Part 28

(31)What then shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who _shall be_ against us? (32)He who even spared not his own Son, but freely delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also, together with him, freely give us all things? (33)Who shall put in an accusation against the elect of God? God? He is their justifier. (34)Who is he that condemneth? Christ? He died, yea, rather, also is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (35)Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall distress of circumstances, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? (36)As it is written, "That for thy sake we have been put to death the whole day long; we have been reckoned indeed as sheep for slaughter[57]." (37)But in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (38)For I am assured that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor those to come, (39)nor exaltation, nor deepest depression, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

CHAP. IX.

I SPEAK the truth in Christ, I lie not, (my conscience also bearing witness to me in the Holy Ghost,) (2)that great is my sorrow and unceasing the anguish in my heart. (3)For could I myself wish that an anathema should be from Christ upon my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh? (4)who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the gift of the law, and the sacred service, and the promises; (5)of whom are the fathers, and from whom as respecting the flesh Christ sprung, who is over all, the blessed God for evermore. Amen.

(6)Now it is not supposable that the word of God hath failed. For these are not all Israel, who are of Israel: (7)nor, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, in Isaac shall thy seed be called. (8)That is, not the children of the flesh, these are the children of God: but the children of the promise are accounted for the seed. (9)For the word of promise is this, At that time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. (10)And not only so; but when Rebecca also had conception by one, even Isaac our father; (11)(though the children were not yet born, nor had done any thing good or evil, that according to the election of God the purpose might abide, not from works, but from him who called;) (12)it was said unto her, "That the elder shall be servant to the younger[58]." (13)As it is written, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated[59]." (14)What shall we say therefore? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. (15)For he saith to Moses[60], "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." (16)Well then, it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God who sheweth mercy.

(17)For the scripture saith[61] to Pharaoh, "That for this very end have I raised thee up, that I might display in thee my power, and that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth." (18)Well then, he hath mercy on whom he will, but whom he will he hardeneth. (19)Wilt thou then say to me, Why yet doth he blame us? Who hath resisted his will? (20)Nay but, O man, who art thou that disputest against God? Shall the thing fashioned say to him that fashioned it, Why hast thou made me thus? (21)Hath not the potter power over the clay, from the same mass to make one vessel for an honourable use, and another for a dishonourable? (22)But what if God, willing to display his wrath, and to make known what is possible with him, hath borne with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted for perdition: (23)and that he might make known the riches of his glory upon the vessels of mercy which he had before prepared for glory: (24)even us, whom he hath called, not only out of the Jews, but out of the Gentiles? (25)As also he saith in Hosea[62], "I will call her which was not my people, my people; and her which was not beloved, beloved. (26)And it shall be in the place where it was said unto them, ye are not my people; there shall they be called the sons of the living God." (27)But Isaiah[63] crieth concerning Israel, "Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: (28)for he will finish the account, and cut it short in righteousness: because a concise account will the Lord make on the earth." (29)Even as Isaiah had said before[64], "Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left unto us a seed, we should have become as Sodom, and been made like unto Gomorrha."

(30)What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who pursued not after righteousness, have attained unto righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith. (31)But Israel, pursuing after the law of righteousness, hath not come up to the law of righteousness. (32)And why? Because they sought it not by faith, but as by the works of the law. For they stumbled against that stone of stumbling; (33)as it is written, "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence: and every one that believeth in him shall not be confounded[65]."

CHAP. X.

BRETHREN, the kind wish of my heart indeed, and the prayer which I offer to God for Israel, is for their salvation. (2)For I am a witness for them, that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. (3)For being ignorant of the righteousness which is of God, and seeking to establish a righteousness of their own, they have not submitted to the righteousness of God. (4)For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (5)For Moses describeth the righteousness which is by the law, "That the man who doeth these things shall live by them[66]." (6)But the righteousness that is by faith speaketh thus[67], "Say not in thy heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down:) (7)or, Who shall descend into the abyss?" (that is, to bring Christ up again from the dead.) (8)But what saith it? "The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart:" that is, the word of faith which we preach; (9)That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10)For with the heart faith is exercised unto righteousness; and with the mouth is confession made unto salvation. (11)For the scripture saith[68], "Every one who believeth in him shall not be confounded."

(12)For there is no difference between either Jew or Greek: for the same Lord of all is rich to all that call upon him. (13)"For every one shall be saved, whosoever calleth on the name of the Lord[69]." (14)How then shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard? but how shall they hear without a preacher? (15)and how shall they preach unless they are sent? as it is written[70], "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, of those who preach the glad tidings of good things!" (16)But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah saith, "Lord, who hath believed our report[71]?" (17)Faith then cometh by report, but the report by the word of God. (18)But I say, Have they not heard? Yea verily, "the sound of their voice is gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world[72]."

(19)But I say, Did not Israel know? Moses first saith, "I will excite your jealousy by what is no nation, and by an ignorant people will I provoke you to wrath[73]." (20)But Isaiah is very bold, and saith[74], "I have been found by those who sought me not; I have become manifest to those who inquired not after me." (21)But unto Israel he saith, "All the day long have I stretched out my hands unto a people disobedient and contradicting."

