The number in the right-hand margin refers to the page of the corresponding lesson.
Address and salutation
1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2which He had promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3concerning 35 His Son, (who was made to Him of the seed of David, according to the flesh, 4who was predestinated the Son of God for His own virtue, according to the spirit of sanctification, by His resurrection from the dead), Jesus Christ our Lord, 5through whom we have received grace and apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith in all the nations, in His name, 6among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; 7to all who are in Rome, the beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The affection that St. Paul has for the Romans
8First, I give thanks to my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is spoken of in the whole world. 9For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of His Son, as to how without ceasing, I make a commemoration of you 10always in my prayers, asking if now at last I may have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you; 11for I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual grace to strengthen you, 12that is to say, that we may both be encouraged by that which is common to us both, your faith and mine. 13And I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that I have often intended to come unto you and have been hindered hitherto, so that I might reap some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
Proposition of the argument. Faults of the pagans
14To the Greeks and to the barbarians, to the wise and to the unwise, I am a debtor, 15so (as for me), I am ready to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
16For I am not ashamed of the gospel. For it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17For the justice of God is revealed therein, from 39 faith unto faith, as it is written, "The just man liveth by faith."
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all 44 ungodliness and injustice of those men who detain the truth of God in injustice, 19because that which is known of God is manifest in them. For God hath manifested it unto them. 20For the invisible 49 things of Him from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood in the things that are made, His eternal power also, and divinity, so that they are without excuse, 21because having known God, they have not glorified him as God nor given thanks, but they have become vain in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22By professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23and they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of the image of a corruptible man, and of birds, and of fourfooted beasts, and of creeping creatures.
24Therefore, God gave them up in the desires of their heart unto 51 uncleanness, to dishonour their own bodies among themselves, 25who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, (who is blessed forever. Amen.)
26For this reason, God delivered them up to shameful affections. For their women exchanged the natural function into that use which is against nature, 27and in like manner, the men also, abandoning natural relations with women, have burned in their lusts one towards another, men with men working that which is filthy and receiving in themselves the recompense which was due for their error. 28And as they liked not to acknowledge God, God delivered them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not proper. 29They are filled with all iniquity, malice, fornication, avarice, wickedness, full of envy, murder, contention, deceit, malignity, whisperers, 30detractors, hateful to God, contumelious, proud, haughty, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31foolish, dissolute, without affection, without fidelity, without mercy. 32They, having known the decree of God, did not understand that they who do such things are worthy of death, and not only they who do them, but they also who consent to them who do them.
Passage from the faults of the Gentiles to those of the Jews
1Therefore thou art inexcusable, 0 man, whosoever thou art 54 who judgest, for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself, for thou dost the same things which thou judgest.
All will be judged according to their works
2For we know that the judgement of God is, according to truth, against them who do such things. 3And thinkest thou this, 0 man, who judgest them who do such things and dost the same, that thou shalt escape the judgement of God? 4Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness, and patience, and longsuffering? Knowest thou not that the benignity of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5But according to thy hardness and impenitent heart, thou treasurest up to thyself wrath on the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgement of God, 6who will render to every man according to his works: 7to those, indeed, who according to patience in good work seek glory and honour and immortality, eternal life; 8but to those who are contentious and who obey not the truth, but give credit to iniquity, wrath and indignation.
9Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man who worketh 59 evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek; 10but glory and honour and peace to everyone who worketh good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek; 11for there is no partiality with God.
The Jews will be judged according to their law and the Gentiles according to the natural law
12For all who have sinned without the law shall perish without 62 the law; and all who have sinned under the law shall be judged by the law; 13for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14When the Gentiles who have not the law do by nature those things that are of the law, these, having not the law, are a law to themselves; 15for they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness to them and their thoughts alternately accusing or even defending them 16on the day when, according to my gospel, God shall judge the secrets of men through Jesus Christ.
