\id ROM - The English New Testament According to Family 35 
\h Romans 
\toc3 Rom. 
\toc2 Romans 
\toc1 The Epistle of Paul to the Romans 
\mt2 The Epistle of Paul to the  
\mt1 ROMANS  
\c 1  
\s1 Salutation  
\m
\v 1 \w Paul|strong="G3972"\w*, \w a|strong="G1519"\w* \w slave|strong="G1401"\w*\f + \fr 1:1 \ft All human beings are slaves—we are born that way, live that way, die that way. As the Lord Jesus said, “whoever commits sin is a slave of sin… if the Son makes you free you will be free indeed” (John 8:34,36). Sovereign Jesus offers us a choice of owner: the only way to escape slavery to sin is to become a slave of Jesus Christ.\f* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w a|strong="G1519"\w* \w called|strong="G2822"\w* apostle,\f + \fr 1:1 \ft Apostles are not ordained by man; they are designated by God, who has a reason for doing so. In the case of Paul, it was “to promote obedience of faith among all ethnic nations” (verse 5).\f* \w having|strong="G2316"\w* \w been|strong="G5547"\w* set apart \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*,  
\v 2 \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G3739"\w* \w promised|strong="G4279"\w* \w beforehand|strong="G4279"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w His|strong="G1223"\w* \w prophets|strong="G4396"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* Holy \w Scriptures|strong="G1124"\w*:\f + \fr 1:2 \ft The promise begins in Genesis 3:15, and reappears in passages like Genesis 12:3, 28:14, 2 Samuel 7:16, Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6-7. The “Holy Scriptures” here refer to the Old Testament.\f*  
\v 3 \w concerning|strong="G4012"\w* \w His|strong="G4012"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w became|strong="G1096"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w physical|strong="G4561"\w* \w descendant|strong="G4690"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w David|strong="G1138"\w*,\f + \fr 1:3 \ft Literally, ‘of the seed of David according to the flesh’. Jesus' body contained genes from David that came through His mother Mary, a descendant of David's son, Nathan (Luke 3:31) (and presumably still does, at the Father's right hand). Isaiah 9:7 makes clear that the Messiah will occupy the throne of David; see also 2 Samuel 7:16, Isaiah 11:10 and Micah 5:2.\f*  
\v 4 \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* established \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w be|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'\w s|strong="G2962"\w* \w powerful|strong="G1411"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* (\w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w accordance|strong="G2596"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* holiness\f + \fr 1:4 \ft Since there is no article with ‘spirit’, I take it as a title, so all three persons of the Trinity are in this verse.\f*) \w by|strong="G1722"\w* resurrection \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w*\f + \fr 1:4 \ft A ‘mere’ human cannot decide to rise from the dead; Jesus had this authority, as He affirms in John 10:17-18—“My Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” The cross did not kill Jesus; He dismissed His spirit.\f*—\w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*—  
\v 5 \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w received|strong="G2983"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* apostleship \w to|strong="G1519"\w* promote \w obedience|strong="G5218"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* ethnic \w nations|strong="G1484"\w* \w concerning|strong="G1519"\w* \w His|strong="G3956"\w* \w name|strong="G3686"\w*\f + \fr 1:5 \ft One's name represents his person—the obedience of faith is to be directed toward the person of Jesus Christ.\f*  
\v 6 (\w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w these|strong="G3739"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w called|strong="G2822"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*);  
\v 7 \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w called|strong="G2822"\w* saints\f + \fr 1:7 \ft They were called to be saints.\f* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Rome|strong="G4516"\w*, beloved \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*: \w Grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w* \w from|strong="G1515"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* Sovereign \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*.\f + \fr 1:7 \ft Where ‘Lord’ occurs without the definite article, as here, I usually render ‘Sovereign’; with either ‘the’ or ‘our’ I usually render ‘Lord’. This text clearly presents the Father and the Son as distinct persons.\f*   
\ms1 To Gentiles  
\s1 Paul has been hindered from visiting Rome  
\p
\v 8 \w First|strong="G4413"\w*, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w thank|strong="G2168"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w your|strong="G3650"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w being|strong="G5547"\w* reported \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w over|strong="G4012"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*.\f + \fr 1:8 \ft Not bad.\f*  
\v 9 Further, \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w serve|strong="G3000"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w*\f + \fr 1:9 \ft See Romans 7:14-25.\f* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w witness|strong="G3144"\w*, \w how|strong="G5613"\w* \w without|strong="G5613"\w* ceasing \w I|strong="G1473"\w* always \w remember|strong="G4160"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* prayers,  
\v 10 \w begging|strong="G1189"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* perhaps \w now|strong="G2235"\w*, \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w last|strong="G4218"\w*, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w may|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G2316"\w* prospered \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w will|strong="G2307"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.\f + \fr 1:10 \ft What we think we want is not always what God wants.\f*  
\v 11 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w I|strong="G1063"\w* \w long|strong="G1971"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w see|strong="G3708"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w I|strong="G1063"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w impart|strong="G3330"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w some|strong="G5100"\w* \w spiritual|strong="G4152"\w* \w gift|strong="G5486"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w be|strong="G1519"\w* \w established|strong="G4741"\w*  
\v 12 —\w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w*, \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w encouraged|strong="G4837"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* mutual \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*,\f + \fr 1:12 \ft To see someone established in the mutual faith is a genuine encouragement.\f* \w both|strong="G2532"\w* \w yours|strong="G4771"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w mine|strong="G1473"\w*.   
\p
\v 13 \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w want|strong="G2309"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w unaware|strong="G3756"\w*, brothers, \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w often|strong="G4178"\w* \w planned|strong="G4388"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* (\w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w hindered|strong="G2967"\w* \w until|strong="G2064"\w* \w now|strong="G1161"\w*), \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w order|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w might|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w some|strong="G5100"\w* \w fruit|strong="G2590"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w*, \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w rest|strong="G3062"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w*.\f + \fr 1:13 \ft ‘Gentiles’ and ‘ethnic nations’ are renderings of the same Greek noun; the choice is governed by the context, but that choice is often difficult. The reader should keep the two options in mind.\f*  
\v 14 \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w debtor|strong="G3781"\w*\f + \fr 1:14 \ft Why was Paul a debtor to people he had never seen? He had the cure for their ills, and a command from God.\f* \w both|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w Greeks|strong="G1672"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* non-Greeks, \w both|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w wise|strong="G4680"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w foolish|strong="G2532"\w*.  
\v 15 \w So|strong="G3779"\w*, \w for|strong="G1722"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w part|strong="G1473"\w*, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1473"\w* \w eager|strong="G4289"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w preach|strong="G2097"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2097"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Rome|strong="G4516"\w* \w as|strong="G1722"\w* \w well|strong="G2532"\w*.   
\s1 Faith  
\p
\v 16 \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w ashamed|strong="G1870"\w*\f + \fr 1:16 \ft Where did Paul get the idea of ‘shame’? A world controlled by Satan does all it can to cow any who dare to proclaim the Truth.\f* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* Christ,\f + \fr 1:16 \ft Perhaps 3% of the Greek manuscripts omit “of Christ”, to be followed by NIV, NASB, TEV, etc.—an inferior proceeding.\f* \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w power|strong="G1411"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w each|strong="G1519"\w* \w one|strong="G3956"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w believes|strong="G4100"\w*\f + \fr 1:16 \ft \+nd The\+nd* Gospel is \+nd the\+nd* power for \+nd the\+nd* salvation. As the Lord Jesus said in John 14:6—“I am \+nd the\+nd* way, \+nd the\+nd* truth, and \+nd the\+nd* life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” There are not many ways, only one.\f* (\w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Jew|strong="G2453"\w* \w first|strong="G4413"\w*, \w then|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Greek|strong="G1672"\w*);  
\v 17 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* revealed, \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*; \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*: “\w The|strong="G1722"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1342"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*.”\f + \fr 1:17 \ft See Habakkuk 2:4. To ‘live by faith’ you must move from one exercise of faith to another.\f*   
\s1 Unrighteousness  
\p
\v 18 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w wrath|strong="G3709"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* revealed \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w Heaven|strong="G3772"\w* \w upon|strong="G1909"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* ungodliness \w and|strong="G2532"\w* unrighteousness \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w people|strong="G3956"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w suppress|strong="G2722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* truth \w by|strong="G1722"\w* unrighteousness,\f + \fr 1:18 \ft To ‘suppress the truth’ is a deliberate act, an evil choice that invites God's wrath. According to 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11, to reject the love of the truth brings God's judgment. To hear a sermon about ‘the love of God’ is easy enough, but how many have you heard (or preached) about ‘the wrath of God’? “God hates sin but loves the sinner” is standard fare, but consider Psalm 5:4-6—“For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, nor shall evil dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand in your sight; You \+bd hate\+bd* all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; the Lord \+nd abhors\+nd* the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.” This is not an isolated text; there are a fair number of others in the same vein. Someone who deliberately chooses to be and promote evil thereby makes God his enemy. In John 6:44 Sovereign Jesus said: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” Do you suppose that the Father will ‘draw’ someone He hates? Perhaps we should do more preaching on the wrath of God (although that will probably send people scurrying to other churches).\f*  
\v 19 precisely \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w may|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w known|strong="G1110"\w* \w about|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w evident|strong="G5318"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*, \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w shown|strong="G5319"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 20 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w His|strong="G1438"\w* invisible attributes, namely \w His|strong="G1438"\w* eternal \w power|strong="G1411"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w divine|strong="G2305"\w* \w nature|strong="G2305"\w*, \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w clearly|strong="G2529"\w* \w seen|strong="G2529"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w creation|strong="G2937"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*, \w being|strong="G1510"\w* \w understood|strong="G3539"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w has|strong="G2889"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w made|strong="G4161"\w*, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* inexcusable;\f + \fr 1:20 \ft All scientific experiment and true human knowledge is based on the principle of cause and effect—we observe an effect and try to isolate its cause. As a logical corollary, the cause must be as great or greater than the effect, otherwise it could not produce it. Any human being who is both honest and intelligent, confronted with the observable universe, with its incredible order and complexity, \+nd must\+nd* conclude that there has to be a CAUSE who is both incredibly intelligent and powerful—to refuse to do so is perverse. Since we have personality, He must as well. So Paul's argument is precisely correct. The science of physics tells us that the entire known universe, taking only what is inorganic (not part of any living system), can be described using up to 350 bits of information. To describe the smallest protein molecule (unable to live alone, but part of a living system) requires some 1,500 bits of information (the E. coli bacterium some 7 million; one human cell some 20 billion). Now just where could chance plus nothing find 1,150 bits of \ft \+bd new\+bd* information (to produce the simplest protein), if in the whole universe there was only 350? The evolutionary hypothesis as an explanation for the origin of life is ridiculously, stupidly impossible! The science of genetics, with its genome projects, has discovered that a change of just 3 nucleotides is usually fatal to the organism. The genetic difference between a human being and a chimpanzee (closest relative) is at least 1.6%—this represents a gap of some 48 million nucleotide differences. Since a random change of only 3 nucleotides is fatal to an animal, and a dead animal cannot reproduce, there is no possible way that a chimp could evolve into a human. Each individual species had to be assembled separately, just like Genesis says. The ‘geologic column’ is a fiction, since there are multistrate tree fossils. Symbiotic plants and insects could not possibly evolve. And so on.\f*  
\v 21 precisely \w because|strong="G1360"\w*, \w knowing|strong="G1097"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w neither|strong="G3756"\w* \w glorified|strong="G1392"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w nor|strong="G2532"\w* \w gave|strong="G2532"\w* \w thanks|strong="G2168"\w*;\f + \fr 1:21 \ft To turn against the Creator, to deny His existence, is a deliberate, culpable choice, since it goes against the observable scientific evidence.\f* \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w reasonings|strong="G1261"\w* \w became|strong="G3154"\w* worthless \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* senseless \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w darkened|strong="G4654"\w*.\f + \fr 1:21 \ft When you deliberately turn out the light, you condemn yourself to grope about in darkness, and you cannot see what is attacking you. ‘Were darkened’ is in the passive voice, so the necessary question is, by what or by whom? Ephesians 2:2 refers to Satan as “the spirit who now works in the sons of the disobedience”. When someone rejects the Creator he also rejects His protection; by choosing to become a ‘son of the disobedience’, a person invites Satan into his mind, and Satan brings darkness. I am reminded of our Lord's words in Matthew 6:22-23. “The lamp of the body is the eye. So if your eye is sound your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is evil your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” Of course we have two eyes, but the Text has “eye” in the singular. I take it that the reference is to the way we interpret what we see (which is our real ‘eye’)—two people, one pure and one vile, observing the same scene will give very different interpretations to it. “Evil” here has the idea of malignant—aggressively evil. Someone with a malignant mind will give an evil interpretation to \+nd everything\+nd* he sees, and in consequence his being will be filled with unrelenting darkness. Cf. Titus 1:15.\f*  
\v 22 \w Claiming|strong="G5335"\w* \w to|strong="G1510"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w wise|strong="G4680"\w*, \w they|strong="G1510"\w* \w became|strong="G3471"\w* \w fools|strong="G3471"\w*,\f + \fr 1:22 \ft ‘Modern man’ struts about, thinking that he is smarter than former generations. Anyone who embraces materialistic, relativistic humanism is a true fool.\f*  
\v 23 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* exchanged \w for|strong="G1722"\w* \w themselves|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* incorruptible \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w for|strong="G1722"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* \w image|strong="G1504"\w* \w resembling|strong="G3667"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w perishable|strong="G5349"\w* \w man|strong="G2316"\w*\f + \fr 1:23 \ft Any god you create will be smaller than you are—totally worthless!\f*—\w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w birds|strong="G4071"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* quadrupeds \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w reptiles|strong="G2062"\w*!   
\p
\v 24 \w Therefore|strong="G1352"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w also|strong="G2316"\w* \w gave|strong="G3860"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w up|strong="G3860"\w*, \w through|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* cravings \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* vileness, \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* degrading \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* \w bodies|strong="G4983"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w themselves|strong="G1438"\w*  
\v 25 —\w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w exchanged|strong="G3337"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* truth \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w lie|strong="G5579"\w*,\f + \fr 1:25 \ft Note that they turned their backs on God first; His giving them up was a consequence of their choice. All the evil in the world is a consequence of men's evil choices—God should not be blamed. That said, however, any time a person chooses evil he invites Satan into his mind, and Satan will push the person toward ever lower levels of depravity. I believe that Hebrews 2:7 is relevant here: “You made him [man, verse 6] lower than the angels, for a little while” (quoting Psalm 8:5). The human being is superior to the angelic being in essence; we bear the Creator's image and they do not, and once glorified that superiority will be obvious, but only for the redeemed. Those who serve Satan subordinate themselves to him, and thus can never rise above him. If Lucifer's rebellion was provoked, as I suppose, by the creation of a being superior to himself, he is doing very well at getting his ‘revenge’, by depriving the vast majority of humanity of that superiority [and so Hebrews 2:8 would not apply to them]. Satan is now controlled by spite; he was demoted. Since he is unable to create, he gets his satisfaction by degrading and destroying. His greatest ‘pleasure’ must be to drag the image of the Creator through the mire, and for that purpose anal sex is just the ticket. Since it is a man's seed that transmits the ‘image’ (see Hebrews 7:10, etc.), anal sex mixes the image of God with feces—a monstrous insult! The practice of anal sex is the equivalent of spitting in the face of the Creator; it is an extremely serious offense (worse than a buck private spitting in the face of a four star general). So then, as soon as God removes His hand, Satan pushes men toward anal sex, thereby making it increasingly difficult for them to ever be saved (as verses 26-32 below make clear).\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w worshiped|strong="G4573"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w served|strong="G3000"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w creature|strong="G2937"\w* \w rather|strong="G3844"\w* \w than|strong="G3844"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Creator|strong="G2936"\w*, \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w blessed|strong="G2128"\w* \w forever|strong="G1519"\w*. Amen.   
\s1 Depravity  
\p
\v 26 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w reason|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w gave|strong="G3860"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w up|strong="G3860"\w*\f + \fr 1:26 \ft If God gives you up, you are in a bad way! Most people today live in cultures controlled by Satan; if they do not resist their culture, they have very little chance of salvation.\f* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* degrading \w passions|strong="G3806"\w*; \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w fact|strong="G3778"\w* \w even|strong="G5037"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* females \w exchanged|strong="G3337"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w natural|strong="G5446"\w* sexual \w function|strong="G5540"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w against|strong="G1519"\w* \w nature|strong="G5449"\w*;  
\v 27 \w likewise|strong="G3668"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* males, abandoning \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w natural|strong="G5446"\w* \w use|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w female|strong="G2338"\w*, \w were|strong="G3588"\w* inflamed\f + \fr 1:27 \ft The verb is in the passive voice, so the necessary question is, by whom? The answer has already been given in the note above. I doubt that anyone performs anal sex without a demon present.\f* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* lust \w toward|strong="G1519"\w* \w one|strong="G3739"\w* \w another|strong="G1438"\w*, males \w committing|strong="G2716"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* disgraceful act\f + \fr 1:27 \ft The noun here is singular and with the definite article, ‘the act’. The seriousness of this has been explained above.\f* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* males, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* receiving \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w themselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w due|strong="G1163"\w* penalty\f + \fr 1:27 \ft Whatever this ‘penalty’ is, why would any sane person want it?\f* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* \w error|strong="G4106"\w*.   
