Rom., 16:19)."
      "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
      Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
      Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matt., 5:14-16)."
      9   For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
      10   Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
      11   For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
      12   That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
      "Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
      Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord (Acts, 11:22, 23)." [225]
      "Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God (Acts, 13:43)."
      "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (Acts, 14:22)."
      13   Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
      "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel (I. Cor., 9:16)!"
      14   I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
      15   So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
      16   For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
      "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels (Mark, 8:38)."
      "And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe (Acts, 15:7)."
      "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
      For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
      For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
      But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
      But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God (I. Cor., 1:18, 21-24)."
      "But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt., 15:24)."
      "But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
      Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles (Acts, 13:45, 46)."
      17   For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
      "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith (Hab., 2:4)."
      18   For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
      "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
      Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead (Acts, 17:30, 31)."
      19   Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
      "Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness (Acts, 14:17)."
      20   For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
      "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
      Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
      There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard (Ps., 19:1-3)."
      21   Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
      "Thus saith the Lord, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain (Jer., 2:5)?"
      22   Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
      "Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
      They are vanity, and the work of errors: in [226] the time of their visitation they shall perish (Jer., 10:15)."
      23   And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
      "They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.
      Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass (Ps., 106:19, 20)."
      24   Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
      "Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness (Acts, 7:24)?"
      25   Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
      26   For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
      27   And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
      "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination (Lev., 18:22)."
      28   And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
      "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children (Hos., 4:6)."
      29   Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
      "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
      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 (Eph., 5:3-5)."
      30   Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
      31   Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
      32   Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

 

CHAPTER 2.

T HEREFORE thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
      "And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:
      And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
      And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul (II. Sam., 12:5-7)."
      2   But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
      3   And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
      "Judge not, that ye be not judged.
      For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again (Matt., 7:1, 2)."
      4   Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
      "And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him (Isa., 30:18)."
      5   But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself [227] wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
      "Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?
      To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste (Deut., 32:34, 35)."
      6   Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
      "For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways (Job, 34:11)."
      "Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work (Ps., 62:12)."
      "If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works (Prov., 24:12)?"
      "I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings (Jer., 17:10)."
      7   To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
      8   But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
      9   Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
      10   But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
      11   For there is no respect of persons with God.
      "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
      But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him (Acts, 10:34, 35)."
      12   For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
      13   (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
      "And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them (Ezek., 20:11)."
      14   For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
      15   Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
      16   In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
      "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil (Ecc., 12:14)."
      "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son (Jno., 5:22)."
      "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day (Jno., 12:48)."
      17   Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
      18   And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
      19   And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
      20   An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
      "And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day (Deut., 4:8)?"
      "He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
      He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel (Ps., 147:18, 19)."
      21   Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
      22   Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
      23   Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
      "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings (Mal., 3:8)."
      24   For the name of God is [228] blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
      "Now therefore, what have I here, saith the Lord, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the Lord; and my name continually every day is blasphemed (Isa., 52:5)."
      25   For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
      "Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing (Gal., 5:2)."
      26   Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
      27   And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
      28   For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
      29   But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
      "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
      And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (Jno., 8:31, 32)."

 

CHAPTER 3.

W HAT advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
      2   Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
      "For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?
      And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day (Deut., 4:7, 8)?"
      "He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord (Ps., 147:20)."
      "Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments (Mal., 4:4)."
      3   For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
      "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good (Num., 23:19?"
      4   God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
      "They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free (Jno., 3:33)?"
      "Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity (Ps., 62:9)."
      "Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest (Ps., 51:4)."
      5   But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)
      6   God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
      "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right (Gen., 18:25)?"
      "Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice (Job 8:3)?"
      7   For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
      8   And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
      9   What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
      10   As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
      11   There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
      12   They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
      "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
      The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
      They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one (Ps., 14:1-3)." [229]
      13   Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
      "For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue (Ps., 5:9)."
      "They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips (Ps., 140:3)."
      14   Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
      "His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity (Ps., 10:7)."
      15   Their feet are swift to shed blood:
      16   For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
      16   Destruction and misery are in their ways:
      17   And the way of peace have they not known:
      18   There is no fear of God before their eyes.
      "The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes (Ps., 36:1)."