The law aggravates the faults of the Jews
17But if thou art called a Jew and reliest upon the law and 64 makest thy boast of God, 18and knowest His will and approvest the more profitable things, being instructed in the law, 19art confident that thou thyself art a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having the embodiment of knowledge and truth in the law, 21thou, therefore, who teachest another, teachest not thyself? Thou who preachest that men should not steal, stealest? 22Thou who sayest men should not commit adultery, committest adultery? Thou who abhorrest idols, committest sacrilege? 23Thou who makest thy boast of the law, by transgression of the law, dishonourest God? 24"Because of you, the name of God (as it is written) is blasphemed among the Gentiles."
Circumcision is of no benefit if the law is not observed
25Circumcision profiteth indeed if thou keep the law, but if thou be a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. 26If then the uncircumcised keep the justices of the law, shall not this uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? 27And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, shall he not judge thee who by the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the law? 28For he is not a real Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh, 29but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, not literal, whose praise is not from men, but from God.
The promises of God do not free the Jews
1What advantage then bath the Jew, or what is the profit of 70 circumcision? 2Great in every respect. First indeed, because the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3What then if some of them did not believe? Shall their unbelief destroy the faith of God? God forbid. 4But God is true, and every man a liar, as it is written, "That thou mayest be justified in thy words, and mayest overcome when thou art judged."
5But if our injustice serves to demonstrate the justice of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who executeth wrath? 6(I am speaking in human terms.) God forbid; otherwise, how shall God judge this world? 7For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto His glory, why am I also yet judged as a sinner? 8And why not (as we are slanderously charged and as some claim that we say) do evil that there may come good? Their condemnation is just.
All the Jews and the Gentiles, according to the Scriptures, are sinners
9What then? Do we excel them? No, not at all. For we have charged that all men, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10as it is written, "There is no just man, not one. 11There is none who understandeth, there is none who seeketh for God. 12All have turned the wrong way, they have become unprofitable together, there is none who doth good, there is not so much as one." "13Their throat is an open grave, with their tongues they deal deceitfully." "The venom of asps is under their lips." "14Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness;" "15their feet swift to shed blood. 16Destruction and misery are in their ways, 17and the way of peace they have not known." "18There is no fear of God before their eyes." 70
19Now we know that what things soever the law speaketh, it speaketh to those who are in the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be made subject to God. 20Because by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified before him. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
Justification is freely given for having faith in Christ
21But now without the law the justice of God is made manifest, 76 being witnessed by the law and the prophets, 22even the justice of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all and upon all who believe in Him. For there is no distinction, 23for all have sinned and do need the glory of God, 24being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God hath proposed to be a propitiation by His blood through faith, to the shewing of His justice, for the remission of former sins, 26through the forbearance of God, for the shewing of His justice at the present time, that He Himself may be just and the justifier of he who hath faith in Jesus Christ. 27Where is then thy boasting? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28For we account a man to be justified by faith without the works of the law. 29Is God the God of the Jews only? Is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also. 30For there is one God who justifieth the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31Do we then destroy the law through faith? God forbid; on the contrary, we establish the law.
Abraham is justified not by his works, but by faith
1What shall we say then that Abraham, our forefather according 81 to the flesh, hath found? 2For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory, but not before God. 3For what saith the scripture? "Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice." 4Now to he who worketh, his wages are not reckoned as a favour but as his due; 5But to he who worketh not, yet believeth in Him who justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reputed to justice, according to the purpose of the grace of God. 6As David also termeth the blessedness of a man to whom God reputeth justice without works, "7Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin."
Abraham was justified even before being circumcised
9This blessedness then, doth it remain upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that unto Abraham faith was reputed to justice, 10how then was it reputed? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the justice of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that unto them justice may also be reputed, 12and the father of circumcision to those who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the steps of the faith that our father Abraham had while uncircumcised.