\p
\v 28 \w So|strong="G2532"\w* precisely \w because|strong="G1722"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* determined \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w retain|strong="G2192"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* \w knowledge|strong="G1922"\w*,\f + \fr 1:28 \ft It needs to be emphasized that this is a deliberate choice.\f* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w gave|strong="G3860"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w up|strong="G3860"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* debased \w mind|strong="G3563"\w*, \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* wrong \w things|strong="G3588"\w*:  
\v 29 having been \w filled|strong="G4137"\w*\f + \fr 1:29 \ft The passive voice again; God gives them up and Satan takes over.\f* \w with|strong="G4137"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* unrighteousness, fornication,\f + \fr 1:29 \ft Perhaps 5% of the Greek manuscripts omit “fornication”, to be followed by NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.—an inferior proceeding, being a simple case of ‘like ending’.\f* \w wickedness|strong="G4189"\w*, \w greed|strong="G4124"\w*, depravity; \w full|strong="G3324"\w* \w of|strong="G3956"\w* \w envy|strong="G5355"\w*, \w murder|strong="G5408"\w*, \w strife|strong="G2054"\w*, \w deceit|strong="G1388"\w*, \w malignity|strong="G2550"\w*; \w gossips|strong="G5588"\w*,  
\v 30 \w slanderers|strong="G2637"\w*, God-haters, \w insolent|strong="G5197"\w*, \w arrogant|strong="G5244"\w*, braggarts, \w contrivers|strong="G2182"\w* \w of|strong="G2319"\w* \w evil|strong="G2556"\w* \w things|strong="G2556"\w*, disobedient \w to|strong="G2556"\w* \w parents|strong="G1118"\w*,  
\v 31 senseless, faithless, hardhearted, intransigent,\f + \fr 1:31 \ft Perhaps 2% of the Greek manuscripts, of objectively inferior quality, omit “intransigent”, to be followed by NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.—an inferior proceeding, being another simple case of ‘like ending’.\f* unmerciful;  
\v 32 \w who|strong="G3588"\w*, \w knowing|strong="G1921"\w* full \w well|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w just|strong="G2532"\w* sentence, \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w practice|strong="G4160"\w* \w such|strong="G5108"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* deserving \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w approve|strong="G4909"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w other|strong="G5108"\w* practitioners.\f + \fr 1:32 \ft Is this not a perfect picture of ‘modern man’? (Of course things were at least that bad before the Flood.) Note “\+nd are\+nd* deserving of death”; the verb is in the present tense, and Paul wrote this years after Pentecost, and consequently within the age of Grace. Through Moses the Creator articulated the death penalty for certain practices. Paul's use of ‘\ft \+bd are\+bd*’ indicates that the penalty has not been revoked or annulled.\f*   
\c 2  
\s1 Judgment  
\m
\v 1 \w Now|strong="G1510"\w* \w then|strong="G1063"\w*, \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w there|strong="G1063"\w*, \w whoever|strong="G3739"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w judges|strong="G2919"\w* \w someone|strong="G3739"\w* \w else|strong="G2087"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w practice|strong="G4238"\w* \w yourself|strong="G4572"\w*—\w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w condemn|strong="G2632"\w* \w yourself|strong="G4572"\w* \w and|strong="G3956"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* inexcusable.  
\v 2 \w Further|strong="G1909"\w*, \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w judgment|strong="G2917"\w* \w against|strong="G2596"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w practice|strong="G4238"\w* \w such|strong="G5108"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w*\f + \fr 2:2 \ft The ‘such things’ refers back to the content of 1:29-31.\f* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* truth.  
\v 3 \w So|strong="G2532"\w* \w then|strong="G2532"\w*, \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w there|strong="G2532"\w*, \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w judge|strong="G2919"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w practice|strong="G4160"\w* \w such|strong="G5108"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w* \w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w doing|strong="G4160"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w same|strong="G3778"\w*, \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* really imagine \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w escape|strong="G1628"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w judgment|strong="G2917"\w*?\f + \fr 2:3 \ft What sort of blindness could this be, for such a person to imagine that he will escape judgment?\f*  
\v 4 \w Or|strong="G2228"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* scorn \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w riches|strong="G4149"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w His|strong="G1519"\w* \w kindness|strong="G5544"\w*, tolerance \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w longsuffering|strong="G3115"\w*, \w not|strong="G2532"\w* recognizing \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w goodness|strong="G5544"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w leading|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w toward|strong="G1519"\w* \w repentance|strong="G3341"\w*?\f + \fr 2:4 \ft Just because God is good, kind, tolerant and longsuffering, people imagine that He is weak, or even nonexistent [!]—how wrong they are!\f*  
\v 5 \w Rather|strong="G1161"\w*, \w due|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w hardness|strong="G4643"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* unrepentant \w heart|strong="G2588"\w*, \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* treasuring \w up|strong="G2343"\w* \w wrath|strong="G3709"\w* \w for|strong="G1161"\w* \w yourself|strong="G4572"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w wrath|strong="G3709"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* revelation \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1341"\w* \w judgment|strong="G1341"\w*,\f + \fr 2:5 \ft The full revelation of God's wrath and righteous judgment is going to take a lot of people by surprise. To ‘treasure up’ such wrath is incredibly stupid, if not insane.\f*  
\v 6 \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w will|strong="G3739"\w* repay \w each|strong="G1538"\w* \w one|strong="G1538"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w his|strong="G3739"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w*:\f + \fr 2:6 \ft See Psalm 62:12 and Proverbs 24:12. Each one of us must give an accounting, based on what we \+nd did\+nd* (not on what we said we believed).\f*  
\v 7 \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w seek|strong="G2212"\w* \w for|strong="G2212"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w*, \w honor|strong="G5092"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* incorruption, \w by|strong="G2596"\w* persevering \w in|strong="G2596"\w* \w doing|strong="G2041"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w*—eternal \w life|strong="G2222"\w*;\f + \fr 2:7 \ft One is reminded of Cornelius as a case in point (Acts 10).\f*  
\v 8 \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w*, due \w to|strong="G2532"\w* self-seeking,\f + \fr 2:8 \ft The essence of sin is self. It is our egocentricity that destroys us spiritually. All babies are self-centered, as they must be in order to survive physically in this world. But as they grow they need to be taught a better way.\f* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w actually|strong="G2532"\w* disobeying \w the|strong="G2532"\w* truth (\w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w obeying|strong="G3982"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* unrighteousness)—fury \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w wrath|strong="G3709"\w*,  
\v 9 \w tribulation|strong="G2347"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w anguish|strong="G4730"\w*, \w upon|strong="G1909"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* human \w soul|strong="G5590"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* works \w at|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w evil|strong="G2556"\w*,\f + \fr 2:9 \ft I suppose that God is wrathful because of the damage that such people inflict upon others, at least in part.\f* \w whether|strong="G2532"\w* \w Jew|strong="G2453"\w* (\w first|strong="G4413"\w*) \w or|strong="G2532"\w* \w Greek|strong="G1672"\w*;  
\v 10 \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w*, \w honor|strong="G5092"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w everyone|strong="G3956"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w works|strong="G2038"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w good|strong="G3956"\w*, \w whether|strong="G2532"\w* \w Jew|strong="G2453"\w* (\w first|strong="G4413"\w*) \w or|strong="G2532"\w* \w Greek|strong="G1672"\w*.\f + \fr 2:10 \ft Working good looks to be a better deal than working evil!\f*   
\p
\v 11 \w Now|strong="G1510"\w* \w there|strong="G1063"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w favoritism|strong="G4382"\w* \w with|strong="G3844"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.  
\v 12 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w many|strong="G3745"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* sinned \w without|strong="G2532"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* perish \w without|strong="G2532"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*; \w while|strong="G1722"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w many|strong="G3745"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* sinned \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w judged|strong="G2919"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*.\f + \fr 2:12 \ft God is just, and His judgment takes into account the amount of light that a person had, but all will be judged. Our Lord's words in Luke 12:47-48 spell this out.\f*  
\v 13 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* hearers \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1342"\w* \w before|strong="G3844"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w but|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w doers|strong="G4163"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G3756"\w* \w justified|strong="G1344"\w*\f + \fr 2:13 \ft Over and over the Text makes clear that we have to \+nd do\+nd*.\f*  
\v 14 (\w indeed|strong="G1063"\w*, \w whenever|strong="G3752"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* ethnic \w nations|strong="G1484"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w by|strong="G1438"\w* \w nature|strong="G5449"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w* \w of|strong="G3551"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w these|strong="G3778"\w*, \w although|strong="G1063"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w having|strong="G2192"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w to|strong="G3361"\w* \w themselves|strong="G1438"\w*;  
\v 15 \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w show|strong="G1731"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w work|strong="G2041"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w written|strong="G1123"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w*, \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w conscience|strong="G4893"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w bearing|strong="G4828"\w* \w witness|strong="G4828"\w*,\f + \fr 2:15 \ft Everyone is born with a conscience, and with intelligence to see that some things produce a good result while others produce a bad result.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* reasonings \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w themselves|strong="G1722"\w* \w accusing|strong="G2723"\w* \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w even|strong="G2532"\w* excusing)  
\v 16 \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w* \w when|strong="G3753"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w*, \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w judge|strong="G2919"\w* \w people|strong="G2919"\w*'s \w secrets|strong="G2927"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*.\f + \fr 2:16 \ft In John 5:22 the Lord Jesus stated plainly that the Father has committed all judgment to the Son, developing the theme in verses 23-29; see also Acts 17:31 and Revelation 19:15. That there are no ‘secrets’ unknown to God is made clear in passages like Psalm 139:1-16 and Hebrews 4:12-13. That the Day of God involves judging is clear in the OT, but it is only from the NT that we learn of the role that Jesus will play in that judging.\f*   
\ms1 To Jews  
\s1 Law  
\p
\v 17 Look, \w you|strong="G4771"\w* declare \w yourself|strong="G4771"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \nd \+w Jew|strong="G2453"\+w*\nd*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w rest|strong="G1879"\w* \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w boast|strong="G2744"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*,  
\v 18 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Will|strong="G2307"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w approve|strong="G1381"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* superior \w things|strong="G3588"\w*, \w being|strong="G2532"\w* \w instructed|strong="G2727"\w* \w out|strong="G1537"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Law|strong="G3551"\w*.  
\v 19 Further, \w you|strong="G1722"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w confident|strong="G3982"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w you|strong="G1722"\w* \w yourself|strong="G4572"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w a|strong="G1722"\w* \w guide|strong="G3595"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w blind|strong="G5185"\w*, \w a|strong="G1722"\w* \w light|strong="G5457"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w darkness|strong="G4655"\w*,  
\v 20 \w an|strong="G2192"\w* \w instructor|strong="G3810"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w foolish|strong="G2532"\w*, \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w teacher|strong="G1320"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w immature|strong="G3516"\w*, \w having|strong="G2192"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Law|strong="G3551"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w embodiment|strong="G3446"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w knowledge|strong="G1108"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* truth.\f + \fr 2:20 \ft “The embodiment of knowledge and truth” is an excellent description of the Scriptures.\f*  
\v 21 \w You|strong="G3767"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w teach|strong="G1321"\w* \w another|strong="G2087"\w*, \w do|strong="G3361"\w* \w you|strong="G3767"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w teach|strong="G1321"\w* \w yourself|strong="G4572"\w*? \w You|strong="G3767"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w preach|strong="G2784"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* \w steal|strong="G2813"\w*, \w do|strong="G3361"\w* \w you|strong="G3767"\w* \w steal|strong="G2813"\w*?  
\v 22 \w You|strong="G3004"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w to|strong="G3004"\w* \w commit|strong="G3431"\w* \w adultery|strong="G3431"\w*, \w do|strong="G3004"\w* \w you|strong="G3004"\w* adulterate? \w You|strong="G3004"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* abhor \w idols|strong="G1497"\w*, \w do|strong="G3004"\w* \w you|strong="G3004"\w* \w rob|strong="G2416"\w* \w temples|strong="G2416"\w*?  
\v 23 \w You|strong="G3739"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w boast|strong="G2744"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w do|strong="G1223"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* dishonor \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w transgression|strong="G3847"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Law|strong="G3551"\w*?  
\v 24 \w For|strong="G1063"\w*, \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*: “\w The|strong="G1722"\w* \w name|strong="G3686"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* blasphemed \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w* \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.”\f + \fr 2:24 \ft See Isaiah 52:5 and Ezekiel 36:22. The problem of not practicing what one preaches has been around for quite a while.\f*   
\s2 Circumcision  
\p
\v 25 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w circumcision|strong="G4061"\w* \w does|strong="G1510"\w* \w have|strong="G1510"\w* \w value|strong="G5623"\w* \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w keep|strong="G4238"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w transgressor|strong="G3848"\w* \w of|strong="G3551"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w your|strong="G1437"\w* \w circumcision|strong="G4061"\w* \w has|strong="G1096"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* uncircumcision.  
\v 26 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* uncircumcised \w keeps|strong="G5442"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1345"\w* \w requirements|strong="G1345"\w* \w of|strong="G3551"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w Law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w will|strong="G3767"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w his|strong="G1519"\w* uncircumcision \w be|strong="G3756"\w* \w counted|strong="G3049"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w circumcision|strong="G4061"\w*?  
\v 27 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w physically|strong="G5449"\w* uncircumcised \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w fulfills|strong="G3551"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w judge|strong="G2919"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w*, complete \w with|strong="G1537"\w* \w written|strong="G1121"\w* code \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w circumcision|strong="G4061"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w transgressor|strong="G3848"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Law|strong="G3551"\w*?  
\v 28 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w a|strong="G1722"\w* person \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w a|strong="G1722"\w* [\w true|strong="G3588"\w*] \w Jew|strong="G2453"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \it only\it* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w outwardly|strong="G1722"\w*, \w nor|strong="G3761"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* [\w true|strong="G3588"\w*] \w circumcision|strong="G4061"\w* \w something|strong="G1510"\w* \w outward|strong="G5318"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*;  
\v 29 \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w Jew|strong="G2453"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w one|strong="G3739"\w* \w inwardly|strong="G2927"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w circumcision|strong="G4061"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w*—\w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w letter|strong="G1121"\w*—\w whose|strong="G3739"\w* \w praise|strong="G1868"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w men|strong="G3588"\w* \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.\f + \fr 2:29 \ft God looks on the heart. Those who worship Him must do so ‘in spirit and in truth’ (John 4:23-24). We do not choose who will procreate us, nor does a baby boy choose to be circumcised, so such factors cannot guarantee God's acceptance.\f*   
\c 3  
\s1 Advantage  
\m
\v 1 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w advantage|strong="G4053"\w* \w does|strong="G5101"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Jew|strong="G2453"\w* \w have|strong="G5101"\w*, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w profit|strong="G5622"\w* \w of|strong="G2228"\w* \w circumcision|strong="G4061"\w*?  
\v 2 \w Much|strong="G4183"\w* \w in|strong="G2596"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w way|strong="G5158"\w*!\f + \fr 3:2 \ft For a fuller list of the advantages, see Romans 9:1-5. To be born into a culture that has been blessed with God's Light is certainly an advantage.\f* \w First|strong="G4413"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w entrusted|strong="G4100"\w* \w with|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w oracles|strong="G3051"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.\f + \fr 3:2 \ft Job was written by a pre-Jew, but all the rest of the Old Testament, which is what Paul is referring to, was written by Jews. For that matter, all the books of the New Testament were also written by Jews (with the possible exception of Luke). “The oracles of God” are God's written Revelation to the human race.\f*  
\v 3 \w So|strong="G3361"\w*, \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w some|strong="G5100"\w* \w did|strong="G5101"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w believe|strong="G4102"\w*? \w Their|strong="G3588"\w* unbelief \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w nullify|strong="G2673"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w faithfulness|strong="G4102"\w*, \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w*?  
\v 4 \w Of|strong="G3056"\w* course \w not|strong="G3361"\w*! \w Rather|strong="G1161"\w*, \w let|strong="G1096"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w found|strong="G1096"\w* \w true|strong="G3588"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w man|strong="G3956"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w liar|strong="G5583"\w*; \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*:  
\q1 “\w That|strong="G3588"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w justified|strong="G1344"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w words|strong="G3056"\w*,  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w overcome|strong="G3528"\w* \w when|strong="G1161"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w judged|strong="G2919"\w*.”\f + \fr 3:4 \ft See Psalm 51:4. “If we are faithless, He remains faithful—He is incapable of denying Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).\f*   
\s2 A conundrum  
\p
\v 5 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* unrighteousness highlights \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*, \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w shall|strong="G2316"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w*? \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* unrighteous \w for|strong="G1161"\w* inflicting \w His|strong="G2596"\w* \w wrath|strong="G3709"\w*, \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w*? (\w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w speak|strong="G3004"\w* \w as|strong="G1161"\w* \w a|strong="G1487"\w* \w man|strong="G3361"\w*.)  