      19   Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
      "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ (Jno., 1:17)."
      "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace (Rom., 6:14)."
      "Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator (Gal., 3:19)."
      20   Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
      "And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified (Ps., 143:2)."
      "And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses (Acts, 13:39)."
      "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified (Gal., 2:16)."
      21   But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
      22   Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
      "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they (Acts, 15:11)."
      "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts, 4:12)."
      23   For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
      24   Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
      25   Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
      "And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
      And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world (1 Jno., 2:1, 2)."
      "And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven (Col., 1:20)."
      26   To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
      27   Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
      28   Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
      "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin (Rom., 3:20)."
      29   Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
      30   Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
      31   Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. [230]
      "Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law (Gal., 3:21)."

 

CHAPTER 4.

W HAT shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
      "Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him (Isa., 51:2)."
      2   For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
      3   For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
      "And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness (Gen., 15:6)."
      "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
      But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
      Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference (Rom., 3:20-22)."
      4   Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
      5   But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
      "For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
      Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
      Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all (Rom., 4:14-16)."
      6   Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
      7   Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
      8   Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
      "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
      Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile (Ps., 32:1, 2)."
      9   Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
      10   How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
      11   And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
      "And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.
      This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
      And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you (Gen., 17:9-11)."
      12   And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
      13   For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
      14   For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
      15   Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
      16   Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
      "But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe (Gal., 3:22)."
      17   (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
      "Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; [231] for a father of many nations have I made thee (Gen., 17:5)."
      18   Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
      19   And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:
      "And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.
      And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.
      Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear (Gen., 17:15-17)?"
      "Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
      Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also (Gen., 18:11, 12)?"
      20   He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
      21   And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
      "But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased (Ps., 115:3)."
      "By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
      Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
      Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure (Heb., 11:17-19)."
      22   And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
      23   Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
      24   But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
      25   Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
      "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
      All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all (Isa., 53:5, 6)."
      "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins (I. Cor., 15:17)."

 

CHAPTER 5.

T HEREFORE being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
      "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
      Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
      And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
      Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only (Jas., 2:21-24)."
      2   By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
      "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture (Jno., 10:9)."
      3   And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
      "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
      Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you (Matt., 5:11, 12)."
      4   And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
      "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
      Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
      But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (Jas., 1:2-4)."
      5   And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us.
      "Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
      Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts (II. Cor., 1:21, 22)."
      6   For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [232]
      7   For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
      8   But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
      "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (Jno., 15:13)."
      9   Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
      "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
      Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
      To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus (Rom., 3:24-26)."
      "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone (Jas., 2:17)."
      10   For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
      11   And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
      "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
      To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
      Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God (II. Cor., 5:18-20)."
      12   Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
      "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
      And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life (Gen., 3:6, 7)."
      13   (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
      "Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression (Rom., 4:15)."
      14   Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
      15   But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
      "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities (Isa., 53:11)."
      16   And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
      17   For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
      18   Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
      "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
      This he said, signifying what death he should die (Jno., 12:32, 33)."
      "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (Jno., 3:17)."
      "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven (Matt., 7:21)."
      19   For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
      "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
      And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him (Heb., 5:8, 9)."
      "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous (I. Jno., 3:7)." [233]
      20   Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
      "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law (I. Jno., 3:4)."
      21   That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
      "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
      He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life (I. Jno., 5:11, 12)."