The promises were made through faith
13For not through the law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed, that he should be the heir of the world, but through the justice of faith. 14For if they who are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, the promise is nullified, 15for the law worketh wrath. For where there is no law, neither is there transgression. 16Therefore it is of faith, that according to grace, the promise might be guaranteed to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 (as it is written, "I have made thee a father of many nations") before God whom he believed, who quickeneth the dead and calleth those things that are not as those that are.
18In hoping against all hope, Abraham believed so that he might be made the father of many nations according to that which was said to him, "So shall thy seed be." 19And he did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, now as good as dead (he was almost a hundred years old), nor the dead womb of Sarah; 20still, with regards to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief; strengthened in faith, he gave glory to God, 21fully knowing that whatsoever God had promised, He was able also to perform. 22And therefore, (his faith) was "reputed to him unto justice." 23Now it is not written only for him that it was reputed to him unto justice, 24but also for us to whom it shall be reputed if we believe in Him who raised Jesus Christ our Lord from the dead, 25who was delivered up for our sins and rose again for our justification.
The first fruit of justification: peace with God and the assurance of Heaven
1Being justified, therefore, by faith, we have peace with God 90 through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have obtained access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of the sons of God. 3And not only so, but we glory also in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, 4and patience, trial, and trial, hope, 5and hope 98 confoundeth not, because the love of God has been poured forth in our hearts through the Holy Ghost who was given to us.
Love shown to us by God by giving to us Jesus Christ
6For why did Christ when as yet we were weak, at the right 102 time die for the ungodly? 7For scarce for a just man will one die, yet perhaps for a good man someone would dare to die; 8but God demonstrates His love towards us, because when as yet we were sinners, 9Christ died for us; much more, therefore, being now justified by His blood, shall we be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. 11And not only so, but we also glory in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
The parallel between Christ who saved us and Adam who lost us
12Therefore, through one man sin entered into this world, and death through sin, and so death passed upon all men, because all (through Adam) sinned. 13For sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin was not imputed when the law was not; 14But death reigned from Adam unto Moses, even over those also who had not sinned in the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a figure of Him who was to come.
15But the free gift is not quite like the offence; for if by the offence of one many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one man's sin so also is the gift. For judgement indeed was by one unto condemnation, but grace is of many offences unto justification. 17For if by one man's offence, death reigned through the one, much more they who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 18Therefore, as by the offence of one, condemnation unto all men, so also by the justice of one, justification of life unto all men. 19For as by the disobedience of one man, many were made sinners, so also by the obedience of One many shall be made just. 20Now the law entered in, so that sin might abound. And where sin abounded, grace did more abound. 21That, as sin hath reigned in death, so also grace might reign through justice unto life everlasting through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The second fruit of justification: freedom from the slavery of sin and union with Christ
1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace 107 may abound? 2God forbid. For we who died to sin, how shall we live any longer therein? 3Know you not that all we who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4For we have been buried together with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.
Death and resurrection to a new life
6Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, so that the body of sin may be destroyed, to the end that we may serve sin no longer; 7for he who has died is freed from sin. 8Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live together with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised again from the dead, dieth now no more; death shall no more have dominion over Him, 10for in that He died to sin, He died once, but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.
Obey sin no longer
11So do you also reckon that you are dead to sin, but alive unto 112 God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12Let not sin, therefore, reign in your mortal body, so as to obey the lusts thereof: 13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of iniquity unto sin, but present yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of justice unto God.
14For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law but under grace.