\v 6 \w Of|strong="G2316"\w* course \w not|strong="G3361"\w*! \w Otherwise|strong="G1893"\w*, \w how|strong="G4459"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w judge|strong="G2919"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*?  
\v 7 \w Still|strong="G2089"\w*, \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* truth \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w abounded|strong="G4052"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w His|strong="G1519"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w my|strong="G1699"\w* falsehood, \w just|strong="G5613"\w* \w why|strong="G5101"\w* \w am|strong="G2504"\w* \w I|strong="G2504"\w* \w still|strong="G2089"\w* \w judged|strong="G2919"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* sinner?\f + \fr 3:7 \ft If I choose falsehood, it is an evil choice, and I deserve to be punished, quite apart from any highlighting of God's righteousness. Any ‘highlighting’ does not alter the nature of my choice.\f*  
\v 8 However, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w must|strong="G2917"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w*, “\w Let|strong="G2443"\w* \w us|strong="G3004"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w evil|strong="G2556"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w*” (\w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w some|strong="G5100"\w* \w people|strong="G1510"\w* slanderously \w claim|strong="G5346"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w*)—\w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w condemnation|strong="G2917"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w well|strong="G2532"\w* deserved!\f + \fr 3:8 \ft I suppose that part of the point is that all evil has consequences in this life and in this world, and any eventual ‘good’ does not undo those consequences, and neither does it compensate for them.\f*   
\s1 All are under sin  
\p
\v 9 \w What|strong="G5101"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*? \w Are|strong="G1510"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w any|strong="G3956"\w* \w better|strong="G4284"\w*? \w Not|strong="G3756"\w* \w at|strong="G3756"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*! \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w already|strong="G4256"\w* \w charged|strong="G4256"\w* \w both|strong="G2532"\w* \w Jews|strong="G2453"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Greeks|strong="G1672"\w*\f + \fr 3:9 \ft Paul uses ‘Greeks’ as a cover term for all non-Jews.\f* \w that|strong="G3956"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w under|strong="G5259"\w* sin.  
\v 10 \w Just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*:  
\q1 “\w No|strong="G3756"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1342"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w even|strong="G3761"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w*;   
\q2
\v 11 \w there|strong="G1510"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w understands|strong="G4920"\w*, \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w seeks|strong="G1567"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.   
\q1
\v 12 \w All|strong="G3956"\w* \w have|strong="G1510"\w* \w turned|strong="G1578"\w* \w aside|strong="G1578"\w*, together \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G1510"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w made|strong="G4160"\w* useless;  
\q2 \w there|strong="G1510"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* shows \w kindness|strong="G5544"\w*,  
\q2 \w no|strong="G3756"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w so|strong="G4160"\w* much \w as|strong="G2193"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w*.”\f + \fr 3:12 \ft See Psalm 14:1-3, 53:1-3; Ecclesiastes 7:20.\f*   
\q1
\v 13 “\w Their|strong="G3588"\w* \w throat|strong="G2995"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w an|strong="G1100"\w* opened \w grave|strong="G5028"\w*;  
\q2 \w they|strong="G3588"\w* habitually deceive \w with|strong="G5259"\w* \w their|strong="G3588"\w* \w tongues|strong="G1100"\w*.”\f + \fr 3:13 \ft See Psalm 5:9.\f*  
\q1 “Viper's venom \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w under|strong="G5259"\w* \w their|strong="G3588"\w* \w lips|strong="G5491"\w*”;\f + \fr 3:13 \ft See Psalm 140:3.\f*   
\q1
\v 14 “\w whose|strong="G3739"\w* \w mouth|strong="G4750"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w full|strong="G1073"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* cursing \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w bitterness|strong="G4088"\w*.”\f + \fr 3:14 \ft See Psalm 10:7.\f*   
\q1
\v 15 “\w Their|strong="G3588"\w* \w feet|strong="G4228"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w swift|strong="G3691"\w* \w to|strong="G3588"\w* \w shed|strong="G1632"\w* blood;   
\q2
\v 16 \w ruin|strong="G4938"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* wretchedness \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w paths|strong="G3598"\w*,   
\q2
\v 17 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w way|strong="G3598"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w known|strong="G1097"\w*.”\f + \fr 3:17 \ft See Isaiah 59:7-8.\f*   
\q1
\v 18 “\w There|strong="G1510"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w fear|strong="G5401"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w before|strong="G3588"\w* \w their|strong="G3588"\w* \w eyes|strong="G3788"\w*.”\f + \fr 3:18 \ft See Psalm 36:1. The picture painted in verses 10-18 is not pretty! The description includes both Jews and Gentiles. Since the Creator is the only one who is competent to dictate moral values, someone who denies His authority (or worse, His existence) will not be bound by such values. We have already commented on what Satan does with a ‘son of the disobedience’; the result is ‘ruin and wretchedness’. Why would any sane person want that?\f*   
\p
\v 19 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w whatever|strong="G3745"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w*, \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w speaks|strong="G2980"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w under|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w mouth|strong="G4750"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w shut|strong="G5420"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w whole|strong="G3956"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* \w accountable|strong="G5267"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.  
\v 20 \w It|strong="G1063"\w* follows \w that|strong="G3956"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w* \w will|strong="G3956"\w* \w be|strong="G3756"\w* \w justified|strong="G1344"\w* \w in|strong="G3956"\w* \w His|strong="G3956"\w* \w sight|strong="G1799"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w comes|strong="G1922"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w real|strong="G1922"\w* \w knowledge|strong="G1922"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* sin.\f + \fr 3:20 \ft The final accounting is based on our works, what we did—but no one will be justified on that basis. Our justification comes through the shed blood of God's Lamb.\f*   
\s1 Righteousness by faith  
\p
\v 21 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \nd \+w now|strong="G1161"\+w*\nd*, \w apart|strong="G5565"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* \w revealed|strong="G5319"\w*, \w being|strong="G2532"\w* \w attested|strong="G3140"\w* \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Law|strong="G3551"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Prophets|strong="G4396"\w*,  
\v 22 namely, \w a|strong="G1519"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w upon|strong="G1519"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*\f + \fr 3:22 \ft That righteousness is available to all, but is only applied to those who believe. Perhaps 7% of the Greek MSS omit “and upon all”, to be followed by NIV, NASB, TEV, LB, etc.—an inferior proceeding (it is an easy case of ‘similar ending’—the eye of the copyist skipped from one ‘all’ to the next).\f* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w believe|strong="G4100"\w*. \w There|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w difference|strong="G1293"\w*:  
\v 23 \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* sinned \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w fall|strong="G5302"\w* \w short|strong="G5302"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*,\f + \fr 3:23 \ft What do you think ‘the glory of God’ refers to? In this context it can scarcely be brilliance or effulgence. I suggest that God's true glory is what He Himself \ft \+bd \+nd is\+nd*\+bd*, His essence—truth, holiness, justice, love, among others. Although pristine Adam presumably reflected that essence quite well, the Fall resulted in a barrier that man cannot cross, apart from divine assistance. I suspect that modern man is but a poor reflection of what pristine Adam once was (due to accumulated congenital weaknesses). Alas, we fall far short!\f*  
\v 24 \w being|strong="G5547"\w* \w justified|strong="G1344"\w* \w freely|strong="G1432"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w His|strong="G1223"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* redemption \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*;  
\v 25 \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* openly \w made|strong="G2316"\w* available \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w a|strong="G1519"\w* \w propitiation|strong="G2435"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w His|strong="G1223"\w* blood, \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w demonstrate|strong="G1732"\w* \w His|strong="G1223"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* passing \w over|strong="G1722"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s forbearance, \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w previously|strong="G4266"\w* \w committed|strong="G4266"\w* sins;\f + \fr 3:25 \ft “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13, 22-23). “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). 1 Peter 1:18-20 states that the Lamb, with His blood shed, was so foreknown before the foundation of the world. All the animal blood shed in the Old Testament only covered sin; it did not pay for it. All those sacrifices looked forward to Christ's perfect sacrifice. But all of that was only validated by the death of God's Lamb. So as verse 25 here states, the true propitiation is now available “through the faith in His blood”. This propitiation also benefits the Old Testament saints.\f*  
\v 26 \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w demonstrate|strong="G1732"\w* \w His|strong="G1519"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w present|strong="G3568"\w* \w time|strong="G2540"\w*, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w just|strong="G1342"\w*, \w Himself|strong="G1519"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w justifier|strong="G1344"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*.\f + \fr 3:26 \ft I take the reference to be to the Faith that revolves around the person and work of Jesus.\f*   
\p
\v 27 \w Where|strong="G4226"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1223"\w* \w boasting|strong="G2746"\w*? \w It|strong="G1223"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w excluded|strong="G1576"\w*. \w By|strong="G1223"\w* \w what|strong="G4169"\w* \w kind|strong="G4169"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w*? \nd \+w No|strong="G3780"\+w*\nd*, \w but|strong="G3767"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w a|strong="G1223"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*.  
\v 28 \w Therefore|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* conclude \w that|strong="G1063"\w* \w a|strong="G1063"\w* person \w is|strong="G4102"\w* \w justified|strong="G1344"\w* \w by|strong="G1344"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w apart|strong="G5565"\w* \w from|strong="G5565"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w* \w of|strong="G3551"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*.  
\v 29 \w Or|strong="G2228"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w for|strong="G2532"\w* \w Jews|strong="G2453"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w*? \w Is|strong="G3588"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3780"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w for|strong="G2532"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w*? \w Yes|strong="G3483"\w*, \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w for|strong="G2532"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w*,  
\v 30 \w since|strong="G1537"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w* \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w only|strong="G2532"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w justify|strong="G1344"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w circumcised|strong="G4061"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* uncircumcised \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Faith|strong="G4102"\w*.\f + \fr 3:30 \ft How could a ritual performed on a baby justify that baby? A circumcised person had to demonstrate faith in God by shedding animal blood to cover his sin; this before the perfect Sacrifice. Now justification comes through \+nd the\+nd* Faith.\f*  
\v 31 \w Do|strong="G1096"\w* \w we|strong="G3767"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w* \w nullify|strong="G2673"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1223"\w* \w Faith|strong="G4102"\w*? \w Of|strong="G1223"\w* course \w not|strong="G3361"\w*! Rather, \w we|strong="G3767"\w* \w uphold|strong="G2476"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*.\f + \fr 3:31 \ft The proper function of the law is recognized within the Faith.\f*   
\c 4  
\s2 Abraham  
\m
\v 1 \w What|strong="G5101"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w* \w shall|strong="G5101"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w our|strong="G2596"\w* \w father|strong="G3962"\w* Abraham discovered, \w as|strong="G2596"\w* \w a|strong="G2147"\w* \w man|strong="G4561"\w*?  
\v 2 \w If|strong="G1487"\w* Abraham \w was|strong="G2316"\w* really \w justified|strong="G1344"\w* \w by|strong="G1537"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w*, \w he|strong="G1063"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w boast|strong="G2745"\w*—\w but|strong="G1487"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w before|strong="G4314"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.  
\v 3 \w So|strong="G2532"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w does|strong="G5101"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Scripture|strong="G1124"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w*? “\w Abraham|strong="G4100"\w* \w believed|strong="G4100"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w credited|strong="G3049"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*.”\f + \fr 4:3 \ft See Genesis 15:6.\f*  
\v 4 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w works|strong="G2038"\w*, \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w pay|strong="G3408"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w counted|strong="G3049"\w* \w as|strong="G1161"\w* \w a|strong="G1161"\w* \w gift|strong="G5485"\w* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w as|strong="G1161"\w* \w an|strong="G1161"\w* obligation.  
\v 5 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w does|strong="G2038"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w work|strong="G2038"\w*\f + \fr 4:5 \ft We work because we have been justified, not in order to be justified (Ephesians 2:10). See further James 2:21-23—a living faith does things.\f* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w believes|strong="G4100"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w justifies|strong="G1344"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* ungodly, \w his|strong="G1519"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w credited|strong="G3049"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*.   
\p
\v 6 \w Just|strong="G2509"\w* \w as|strong="G2509"\w* \w David|strong="G1138"\w* \w speaks|strong="G3004"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w blessing|strong="G3108"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w man|strong="G2316"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w credits|strong="G3049"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w apart|strong="G5565"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w*:   
\q1
\v 7 “\w Blessed|strong="G3107"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w whose|strong="G3739"\w* lawless \w deeds|strong="G3739"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* forgiven,  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w whose|strong="G3739"\w* sins \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* \w covered|strong="G1943"\w* \w up|strong="G2532"\w*.   
\q1
\v 8 \w Blessed|strong="G3107"\w* \w is|strong="G3739"\w* \w the|strong="G3739"\w* \w man|strong="G3361"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w the|strong="G3739"\w* \sc \+w Lord|strong="G2962"\+w*\sc* \w will|strong="G3739"\w* \nd \+w not|strong="G3756"\+w*\nd* \w impute|strong="G3049"\w* sin!”\f + \fr 4:8 \ft See Psalm 32:1-2. The negative is emphasized.\f*   
\s2 Before circumcision  
\p
\v 9 \w Is|strong="G3588"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w blessing|strong="G3108"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w* \w only|strong="G2532"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w circumcised|strong="G4061"\w*, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* uncircumcised? \w Since|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w credited|strong="G3049"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* Abraham \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*,  
\v 10 \w how|strong="G4459"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w it|strong="G1510"\w* \w credited|strong="G3049"\w*? \w After|strong="G1722"\w* \w he|strong="G1510"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w circumcised|strong="G4061"\w* \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w while|strong="G1722"\w* still uncircumcised? \w Not|strong="G3756"\w* \w circumcised|strong="G4061"\w*, \w but|strong="G3767"\w* uncircumcised!  
\v 11 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w received|strong="G2983"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w sign|strong="G4592"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w circumcision|strong="G4061"\w*, \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w seal|strong="G4973"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w his|strong="G3956"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w while|strong="G1722"\w* still uncircumcised, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w might|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w father|strong="G3962"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w believe|strong="G4100"\w* \w while|strong="G1722"\w* uncircumcised, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* order \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w credited|strong="G3049"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w*,\f + \fr 4:11 \ft We non-Jews may wonder why Paul is spending so much time on the subject of circumcision, but to the Jews of that day it was BIG.\f*  
\v 12 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w father|strong="G3962"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w circumcised|strong="G4061"\w*—\w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w circumcised|strong="G4061"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* especially \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w follow|strong="G4748"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* footsteps \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w father|strong="G3962"\w* Abraham \w while|strong="G1722"\w* still uncircumcised.\f + \fr 4:12 \ft The point is that physical circumcision is not enough; one must believe.\f*   
\s2 The promise  
\p
\v 13 \w Now|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1223"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w he|strong="G3588"\w* \w would|strong="G2889"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1223"\w* \w heir|strong="G2818"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1223"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*\f + \fr 4:13 \ft Now what might ‘heir of the world’ mean? “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). Galatians 3:16 makes clear that the Seed, singular, refers to the Christ (Genesis 12:7 and 24:7). Psalm 2:7-8 also clearly refers to the Christ: “I will declare the decree: the Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession.’ ” It might be argued that in some sense this is happening through the Church, Christ's body—in Matthew 5:13-14 the Christ called His disciples “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”. Paul states, “all things are yours… and you are Christ's… and Christ is God's” (1 Corinthians 3:21-23). But during the millennial Messianic Kingdom the whole world will obey the Christ, who will rule the nations with ‘a rod of iron’ (Revelation 19:15).\f* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* Abraham, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w his|strong="G1223"\w* \w seed|strong="G4690"\w*, \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w but|strong="G1063"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1223"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*.  