 

CHAPTER 6.

x HAT shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
      2   God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
      "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom., 6:11)."
      3   Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
      "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
      For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Gal., 3:26, 27)."
      4   Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
      "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
      And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses (Col., 2:12, 13)."
      "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts, 2:38)."
      "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (I. Pet., 3:21)."
      "And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one (I. Jno., 5:8)."
      5   For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
      6   Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
      7   For he that is dead is freed from sin.
      "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Gal., 2:20)."
      8   Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
      "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself (II. Tim., 2:13)."
      9   Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
      10   For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
      "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death (Rev., 1:18)."
      11   Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
      "For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God (Gal., 2:19)."
      12   Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
      "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God (I. Jno., 3:9)."
      13   Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
      "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Rom., 12:1)."
      14   For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
      "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. [234]
      But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster (Gal., 3:24, 25)."
      15   What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
      16   Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
      "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not (Luke, 13:34)!"
      "And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life (Jno., 5:40)."
      17   But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
      18   Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
      "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
      But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith (Rom., 16:25, 26)."
      "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord (Acts, 3:19)."
      19   I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
      20   For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
      "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin (Jno., 8:34)."
      21   What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
      22   But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
      23   For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
      "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die (Gen., 2:17)."
      "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life (I. Jno., 5:20)."

 

CHAPTER 7.

K NOW ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
      2   For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
      3   So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
      4   Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
      "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
      Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
      And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby (Eph., 2:14-16)."
      "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
      And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
      Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
      Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ (Col., 2:14-17)."
      5   For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. [235]
      6   But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
      "Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life (II. Cor., 3:6)."
      "He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second (Heb., 10:9)."
      7   What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
      "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's (Ex., 20:17)."
      "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin (Rom., 3:20)."
      8   But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
      "The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law (I. Cor., 15:56)."
      9   For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
      10   And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
      "Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;
      A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day:
      And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known (Deut., 11:26-28)."
      "And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them (Ezek., 20:11)."
      11   For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
      12   Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
      "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
      The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes (Ps., 19:7, 8)."
      "Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments.
      Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful (Ps., 119:137)."
      13   Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
      14   For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
      "And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger (II. Kings, 17:17)."
      15   For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
      16   If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
      "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
      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 (Gal., 5:16, 17)."
      17   Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
      18   For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
      19   For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
      20   Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
      21   I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
      22   For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
      "But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night (Ps., 1:2)."
      23   But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
      24   O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
      25   I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I [236] myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
      "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (I. Cor., 15:57)."

 

CHAPTER 8.

T HERE is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
      2   For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
      "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed (Jno., 8:36)."
      "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit (I. Cor., 15:45)."
      3   For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
      "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
      And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses (Acts, 13:38, 39)."
      "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (II. Cor., 5:21)."
      4   That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
      5   For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
      "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live (Rom., 8:13)."
      6   For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
      7   Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
      8   So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
      9   But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
      "And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;
      And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears (Isa., 11:2, 3)."
      10   And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
      11   But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
      12   Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
      13   For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
      14   For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
      15   For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
      "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
      Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ (Gal., 4:6, 7)."
      16   The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
      "Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
      Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts (II. Cor., 1:21, 22)."
      17   And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
      "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me (Acts, 26:18)."
      18   For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
      "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (I. Pet., 1:7)." [237]
      19   For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
      "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness (II. Pet., 3:13)."
      "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is (I. Jno., 3:2)."
      20   For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
      "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return (Gen., 3:19)."
      "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled (Col., 1:21)."
      21   Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
      22   For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
      "They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart (Jer., 12:11)."
      23   And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
      "That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
      In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise (Eph., 1:12, 13)."
      24   For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
      25   But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
      "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (I. Pet., 1:3)."
      26   Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
      "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (Eph., 6:18)."
      "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts (Jas., 4:3)."
      27   And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
      "But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
      Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them (Heb., 7:24, 25)."
      28   And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
      29   For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
      30   Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
      "Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God (Ex., 3:6)."
      "For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith (Rom., 4:13)."
      "And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven (Matt., 8:11)."
      "By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
      For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God (Heb., 11:9, 10)."
      "Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
      And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
      And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
      And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many (Matt., 27:50-53)."
      "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, [238] prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
      To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him (Jude, 1:14, 15)."
      31   What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
      "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me (Ps., 118:6)?"
      32   He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
      "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (Jno., 3:16)."
      33   Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
      34   Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
      "For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
      He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.
      Behold, the Lord God will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up (Isa., 50:7-9)."
      35   Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
      36   As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
      "Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter (Ps., 44:22)."
      37   Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
      "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (I. Cor., 15:57)."
      38   For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
      39   Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