Whoever becomes a servant of justice must lead a holy life
15What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? God forbid. 16Know you not that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are whom you obey, whether it be of sin unto death, or of obedience unto justice? 17But thanks be to God, you who once were the servants of sin but have obeyed from the heart unto that form of doctrine into which you have been delivered. 18Being then freed from sin, you have been made servants of justice. 19I am speaking in human terms because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as you have yielded your members to serve uncleanness and iniquity unto iniquity, so now yield your members to serve justice unto sanctification. 20For when you were the servants of sin, you were free men to justice; 21what fruit, therefore, had you then in those things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22But now, having been made free from sin and having become servants to God, you have your fruit unto sanctification, and the outcome, life everlasting, 23for the wages of sin is death, but the grace of God is life everlasting in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The third fruit of justification: freedom from serving the law through a mystical death
1Know you not, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know 117 the law), that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? 2For the woman who hath a husband, whilst her husband liveth, is bound to the law. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. 3Therefore, whilst her husband liveth, she shall be called an adulteress if she is joined to another man; but if her husband dies, she is delivered from the law of her husband, so that she is not an adulteress if she is joined to another man. 4Therefore, my brethren, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to Him who is risen again from the dead, that we may bring forth fruit for God. 5For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were , aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6But now we have been released from the law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
The law, though holy, provokes transgressions
7What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Yet, I do not know sin but through the law; for I would not have known concupiscence if the law did not say, "Thou shalt not covet." 8But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence; for without the law sin was dead. 9And I lived some time without the law; but when the commandment came, sin revived 10and I died. And the commandment that was ordained to life, the same was found to be unto death for me. 11For sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, seduced me and through it killed me. 12So the law is indeed holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.
13Did that then which is good bring death unto me? God forbid. But sin, in order that it may appear sin by that which is good, wrought death in me, so that through the commandment sin might become sinful beyond measure.
The impotence of the law between the struggle of the flesh and of the spirit
14For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold 129 under sin. 15For that which I work, I understand not. For I do not 132 that good which I will, but I do the evil which I hate. 16If then I 163 do that which I will not, I consent to the law, that the law is good; 17now then it is no more I who do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18For I know that there dwelleth not in me, that is to say, in my flesh, that which is good: for the will is present in me, but to accomplish that which is good, I find not. 19For the good which I will, I do not, but the evil which I will not, that I do. 20Now if I do that which I will not, it is no more I who do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21I find it then to be a law that when I have a will to do good, evil is already close at hand. 22For I am delighted with the law of God, according to the inward man; 23but I see another law in my members, fighting against the law of my mind and captivating me in the law of sin that is in my members. 24Unhappy man that I am! 181 Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, I myself with my mind serve the law of God, but with my flesh the law of sin.
Fourth fruit of justification:
the happy state of the one who is justified.
The sanctification of the Holy Spirit and His effects.
1There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in 196 Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh. 2For the law of 221 the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath delivered me from the law of sin and of death. 3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4so that the justification of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5For they 208 who are according to the flesh mind the things that are of the flesh, but they who are according to the Spirit mind the things that are of the Spirit. 6For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set 212 on the Spirit is life and peace, 7because the mind set on the flesh 217 is an enemy to God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither can it be: 8and they who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if any man does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of Him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised up Jesus Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwelleth in you.
Reasons for hoping in the future glory
12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live 226 according to the flesh. 13For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die; but if by the Spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you have not received the spirit of bondage to fear again, but you have received the spirit of adoption as sons whereby we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16For the Spirit Himself giveth testimony to our spirit that we are the sons of God. 17And if sons, heirs also; 228 heirs indeed of God and joint-heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
18For I reckon that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that shall be revealed to us. 19For the creation waiteth eagerly for the revelation of the sons of God.
The desire of creation and ours
20For the creation was made subject to futility, not willingly 231 but by reason of Him who made it subject in hope, 21that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the servitude of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. 22For we know 235 that every creature groaneth and travaileth in pain even till now. 23And not only the creation, but also we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves waiting for our adoption as the sons of God, the redemption of our body, 24for we are saved by hope. But hope that is seen is not hope. For why doth a man hope for what he sees? 25But if we hope for that which we see not, we wait for it with patience.
The desire and prayers of the Holy Spirit
26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity; for we do not 240 know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with unspeakable groanings; 27and He who searcheth the hearts knoweth what the Spirit desireth, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Love of God for the elect
28And we know that to those who love God, all things work together 244 unto good, to those who according to His purpose are called 248 to be saints. 29For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be made conformable to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30And those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified; and those whom He justified, He also glorified.