\v 14 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w heirs|strong="G2818"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w made|strong="G2758"\w* \w empty|strong="G2758"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w* \w has|strong="G4102"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* invalidated;  
\v 15 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w produces|strong="G2716"\w* \w wrath|strong="G3709"\w*, \w since|strong="G1063"\w* \w where|strong="G3757"\w* \w there|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w neither|strong="G3761"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w there|strong="G1161"\w* \w transgression|strong="G3847"\w*.\f + \fr 4:15 \ft How can you cross a line that is not there? So until someone draws a line (law) there is no transgression.\f*  
\v 16 \w For|strong="G1519"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w reason|strong="G1223"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w*, \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w order|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* guaranteed \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w seed|strong="G4690"\w*—\w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* Abraham, \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w father|strong="G3962"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*;  
\v 17 \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*: “\w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w made|strong="G5087"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w father|strong="G3962"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* ethnic \w nations|strong="G1484"\w*”\f + \fr 4:17 \ft See Genesis 17:5.\f*—\w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w presence|strong="G2713"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w believed|strong="G4100"\w*: \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w gives|strong="G2227"\w* \w life|strong="G2227"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w calls|strong="G2564"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* nonexistent \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w though|strong="G5613"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w exist|strong="G1510"\w*.\f + \fr 4:17 \ft God can create just by speaking: if He says, “Let there be…”, there is.\f*  
\v 18 \w Contrary|strong="G3844"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w*, \w Abraham|strong="G4100"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w* \w believed|strong="G4100"\w*, \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w father|strong="G3962"\w* \w of|strong="G3844"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* ethnic \w nations|strong="G1484"\w*, \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w had|strong="G1510"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w spoken|strong="G3004"\w*: “\w So|strong="G3779"\w* \w shall|strong="G3739"\w* \w your|strong="G1909"\w* \w seed|strong="G4690"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w*.”\f + \fr 4:18 \ft See Genesis 15:5.\f*  
\v 19 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w being|strong="G5225"\w* weak \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*, \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w*\f + \fr 4:19 \ft Perhaps 3% of the Greek manuscripts (of objectively inferior quality) omit “not”, to be followed by NIV, NASB, TEV, LB, etc.—an inferior proceeding.\f* \w consider|strong="G2657"\w* \w his|strong="G1438"\w* \w own|strong="G1438"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w*, already \w dead|strong="G3499"\w*\f + \fr 4:19 \ft Paul declares that Abraham had become impotent before begetting Isaac. That means that he had started slowing down long before, and no one would be more aware of that than Sarah. That may explain why she offered Hagar—she was aware of the Promise and Abraham needed a descendant.\f* (\w being|strong="G5225"\w* \w about|strong="G4225"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w hundred|strong="G1541"\w* \w years|strong="G1541"\w* \w old|strong="G1541"\w*), \w or|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w deadness|strong="G3500"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w Sarah|strong="G4564"\w*'s \w womb|strong="G3388"\w*.  
\v 20 \w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w did|strong="G1325"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w waver|strong="G1252"\w* \w at|strong="G1519"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w promise|strong="G1860"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* unbelief; \w rather|strong="G3756"\w*, \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w strengthened|strong="G1743"\w* \w by|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*, \w giving|strong="G1325"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*,  
\v 21 \w being|strong="G1510"\w* \w fully|strong="G4135"\w* \w convinced|strong="G4135"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w promised|strong="G1861"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w able|strong="G1415"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w perform|strong="G4160"\w*\f + \fr 4:21 \ft “Being fully convinced” is a basic ingredient in true faith.\f*  
\v 22 —\w that|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G2532"\w* \w why|strong="G1519"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G2532"\w* \w credited|strong="G3049"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w him|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*.   
\p
\v 23 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w* \w was|strong="G3748"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w his|strong="G1223"\w* \w sake|strong="G1223"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w* \w was|strong="G3748"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w* \w was|strong="G3748"\w* \w credited|strong="G3049"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* \w him|strong="G1223"\w*,  
\v 24 \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w for|strong="G1223"\w* \w our|strong="G2424"\w* \w sake|strong="G1223"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w*, \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G3195"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w credited|strong="G3049"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w believe|strong="G4100"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w raised|strong="G1453"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w our|strong="G2424"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w*,  
\v 25 \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w delivered|strong="G3860"\w* \w up|strong="G1453"\w* \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w transgressions|strong="G3900"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w raised|strong="G1453"\w* \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w justification|strong="G1347"\w*.\f + \fr 4:25 \ft The grammatical construction is the same in both clauses: ‘because’, ‘because’. The resurrection was the proof that the Father had accepted the price paid for our justification. Thank you, Jesus!\f*   
\c 5  
\ms1 To believers  
\s1 Peace with God  
\m
\v 1 \w Therefore|strong="G3767"\w*, \w having|strong="G2192"\w* \w been|strong="G2192"\w* \w justified|strong="G1344"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*, \w let|strong="G3767"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w be|strong="G2316"\w* \w at|strong="G4314"\w*\f + \fr 5:1 \ft The Greek manuscripts are about evenly divided between the Indicative and the Subjunctive form of the verb (the difference is between two similar sounding vowels). Most versions follow the Indicative, but the best line of transmission has the Subjunctive, and I follow it. Remember the ‘from faith to faith’ in Romans 1:17.\f* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w* \w with|strong="G4314"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*,  
\v 2 \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w had|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w access|strong="G4318"\w*, \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Faith|strong="G4102"\w*, \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w stand|strong="G2476"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w rejoice|strong="G2744"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.  
\v 3 \w Not|strong="G3756"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w so|strong="G2532"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w should|strong="G1492"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w rejoice|strong="G2744"\w*\f + \fr 5:3 \ft The form of the verb is ambiguous between Indicative and Subjunctive; I take it that the Subjunctive is intended. The same ambiguity attaches to the same verb in verse two, where I chose the Indicative, since the thought is reinforced in verse 11 below.\f* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w sufferings|strong="G2347"\w*, \w knowing|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w suffering|strong="G2347"\w* \w produces|strong="G2716"\w* \w perseverance|strong="G5281"\w*;  
\v 4 \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w perseverance|strong="G5281"\w*, \w proven|strong="G1382"\w* \w character|strong="G1382"\w*; \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w proven|strong="G1382"\w* \w character|strong="G1382"\w*, \w hope|strong="G1680"\w*;  
\v 5 \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w* \w does|strong="G2316"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* humiliate, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* love \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w been|strong="G3756"\w* \w poured|strong="G1632"\w* \w out|strong="G1632"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Holy|strong="G4151"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w given|strong="G1325"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w us|strong="G1325"\w*.\f + \fr 5:5 \ft A hope based on the person and work of the Holy Spirit within us in not a false hope.\f*   
\s2 Reconciliation  
\p
\v 6 \w Now|strong="G1510"\w* \w then|strong="G1063"\w*, \w when|strong="G1510"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* incapacitated, \w even|strong="G2089"\w* \w so|strong="G1063"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* died \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G2596"\w* ungodly, \w at|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G2596"\w* \w right|strong="G2540"\w* moment.  
\v 7 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w scarcely|strong="G3433"\w* \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1342"\w* \w person|strong="G1342"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w someone|strong="G5100"\w* \it offer to\it* die (\w although|strong="G2532"\w* \w on|strong="G5228"\w* \w behalf|strong="G5228"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w* \w man|strong="G5100"\w* \w someone|strong="G5100"\w* \w might|strong="G2532"\w* \w dare|strong="G5111"\w* \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* die),  
\v 8 \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w demonstrates|strong="G4921"\w* \w His|strong="G1438"\w* \w own|strong="G1438"\w* love \w toward|strong="G1519"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w still|strong="G2089"\w* sinners \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w died|strong="G3588"\w* \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w*!  
\v 9 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w now|strong="G3568"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w we|strong="G3568"\w* \w have|strong="G3588"\w* \w been|strong="G3568"\w* \w justified|strong="G1344"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w His|strong="G1223"\w* blood, \w how|strong="G1722"\w* \w much|strong="G4183"\w* \w more|strong="G3123"\w* \w shall|strong="G4183"\w* \w we|strong="G3568"\w* \w be|strong="G3588"\w* \w saved|strong="G4982"\w* \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w wrath|strong="G3709"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*!  
\v 10 \w Because|strong="G1223"\w* \w since|strong="G1223"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w reconciled|strong="G2644"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w His|strong="G1223"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w*, \w while|strong="G1722"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w enemies|strong="G2190"\w*, \w how|strong="G1722"\w* \w much|strong="G4183"\w* \w more|strong="G3123"\w*, \w having|strong="G2316"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w reconciled|strong="G2644"\w*, \w shall|strong="G2316"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w saved|strong="G4982"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w His|strong="G1223"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w*!\f + \fr 5:10 \ft As it says in 2 Peter 1:3, “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness”, so once we are reconciled we have every reason to succeed! But it is a process, and the result is not automatic.\f*   
\p
\v 11 \w No|strong="G3756"\w* \w wonder|strong="G3588"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w rejoice|strong="G2744"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w now|strong="G1161"\w* \w received|strong="G2983"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w reconciliation|strong="G2643"\w*!\f + \fr 5:11 \ft Yes! Amen! Praise God!\f*   
\s1 Death X Life  
\p
\v 12 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w then|strong="G2532"\w*, \w just|strong="G5618"\w* \w as|strong="G5618"\w* sin \w entered|strong="G1525"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w man|strong="G3778"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* sin, \w just|strong="G5618"\w* \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w* \w spread|strong="G1330"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w men|strong="G3956"\w*, \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* sinned\f + \fr 5:12 \ft The structure here is a ‘chiasmus’: AB,BA.\f*  
\v 13 —sin \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w* \w before|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* sure, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* sin \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w imputed|strong="G1677"\w* \w when|strong="G1161"\w* \w there|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*.  
\v 14 \w Nevertheless|strong="G2532"\w*, \w death|strong="G2288"\w* reigned \w from|strong="G2532"\w* Adam \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w Moses|strong="G3475"\w*, \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w over|strong="G1909"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* sin \w in|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w likeness|strong="G3667"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* Adam's \w transgression|strong="G3847"\w*\f + \fr 5:14 \ft Well dear me, how does that work? If sin is not ‘imputed’, why is there death? The verb ‘imputed’ refers to an account made up of a list of specific items. If I run up a bill at a local store, when I meet the owner on the street we both know I'm in debt, even without an itemized bill in hand. The debt affects our relationship, and may affect my standing in the community, and that of my family, etc.—the consequences derive from the fact, not the itemized list. So “death reigned from Adam to Moses” based on the fact of sin, not on an itemized list. “The wages of sin is death”, so since we are sinners by inclination (birth) and choice, death reigns. Although there is no explicit instruction about animal sacrifice in the first chapters of Genesis, it is implied. For God to accept Abel's sacrifice and reject Cain's, there must have been instruction about such things (Genesis 4:3-5). Indeed, God had given the example by killing an animal to cover the nakedness of the fallen pair (Genesis 3:21). In Genesis 8:20-21 the implication is clear that Noah knew what he was supposed to do. And Job, who lived before Abraham (presumably), knew about sacrifice for sin (Job 1:5).\f* (\w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w type|strong="G5179"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w coming|strong="G3195"\w* \w one|strong="G3739"\w*).\f + \fr 5:14 \ft As a transgressor, Adam is not a type of Christ, so I take the reference to be to ‘the man of sin’. Just as Adam's sin affected the whole world, so the Antichrist's ‘abomination’ will affect the whole world, both in a bad way.\f*   
\p
\v 15 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w gift|strong="G1431"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w like|strong="G5613"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w trespass|strong="G3900"\w*. \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* \w died|strong="G3588"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w trespass|strong="G3900"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w*, \w how|strong="G5613"\w* \w much|strong="G4183"\w* \w more|strong="G3123"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* bounty \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w man|strong="G1520"\w*, \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w abound|strong="G4052"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w*!  
\v 16 \w Again|strong="G2532"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w gift|strong="G5486"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w like|strong="G5613"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w came|strong="G2532"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w man|strong="G1520"\w*'s \w having|strong="G2532"\w* sinned: \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w judgment|strong="G2917"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w condemnation|strong="G2917"\w* followed \w one|strong="G1520"\w* offense, \w while|strong="G5613"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* gracious \w gift|strong="G5486"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w justification|strong="G1345"\w* followed \w many|strong="G4183"\w* offenses.\f + \fr 5:16 \ft I do not find Paul's reasoning here to be transparent. Perhaps the contrast is heightened in that the gift overcame \+nd many\+nd* offenses.\f*  
\v 17 \w Further|strong="G4183"\w*, \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* offense \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w man|strong="G1520"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w* reigned \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w man|strong="G1520"\w*, \w much|strong="G4183"\w* \w more|strong="G3123"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w receive|strong="G2983"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w abundance|strong="G4050"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w gift|strong="G1431"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w reign|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w One|strong="G1520"\w*, \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*.\f + \fr 5:17 \ft The first Adam lost the Life; the second/last Adam gives it back.\f*   
\p
\v 18 \w So|strong="G3779"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* offense \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3956"\w* \w condemnation|strong="G2631"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w everyone|strong="G3956"\w*, \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1345"\w* \w act|strong="G1345"\w* \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3956"\w* life-giving \w justification|strong="G1347"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w everyone|strong="G3956"\w*.\f + \fr 5:18 \ft The comparison is interesting, but there is a fundamental difference—we are born condemned, but not justified! There is a way to escape the condemnation, but you have to take it, or remain condemned. The life-giving justification is available, but you have to believe into Jesus to get it.\f*  
\v 19 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w just|strong="G1342"\w* \w as|strong="G5618"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w disobedience|strong="G3876"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w man|strong="G1342"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* constituted sinners,\f + \fr 5:19 \ft Because of Adam's rebellious choice, sin became part of the genetic pool that defines a human being. Alas!\f* \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w obedience|strong="G5218"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w One|strong="G1520"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w*\f + \fr 5:19 \ft The phrase ‘the many’ occurs twice in this verse, but the roster of included people is presumably not the same—the second roster is smaller.\f* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* constituted \w righteous|strong="G1342"\w*.  
\v 20 \w However|strong="G1161"\w*, \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w came|strong="G3588"\w* \w on|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* scene \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* offense \w might|strong="G3900"\w* \w abound|strong="G4121"\w*; \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w where|strong="G3757"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w sin|strong="G3900"\w* \w abounded|strong="G5248"\w*, \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* superabounded,  
\v 21 \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w just|strong="G5618"\w* \w as|strong="G5618"\w* sin reigned \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*,\f + \fr 5:21 \ft ‘\+nd The\+nd* death’ refers to the world controlled by Satan, where sin reigns; to be separated from God is spiritual death.\f* \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w might|strong="G2532"\w* \w reign|strong="G2532"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* eternal \w life|strong="G2222"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w our|strong="G2424"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*.   
\c 6  
\s1 Newness of life  
\m
\v 1 \w So|strong="G2443"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w shall|strong="G5101"\w* \w we|strong="G2443"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w*? \w Shall|strong="G5101"\w* \w we|strong="G2443"\w* \w continue|strong="G1961"\w* \w in|strong="G1961"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* sin \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w abound|strong="G4121"\w*?  
\v 2 \w Of|strong="G1722"\w* course \w not|strong="G3361"\w*! \w How|strong="G4459"\w* \w can|strong="G4459"\w* \w we|strong="G1722"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w died|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* sin \w keep|strong="G3361"\w* \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w living|strong="G2198"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w it|strong="G1096"\w*?  
\v 3 \w Or|strong="G2228"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w you|strong="G3754"\w* unaware \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w many|strong="G3745"\w* \w of|strong="G2424"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* baptized \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* baptized \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w His|strong="G1519"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*?\f + \fr 6:3 \ft In Paul's day (at least) there were those who thought that the physical rite of circumcision was a passport to heaven. We have already seen in Romans 2:25-29 that Paul rejects that notion—God looks on the heart. In our day there are those who think that the physical rite of water baptism is a similar passport, but we probably all know individuals who had their ‘bath’ and are now living for Satan—God looks on the heart. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 explains that it is the Holy Spirit who baptizes us into Christ: “…so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” If we become part of Christ's body, then whatever happens to that body happens to us. If that body died, we did. If it was buried, so were we. If it was raised from the dead, we will be too. Correction—we already have new life in Christ, and are to live on that basis.\f*  
\v 4 \w Therefore|strong="G3767"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w buried|strong="G4916"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w means|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* baptism \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*, \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w just|strong="G5618"\w* \w as|strong="G5618"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w raised|strong="G1453"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w means|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w*'s \w glory|strong="G1391"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w should|strong="G3588"\w* \w walk|strong="G4043"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w newness|strong="G2538"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w*.   