CHAP. XI.

I SAY then, Hath God rejected his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. (2)God hath not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Know ye not what the scripture saith of Elias[75]? how he maketh intercession with God against Israel, saying, (3)"Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I only am left, and they seek my life." (4)But what saith the oracle of God to him? "I have left to myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." (5)So then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (6)But if by grace, it is no more by works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if by works, it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

(7)What then is the result? Israel hath not obtained that which it seeketh; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded, (8)as it is written[76], "God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear; unto this present day." (9)And David saith[77], "Let their table be for a snare, and for a trap, and for a stumbling-block, and for a recompence unto them: (10)let their eyes be blinded, that they may not see, and bow down their back continually."

(11)I say then, Have they stumbled so as to fall? God forbid: but by their stumbling salvation is come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy. (12)For if their stumbling is the riches of the world, and their diminution the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? (13)For I address myself to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am indeed the apostle of the Gentiles, I exalt my ministry: (14)if by any means I might provoke to jealousy my flesh, and save some of them. (15)For if the rejection of them is the reconciliation of the world, what shall their recovery be, but life from the dead? (16)Now if the first fruits be holy, so is the mass: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. (17)But if some of the branches have been broken off, and thou though a wild olive hast been grafted in among them, and become a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree; (18)boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

(19)Wilt thou say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in? (20)Admitted; by unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high minded, but fear: (21)for if God spared not the native branches, tremble lest he spare not thee.

(22)Behold therefore the kindness and severity of God: to those indeed who fell, severity; but unto thee, kindness, if thou continuest in that kindness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (23)But they also, if they continue not in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. (24)For if thou hast been cut out of the naturally wild olive, and contrary to nature hast been grafted into the good olive: how much more shall these, which are native branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? (25)For I would not that you should be ignorant, brethren, of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is come on Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. (26)And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, "The Deliverer shall go forth out of Sion, and shalt turn away ungodliness from Jacob; (27)and this is my covenant with them, When I shall take away their sins[78]." (28)As concerning the gospel indeed, they are now enemies for your sakes: as concerning the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sake. (29)For unchangeable are the gifts and the calling of God. (30)For as ye also in times past did not believe in God, but now have obtained mercy through their unbelief: (31)so also these now have not believed in your mercy, that they also might obtain mercy. (32)For God hath shut up all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. (33)O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and how incomprehensible his ways! (34)For who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been admitted his counsellor? (35)Or who hath first given unto him, and it shall be repaid him again? (36)Because by him, and through him, and for him, are all things, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

CHAP. XII.

I BESEECH you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (2)And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renovation of your mind, that you may prove by experience what is the will of God, that is good, acceptable, and perfect. (3)For, I say, by the grace which is given unto me, to every one that is among you, not to think of himself above what he ought to think; but to think soberly, as God has divided to every one the measure of faith. (4)For as we have in one body many members, but the members, though many, have not the same function, (5)so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one reciprocally members of each other. (6)Having then different gifts according to the grace which is given unto us, if it be prophecy, speak according to the analogy of faith; (7)or if the deacon's office, be active in the service; or he that teacheth, in teaching; (8)or he that exhorteth, in exhortation; he that distributes, let him do it with simplicity; he that presideth, with diligence; he that is employed in acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (9)Let love be undissembled. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. (10)In brotherly affection be tenderly attached to each other; in honour preferring one another: (11)not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord: (12)rejoicing in hope; patient in affliction; persevering in prayer: (13)communicating to the wants of the saints; prompt to hospitality. (14)Bless them who persecute you; bless, and curse not. (15)Rejoice with those that rejoice, and weep with those that weep. (16)Be of the same mind among each other. Affect not high things, but be condescending to the lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits. (17)Render to no man evil for evil. Be provident of things laudable in the sight of all men. (18)If possible, as far as you can, be at peace with all men. (19)Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto wrath: for it is written, "Vengeance belongeth to me; I will recompence, saith the Lord[79]." (20)If therefore thine enemy hunger, give him food; if he thirst, give him drink: for so doing, thou shalt heap up coals of fire on his head. (21)Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

CHAP. XIII.

LET every soul be subject to the superior powers: for there is no power but from God; the existing powers are appointed by God. (2)Wherefore he that sets himself against authority, resists the ordinance of God: and they who resist shall receive to themselves condemnation. (3)For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from it: (4)for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou doest that which is evil, tremble! for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, an avenger to inflict wrath on him that practises what is evil. (5)Wherefore there is a necessity for being in subjection, not only for fear of wrath, but also for conscience sake. (6)For on this account pay ye taxes also: for they are God's ministers, continually employed on this very service. (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. (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 adultery, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is comprised in this word, even in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (10)Love doeth no ill to a neighbour; the fulfilment therefore of the law is love. (11)And thus do, knowing the time; for the hour is come that we should awake from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we believed. (12)The night is far advanced, the day approaches: let us therefore put off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. (13)Let us walk becomingly as in the face of day, not in revels and drunkenness, not in impurities and wantonness, not in strife and envy. (14)But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to gratify its passions.