We can surely hope in a future glory
31What shall we then say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He who spared not even His own Son but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him give us all things? 33Who shall accuse against the elect of God? God who justifieth. 34Who is he who shall condemn? Christ Jesus who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35Who then shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or persecution, or the sword? 36(As it is written, "For thy sake we are put to death all the day long. We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.")
37But in all these things we overcome because of Him who loved us. 38For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor might, 39nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The sorrow of St. Paul for the reproachfulness of Israel
1I speak the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing me 251 witness in the Holy Ghost: 2that I have great sadness and continual sorrow in my heart, 3for I wished myself to be an anathema from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, 4who are Israelites, to whom belongeth the adoption as sons, and the glory, and the covenant, and the giving of the law, and the worship, and the promises, 5whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all things, God blessed forever. Amen.
Salvation does not depend on descendancy, but is a gift of God
6Not as though the word of God hath miscarried, for all are not Israelites who are of Israel; 7neither are they all children they who are the seed of Abraham; but "through Isaac shall thy seed be named." 8That is to say, not they who are the children of the flesh are the children of God, but they who are the children of the promise are accounted for the seed. For this is the word of promise, "At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son." 10And not only she. But Rebecca also had conceived twins by one man, Isaac, our father. 11For when the children were not yet born, nor had done any good or evil (that the purpose of God according to election might stand), 12not because of works but because of Him who calleth, it was said to her, "The older will serve the younger." 13As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
God is not unjust in saving whom He wills
14What shall we say then? Is there injustice with God? God 257 forbid! 15For He saith to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 16So then it is not of him who willeth, nor of him who runneth, but of God who sheweth mercy. 17For the scripture saith to Pharaoh, "To this purpose have I raised thee, that I may shew my power in thee, and that my name may be declared throughout the earth." 18Therefore, He hath mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills, He hardeneth. 19Thou wilt say, therefore, to me, "Why 263 doth He then find fault? for who resisteth His will?" 20O man, who art thou who repliest against God? Shall what is molded say to the molder, "Why hast thou made me thus?" 21Or hath not the potter power over the clay of the same lump, to make one vessel unto honour and another unto dishonour?
22What if God, (and it is to be repeated) willing to shew His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath fitted for destruction, 23that He might shew them the riches of His glory upon the vessels of mercy, which He bath prepared unto glory, 24(in favour of us) even us, whom He also hath called, not only from among Jews, but also from among Gentiles?
The reproachfulness of the Jews and the vocation of the Gentiles had been predestined
25As He saith in Hosea, "I will call those who were not my 268 people, my people, and her who was not beloved, beloved, and her that had not obtained mercy, one who hath obtained mercy." "26And it shall be in the place where it was said unto them, 'You are not my people,' there, they shall be called 'sons of the living God.'" 27And Isaiah crieth out concerning Israel, "Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: 28For He shall finish His word and cut it short in justice, because a short word shall the Lord make upon the earth." 29And as Isaiah foretold, "Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, and would have resembled Gomorrah."
The sin of Israel
30What then shall we say? That the Gentiles who did not pursue 270 justice have attained justice, even the justice that is of faith; 31but Israel, by pursuing the law of justice, is not come unto the law of justice. 32Why so? Because (they sought it) not through faith, but as though it were of works: for they stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33as it is written, "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and a rock of scandal, and whosoever believeth in Him shall not be confounded."
The love of Paul for the Jews
1Brethren, the will of my heart, indeed, and my prayer to God 276 is for them unto salvation; 2for I bear them witness, that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge: 3for not knowing the justice of God and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit themselves to the justice of God; 4for the end of the law is Christ unto justice to everyone who believeth.
The Jews did not acknowledge Christ as the end of the law
5For Moses writes of the justice which is based on the law, "the 281 man who practices it shall live by it." 6But the justice which is of faith speaketh thus, "Say not in thy heart, 'Who shall ascend into heaven?'" that is, to bring Christ down; 7or "Who shall descend into the abyss?" that is, to bring Christ up from the dead. 8But what saith the scripture? "The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart." This is the word of faith which we preach.