\p
\v 5 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* \w united|strong="G4854"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w His|strong="G2532"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*, \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w certainly|strong="G1063"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w His|strong="G2532"\w* resurrection \w as|strong="G2532"\w* \w well|strong="G2532"\w*;  
\v 6 \w knowing|strong="G1097"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w*, \w that|strong="G3754"\w* our \w old|strong="G3820"\w* self\f + \fr 6:6 \ft Literally ‘man’. The reference is to the old, or fallen, nature, with which we are all born. Only those who are regenerated by the Holy Spirit acquire a new one.\f* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w crucified|strong="G4957"\w* \w with|strong="G4957"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G3588"\w* \w order|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w* \w of|strong="G4983"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* sin\f + \fr 6:6 \ft That is, the body that resulted from ‘the sin’ (Adam's); that is, a fallen body, whose natural inclination is not toward holiness.\f* \w might|strong="G3778"\w* \w be|strong="G2443"\w* \w set|strong="G2443"\w* aside, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w no|strong="G3371"\w* \w longer|strong="G3371"\w* \w be|strong="G2443"\w* \w enslaved|strong="G1398"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* sin—  
\v 7 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w he|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* has \w died|strong="G3588"\w* has been released \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* sin.\f + \fr 6:7 \ft Presumably a dead person does not do much sinning.\f*   
\p
\v 8 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w since|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* died \w with|strong="G4862"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w believe|strong="G4100"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w live|strong="G4800"\w* \w with|strong="G4862"\w* \w Him|strong="G2532"\w*,  
\v 9 \w knowing|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w having|strong="G1492"\w* \w been|strong="G5547"\w* \w raised|strong="G1453"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w*, cannot \w die|strong="G2288"\w* \w again|strong="G1453"\w*;\f + \fr 6:9 \ft No one kills Jesus twice. Consider Hebrews 6:4-6: “Because, it is impossible to bring back into repentance those who were once for all enlightened, who have partaken of the heavenly gift and were made sharers in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have experienced God's good event and capabilities of the coming age, 6 and yet have fallen away—they would be crucifying the Son of God all over again, just for themselves, holding Him up to contempt.” No amount of theological shifting and squirming can nullify the plain meaning of verse 6. The only way to crucify Jesus \ft \+bd again\+bd* is if you have already done so once before. No one is going to kill Jesus twice; if the first time was not good enough for you, you have had it! As He Himself said in John 10:17-18: “Therefore my Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” He laid it down once, freely, but that is all.\f* \w death|strong="G2288"\w* \w can|strong="G1492"\w* \w no|strong="G3765"\w* \w longer|strong="G3765"\w* \w master|strong="G2961"\w* \w Him|strong="G1537"\w*  
\v 10 —\w the|strong="G1161"\w* death \w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w died|strong="G3588"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w died|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G1161"\w* sin \w once|strong="G2178"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w all|strong="G3588"\w*, \w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w life|strong="G2198"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w lives|strong="G2198"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w lives|strong="G2198"\w* \w to|strong="G1161"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.  
\v 11 \w Thus|strong="G3779"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w*, \w consider|strong="G3049"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* sin, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w alive|strong="G2198"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Lord|strong="G3588"\w*.\f + \fr 6:11 \ft Some 3.5% of the Greek manuscripts omit “our Lord”, to be followed by NIV, NASB, TEV, LB, etc.—an inferior proceeding.\f*   
\s2 Down with sin!  
\p
\v 12 \w Therefore|strong="G3767"\w* \w do|strong="G3361"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w let|strong="G3767"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* sin reign \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w your|strong="G1722"\w* \w mortal|strong="G2349"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w*, \w so|strong="G3767"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w obey|strong="G5219"\w* \w it|strong="G1519"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w*'s evil \w desires|strong="G1939"\w*  
\v 13 —\w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3366"\w* \w present|strong="G3936"\w* \w any|strong="G2198"\w* \w part|strong="G2532"\w*\f + \fr 6:13 \ft Literally, ‘the members’.\f* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* body \w to|strong="G2532"\w* sin \w as|strong="G2532"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* implement \w for|strong="G2532"\w* unrighteousness, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w present|strong="G3936"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w as|strong="G2532"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w alive|strong="G2198"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* body \w parts|strong="G3196"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w as|strong="G2532"\w* implements \w for|strong="G2532"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*.  
\v 14 Really, sin \w must|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* rule \w over|strong="G2961"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w under|strong="G5259"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w but|strong="G1063"\w* \w under|strong="G5259"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w*.   
\s2 Grace, not license  
\p
\v 15 \w What|strong="G5101"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*? \w Shall|strong="G5101"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* sin \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w under|strong="G5259"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w but|strong="G3361"\w* \w under|strong="G5259"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w*? \w Of|strong="G5259"\w* course \w not|strong="G3756"\w*!  
\v 16 \w Do|strong="G1492"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w when|strong="G1492"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* offer \w yourselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w someone|strong="G3739"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w obey|strong="G5219"\w* \w them|strong="G1438"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w slaves|strong="G1401"\w*, \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w slaves|strong="G1401"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w one|strong="G3739"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w obey|strong="G5219"\w*—\w whether|strong="G3739"\w* \w of|strong="G1401"\w* sin \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w of|strong="G1401"\w* \w obedience|strong="G5218"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*?  
\v 17 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w thanks|strong="G5485"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w although|strong="G3748"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* used \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w slaves|strong="G1401"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* sin \w you|strong="G3739"\w* wholeheartedly \w obeyed|strong="G5219"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w pattern|strong="G5179"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w doctrine|strong="G1322"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w delivered|strong="G3860"\w*.  
\v 18 \w So|strong="G1161"\w* having been emancipated \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* sin, \w you|strong="G1659"\w* \w became|strong="G1402"\w* \w enslaved|strong="G1402"\w* \w to|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*.\f + \fr 6:18 \ft Recall the note about slaves at Romans 1:1.\f*   
\p
\v 19 \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w continue|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w speak|strong="G3004"\w* \w on|strong="G1519"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w human|strong="G4561"\w* level \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* weakness \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*. \w Now|strong="G3568"\w* \w just|strong="G5618"\w* \w as|strong="G5618"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* used \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w present|strong="G3936"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w body|strong="G4561"\w* \w parts|strong="G3196"\w* \w as|strong="G5618"\w* \w slaves|strong="G1401"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* uncleanness, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w ever|strong="G1519"\w* increasing lawlessness,\f + \fr 6:19 \ft Sin, and mere gratification of physical desire, obey the law of diminishing returns. To maintain the same ‘kick’ from any drug, you have to keep increasing the dose—this is a slavery that keeps on dragging you down to ever lower levels.\f* \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w now|strong="G3568"\w* \w present|strong="G3936"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w body|strong="G4561"\w* \w parts|strong="G3196"\w* \w as|strong="G5618"\w* \w slaves|strong="G1401"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w with|strong="G1223"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w view|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* sanctification.  
\v 20 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w when|strong="G3753"\w* \w you|strong="G1510"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w slaves|strong="G1401"\w* \w to|strong="G1401"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* sin, \w you|strong="G1510"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* ‘\w free|strong="G1658"\w*’ \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*.  
\v 21 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* ‘\w fruit|strong="G2590"\w*’ \w did|strong="G5101"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w at|strong="G1909"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w time|strong="G5119"\w* \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1909"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w now|strong="G3568"\w* \w ashamed|strong="G1870"\w* \w of|strong="G1909"\w*? \w The|strong="G1909"\w* \w end|strong="G5056"\w* \w of|strong="G1909"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*!\f + \fr 6:21 \ft Yea, verily!\f*  
\v 22 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \nd \+w now|strong="G1161"\+w*\nd*, \w having|strong="G2192"\w* \w been|strong="G2192"\w* emancipated \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* sin, \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w having|strong="G2192"\w* \w become|strong="G2192"\w* \w enslaved|strong="G1402"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w your|strong="G2192"\w* ‘\w fruit|strong="G2590"\w*’ \w into|strong="G1519"\w* sanctification—\w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w end|strong="G5056"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* eternal \w life|strong="G2222"\w*!  
\v 23 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w wages|strong="G3800"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* sin \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*,\f + \fr 6:23 \ft Sin results in two deaths, physical and spiritual. The spiritual one is by far the more important since it lasts for eternity. Belonging to Jesus does not exempt us from physical death, but it does from the spiritual one—He gives us eternal life instead of eternal death. Eternal death means eternal separation from the Creator, presumably a conscious state.\f* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* gracious \w gift|strong="G5486"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* eternal \w life|strong="G2222"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*.   
\c 7  
\s1 More about law  
\m
\v 1 \w Do|strong="G2228"\w* \w you|strong="G3754"\w* \w not|strong="G2198"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w*, brothers (\w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w I|strong="G1063"\w* \w am|strong="G3588"\w* \w speaking|strong="G2980"\w* \w to|strong="G1909"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*), \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G1909"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w has|strong="G3748"\w* authority \w over|strong="G1909"\w* someone only \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w long|strong="G5550"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w he|strong="G3754"\w* \w lives|strong="G2198"\w*?  
\v 2 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* example, \w a|strong="G1437"\w* \w married|strong="G1135"\w* \w woman|strong="G1135"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w bound|strong="G1210"\w* \w by|strong="G2198"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w to|strong="G1161"\w* \w her|strong="G1437"\w* \w husband|strong="G5220"\w* \w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w lives|strong="G2198"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* man \w should|strong="G3588"\w* die, \w she|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w released|strong="G2673"\w* \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w about|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w husband|strong="G5220"\w*.  
\v 3 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w she|strong="G1161"\w* \w should|strong="G3588"\w* ‘marry’ \w another|strong="G2087"\w* \w man|strong="G3361"\w* \w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w her|strong="G1437"\w* husband \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w living|strong="G2198"\w*, \w she|strong="G1161"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* labeled \w an|strong="G1096"\w* \w adulteress|strong="G3428"\w*; \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* husband \w should|strong="G3588"\w* die, \w she|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w free|strong="G1658"\w* \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w being|strong="G1510"\w* \w an|strong="G1096"\w* \w adulteress|strong="G3428"\w* \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w she|strong="G1161"\w* marries \w another|strong="G2087"\w* \w man|strong="G3361"\w*.   
\p
\v 4 \w Therefore|strong="G1223"\w*, \w my|strong="G1473"\w* brothers, \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w put|strong="G2289"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w death|strong="G2289"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w*\f + \fr 7:4 \ft This refers to His physical body, and probably to the death of that body.\f* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w belong|strong="G1537"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w another|strong="G2087"\w*—\w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G1096"\w* \w raised|strong="G1453"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w*—\w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w should|strong="G2316"\w* produce \w fruit|strong="G2592"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.  
\v 5 \w Because|strong="G1223"\w* \w when|strong="G3753"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*,\f + \fr 7:5 \ft ‘In the flesh’ contrasts with ‘in Christ’ and probably refers to the natural/old man.\f* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* sinful \w passions|strong="G3804"\w* \w aroused|strong="G3804"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w work|strong="G1754"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w our|strong="G1223"\w* \w body|strong="G4561"\w* \w parts|strong="G3196"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* produce \w fruit|strong="G2592"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*.  
\v 6 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w now|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* \w released|strong="G2673"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w died|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* gripping \w us|strong="G2249"\w*, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G1722"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* slave \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w newness|strong="G2538"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w oldness|strong="G3821"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w letter|strong="G1121"\w*.\f + \fr 7:6 \ft We are slaves in any case. What is in view is a change of owner.\f*   
\s2 Law and sin  
\p
\v 7 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w shall|strong="G5101"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*? \w Is|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1223"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* sin? \w Of|strong="G1223"\w* course \w not|strong="G3756"\w*! \w Indeed|strong="G1063"\w*, \w I|strong="G1063"\w* \w would|strong="G1096"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w have|strong="G1096"\w* \w come|strong="G1096"\w* \w to|strong="G3004"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w the|strong="G1223"\w* sin\f + \fr 7:7 \ft If not a synonym for the fallen nature, or ‘the flesh’, ‘the sin’ appears to be closely related to it. ‘The flesh’ is Satan's ally inside us while ‘the world’ is his ally outside us. So without the Holy Spirit a person is in a bad way.\f* \w except|strong="G1487"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1223"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*: \w I|strong="G1063"\w* \w would|strong="G1096"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w have|strong="G1096"\w* \w recognized|strong="G1097"\w* covetousness \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w the|strong="G1223"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w had|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w said|strong="G3004"\w*, “\w You|strong="G1487"\w* \w must|strong="G2046"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w covet|strong="G1937"\w*.”  
\v 8 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* sin, grasping \w an|strong="G1722"\w* opportunity \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w commandment|strong="G1785"\w*, \w produced|strong="G2716"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w kinds|strong="G3956"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w coveting|strong="G1939"\w*.\f + \fr 7:8 \ft Anyone who has children has seen this principle at work (also if he can still remember how it was when he was a child). Once upon a time there was a doctrine that said that the children of Christians are born without a sin nature—I have always thought that the only people who could believe that would be people with no children!\f*  
\p \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w without|strong="G5565"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* sin \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w*.  
\v 9 \w Once|strong="G4218"\w* \w upon|strong="G2064"\w* \w a|strong="G2064"\w* \w time|strong="G4218"\w*, \w without|strong="G5565"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* actually ‘\w alive|strong="G2198"\w*’; \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w when|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w commandment|strong="G1785"\w* \w came|strong="G2064"\w*, \w the|strong="G1161"\w* sin \w came|strong="G2064"\w* \w to|strong="G2064"\w* \w life|strong="G2198"\w* \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w died|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 10 \w Yes|strong="G1161"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w commandment|strong="G1785"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w bring|strong="G1519"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w* turned \w out|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w bring|strong="G1519"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*.  
\v 11 \w Because|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* sin, grasping \w an|strong="G2532"\w* opportunity \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w commandment|strong="G1785"\w*, completely \w deceived|strong="G1818"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* used \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* ‘kill’ \w me|strong="G1473"\w*.  
\v 12 \w So|strong="G2532"\w* \w then|strong="G2532"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* itself \w is|strong="G3588"\w* holy, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w commandment|strong="G1785"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* holy \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1342"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w*.   
\s2 Indwelling sin  
\p
\v 13 \w So|strong="G2443"\w* \w has|strong="G1096"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w good|strong="G1223"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*? \w Of|strong="G1223"\w* course \w not|strong="G3361"\w*! Rather \w the|strong="G1223"\w* sin, \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w it|strong="G1223"\w* \w might|strong="G1096"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* exposed \w as|strong="G2596"\w* sin, \w was|strong="G1096"\w* \w producing|strong="G2716"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w* \w in|strong="G2596"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w good|strong="G1223"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1223"\w* \w commandment|strong="G1785"\w* \w the|strong="G1223"\w* sin \w might|strong="G1096"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* extremely sinful.  
\v 14 \w We|strong="G3754"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w spiritual|strong="G4152"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* fleshly, \w having|strong="G1492"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* ‘\w sold|strong="G4097"\w*’ \w under|strong="G5259"\w* sin\f + \fr 7:14 \ft A person who was sold became a slave ‘under’ a new owner, so I take Paul's point to be that sin is giving the orders.\f*  
\v 15 —\w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w see|strong="G1097"\w*, \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w understand|strong="G1097"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w am|strong="G2309"\w* \w doing|strong="G4160"\w*: \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w practice|strong="G4160"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w want|strong="G2309"\w* \w to|strong="G2309"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w*, \w but|strong="G1063"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w hate|strong="G3404"\w*!\f + \fr 7:15 \ft In this interesting passage Paul contrast his two natures. As an aid to the reader, I will attempt to identify the two natures throughout the passage. \fv \ft 14\+fv* We know that the law is spiritual, but I [old] am fleshly, having been ‘sold’ under sin \+fv 15\+fv*—you see, I [new] do not understand what I am [old] doing: I [old] do not practice what I [new] want to do, but I [old] do what I [new] hate! \+fv 16\+fv* But if I [old] do what I [new] do not want to do, I [new] agree with the law that it is good. \+fv 17\+fv* So now it is no longer I [new] who am doing it, but the sin dwelling in me [both]. \+fv 18\+fv* Further, I [new] know that nothing good dwells in me [old], that is, in my flesh; because to will is present with me [new], but I [old] do not find how to perform the good. \+fv 19\+fv* Because I [old] do not do the good that I [new] want to do; rather I [old] practice the evil that I [new] do not want to do. \+fv 20\+fv* Now if I [old] do what I [new] do not want to do, it is no longer I [new] who do it, but the sin dwelling in me [both]. \+fv 21\+fv* So I [new] find this ‘law’, when I [new] want to do good, evil is right there with me [both]. \+fv 22\+fv* I [new] joyfully agree with God's law according to the inner man [new], \+fv 23\+fv* but I [new] see a different ‘law’ in my body parts [old], warring against the law of my mind [new] and taking me [both] captive to the law of the sin that is in my body parts [old]. \+fv 24\+fv* What a wretched man I am [both]! Who will deliver me [new] from this body of death [old]? \+fv 25\+fv* I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself [new] serve God's law, but with the flesh [old], sin's law.\f*  
\v 16 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w want|strong="G2309"\w* \w to|strong="G2309"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w*, \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w agree|strong="G4852"\w* \w with|strong="G4160"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w good|strong="G2570"\w*.  
\v 17 \w So|strong="G1161"\w* \w now|strong="G1161"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w no|strong="G3765"\w* \w longer|strong="G3765"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w am|strong="G1473"\w* \w doing|strong="G2716"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* sin dwelling \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*.  
\v 18 Further, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w nothing|strong="G3756"\w* \w good|strong="G2570"\w* \w dwells|strong="G3611"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*, \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*; \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w to|strong="G2309"\w* \w will|strong="G2309"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w present|strong="G3873"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w do|strong="G1492"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* find \w how|strong="G3754"\w* \w to|strong="G2309"\w* \w perform|strong="G2716"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w good|strong="G2570"\w*.  
\v 19 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w the|strong="G1063"\w* \w good|strong="G3756"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w want|strong="G2309"\w* \w to|strong="G2309"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w*; \w rather|strong="G3756"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w practice|strong="G4160"\w* \w the|strong="G1063"\w* \w evil|strong="G2556"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w want|strong="G2309"\w* \w to|strong="G2309"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w*.  
