Category: Romans

Israel Is Not Cast Away

1 I say then, has God rejectedanddisowned His people? Certainly not! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God has not rejected His [chosen] people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?

3 “Lord,they have killedYour prophets,they have torn downYour altars,andIalone am left[of the prophets],and they are seeking my life.”

4 But what is God’s response to him? “Ihave keptfor Myselfseven thousand men who have not bowed the knee toBaal.”

5 So too then, at the present time there has come to be a remnant [a small believing minority] according toGod’sgracious choice.

6 But if it is by grace [God’s unmerited favor], it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace [it would not be a gift but a reward for works].

7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking [that is, God’s favor by obedience to the Law], but the elect [those chosen few] obtained it, while the rest of them became hardenedandcallously indifferent;

8 just as it is written [in Scripture],

“God gave them a spirit of stupor,

Eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear,

[a spiritual apathy that has continued]to this very day.”

9 And David says,

“Let their table(abundance)become a snare and a trap,

Astumbling block and a retribution to them.

10 Let their eyes be darkened so that they do not see,

And make their backs bend[under their burden]forever.”

11 So I say, have they stumbled so as to fall [to spiritual ruin]? Certainly not! But by their transgression [their rejection of the Messiah] salvationhas cometo the Gentiles, to make Israel jealous [when they realize what they have forfeited].

12 Now if Israel’s transgression means riches for the world [at large] and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillmentandreinstatement be!

13 ButnowI am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,

14 in the hope of somehow making my fellow countrymen jealous [by stirring them up so that they will seek the truth] andperhapssave some of them.

15 For if their [present] rejection [of salvation] is for the reconciliation of the world [to God], what will their acceptance [of salvation] be but [nothing less than] life from the dead?

16 If the first portion [of dough offered as the first fruits] is holy, so is thewholebatch; and if the root (Abraham, the patriarchs) is holy, so are the branches (the Israelites).

17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you [Gentiles], being like a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among them to share with them the rich root of the olive tree,

18 do not boast over the [broken] branchesandexalt yourself at their expense. If you do boastandfeel superior,remember thatit is not you who supports the root, but the root thatsupportsyou.

19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.”

20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand by your faith [as believers understanding the truth of Christ’s deity]. Do not be conceited, but [rather stand in great awe of God and] fear [Him];

21 for if God did not spare the natural branches [because of unbelief], He will not spare you either.

22 Then appreciate the gracious kindness and the severity of God: to those who fell [into spiritual ruin], severity, but to you, God’sgraciouskindness—if you continue in His kindness [by faith and obedience to Him]; otherwise you too will be cut off.

23 And even they [the unbelieving Jews], if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for God has the power to graft them in again.

24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and against nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much easier will it be to graft these who are the naturalbranchesback into [the original parent stock of] their own olive tree?

25 I do not want you, believers, to be unaware of this mystery [God’s previously hidden plan]—so that you will not be wise in your own opinion—that a partial hardening has [temporarily] happened to Israel [to last] until the full number of the Gentiles has come in;

26 and so [at that time] all Israel [that is, all Jews who have a personal faith in Jesus as Messiah] will be saved; just as it is written [in Scripture],

“TheDeliverer(Messiah)will come fromZion,

He will remove ungodliness fromJacob.”

27 “This isMy covenant with them,

WhenItake away their sins.”

28 From the standpoint of the gospel, the Jews [at present] are enemies [of God] for your sake [which is for your benefit], but from the standpoint of God’s choice [of the Jews as His people], they are still loved by Him for the sake of the fathers.

29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [for He does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call].

30 Just as you once were disobedientandfailed to listen to God, but have now obtained mercy because of their disobedience,

31 so they too have now become disobedient so that they too may one day receive mercy because of the mercy shown to you.

32 For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all [Jew and Gentile alike].

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgmentsanddecisions and how unfathomableanduntraceable are His ways!

34 Forwho has known the mind of theLord,or who has beenHis counselor?

35 Orwho has first given toHim that it would be paid back to him?

36 For from Him [all things originate] and through Him [all things live and exist] and to Him are all things [directed]. To Him be gloryandhonor forever! Amen.

Dedicated Service

1 Therefore I urge you,brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God,which isyour rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.

2 And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but betransformedandprogressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

3 For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service].

4 For just as in one [physical] body we have many parts, and these parts do not all have the same functionorspecial use,

5 so we, who are many, are [nevertheless just] one body in Christ, and individually [we are] parts one of another [mutually dependent on each other].

6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us,each of us is to use them accordingly:if [someone has the gift of] prophecy, [let him speak a new message from God to His people] in proportion to the faithpossessed;

7 if service, in the act of serving; or he who teaches, in the act of teaching;

8 or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads,with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness.

9 Love is to be sincereandactive [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good.

10 Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor;

11 never lagging behind in diligence; aglow in the Spirit,enthusiasticallyserving the Lord;

12 constantlyrejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfastandpatient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength],

13 contributing to the needs of God’s people, pursuing [the practice of] hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you [who cause you harm or hardship]; bless and do not curse [them].