The Jews rejected the faith, the sole way of salvation
9For if thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thy heart that God hath raised Him up from the dead, thou shalt be saved; 10for with the heart we believe unto justice, but with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, "Whosoever believeth in Him shall not be confounded." 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same is Lord of all, abounding in riches unto all who call upon Him; 13for "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
The ignorance of the Jews is without excuse
14How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? Or how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how shall they preach unless they are sent, as it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, of those who bring glad tidings of good things!" 16But all do not obey the gospel. For Isaiah saith, "Lord, who hath believed our report?" 17Faith then cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. 18But I say, Have they not heard? Yes, verily, "their voice hath gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the whole world." 19But I say, Hath not Israel known? First Moses saith, "I will provoke you to jealousy by that which is not a nation: with a foolish nation I will anger you." 20But Isaiah is bold and saith, "I was found by those who did not seek me, I appeared openly to those who did not ask for me." 21But to Israel he saith, "All the day long I have held out my hands to a people who believeth not and contradicteth me."
The reproachfulness of Israel will be partial
1I say then, Hath God cast away His people? God forbid! For 289 I also am an Israelite of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2God hath not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Know you not what the scripture saith of Elijah? How he calleth on God against Israel, saying, "3Lord, they have slain thy prophets, they have dug down thy altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life." 4But what saith the divine answer to him? "I have left me seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." 5In the same way then, at this present time also, there is a remnant saved according to the election of grace. 6And if by grace, it is not now by works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. 7What then? That which Israel sought, it hath not obtained; but the elect hath obtained it, but the rest have been blinded, 8as it is written, "God hath given them the spirit of insensibility, eyes that should not see and ears that should not hear, until this present day." 9And David saith, 10Let their table be made a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a recompense unto them. "Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their backs always."
The reproachfulness of Israel served in the salvation of the Gentiles
11I ask then, have they so stumbled, that they should fall? God forbid! But by their offence salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12Now if the offence of them is riches for the world, and the failure of them, riches for the Gentiles, how much more the fullness of them? 13For I say to you Gentiles, as long indeed as I am an apostle of the Gentiles, I will honour my ministry 14if, by any means, I may provoke to emulation they who are my flesh, and may save some of them. 15For if the rejection of them is the reconciliation of the world, what shall the acceptance of them be but life from the dead? 16For if the first fruit is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, were ingrafted in them and were made partaker of the root and of the fatness of the olive tree, 18boast not against the branches; but if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19Thou wilt say then, "The branches were broken off that I might be grafted in." 20Very well, because of unbelief, they were broken off. But thou standest by faith; be not highminded, but fear; 21for if God hath not spared the natural branches, fear lest perhaps He also spare not thee. 22See then the goodness and the severity of God: severity towards them indeed who have fallen, but towards thee the goodness of God, if thou abide in goodness; otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23And they also, if they still abide not in unbelief, shall be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24For if thou wert cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more shall they that are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree!
In the end, Israel will also be saved
25For I would not have you ignorant, brethren, of this mystery: 294 (lest you should be wise in your own conceits), that blindness in part has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written, "There shall come out of Zion, He who shall deliver, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob," 27"and this is with them my covenant when I take away their sins."
28As concerning the gospel indeed they are enemies for your sake, but as concerning the election they are most dear for the sake of their fathers; 29for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30For as you also in times past did not believe God but now have received mercy because of their unbelief, 31so these also now have not believed in order that for the mercy shown to you, that they also may receive mercy. 32For God hath concluded all in unbelief, that He may have mercy on all.
A hymn to the divine wisdom
33O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are His judgements and how unsearchable His ways! "34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been His counsellor?" 35"Or who hath first given to Him that recompense shall be made him?"
36For from Him and to Him and through Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.
Our duties towards God
1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercy of God, that 297 you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing unto God, your spiritual worship. 2And be not conformed to this world but be reformed in the newness of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and the acceptable and the perfect will of God.