\v 20 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w want|strong="G2309"\w* \w to|strong="G2309"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w*, \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w longer|strong="G3765"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* sin dwelling \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*.  
\v 21 \w So|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w find|strong="G2147"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* ‘\w law|strong="G3551"\w*’: \w when|strong="G2147"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w want|strong="G2309"\w* \w to|strong="G2309"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w good|strong="G2570"\w*, \w evil|strong="G2556"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w right|strong="G2570"\w* \w there|strong="G3754"\w* \w with|strong="G4160"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*.  
\v 22 \w I|strong="G1063"\w* \w joyfully|strong="G4913"\w* agree \w with|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G2596"\w* \w inner|strong="G2080"\w* \w man|strong="G2080"\w*,  
\v 23 \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* see \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w different|strong="G2087"\w* ‘\w law|strong="G3551"\w*’ \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* body \w parts|strong="G3196"\w*, warring \w against|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w mind|strong="G3563"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* taking \w me|strong="G1473"\w* captive \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* sin \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* body \w parts|strong="G3196"\w*.   
\p
\v 24 \w What|strong="G5101"\w* \w a|strong="G1537"\w* \w wretched|strong="G5005"\w* \w man|strong="G3778"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1473"\w*! \w Who|strong="G5101"\w* \w will|strong="G5101"\w* \w deliver|strong="G4506"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*?\f + \fr 7:24 \ft A body that insists on sinning is a body that is condemned to death.\f*  
\v 25 \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w thank|strong="G5485"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*—\w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*! \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, \w with|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w mind|strong="G3563"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w myself|strong="G1473"\w* \w serve|strong="G1398"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'\w s|strong="G2962"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w with|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*, sin'\w s|strong="G2962"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*.   
\c 8  
\s1 Deliverance  
\m
\v 1 \w Now|strong="G3568"\w* \w then|strong="G2424"\w*, \w there|strong="G1722"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w no|strong="G3762"\w* \w condemnation|strong="G2631"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w do|strong="G1722"\w* \w not|strong="G3762"\w* walk \w according|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* flesh \w but|strong="G3762"\w* \w according|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G3588"\w*,\f + \fr 8:1 \ft “Who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” is omitted by 2.3% of the Greek manuscripts (of inferior quality, objectively so), to be followed by NIV, NASB, TEV, LB, etc. Those who follow the 2.3% like to claim that the clause was imported from verse four. But Paul is a Jew, and they like to repeat things. In Romans 7:14-23 Paul described the conflict of the two natures within himself—he was not ‘home free’. That he is not through with the topic is clear from verses 5-17 below, where he describes in detail the conflict between flesh and Spirit. The reader may rest assured that the 97% are correct. Anyone who insists on walking according to the flesh will discover that there is indeed condemnation.\f*  
\v 2 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w has|strong="G5547"\w* \w set|strong="G1659"\w* me\f + \fr 8:2 \ft Less than 1% of the Greek manuscripts read ‘you’ \+nd singular\+nd*, to be followed by NASB and LB. But ‘you’ in English is ambiguous as to number, and neither NASB nor LB tells the reader that ‘you’ is singular (because in the context it is obviously wrong). Both versions favor the reader with a footnote informing that “some” manuscripts read “me” [their way of referring to 700 against 4, which to my mind is a dishonest use of language].\f* \w free|strong="G1659"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* sin \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*.  
\v 3 Further, \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w could|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3739"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* weak \w due|strong="G1722"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*, \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* done \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w sending|strong="G3992"\w* \w His|strong="G1438"\w* \w own|strong="G1438"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w likeness|strong="G3667"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* sinful \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*, \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w account|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* sin: \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w condemned|strong="G2632"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* sin \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*,\f + \fr 8:3 \ft The sin in our flesh having been condemned, it is now possible to walk according to the Spirit.\f*  
\v 4 \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1345"\w* \w requirement|strong="G1345"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w might|strong="G1473"\w* \w be|strong="G3361"\w* \w fulfilled|strong="G4137"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w do|strong="G3361"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w walk|strong="G4043"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w* \w but|strong="G3361"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*.   
\s2 Spirit X flesh  
\p
\v 5 \w Those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w live|strong="G5426"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w* \w set|strong="G5426"\w* \w their|strong="G2596"\w* \w minds|strong="G5426"\w* \w on|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w live|strong="G5426"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*, \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*.  
\v 6 Further, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* mindset \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w* yields \w death|strong="G2288"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* mindset \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* yields \w life|strong="G2222"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w*;  
\v 7 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* mindset \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w* represents \w enmity|strong="G2189"\w* \w against|strong="G1519"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w since|strong="G1063"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w does|strong="G3761"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w submit|strong="G5293"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w nor|strong="G3761"\w* \w indeed|strong="G1063"\w* \w can|strong="G1410"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w*.  
\v 8 \w So|strong="G1161"\w*, \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* ‘\w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*’ \w cannot|strong="G1410"\w* please \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.\f + \fr 8:8 \ft This is a ‘genetic’ incapability, so we need a new birth.\f*  
\v 9 \w You|strong="G5210"\w*, \w however|strong="G1161"\w*, \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* ‘\w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*’ \w but|strong="G1161"\w* ‘\w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*’, \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w indeed|strong="G1512"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'\w s|strong="G2192"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w dwells|strong="G3611"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*. \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w anyone|strong="G5100"\w* \w does|strong="G2192"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w*.  
\v 10 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* sin, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*.  
\v 11 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w raised|strong="G1453"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w* \w dwells|strong="G3611"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w then|strong="G2532"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w raised|strong="G1453"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w give|strong="G2227"\w* \w life|strong="G2227"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w mortal|strong="G2349"\w* \w bodies|strong="G4983"\w*\f + \fr 8:11 \ft Where, down here? If it is “because of His Spirit who dwells [present tense] in you”, presumably so. Consider 1 Thessalonians 5:23—“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” I take it that the grammatical structure of this phrase, “the spirit and the soul and the body” (in Greek), demands a tripartite/trichotomous view of the human being. I confess that I have trouble imagining complete sanctification for the body, in this life, but there it is. Still, verse 11 here does not demand ‘complete’ sanctification; obviously we use our mortal bodies as we serve God down here, and the more we use them to serve God, the more sanctified they will be.\f* \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w His|strong="G1223"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w dwells|strong="G3611"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.\f + \fr 8:11 \ft In these verses we have ‘Spirit of God’, ‘Spirit of Christ’, ‘Spirit’ and ‘Spirit of Him who raised Jesus’; so how many spirits or persons are there? I would say that Paul is just using different ways of referring to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Triune God. Comparing all the relevant passages, the Godhead is made up of just the three persons.\f*   
\s2 Sonship  
\p
\v 12 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, brothers, \w we|strong="G1510"\w* \w have|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w obligation|strong="G3781"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G2596"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*, \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w it|strong="G1510"\w*;  
\v 13 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w you|strong="G1487"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*, \w you|strong="G1487"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w about|strong="G3195"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w die|strong="G2289"\w*; \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w you|strong="G1487"\w* \w put|strong="G2289"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w death|strong="G2289"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w practices|strong="G4234"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w*, \w by|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*, \w you|strong="G1487"\w* \w will|strong="G3195"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w*.  
\v 14 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w many|strong="G3745"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* led \w by|strong="G1063"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*, \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w sons|strong="G5207"\w*\f + \fr 8:14 \ft Hey, wait a minute; this is not what I was taught in Seminary! The Text says that in order to be God's son you must be led by God's Spirit! Verse 12 is addressed to ‘brothers’, and verse 13 says that to live according to the flesh results in death. But someone living according to the flesh is obviously \+nd not\+nd* being led by the Spirit. You cannot die unless you are alive; notice also the “if indeed” in verse 17.\f*  
\v 15 —\w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w did|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w receive|strong="G2983"\w* \w a|strong="G1519"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w slavery|strong="G1397"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w fear|strong="G5401"\w* \w all|strong="G1722"\w* \w over|strong="G1722"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w*, \w but|strong="G1063"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w did|strong="G3588"\w* \w receive|strong="G2983"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w adoption|strong="G5206"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w cry|strong="G2896"\w* \w out|strong="G2896"\w*, “\it Abba\it*, \w Father|strong="G3962"\w*!”\f + \fr 8:15 \ft ‘Father’ is a translation of the Aramaic ‘\ft \+it Abba\+it*’.\f*  
\v 16 \w That|strong="G3754"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* Himself bears \w witness|strong="G4828"\w* \w with|strong="G2316"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w children|strong="G5043"\w*  
\v 17 —\w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w children|strong="G5043"\w*, \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w heirs|strong="G2818"\w*: \w heirs|strong="G2818"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* coheirs \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*\f + \fr 8:17 \ft Wow! If we are coheirs, then whatever the inheritance is belongs to us too. I leave it to the reader to research the contents of Christ's inheritance!\f* (\w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w* \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w suffer|strong="G4841"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w Him|strong="G2532"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w glorified|strong="G4888"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w Him|strong="G2532"\w*).\f + \fr 8:17 \ft The clear implication is: no suffering, no glory. In the next verse the sufferings are treated as a fact.\f*   
\s2 Redemption of the body  
\p
\v 18 \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w consider|strong="G3049"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w sufferings|strong="G3804"\w* \w of|strong="G1391"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w present|strong="G3568"\w* \w time|strong="G2540"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* worthy \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w be|strong="G3756"\w* compared \w with|strong="G4314"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w going|strong="G3195"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w be|strong="G3756"\w* revealed \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w*.  
\v 19 You see, \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w creation|strong="G2937"\w* waits \w with|strong="G2316"\w* eager anticipation \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* revelation \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w sons|strong="G5207"\w*;  
\v 20 \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w without|strong="G3756"\w* choice \w the|strong="G1909"\w* \w creation|strong="G2937"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w subjected|strong="G5293"\w* \w to|strong="G1909"\w* \w futility|strong="G3153"\w*, due \w to|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G1909"\w* \w One|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w did|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1909"\w* \w subjecting|strong="G5293"\w*, based \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G1909"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w*  
\v 21 \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w creation|strong="G2937"\w* itself \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w set|strong="G1659"\w* \w free|strong="G1659"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w bondage|strong="G1397"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* decay \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w freedom|strong="G1657"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w children|strong="G5043"\w*.\f + \fr 8:21 \ft In the beginning, when the Creator turned the administration of this planet over to Adam, everything was ‘good’. But then came the Fall, and the administrator was no longer good. How could a fallen ruler administer a perfect creation? Since the creation was merely a setting for the man, the Creator reduced it to the same level, based on ‘the hope’ of a future restoration for both man and nature (see 1 Peter 1:19-20).\f*  
\v 22 \w Yes|strong="G1063"\w*, \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w whole|strong="G3956"\w* \w creation|strong="G2937"\w* \w has|strong="G3748"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* groaning \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* labor \w pains|strong="G4944"\w* \w until|strong="G2532"\w* \w now|strong="G3568"\w*.  
\v 23 \w Not|strong="G3756"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* firstfruits \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*, \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \nd \+w we|strong="G2249"\+w*\nd* \w groan|strong="G4727"\w* \w within|strong="G1722"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G1438"\w*, eagerly awaiting \w adoption|strong="G5206"\w*, \w the|strong="G1722"\w* redemption \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w*.  
\v 24 \w Yes|strong="G1063"\w*, \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w saved|strong="G4982"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w*,\f + \fr 8:24 \ft Since the restoration of the planet depends on the restoration of Adam's descendants, at least some of them, and since this is a time consuming process, we start out in ‘the hope’.\f* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* seen \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w*—\w why|strong="G5101"\w* \w would|strong="G2532"\w* \w anyone|strong="G3739"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* sees?  
\v 25 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w hope|strong="G1679"\w* \w for|strong="G1223"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w do|strong="G1223"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* see, \w we|strong="G3739"\w* eagerly await \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w with|strong="G1223"\w* \w endurance|strong="G5281"\w*.   
\p
\v 26 \w Likewise|strong="G5615"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w comes|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* aid \it of the hope\it* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* weaknesses, \w since|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w do|strong="G5101"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* need \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w pray|strong="G4336"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w*. \w Indeed|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* Himself \w intercedes|strong="G5241"\w* \w on|strong="G1161"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* behalf \w with|strong="G2532"\w* inexpressible \w groanings|strong="G4726"\w*,  
\v 27 \w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w who|strong="G5101"\w* \w searches|strong="G2045"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w* \w knows|strong="G1492"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w on|strong="G5228"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*'s \w mind|strong="G5427"\w*, \w since|strong="G3754"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w* prays \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* saints \w in|strong="G2596"\w* \w accordance|strong="G2596"\w* \w with|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.\f + \fr 8:27 \ft The intercession of the Spirit represents two members of the Trinity! We do not know what we need to pray for (altogether too often), but the Spirit does, and for that He certainly deserves our thanks.\f*   
\s2 Glory  
\p
\v 28 Further, \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w* \w work|strong="G4903"\w* \w together|strong="G4903"\w* \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w good|strong="G3956"\w* \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* love \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w called|strong="G2822"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w purpose|strong="G4286"\w*.  
\v 29 \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w foreknew|strong="G4267"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w predestined|strong="G4309"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w conformed|strong="G4832"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w image|strong="G1504"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w His|strong="G1519"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w*,\f + \fr 8:29 \ft If you are not being conformed to the Son's image, there is something wrong, because this is probably the ‘purpose’.\f* \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w would|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w firstborn|strong="G4416"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* brothers.  
\v 30 Further, \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w predestined|strong="G4309"\w*, \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w called|strong="G2564"\w*; \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w called|strong="G2564"\w*, \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w justified|strong="G1344"\w*; \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w justified|strong="G1344"\w*, \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w glorified|strong="G1392"\w*.\f + \fr 8:30 \ft All the verbs in verse 30 are in the past tense, reflecting God's sovereignty. Note the sequence: foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification and glorification.\f*   
\s1 Summary to this point  
\p
\v 31 \w What|strong="G5101"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w* \w shall|strong="G2316"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w*? \w Since|strong="G2596"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w for|strong="G5228"\w* \w us|strong="G3004"\w*, \w who|strong="G5101"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w against|strong="G2596"\w* \w us|strong="G3004"\w*?  
\v 32 \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w spare|strong="G5339"\w* \w His|strong="G3956"\w* \w own|strong="G2398"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w delivered|strong="G3860"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w up|strong="G3860"\w* \w on|strong="G5228"\w* \w behalf|strong="G5228"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w us|strong="G5483"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*, \w how|strong="G4459"\w* \w shall|strong="G2532"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w with|strong="G4862"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w graciously|strong="G5483"\w* \w give|strong="G5483"\w* \w us|strong="G5483"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w*?\f + \fr 8:32 \ft 2 Peter 1:3 again.\f*  
\v 33 \w Who|strong="G5101"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w bring|strong="G1458"\w* \w a|strong="G2596"\w* \w charge|strong="G1458"\w* \w against|strong="G2596"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w chosen|strong="G1588"\w* ones? \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w He|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G5101"\w* \w justifies|strong="G1344"\w*.  
\v 34 \w Who|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w condemns|strong="G2632"\w*? \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w died|strong="G3588"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w more|strong="G3123"\w*, \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w* \w raised|strong="G1453"\w*, \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w right|strong="G1188"\w* \w hand|strong="G1188"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w* \w intercedes|strong="G1793"\w* \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w behalf|strong="G5228"\w*.\f + \fr 8:34 \ft Comparing this with verse 27, all three members of the Trinity are cheering us on!\f*   
\p
\v 35 \w Who|strong="G5101"\w* \w shall|strong="G5101"\w* \w separate|strong="G5563"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* love \w of|strong="G2228"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*? \w Will|strong="G5101"\w* \w it|strong="G5101"\w* \w be|strong="G3588"\w* \w affliction|strong="G2347"\w* \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w distress|strong="G4730"\w* \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w persecution|strong="G1375"\w* \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w famine|strong="G3042"\w* \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w nakedness|strong="G1132"\w* \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w peril|strong="G2794"\w* \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w sword|strong="G3162"\w*?  
\v 36 (\w As|strong="G5613"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*:  
\q1 “\w For|strong="G3754"\w* \w your|strong="G3650"\w* \w sake|strong="G1752"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w being|strong="G4771"\w* \w put|strong="G2289"\w* \w to|strong="G2289"\w* \w death|strong="G2289"\w* \w all|strong="G3650"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w* \w long|strong="G2250"\w*;  
\q2 \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w accounted|strong="G3049"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w sheep|strong="G4263"\w* \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w slaughter|strong="G4967"\w*.”\f + \fr 8:36 \ft See Psalm 44:22. Our turn is coming; it is on the doorstep.\f*)   
\m
\v 37 \w No|strong="G3956"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* prevail completely \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* loved \w us|strong="G2249"\w*.  