CHAPTER 9.

I   SAY the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,
      2   That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
      3   For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
      "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved (Rom., 10:1)."
      4   Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
      5   Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
      "For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth (Deut., 7:6)."
      6   Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
      "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good (Num., 23:19)?"
      7   Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
      "And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called (Gen., 21:12)."
      8   That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
      "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Gal., 3:29)." [239]
      9   For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.
      "And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him (Gen., 18:10)."
      10   And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
      11   (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
      12   It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
      "And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger (Gen., 25:23)."
      13   As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
      "Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom (Gen., 36:8)."
      "Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the Lord spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days.
      And the Lord spake unto me, saying,
      Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.
      And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore:
      Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession (Deut., 2:1-5)."
      "Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.
      The children that are begotten of them shall enter into the congregation of the Lord in their third generation (Deut., 23:7, 8)."
      "Thus saith the Lord God; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them;
      Therefore thus saith the Lord God; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword.
      And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord God (Ezek., 25:12-14)."
      "Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever:
      But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah (Amos, 1:11, 12)."
      "Shall I not in that day, saith the Lord, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?
      And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.
      For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.
      In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them (Obad., 1:8-11)."
      "I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob,
      And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.
      Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the Lord of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the Lord hath indignation for ever (Mal., 1:2-4)."
      14   What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
      "He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he (Deut., 32:4)."
      15   For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
      "And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy (Ex., 33:19)."
      16   So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
      17   For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
      "And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; [240] and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth (Ex., 9:16)."
      18   Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
      19   Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
      "And said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee (II. Chron., 20:6)?"
      "Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou (Job, 9:12)?
      "But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth (Job, 23:13)."
      20   Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
      "Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding (Isa., 29:16)?"
      21   Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
      "The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying,
      Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
      Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
      And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
      Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
      O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
      At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;
      If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
      And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;
      If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them (Jer., 18:1-10)."
      22   What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
      23   And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
      24   Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
      25   As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
      26   And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
      "Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God (Hos., 1:10)."
      "And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God (Hos., 2:23)."
      27   Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
      "For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness (Isa., 10:22)."
      28   For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
      "Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth (Isa., 28:22)."
      29   And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.
      "Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah (Isa., 1:9)."
      30   What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. [241]
      31   But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
      32   Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
      33   As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
      "Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste (Isa., 28:16)."

 

CHAPTER 10.

B RETHREN, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
      2   For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
      "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,
      That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
      For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh (Rom., 9:1-3)."
      3   For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
      "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
      And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (Jno., 8:31, 32)."
      "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
      But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
      Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness (Rom., 6:16-18)."
      4   For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
      "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
      But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster (Gal., 3:24, 25)."
      5   For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
      "Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the Lord (Lev., 18:5)."
      6   But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
      7   Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
      8   But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
      "For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.
      It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
      Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
      But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
      See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil (Deut., 30:11-15)."
      9   That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
      10   For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
      "Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
      But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God (Luke, 12:8, 9)."
      11   For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
      "Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste (Isa., 28:16)."
      "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
      For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be [242] careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit (Jer., 17:7, 8)."
      12   For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
      "And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith (Acts, 15:9)."
      13   For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
      14   How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
      "And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe (Acts, 15:7)."
      "But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour (Titus 1:3)."
      "Preach the word (II. Tim., 4:2)."
      15   And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
      "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
      Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion (Isa., 52:7, 8)."
      16   But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
      "Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed (Isa., 53:1)?"
      17   So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
      18   But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
      "There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard (Ps., 19:3)."
      19   But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
      "They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation (Deut., 32:21)."
      20   But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
      "I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name (Isa., 65:1)."
      21   But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
      "I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts (Isa., 65:2)."