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief].

16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty [conceited, self-important, exclusive], but associate with humble people [those with a realistic self-view]. Do not overestimate yourself.

17 Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is rightandgraciousandproper in the sight of everyone.

18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written [in Scripture], “Vengeance isMine, Iwill repay,” says the Lord.

20 “But if your enemy is hungry,feed him;if he is thirsty,give him a drink;for by doing this you will heapburning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcomeandconquered by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Be Subject to Government

1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God.

2 Therefore whoeverresists [governmental] authority resists the ordinance of God. And those who have resisted it will bring judgment (civil penalty) on themselves.

3 For [civil] authorities are not a source of fear for [people of] good behavior, but for [those who do] evil. Do you want to be unafraid of authority? Do what is good and you will receive approvalandcommendation.

4 For he is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, [you should] be afraid; for he does not carry the [executioner’s] sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an avenger who brings punishment on the wrongdoer.

5 Therefore one must be subject [to civil authorities], not only to escape the punishment [that comes with wrongdoing], but also as a matter of principle [knowing what is right before God].

6 For this same reason you pay taxes, forcivil authoritiesare God’s servants, devoting themselves to governance.

7 Pay to all what is due: tax to whom taxis due,customs to whom customs, respect to whom respect, honor to whom honor.

8 Owe nothing to anyone except toloveandseek the best for one another; for he who [unselfishly] loves his neighbor has fulfilled the [essence of the] law [relating to one’s fellowman].

9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,you shall not murder,you shall not steal,you shall not covet,” and any other commandment are summed up in this statement: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor [it never hurts anyone]. Therefore [unselfish] love is the fulfillment of the Law.

11 Do this, knowing that this is a critical time. It is already the hour for you to awaken from your sleep [of spiritual complacency]; for our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed [in Christ].

12 The night [this present evil age] is almost gone and the day [of Christ’s return] is almost here. So let us fling away the works of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light.

13 Let us conduct ourselves properlyandhonorably as in the [light of] day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and irresponsibility, not in quarreling and jealousy.

14 But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for [nor even think about gratifying] the flesh in regard to its improper desires.

Principles of Conscience

1 As for theone whose faith is weak, accept him [into your fellowship], but not for [the purpose of] quarreling over his opinions.

2 One man’s faith permits him to eat everything, while the weakbelievereatsonlyvegetables [to avoid eating ritually unclean meat or something previously considered unclean].

3 The one who eats [everything] is not to look down on the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat must not criticizeorpass judgment on the one who eats [everything], for God has accepted him.

4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? Before his own master he stands [approved] or falls [out of favor]. And he [who serves the Master—the Lord] will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

5 One person regards one day as better [or more important] than another, while another regards every day [the same as any other]. Let everyone be fully convinced (assured, satisfied) in his own mind.

6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord. He who eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; while he who abstains, abstains for the Lord and gives thanks to God.

7 None of us lives for himself [for his own benefit, but for the Lord], and none of us dies for himself [but for the Lord].

8 If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. So then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

9 For Christ died and lived again for this reason, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

10 But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you again, why do you look down on your [believing] brotherorregard him with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God [who alone is judge].

11 For it is written [in Scripture],

“AsIlive,says theLord,every knee shall bow toMe,

And every tongue shall give praise toGod.”

12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

13 Then let us not criticize one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling blockora source of temptation in another believer’s way.

14 I know and am convinced [as one] in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean [ritually defiled, and unholy] in itself; but [nonetheless] it is unclean to anyone who thinks it is unclean.

15 If your brother is being hurtoroffended because of food [that you insist on eating], you are no longer walking in love [toward him]. Do not let what you eat destroyandspiritually harm one for whom Christ died.

16 Therefore do not let what is a good thing for you [because of your freedom to choose] be spoken of as evil [by someone else];

17 for the kingdom of God is nota matter ofeating and drinking [what one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

18 For the one who serves Christ in this way [recognizing that food choice is secondary] is acceptable to God and is approved by men.

19 So then, let us pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth].

20 Do not, for the sake of food, tear down the work of God. All things indeed are [ceremonially] clean, but they are wrong for the person who eats and offends [another’s conscience in the process].

21 It is good [to do the right thing and] not eat meat or drink wine, or do anything that offends your brotherandweakens him spiritually.

22 The faith which you have [that gives you freedom of choice], have as your own conviction before God [just keep it between yourself and God, seeking His will]. Happy is he who has no reason to condemn himself for what he approves.

23 But he who is uncertain [about eating a particular thing] is condemned if he eats, because he is notactingfrom faith. Whatever is not from faith is sin [whatever is done with doubt is sinful].

Self-denial on Behalf of Others

1 Now we who are strong [in our convictions and faith] ought to [patiently] put up with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not just please ourselves.