Our duties towards the social body
3For by the grace that is given to me I say to all among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think, but to think with sound judgement and according as God hath allotted every one the measure of faith. 4For as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same function, 5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and everyone members one of another. 6And having different gifts according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them accordingly; if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7in ministry, in ministering; or he who teacheth, in his teaching; 8He who exhorteth, in his exhortation; he who giveth, with simplicity; he who ruleth, with diligence; he who sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
How Christians must love
9Let love be without dissimulation. Hate that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10Love one another with brotherly affection, giving preference to one another in honour. 11Not slothful in diligence, fervent in Spirit, serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
13Contribute to the needs of the saints; practice hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep, 16being of one mind one towards another. Do not be haughty in mind, but consent to the humble. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17To no man render evil for evil. Respect what is right, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of all men.
18If possible, as much as is in you, live in peace with all men. 19Revenge not yourselves, my dearly beloved, but give place unto (divine) wrath, for it is written, "Revenge is mine; I will repay saith the Lord." 20"But if thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat; if he thirst, give him to drink; for doing this, thou shalt heap burning coals upon his head." 21Be not overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.
Duties towards the authorities
1Let every soul be subject to higher powers: for there is no power but from God, and those that exist are ordained by God; 2therefore, he who resisteth power, resisteth the ordinance of God. And they who resist receive upon themselves condemnation; 3for rulers are not a cause of fear to good conduct, but to evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of authority? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same. 4For he is God's minister to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear, for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God's minister and avenger to execute wrath upon him who doth evil. 5Therefore be in subjection, not only for wrath but also for conscience' sake. 6For the same reason you also pay tribute, for rulers are ministers of God, serving unto this purpose. 7Render therefore to all men their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Love is the compendium of the law
8Owe no man anything but to love one another. For he who loveth his neighbour hath fulfilled the law. 9For this, "Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet," and any other commandment, are comprised in this sentence, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." 10The love of our neighbour worketh no evil: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Exhortation to a Christian life
11And that knowing the season, that it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we believed. 12The night is passed, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light. 13Let us walk honestly as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness; not in chambering and impurities; not in contention and envy; 14but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in its concupiscences.
Christians must not condemn one another
1Now he who is weak in faith, take unto you, not in disputes 304 about thoughts. 2For one believeth that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3Let not him who eateth despise him who eateth not, and he who eateth not, let him not judge him who eateth. For God hath welcomed him.
4Who art thou who judgest another man's servant? To his own lord he standeth or falleth; and he shall stand, for God is able to make him stand. 5For one judgeth between day and day, and another judgeth everyday alike; let every man abound in his own sense. 6He who regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he who eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth thanks to God. And he who eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not and giveth thanks to God. 7For none of us liveth to himself; and no man dieth to himself; 8for whether we live, we live unto the Lord, or whether we die, we die unto the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's; 9for to this end Christ died and rose again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10But thou, why judgest thou thy brother? Or thou, why dost thou despise thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ. 11For it is written, "As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God." 12So every one of us shall render account of himself to God.
We must be watchful of not scandalizing the weak
13Let us not therefore judge one another anymore, but judge this rather, that you put not a stumbling block or hindrance in your brother's way. 14I know and am confident in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15For if because of thy food thy brother be grieved, thou walkest not now according to love. Destroy not him with thy food for whom Christ died. 16Let not then our good be spoken of as evil. 17For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but justice and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18For he who in this serveth Christ pleaseth God and is approved by men. 19Therefore, let us follow after the things that are of peace and the building up of one another.
20Destroy not the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. 21It is good not to eat meat and not to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother is offended, or scandalized, or made weak. 22Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Blessed is he who condemneth not himself in that which he alloweth. 23But he who discerneth if he eats, is condemned, because his eating is not of faith. For all that is not Of faith is sin.