 

CHAPTER 11.

I   SAY then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
      "For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people (I. Sam., 12:22)."
      2   God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
      3   Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
      "And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away (I. Kings, 19:10)."
      4   But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
      "Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him (I. Kings, 19:18)." [243]
      5   Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
      6   And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
      "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace (Gal., 5:4)."
      7   What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
      8   (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
      "For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered (Isa., 29:10)."
      "Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not (Jer., 5:21)."
      9   And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
      "Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap (Ps., 69:22)."
      10   Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
      "Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake (Ps., 69:23)."
      11   I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
      12   Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
      "Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles (Acts, 13:46)."
      13   For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
      14   If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
      15   For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
      16   For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
      17   And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
      "The Lord called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.
      For the Lord of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal (Jer., 11:16, 17)."
      18   Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
      "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall (I. Cor., 10:12)."
      19   Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
      20   Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
      "Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits (Rom., 12:16)."
      21   For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
      22   Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
      "By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain (I. Cor., 15:2)."
      "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit (Jno., 15:2)." [244]
      23   And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
      24   For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
      25   For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
      "And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled (Luke, 21:24)."
      26   And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
      "And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord (Isa., 59:20)."
      27   For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
      "But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people (Jer., 31:53)."
      28   As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
      "The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
      But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt (Deut., 7:7, 8)."
      "Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deut., 9:5)."
      29   For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
      "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good (Num., 23:19)?"
      30   For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
      "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
      Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others (Eph., 2:2, 3)."
      "For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries (I. Pet., 4:3)."
      31   Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
      32   For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
      "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God (Rom., 3:19)."
      33   O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
      "Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O Lord, thou preservest man and beast (Ps., 36:6)."
      "Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
      It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?
      The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
      If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him (Job, 11:7-10)?"
      34   For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
      "Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself (Job, 15:8)?"
      "Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? [245]
      Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him?
      With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding (Isa., 40:12-14)?"
      "For who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it (Jer., 23:18)?"
      35   Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
      "If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand (Job, 35:7)?"
      36   For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

 

CHAPTER 12.

I   BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
      "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
      For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's (I. Cor., 6:19, 20)."
      2   And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
      3   For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
      4   For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
      5   So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
      "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
      That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me (Jno., 17:20, 21)."
      6   Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
      7   Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
      "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
      If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen (I. Pet., 4:10, 11)."
      8   Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
      "Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
      How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
      For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
      Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints (II. Cor., 8:1-4)."
      9   Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
      "Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph (Amos, 5:15)."
      10   Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
      11   Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
      12   Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
      13   Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
      14   Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
      "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
      But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matt., 5:43, 44)."
      15   Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. [246]
      16   Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
      "Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
      Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child (Ps., 131:1, 2)."
      "And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the Lord: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest (Jer., 45:5)."
      17   Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
      "Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee (Prov., 20:22)."
      18   If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
      "Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another (Mark, 9:50)."
      19   Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
      "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord (Lev., 19:18)."
      "Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work (Prov., 24:29)."
      "Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?
      To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste (Deut., 32:34, 35)."
      20   Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
      "If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.
      If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him (Ex., 23:4, 5)."
      "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
      For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee (Prov., 25:21, 22)."
      "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
      That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust (Matt., 5:44, 45)."
      21   Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

CHAPTER 13.