\v 38 \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G1063"\w* \w am|strong="G3195"\w* \w persuaded|strong="G3982"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w neither|strong="G3777"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w* \w nor|strong="G3777"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w*, \w neither|strong="G3777"\w* angels \w nor|strong="G3777"\w* principalities \w nor|strong="G3777"\w* \w powers|strong="G1411"\w*, \w neither|strong="G3777"\w* \w things|strong="G3195"\w* \w present|strong="G1764"\w* \w nor|strong="G3777"\w* \w things|strong="G3195"\w* \w to|strong="G3195"\w* \w come|strong="G3195"\w*,  
\v 39 \w neither|strong="G3777"\w* \w height|strong="G5313"\w* \w nor|strong="G3777"\w* depth \w nor|strong="G3777"\w* \w any|strong="G5100"\w* \w other|strong="G2087"\w* \w created|strong="G2937"\w* \w thing|strong="G5100"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w power|strong="G1410"\w* \w to|strong="G1410"\w* \w separate|strong="G5563"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* love \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*.\f + \fr 8:39 \ft God's love is like a sphere, with us on the inside—nothing can reach us without first passing through the ‘filter’ of that love. (There are times when it is easier to say that than to believe it.)\f*   
\c 9  
\ms1 Israel  
\m
\v 1 \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1473"\w* \w speaking|strong="G3004"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* truth \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*—\w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1473"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w lying|strong="G5574"\w*; \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w conscience|strong="G4893"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* testifying \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Holy|strong="G4151"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*—  
\v 2 \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w great|strong="G3173"\w* \w sorrow|strong="G3077"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* unceasing \w distress|strong="G3077"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w my|strong="G1473"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w*.  
\v 3 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* keep wishing \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w myself|strong="G1473"\w* \w could|strong="G3588"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* accursed away \w from|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G2596"\w* \w Messiah|strong="G5547"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G2596"\w* \w sake|strong="G5228"\w* \w of|strong="G2596"\w* \w my|strong="G1473"\w* brothers, \w my|strong="G1473"\w* \w physical|strong="G4561"\w* \w relatives|strong="G4773"\w*,  
\v 4 \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Israelites|strong="G2475"\w*.\f + \fr 9:4 \ft Wow, Paul, do you really mean it? Perhaps he is reflecting God's sorrow.\f* \w To|strong="G2532"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w belong|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w adoption|strong="G5206"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w covenants|strong="G1242"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w giving|strong="G3548"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w law|strong="G3548"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* temple \w service|strong="G2999"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w promises|strong="G1860"\w*.  
\v 5 \w The|strong="G2532"\w* patriarchs \w are|strong="G1510"\w* theirs, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w came|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* (\w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w physical|strong="G4561"\w* \w part|strong="G2596"\w*),\f + \fr 9:5 \ft Both “the Christ” and “who is over all” are in the masculine gender, separated by το κατα σαρκα, often rendered as ‘according to the flesh’. But the article, το, is in the neuter gender, and so must have a different referent. Paul is being precisely correct: it was only the physical part of the Messiah that came through Israel, the divine part did not.\f* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w over|strong="G1909"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*, \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w forever|strong="G1519"\w* \w blessed|strong="G2128"\w*. Amen.   
\s1 Children of the promise  
\p
\v 6 \w However|strong="G1161"\w*, \w it|strong="G3754"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w as|strong="G1161"\w* \w though|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w Word|strong="G3056"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w failed|strong="G3756"\w*!\f + \fr 9:6 \ft The covenants and the promises involve human participation, so they only come to fruition for those who obey God (almost always a minority of the population).\f* \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G3748"\w* descended \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w Israel|strong="G2474"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* ‘\w Israel|strong="G2474"\w*’.  
\v 7 \w Neither|strong="G3761"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w they|strong="G3754"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* ‘\w children|strong="G5043"\w*’ \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w they|strong="G3754"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* Abraham's \w descendants|strong="G4690"\w*; \w but|strong="G3761"\w*, “\w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Isaac|strong="G2464"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w your|strong="G3956"\w* \w seed|strong="G4690"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w called|strong="G2564"\w*.”\f + \fr 9:7 \ft See Genesis 21:12.\f*  
\v 8 \w That|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w*, \w it|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w physical|strong="G4561"\w* \w children|strong="G5043"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s ‘\w children|strong="G5043"\w*’, \w but|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w children|strong="G5043"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w regarded|strong="G3049"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* ‘\w seed|strong="G4690"\w*’.  
\v 9 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w word|strong="G3056"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w*: “\w At|strong="G2596"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w season|strong="G2540"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Sarah|strong="G4564"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w son|strong="G5207"\w*.”\f + \fr 9:9 \ft See Genesis 18:10,14.\f*   
\p
\v 10 \w Not|strong="G3756"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w when|strong="G1161"\w* \w Rebecca|strong="G4479"\w* \w had|strong="G2192"\w* \w conceived|strong="G2845"\w* twins \w by|strong="G1537"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w forefather|strong="G3962"\w* \w Isaac|strong="G2464"\w*  
\v 11 (\w though|strong="G1063"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w had|strong="G2316"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w yet|strong="G1063"\w* \w been|strong="G3756"\w* \w born|strong="G1080"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w having|strong="G5100"\w* \w done|strong="G4238"\w* \w anything|strong="G5100"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w* \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w bad|strong="G5337"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w purpose|strong="G4286"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w election|strong="G1589"\w* \w might|strong="G2316"\w* \w stand|strong="G3306"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w* \w but|strong="G1063"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w calls|strong="G2564"\w*),  
\v 12 \w it|strong="G3754"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w said|strong="G2046"\w* \w to|strong="G1398"\w* \w her|strong="G3754"\w*, “\w The|strong="G3588"\w* \w older|strong="G3173"\w* \w will|strong="G3748"\w* \w serve|strong="G1398"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w younger|strong="G1640"\w*.”\f + \fr 9:12 \ft See Genesis 25:23.\f*  
\v 13 \w As|strong="G2531"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*: “\w Jacob|strong="G2384"\w* \w I|strong="G1161"\w* loved, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w Esau|strong="G2269"\w* \w I|strong="G1161"\w* \w hated|strong="G3404"\w*.”\f + \fr 9:13 \ft See Malachi 1:2,3. Of course Malachi was written long after the two had demonstrated their characters by their lives. Further, the ‘hated’ is not an active hate, but a disregard.\f*   
\s1 It is pointless to fight God's Sovereignty!  
\p
\v 14 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w shall|strong="G2316"\w* \w we|strong="G3767"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w*, \w there|strong="G1096"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w no|strong="G3361"\w* injustice \w with|strong="G3844"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w there|strong="G1096"\w*? \w Of|strong="G2316"\w* course \w not|strong="G3361"\w*!  
\v 15 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w Moses|strong="G3475"\w*:  
\q1 “\w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w mercy|strong="G1653"\w* \w on|strong="G1653"\w* \w whomever|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w mercy|strong="G1653"\w*,  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w compassion|strong="G3627"\w* \w on|strong="G1653"\w*  
\q2 \w whomever|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w compassion|strong="G3627"\w*.”\f + \fr 9:15 \ft See Exodus 33:19.\f*   
\m
\v 16 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, \w it|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w wills|strong="G2309"\w* \w nor|strong="G3761"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* strives, \w but|strong="G3767"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w shows|strong="G1653"\w* \w mercy|strong="G1653"\w*.  
\v 17 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Scripture|strong="G1124"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w Pharaoh|strong="G5328"\w*: “\w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w raised|strong="G1825"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w up|strong="G1519"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w very|strong="G2532"\w* purpose, \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w might|strong="G2532"\w* display \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w power|strong="G1411"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w name|strong="G3686"\w* \w might|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w proclaimed|strong="G1229"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w earth|strong="G1093"\w*.”\f + \fr 9:17 \ft See Exodus 9:16. If you check the record, Pharaoh hardened his own heart the first five times; after that God did the hardening.\f*  
\v 18 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, \w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w has|strong="G3739"\w* \w mercy|strong="G1653"\w* \w on|strong="G1653"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w wishes|strong="G2309"\w*, \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w hardens|strong="G4645"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w wishes|strong="G2309"\w*.   
\p
\v 19 \w You|strong="G3004"\w* \w will|strong="G5101"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w* \w to|strong="G3004"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, “\w Why|strong="G5101"\w* \w does|strong="G5101"\w* \w He|strong="G3588"\w* \w still|strong="G2089"\w* \w find|strong="G3201"\w* \w fault|strong="G3201"\w*? \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w who|strong="G5101"\w* \w has|strong="G5101"\w* ever resisted \w His|strong="G3588"\w* \w will|strong="G5101"\w*?”  
\v 20 Really \w now|strong="G1510"\w*, \w just|strong="G3779"\w* \w who|strong="G5101"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w*, \w O|strong="G5599"\w* \w man|strong="G3361"\w*, \w to|strong="G3004"\w* talk back \w to|strong="G3004"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*? \w What|strong="G5101"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w formed|strong="G4160"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w* \w to|strong="G3004"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G5101"\w* \w formed|strong="G4160"\w* \w it|strong="G4160"\w*, “\w Why|strong="G5101"\w* \w did|strong="G4160"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w make|strong="G4160"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w like|strong="G3779"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w*,” \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w it|strong="G4160"\w*?  
\v 21 \w Or|strong="G2228"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w potter|strong="G2763"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w right|strong="G1849"\w* \w over|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w clay|strong="G4081"\w*, \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w make|strong="G4160"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w same|strong="G3739"\w* \w lump|strong="G5445"\w* \w one|strong="G3739"\w* \w vessel|strong="G4632"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w honor|strong="G5092"\w* \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w another|strong="G3739"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* dishonor?\f + \fr 9:21 \ft We can argue, and complain, and squirm, but after everything is said and done, when faced with God's Sovereignty we have just two options: rebel or submit, giving due regard to the consequences. That said, however, this text is concentrating on God's Sovereignty. Due regard must also be given to all the texts that deal with human responsibility.\f*   
\p
\v 22 \w What|strong="G3588"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w wishing|strong="G2309"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* display \w His|strong="G1519"\w* \w wrath|strong="G3709"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w make|strong="G1107"\w* \w His|strong="G1519"\w* \w power|strong="G1415"\w* \w known|strong="G1107"\w*, \w endured|strong="G5342"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w much|strong="G4183"\w* \w patience|strong="G3115"\w* \w vessels|strong="G4632"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w wrath|strong="G3709"\w* \w prepared|strong="G2675"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* destruction,  
\v 23 \w just|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w order|strong="G2443"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w make|strong="G1107"\w* \w known|strong="G1107"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w riches|strong="G4149"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w His|strong="G1519"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w vessels|strong="G4632"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w mercy|strong="G1656"\w*,\f + \fr 9:23 \ft Presumably by way of contrast.\f* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w prepared|strong="G4282"\w* \w beforehand|strong="G4282"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w*,  
\v 24 \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w called|strong="G2564"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Jews|strong="G2453"\w* \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w*?  
\v 25 \w As|strong="G5613"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Hosea|strong="G5617"\w*:  
\q1 “\w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w call|strong="G2564"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* ‘\w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w*’, ‘\w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w*’,  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* ‘\w not|strong="G3756"\w* loved’ (f), ‘loved’.”\f + \fr 9:25 \ft See Hosea 2:23.\f*   
\q1
\v 26 “\w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w place|strong="G5117"\w* \w where|strong="G3757"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w said|strong="G2046"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*,  
\q2 ‘\w You|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w*,’  
\q2 \w there|strong="G1563"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w called|strong="G2564"\w* \w sons|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w living|strong="G2198"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.”\f + \fr 9:26 \ft See Hosea 1:10.\f*   
\m
\v 27 \w And|strong="G1161"\w* \w Isaiah|strong="G2268"\w* \w cries|strong="G2896"\w* \w out|strong="G2896"\w* \w concerning|strong="G5228"\w* \w Israel|strong="G2474"\w*:  
\q1 “\w Though|strong="G5613"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* number \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w children|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w Israel|strong="G2474"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* sand \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w sea|strong="G2281"\w*, only \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w remnant|strong="G3005"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w saved|strong="G4982"\w*;   
\q1
\v 28 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* finishing \w and|strong="G2532"\w* cutting \w short|strong="G4932"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* \w accounting|strong="G3056"\w* \w in|strong="G1909"\w* righteousness; \w yes|strong="G1063"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* impose \w a|strong="G2532"\w* condensed \w accounting|strong="G3056"\w*\f + \fr 9:28 \ft “In righteousness; yes, the Lord will impose a condensed accounting” is omitted by less than 3% of the Greek manuscripts, to be followed by NIV, NASB, TEV, LB, etc.—an inferior proceeding.\f* \w upon|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w earth|strong="G1093"\w*.”\f + \fr 9:28 \ft See Isaiah 10:22-23. It has always been the case that those who really want to walk with God represent a small minority of the population sample.\f*   
\m
\v 29 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w Isaiah|strong="G2268"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w said|strong="G2532"\w* previously:  
\q1 “\w Unless|strong="G1487"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \sc \+w Lord|strong="G2962"\+w*\sc* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w Sabaoth|strong="G4519"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w left|strong="G1459"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w seed|strong="G4690"\w*,  
\q2 \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w would|strong="G1096"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* \w like|strong="G5613"\w* \w Sodom|strong="G4670"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w would|strong="G1096"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G1096"\w* \w made|strong="G1096"\w* \w like|strong="G5613"\w* \w Gomorrah|strong="G1116"\w*.”\f + \fr 9:29 \ft See Isaiah 1:9. To be like Sodom would be complete destruction.\f*   
\s1 Their present condition  
\p
\v 30 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w shall|strong="G5101"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w*? \w That|strong="G3754"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w*, \w who|strong="G5101"\w* \w did|strong="G5101"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w pursue|strong="G1377"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*, \w attained|strong="G2638"\w* \w to|strong="G3004"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*, namely \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* comes \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*;  
\v 31 \w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w Israel|strong="G2474"\w*, \w pursuing|strong="G1377"\w* \w a|strong="G1519"\w* standard \w of|strong="G3551"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*, \w did|strong="G1377"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w attain|strong="G5348"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w that|strong="G1519"\w* standard.  
\v 32 \w Why|strong="G5101"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w*? \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*, \w but|strong="G3588"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* law. \w They|strong="G3588"\w* \w stumbled|strong="G4350"\w* \w over|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* ‘\w stumbling|strong="G4348"\w* \w stone|strong="G3037"\w*’;  
\v 33 \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*:  
\q1 “\w Look|strong="G2400"\w*! \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w am|strong="G2532"\w* \w placing|strong="G5087"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Zion|strong="G4622"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w stumbling|strong="G4625"\w* \w stone|strong="G3037"\w*  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w rock|strong="G4073"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w offense|strong="G4625"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w believes|strong="G4100"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w put|strong="G5087"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w shame|strong="G2617"\w*.”\f + \fr 9:33 \ft See Isaiah 8:14 and 28:16. They had to ‘believe on’ the ‘stumbling block’, the Christ, but He did not perform the way they expected that the Messiah would perform.\f*   
\c 10  
\s1 Israel needs salvation  
\m
\v 1 Brothers, \w my|strong="G1699"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w*'s \w desire|strong="G2107"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w prayer|strong="G1162"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* Israel \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w*.  
\v 2 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w I|strong="G1063"\w* \w bear|strong="G3140"\w* \w them|strong="G2596"\w* \w witness|strong="G3140"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w they|strong="G3754"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w zeal|strong="G2205"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w but|strong="G1063"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w real|strong="G1922"\w* \w knowledge|strong="G1922"\w*.  
\v 3 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w*, failing \w to|strong="G2532"\w* understand \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w seeking|strong="G2212"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w establish|strong="G2476"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w own|strong="G2398"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*, \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w submitted|strong="G3756"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*.   
\s2 How to be saved  
\p
\v 4 Now \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w everyone|strong="G3956"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w believes|strong="G4100"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*, \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w end|strong="G5056"\w* \w of|strong="G3551"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*\f + \fr 10:4 \ft That is, as a means of salvation.\f*  
\v 5 —\w Moses|strong="G3475"\w* \w writes|strong="G1125"\w* \w about|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*: “\w The|strong="G1722"\w* person \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w does|strong="G4160"\w* \w these|strong="G4160"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w will|strong="G3748"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*.”\f + \fr 10:5 \ft See Leviticus 18:5.\f*  
\v 6 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w speaks|strong="G3004"\w* \w like|strong="G3779"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w*: “\w Do|strong="G5101"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w your|strong="G1722"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w*, ‘\w Who|strong="G5101"\w* \w will|strong="G5101"\w* \w ascend|strong="G1537"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w heaven|strong="G3772"\w*?’ ”\f + \fr 10:6 \ft See Deuteronomy 30:12.\f* (\w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w*, \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w bring|strong="G2609"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w down|strong="G2609"\w*)  
\v 7 “\w or|strong="G2228"\w*, ‘\w Who|strong="G5101"\w* \w will|strong="G5101"\w* \w descend|strong="G2597"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* abyss?’ ”\f + \fr 10:7 \ft See Deuteronomy 30:13. The ‘abyss’ here is presumably not the eschatological one.\f* (\w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w*, \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w bring|strong="G1510"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w up|strong="G1519"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w*).  