As Christ, so we must help and receive the weak
1Now we who are stronger ought to bear the infirmities of the 304 weak, and not to please ourselves; 2let everyone of you please his neighbour unto good, to edification; 3for Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell upon me." 4For what things soever were written, were written for our learning, that through patience and the comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be of one mind one towards another, according to Jesus Christ; 6that with one mind and with one mouth you may glorify God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7Receive one another, therefore, as Christ also hath received you, unto the honour of God. 8For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. 9But that the Gentiles are to glorify God for His mercy, as it is written, "Therefore I will praise thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and will sing to thy name." 10And again he saith, "Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with His people." 11And again, "Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles, and magnify Him, all ye people."
12And again Isaiah saith, "There shall be the root of Jesse, and He who shall rise up to rule the Gentiles; in Him the Gentiles shall hope."
13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing; that you may abound in hope and in the power of the Holy Ghost.
St. Paul apologizes for having written to a church not founded by him
14And I myself also, my brethren, am assured that you also are full of love, replenished with all knowledge so that you are able to admonish one another. 15But I have written to you, brethren, very boldly so as to remind you, because of the grace which was given me from God, 16that I should be the minister of Christ Jesus amongst the Gentiles, sanctifying the gospel of God, that the oblation of the Gentiles may be made acceptable and sanctified in the Holy Ghost. 17In Christ Jesus, I have therefore reason to be proud of my work for God; 18for I dare not to speak of any of those things which Christ worketh not through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed; 19by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Holy Ghost, so that from Jerusalem round about as far as unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ, 20and I have so aspired to preach this gospel, not where Christ was already named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation, 21as it is written, "They to whom He was not spoken of shall see, and they who have not heard shall understand."
He expounds how he intends to pass by Rome
22For which cause also I was hindered very much from corning to you and have been kept away till now. 23But now, having no more place in these regions, and having a great desire these many years past to come unto you, 24when I shall begin to take my journey into Spain, I hope that as I pass, I shall see you, and be brought on my way thither by you, if first, in part, I shall have enjoyed your company. 25But now, I shall go to Jerusalem to minister unto the saints, 26for it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27For it hath pleased them, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they ought also in material things to minister to them. 28When therefore I shall have accomplished this, and consigned to them this fruit, I will come by way of you to Spain; 29and I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the abundance of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. 30I beseech you therefore, brethren, through our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Holy Ghost, that you help me in your prayers for me to God, 31that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that the oblation of my service may be acceptable in Jerusalem to the saints, 32that I may come to you with joy by the will of God and may be refreshed in your company. 33Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Recommendations and salutations
1And I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is in the ministry of the church that is in Cenchrea, 2that you receive her in the Lord as becometh the saints, and that you assist her in whatever business she shall have need of you, for she has also been a helper of many and of myself as well. 3Greet Prisca and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus, 4who have for my life laid down their own necks, to whom not only I but also all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks. 5And also greet the church which is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who was the first convert to Christ from Asia. 6Greet Mary, who hath laboured much among you. 7Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8Greet Ampliatus, most beloved to me in the Lord. 9Greet Urbanus, our helper in Christ Jesus, and Stachys my beloved. 10Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. 11Greet those who are of Aristobulus household. Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those who are of Narcissus' household, who are in the Lord. 12Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Greet Persis the dearly beloved, who hath much laboured in the Lord. 13Greet Rufus, elect in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. 15Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
17Now I beseech you, brethren, to keep your eye on those who create dissensions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them, 18for they who are such serve not Christ our Lord, but their own appetites, and by pleasing speeches and good words seduce the hearts of the innocents. 19For your obedience is known to all. I rejoice therefore in you. But I would have you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. 20And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet speedily. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 21Timothy, my fellow labourer, saluteth you, and Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. 22I Tertius, who write this epistle, greet you in the Lord. 23Gaius, my host, and the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, saluteth you, and our brother Quartus. 24The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Doxology
25Now to Him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret for long ages past 26but now is made manifest by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the precept of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith - 26to the only wise God be honour and glory through Jesus Christ forever and ever. Amen.