L ET every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
      2   Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
      "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work (Titus, 3:1)."
      3   For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
      4   For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
      5   Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
      "But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully (I. Tim., 1:8)."
      6   For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
      7   Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
      "Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's; and unto God the things that are God's (Matt., 22:21)."
      8   Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
      9   For this, Thou shalt not commit [247] adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
      10   Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
      "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
      For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
      Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven (Matt., 5:17-19)."
      "If ye love me, keep my commandments (Jno., 14:15)."
      "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord (Lev., 19:18)."
      11   And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
      12   The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
      13   Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
      "Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
      For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags (Prov., 23:20, 21)."
      14   But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
      "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Gal., 3:27)."

 

CHAPTER 14.

H IM that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
      "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves (Rom., 15:1)."
      2   For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
      3   Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
      4   Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
      "There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another (Jas., 4:12)?"
      5   One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
      6   He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
      "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days (Col., 2:16)."
      7   For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
      8   For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
      9   For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
      "And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again (II. Cor., 5:15)."
      "The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: he is Lord of all (Acts, 10:36)."
      10   But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
      "And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead (Acts, 10:42)."
      11   For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. [248]
      12   So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
      "I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear (Isa., 45:23)."
      13   Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
      14   I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
      15   But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
      "But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
      But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak (I. Cor., 8:8, 9)."
      16   Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
      17   For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
      18   For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
      19   Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
      "Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it (Ps., 34:14)."
      20   For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
      "But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
      And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common (Acts, 10:14, 15)."
      "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
      They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate (Titus, 1:15, 16)."
      21   It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
      22   Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
      23   And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

 

CHAPTER 15.

W E then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
      "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations (Rom., 14:1)."
      2   Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
      3   For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
      "For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me (Ps., 69:9)."
      4   For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
      "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me (Jno., 5:39)."
      5   Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
      6   That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
      "And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
      And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common (Acts, 4:24, 32)."
      7   Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
      8   Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: [249]
      "But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt., 15:24)."
      "He came unto his own, and his own received him not (Jno., 1:11)."
      "Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed (Acts, 3:25)."
      "Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles (Acts, 13:46)."
      "But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile (Rom., 2:10)."
      9   And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
      "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd (Jno., 10:16)."
      "What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
      And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
      Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles (Rom., 9:22-24)?"
      "Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name (Ps., 18:49)."
      10   And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
      "Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance unto his land, and to his people (Deut., 32:43)."
      11   And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
      "O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people (Ps., 117:1)."
      12   And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
      "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious (Isa., 11:10)."
      13   Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
      "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full (Jno., 15:11)."
      14   And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
      15   Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
      16   That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
      "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office (Rom., 11:13)."
      17   I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
      18   For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
      19   Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
      "And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul (Acts, 19:11)."
      "And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry (Acts, 21:19)."
      20   Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:
      21   But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
      "For that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider (Isa., 52:15)."
      22   For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.
      23   But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; [250]
      24   Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
      25   But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
      "Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings (Acts, 24:17)."
      26   For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
      27   It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
      28   When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
      29   And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
      30   Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
      31   That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judæa; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
      32   That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
      33   Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

 

CHAPTER 16.

I   COMMEND unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
      2   That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
      3   Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
      "After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
      And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them (Acts, 18:1, 2)."
      "And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
      This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
      And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly (Acts, 18:24-26)."
      4   Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
      5   Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epænetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
      6   Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
      7   Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
      8   Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
      9   Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
      10   Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.
      11   Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
      12   Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
      13   Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
      14   Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.
      15   Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
      16   Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
      17   Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
      "Neither pray I for these alone, but for [251] them also which shall believe on me through their word;
      That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me (Jno., 17:20, 21)."
      18   For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
      19   For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
      "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves (Matt., 10:16)."
      20   And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
      "And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
      And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel (Gen., 3:14, 15)."
      21   Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
      22   I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
      23   Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
      24   The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
      25   Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
      "And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith (Acts, 6:7)."
      "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
      But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
      Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness (Rom., 6:16-18)."
      27   To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

 

[TSINT 225-252]

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The Self-Interpreting New Testament (1898)
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