2 Let each one of us [make it a practice to] please hisneighbor for his good, to build him up spiritually.

3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written [in Scripture], “The reproaches of those who reproachedYou(the Father)fell onMe(the Son).”

4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hopeandoverflow with confidence in His promises.

5 Now may the God who gives endurance and who supplies encouragement grant that you be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,

6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorifyandpraiseandhonor the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Therefore, [continue to] acceptandwelcome one another, just as Christ has acceptedandwelcomed us to the glory of [our great] God.

8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servantanda minister to the circumcision (Jews) on behalf of God’s truth, to confirmandverify the promises made to the fathers,

9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy [to them, since God had no covenant with them]. As it is writtenandforever remains written,

“ThereforeIpraiseYou among theGentiles,

And sing praises toYour name.”

10 Again it says,

“Rejoiceandcelebrate, O Gentiles,along withHis people.”

11 And again,

“Praise theLord all youGentiles,

And let all the peoples praiseHim!”

12 Again Isaiah says,

“There shall be a root ofJesse,

He who arises to rule[as King]over theGentiles,

InHim shall theGentiles hope.”

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hopeandoverflow with confidence in His promises.

14 Personally I am convinced about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, amply filled with all [spiritual] knowledge, and competent to admonishandcounselandinstruct one another.

15 Still, on some points I have written to you very boldlyandwithout reservation to remind you [about them] again, because of the grace that was given to me from God,

16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I minister as a priest the gospel of God, in order that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable [to Him], sanctified [made holy and set apart for His purpose] by the Holy Spirit.

17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have found [legitimate] reason for boasting in things related [to my service] to God.

18 For I will not [even] presume to speak of anything except what Christ has done through me [as an instrument in His hands], resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles [to the gospel], by word and deed,

19 with the power of signs and wonders, [and all of it] in the power of the Spirit. So [starting] from Jerusalem and as farawayasIllyricum, I have fully preached the gospel [faithfully preaching the good news] of Christ [where it had not before been preached].

20 Accordingly I set a goal to preach the gospel, not where Christ’s name was already known, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation;

21 but [instead I would act on this goal] as it is written [in Scripture],

“They who had no news ofHim shall see,

And they who have not heard[of Him]shall understand.”

22 This [goal—my commitment to this principle] is the reason why I have often been prevented from coming to you [in Rome].

23 But now, with no further place for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you—

24 whenever I go [on my trip] to Spain—I hope to see you as I pass through [Rome], and to be helped on my journey there by you, after I have first enjoyed your company for a little while.

25 But for now, I am going to Jerusalem to serve the saints (Jewish believers).

26 For [Gentile believers in]Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints (Jewish believers) in Jerusalem.

27 They were pleased to do it, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual things, then they are indebted to serve them also in [tangible] material things.

28 Therefore, when I have finished this [mission] and have safely given to them what has been raised, I will go on by way of you to Spain.

29 I know that when I do come to you, I will come in the abundant blessing of Christ.

30 I urge you, believers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join together with me in your prayers to God in my behalf,

31 [and pray] that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints (Jewish believers)there;

32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and find rest in your company.

33 May the God of peace be with you all! Amen.

Greetings and Love Expressed

1 Now I introduceandcommend to you our sisterPhoebe, a deaconess (servant) of the church atCenchrea,

2 that you may receive her in the Lord [with love and hospitality], asGod’s people ought to receive one another. And that you may help her in whatever matter she may require assistance from you, for she has been a helper of many, including myself.

3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,

4 who risked their own necks [endangering their very lives] for my life. To them not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

5 Alsogreetthe church that meets in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the first convert to Christ from [the west coast province of] Asia [Minor].

6 Greet Mary, who has worked so hard for you.

7 Greet Andronicus andJunias, my kinsmen and [once] my fellow prisoners, who are held in high esteeminthe estimation ofthe apostles, and who were [believers] in Christ before me.

8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.

9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys.

10 Greet Apelles, the one testedandapproved in Christ. Greet those who belong to thehouseholdofAristobulus.

11 Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those of thehouseholdof Narcissus, who are in the Lord.

12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet my beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.

13 Greet Rufus, an eminentandchoice man in the Lord, also his mother [who has been] a mother to me as well.

14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.

15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and allGod’s people who are with them.

16 Greet one another with aholy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep your eyes on those who cause dissensions and create obstaclesorintroduce temptations [for others] to commit sin, [acting in ways] contrary to the doctrine which you have learned. Turn away from them.

18 For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites and base desires. By smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting [the innocent and the naive].

19 Forthe report ofyour obedience has reached everyone, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.

20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

The [wonderful] grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.

22 I,Tertius, the writer (scribe) of this letter, greet you in the Lord.

23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church here, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.

24 [The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.]

25 Now to Him who is able to establishandstrengthen you [in the faith] according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery [of the plan of salvation] which has been kept secret for long ages past,

26 but now has been disclosed and through the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all the nations, according to the commandment of the eternal God,leading themto obedience to the faith,

27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forevermore! Amen.