CHAP. XIV.

HIM that is weak in faith take by the hand, and enter not into niceties of disputes. (2)One man indeed thinketh he may eat all meats; another, who is weak, eateth vegetables. (3)Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not, and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth; for God hath accepted him. (4)Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth; but he shall be established: for God is able to establish him. (5)One man judgeth one day different from another day: another judgeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. (6)He that observeth a day, to the Lord he observeth it; and he that observeth not a day, to the Lord he doth not observe it. He that eateth, to the Lord he eateth, for he giveth thanks to God; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth thanks to God. (7)For no one of us liveth to himself, and no one dieth to himself. (8)For whether we live, to the Lord we live, and whether we die, to the Lord we die; whether therefore we live, or whether we die, we are the Lord's. (9)For to this end Christ both died, and rose again, and revived, that he might be the Lord both of the dead and of the living. (10)But thou, why judgest thou thy brother? And thou, why dost thou disparage thy brother? for we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ. (11)For it is written, "As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall make confession to God[80]." (12)Assuredly then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God. (13)Let us therefore no more judge one another; but judge this rather, that no one put a stumbling-block or offence before his brother. (14)I know, and am convinced by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who thinketh any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. (15)But if by meat thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no more according to love. Do not by thy meat destroy him for whom Christ died. (16)Let not therefore food, which is good for you, give occasion of reproach. (17)For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (18)For he who in these things is the servant of Christ, is acceptable to God, and approved of men. (19)Well then, let us earnestly pursue the things that conduce to peace, and the things which are for mutual edification. (20)For the sake of meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are clean; but it is an evil thing for a man to eat, giving offence. (21)It is laudable not to eat flesh, or to drink wine, nor to do any thing whereby thy brother is stumbled, or scandalized, or weakened. (22)Hast thou faith, exercise it before God within thyself. Blessed is the man who condemneth not himself in that which he alloweth. (23)But he that maketh a difference between meats, if he eat is condemned, because he doth it not by faith: for every thing which is not of faith, is sin.

CHAP. XV.

WE then that are strong, ought to bear the infirmities of those who are feeble, and not to gratify ourselves. (2)Let every one of us gratify his neighbour in that which is good for his edification. (3)For even Christ gratified not himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me[81]." (4)For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our instruction; that by patience and the consolation of the Scriptures we might have hope. (5)Now the God of patience and consolation give you to be like-minded among each other, according to Christ Jesus: (6)that in one mind, with one mouth, ye may glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (7)Therefore help one another, as Christ also hath helped us, for the glory of God.

(8)Now I say that Jesus Christ was the minister of circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: (9)and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written[82], "For this cause will I confess unto thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name." (10)And again he saith[83], "Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people." (11)And again[84], "Praise the Lord, all ye nations, and laud him, all ye people." (12)And again Isaiah saith, "There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that ariseth to reign over the Gentiles, in him shall the Gentiles trust[85]." (13)Now the God of hope fill you with all joy, and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Ghost.

(14)And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to admonish one another. (15)But I have written to you, my brethren, in part, with greater freedom, as refreshing your memory through the grace which is given to me of God; (16)that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ unto the Gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God; that the oblation of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

(17)I have therefore cause to glory in Christ Jesus with regard to the things of God. (18)For I will not dare to say any thing of those things which Christ hath not wrought by my ministry, to engage the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed, (19)by the power of signs and miracles, by the might of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and in a circle quite round unto Illyricum, I have fully spread the gospel of Christ. (20)But I have in such manner endeavoured to preach the gospel, not where Christ's name had been heard, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: (21)but as it is written[86], "To whom the tidings concerning him have not reached, they shall see, and they who have not heard, shall understand." (22)Wherefore also I have found many things to hinder me from coming to you; (23)but now having no longer cause to detain me in these regions, and having an earnest desire to come unto you for many years past, (24)whenever I proceed on my journey into Spain, I will come unto you: for I hope on my journey to see you, and by you to be forwarded thither, after I shall have first, in a measure, fully enjoyed your society. (25)But I am now going to Jerusalem, to carry alms to the saints. (26)For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a certain contribution for the poor of the saints that are at Jerusalem. (27)They have been so pleased indeed, and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been admitted to a participation in their spiritual things, they ought also to minister to them in carnal things. (28)When therefore I have completed this work, and sealed unto them this fruit, I will pass by you into Spain. (29)But I know that, when I come to you, I shall come with the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. (30)Now I exhort you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that you wrestle earnestly with me in prayers for me unto God; (31)that I may be delivered from those who do not believe in Judea; and that my service which regards Jerusalem may be kindly accepted by the saints; (32)that I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.

(33)Now the God of peace be with you all! Amen.

CHAP. XVI.