\v 8 \w So|strong="G2532"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \nd \+w does|strong="G1510"\+w*\nd* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w*? “\w The|strong="G1722"\w* \w message|strong="G4487"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w near|strong="G1451"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w mouth|strong="G4750"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w*”\f + \fr 10:8 \ft See Deuteronomy 30:14.\f* (\w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w*, \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w message|strong="G4487"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w proclaim|strong="G2784"\w*):  
\v 9 \w That|strong="G3754"\w* \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w confess|strong="G3670"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w your|strong="G2962"\w* \w mouth|strong="G4750"\w*, “\w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*,” \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w believe|strong="G4100"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w your|strong="G2962"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w raised|strong="G1453"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w*, \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w saved|strong="G4982"\w*.  
\v 10 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w with|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w* \w one|strong="G1519"\w* \w believes|strong="G4100"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*, \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w with|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w mouth|strong="G4750"\w* \w one|strong="G1519"\w* promises\f + \fr 10:10 \ft This refers to a solemn commitment made publicly—even a demon can mouth the phrase, ‘Jesus is Lord’, as can any person, except that the demon knows it is really true.\f* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w*.  
\v 11 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w Scripture|strong="G1124"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w*: “\w Everyone|strong="G3956"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w believes|strong="G4100"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w will|strong="G3956"\w* \w never|strong="G3756"\w* \w be|strong="G3756"\w* \w put|strong="G2617"\w* \w to|strong="G1909"\w* \w shame|strong="G2617"\w*”\f + \fr 10:11 \ft See Isaiah 28:16.\f*;  
\v 12 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w distinction|strong="G1293"\w* \w between|strong="G5037"\w* \w Jew|strong="G2453"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Greek|strong="G1672"\w*, \w since|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w same|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w rich|strong="G4147"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w call|strong="G1941"\w* \w upon|strong="G1519"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*;  
\v 13 \w because|strong="G1063"\w*: “\w Everyone|strong="G3956"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w calls|strong="G1941"\w* \w on|strong="G1941"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w name|strong="G3686"\w* \w of|strong="G3686"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \sc \+w Lord|strong="G2962"\+w*\sc* \w will|strong="G3739"\w* \w be|strong="G3956"\w* \w saved|strong="G4982"\w*.”\f + \fr 10:13 \ft See Joel 2:32. This has always been true, although the level of opportunity differs from time to time and people to people.\f*   
\s2 The message is necessary  
\p
\v 14 \w How|strong="G4459"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w* \w will|strong="G3739"\w* \w they|strong="G1161"\w* \w call|strong="G1941"\w* \w on|strong="G1519"\w* \w Him|strong="G3739"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w they|strong="G1161"\w* \w have|strong="G4100"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w believed|strong="G4100"\w*? \w And|strong="G1161"\w* \w how|strong="G4459"\w* \w can|strong="G4459"\w* \w they|strong="G1161"\w* \w believe|strong="G4100"\w* \w on|strong="G1519"\w* \w Him|strong="G3739"\w* \w of|strong="G1519"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w they|strong="G1161"\w* \w have|strong="G4100"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* heard? \w And|strong="G1161"\w* \w how|strong="G4459"\w* \w will|strong="G3739"\w* \w they|strong="G1161"\w* hear \w without|strong="G5565"\w* \w someone|strong="G3739"\w* \w proclaiming|strong="G2784"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w*?  
\v 15 \w And|strong="G1161"\w* \w how|strong="G4459"\w* \w will|strong="G4459"\w* \w they|strong="G1161"\w* \w proclaim|strong="G2784"\w* \w unless|strong="G1437"\w* \w they|strong="G1161"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w sent|strong="G1125"\w*? \w As|strong="G5613"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*: “\w How|strong="G4459"\w* timely \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* arrival\f + \fr 10:15 \ft Literally, ‘beautiful the feet’.\f* \w of|strong="G3588"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w bring|strong="G2097"\w* \w good|strong="G2097"\w* \w news|strong="G2097"\w* \w of|strong="G3588"\w* peace,\f + \fr 10:15 \ft “Of those who bring good news of peace” is omitted by 10.5% of the Greek manuscripts, to be followed by NIV, NASB, TEV, LB, etc.—an inferior proceeding.\f* \w of|strong="G3588"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* announce \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w good|strong="G2097"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w*.”\f + \fr 10:15 \ft See Isaiah 52:7 and Nahum 1:15.\f*  
\v 16 (However, \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w did|strong="G5101"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w obey|strong="G5219"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w gospel|strong="G2098"\w*; \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w Isaiah|strong="G2268"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w*: “\sc \+w Lord|strong="G2962"\+w*\sc*, \w who|strong="G5101"\w* \w has|strong="G2962"\w* \w believed|strong="G4100"\w* \w our|strong="G3956"\w* message?”\f + \fr 10:16 \ft See Isaiah 53:1.\f*)  
\v 17 \w So|strong="G1161"\w*, \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w a|strong="G1161"\w* \w message|strong="G4487"\w*, \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w message|strong="G4487"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w Word|strong="G4487"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G3588"\w*.\f + \fr 10:17 \ft Perhaps 2% of the Greek manuscripts read ‘Christ’ rather than “God”, to be followed by NIV, NASB, TEV, LB, etc.—an inferior proceeding. It is the Word of God that gives authority to our message. Actually, ‘word’ here is a spoken word, precisely the messenger proclaiming his good news.\f*   
\s2 A rebellious people  
\p
\v 18 \w But|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w*, \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* really \w not|strong="G3756"\w* hear? \w Indeed|strong="G2532"\w* yes:  
\q1 “\w Their|strong="G2532"\w* \w voice|strong="G5353"\w* \w has|strong="G2532"\w* \w gone|strong="G1831"\w* \w out|strong="G1831"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w earth|strong="G1093"\w*,  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w spoken|strong="G3004"\w* \w words|strong="G4487"\w*  
\q2 \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w ends|strong="G4009"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w inhabited|strong="G3625"\w* \w world|strong="G3625"\w*.”\f + \fr 10:18 \ft See Psalm 19:4.\f*   
\m
\v 19 Again \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w*, \w did|strong="G1097"\w* \w Israel|strong="G2474"\w* really \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w*? \w First|strong="G4413"\w* \w Moses|strong="G3475"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w*:  
\q1 “\w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G1473"\w* \w provoke|strong="G3863"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G1909"\w* \w jealousy|strong="G3863"\w* \w by|strong="G1909"\w* \w a|strong="G1909"\w* non-nation,  
\q2 \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G1473"\w* \w move|strong="G3863"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G1909"\w* \w anger|strong="G3949"\w* \w by|strong="G1909"\w* \w a|strong="G1909"\w* senseless \w nation|strong="G1484"\w*.”\f + \fr 10:19 \ft See Deuteronomy 32:21.\f*   
\m
\v 20 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w Isaiah|strong="G2268"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w so|strong="G2532"\w* bold \w as|strong="G1722"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w*:  
\q1 “\w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w was|strong="G1096"\w* \w found|strong="G2147"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w seeking|strong="G2212"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*;  
\q2 \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w was|strong="G1096"\w* revealed \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w asking|strong="G3004"\w* \w for|strong="G1161"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*.”\f + \fr 10:20 \ft See Isaiah 65:1.\f*   
\m
\v 21 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* concerning \w Israel|strong="G2474"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w*:  
\q1 “\w All|strong="G3650"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w* \w long|strong="G2250"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* held \w out|strong="G2532"\w* \w my|strong="G1473"\w* \w hands|strong="G5495"\w*  
\q2 \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* disobedient \w and|strong="G2532"\w* contrary \w people|strong="G2992"\w*.”\f + \fr 10:21 \ft See Isaiah 65:2. To be ‘disobedient’ and ‘contrary’, there must be a revealed will, one that they knew about.\f*   
\c 11  
\s1 The remnant  
\m
\v 1 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w now|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w*, \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* reject \w His|strong="G2532"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w*, \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w*? \w Of|strong="G1537"\w* course \w not|strong="G3361"\w*! \w Why|strong="G1063"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w myself|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* \w Israelite|strong="G2475"\w*, \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w seed|strong="G4690"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* Abraham, \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w tribe|strong="G5443"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* Benjamin!\f + \fr 11:1 \ft Observe that Paul knew what tribe he belonged to; this at the beginning of the Christian era. If God would save Paul, then He is still saving Jews (and God knows what tribe they are from, even if they no longer do).\f*  
\v 2 \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* rejected \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G3739"\w* \w foreknew|strong="G4267"\w*. \w Do|strong="G5101"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Scripture|strong="G1124"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w* \w about|strong="G5613"\w* \w Elijah|strong="G2243"\w*, \w how|strong="G5613"\w* \w he|strong="G3739"\w* appeals \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w against|strong="G2596"\w* \w Israel|strong="G2474"\w* \w saying|strong="G3004"\w*:  
\v 3 “\sc \+w Lord|strong="G2962"\+w*\sc*, \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* killed \w your|strong="G2962"\w* \w prophets|strong="G4396"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w torn|strong="G2679"\w* \w down|strong="G2679"\w* \w your|strong="G2962"\w* \w altars|strong="G2379"\w*; \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1473"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w only|strong="G3441"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w left|strong="G5275"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w trying|strong="G2212"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w take|strong="G2532"\w* \w my|strong="G2212"\w* \w life|strong="G5590"\w*!”\f + \fr 11:3 \ft See 1 Kings 19:10,14.\f*  
\v 4 \w But|strong="G3588"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w does|strong="G5101"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w divine|strong="G5538"\w* \w response|strong="G5538"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w* \w to|strong="G3004"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*? “\w I|strong="G3004"\w* \w have|strong="G3748"\w* \w reserved|strong="G2641"\w* \w for|strong="G3756"\w* \w myself|strong="G1683"\w* \w seven|strong="G1683"\w* \w thousand|strong="G2035"\w* \w men|strong="G3588"\w*\f + \fr 11:4 \ft The term here refers specifically to males.\f* \w who|strong="G5101"\w* \w have|strong="G3748"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w bowed|strong="G2578"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w knee|strong="G1119"\w* \w to|strong="G3004"\w* Baal.”\f + \fr 11:4 \ft See 1 Kings 19:18. Evidently Elijah knew nothing about them, and perhaps each of them also thought he was the only one. I see a practical application here: I must never assume that what God is doing to and through me is the whole show, or even a major part of it. Now, much more than in Elijah's day, God is doing all sorts of interesting things all over the world!\f*  
\v 5 \w Even|strong="G2532"\w* \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w present|strong="G3568"\w* \w time|strong="G2540"\w*, \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w remnant|strong="G3005"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* \w election|strong="G1589"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w*.  
\v 6 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w by|strong="G1537"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w*, \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w no|strong="G3765"\w* \w longer|strong="G3765"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w*; \w otherwise|strong="G1893"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w no|strong="G3765"\w* \w longer|strong="G3765"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w*. \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w*, \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w no|strong="G3765"\w* \w longer|strong="G3765"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w*; \w otherwise|strong="G1893"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w work|strong="G2041"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w no|strong="G3765"\w* \w longer|strong="G3765"\w* \w work|strong="G2041"\w*.\f + \fr 11:6 \ft “But if from works, it is no longer grace; otherwise the work is no longer work” is omitted by 3.5% of the Greek manuscripts, to be followed by NIV, NASB, TEV, LB, etc.—an inferior proceeding.\f*   
\p
\v 7 \w What|strong="G5101"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*? \w What|strong="G5101"\w* \w Israel|strong="G2474"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w seeking|strong="G1934"\w*, \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w did|strong="G5101"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w obtain|strong="G2013"\w*; \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w election|strong="G1589"\w*\f + \fr 11:7 \ft ‘Election’ acts as a mass noun, including all the elected individuals.\f* \w did|strong="G5101"\w* \w obtain|strong="G2013"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w*, \w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w rest|strong="G3062"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* dulled.  
\v 8 \w Just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*:  
\q1 “\w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w gave|strong="G1325"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w stupor|strong="G2659"\w*, \w eyes|strong="G3788"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* see \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w ears|strong="G3775"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* hear, \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w very|strong="G2532"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w*.”\f + \fr 11:8 \ft See Deuteronomy 29:4 and Isaiah 29:10.\f*   
\m
\v 9 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w David|strong="G1138"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w*:  
\q1 “\w Let|strong="G1096"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w table|strong="G5132"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w made|strong="G1096"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w snare|strong="G3803"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w trap|strong="G3803"\w*,  
\q2 \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w stumbling|strong="G4625"\w* \w block|strong="G4625"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* retribution \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*.   
\q1
\v 10 \w Let|strong="G4654"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w eyes|strong="G3788"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w darkened|strong="G4654"\w* \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* see,  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w back|strong="G3577"\w* \w always|strong="G3956"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w bowed|strong="G2532"\w* \w down|strong="G4781"\w*.”\f + \fr 11:10 \ft See Psalm 69:22-23.\f*   
\s1 The restoration  
\p
\v 11 \w So|strong="G2443"\w* \w now|strong="G3767"\w* \w I|strong="G3767"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w*, \w surely|strong="G3361"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G1096"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w stumbled|strong="G4417"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w fall|strong="G4098"\w* [\w and|strong="G3767"\w* stay \w fallen|strong="G4098"\w*]? \w Of|strong="G3588"\w* course \w not|strong="G3361"\w*! Rather, \w through|strong="G3004"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* \w transgression|strong="G3900"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w* \w has|strong="G1096"\w* \w come|strong="G1096"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w*, \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w provoke|strong="G3863"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w jealousy|strong="G3863"\w*.  
\v 12 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w transgression|strong="G3900"\w* means \w riches|strong="G4149"\w* \w for|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* loss \w riches|strong="G4149"\w* \w for|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w nations|strong="G1484"\w*, \w how|strong="G4214"\w* \w much|strong="G4214"\w* \w more|strong="G3123"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w fulfillment|strong="G4138"\w*!   
\p
\v 13 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* \w speaking|strong="G3004"\w* \w to|strong="G1909"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w* (\w inasmuch|strong="G1909"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* ‘apostle \w to|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w*’, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w magnify|strong="G1392"\w* \w my|strong="G1473"\w* \w ministry|strong="G1248"\w*),  
\v 14 \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w somehow|strong="G1513"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* can \w provoke|strong="G3863"\w* \w my|strong="G1473"\w* own \w people|strong="G4561"\w*\f + \fr 11:14 \ft Literally, ‘flesh’.\f* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w jealousy|strong="G3863"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w save|strong="G4982"\w* \w some|strong="G5100"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 15 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w their|strong="G3588"\w* \w being|strong="G3361"\w* rejected \w means|strong="G3361"\w* \w reconciliation|strong="G2643"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*, \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w will|strong="G5101"\w* \w their|strong="G3588"\w* restoration \w be|strong="G3361"\w* \w but|strong="G1487"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w*?  
\v 16 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* ‘firstfruit’ \w is|strong="G3588"\w* holy, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* whole batch; \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w root|strong="G4491"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* holy, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w branches|strong="G2798"\w*.   
\s2 Grafted olive branches  
\p
\v 17 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w some|strong="G5100"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w branches|strong="G2798"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w broken|strong="G1575"\w* \w off|strong="G1575"\w*, \w while|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w*, \w being|strong="G1510"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w wild|strong="G2532"\w* \w olive|strong="G1636"\w* shoot, \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w grafted|strong="G1461"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w partaker|strong="G4791"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w root|strong="G4491"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w rich|strong="G4096"\w* sap \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* cultivated \w olive|strong="G1636"\w*,  
\v 18 \w do|strong="G3361"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w boast|strong="G2620"\w* \w against|strong="G3756"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w branches|strong="G2798"\w* (\w since|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w do|strong="G3361"\w* \w boast|strong="G2620"\w*—\w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* support \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w root|strong="G4491"\w* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w root|strong="G4491"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w*).  
\v 19 \w You|strong="G3004"\w* \w will|strong="G1473"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, “\w Branches|strong="G2798"\w* \w were|strong="G2798"\w* \w broken|strong="G1575"\w* \w off|strong="G1575"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w might|strong="G1473"\w* \w be|strong="G2443"\w* \w grafted|strong="G1461"\w* \w in|strong="G3004"\w*.”  
\v 20 \w Granted|strong="G2573"\w*. \w Because|strong="G1161"\w* \w of|strong="G4102"\w* unbelief \w they|strong="G1161"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w broken|strong="G1575"\w* \w off|strong="G1575"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w stand|strong="G2476"\w* \w by|strong="G2476"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*. \w Do|strong="G5399"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w be|strong="G3361"\w* arrogant, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w fear|strong="G5399"\w*!  
\v 21 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w did|strong="G2316"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w spare|strong="G5339"\w* \w the|strong="G2596"\w* \w natural|strong="G5449"\w* \w branches|strong="G2798"\w*, perhaps \w He|strong="G3588"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w spare|strong="G5339"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w either|strong="G3761"\w*!  
\v 22 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* consider \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w kindness|strong="G5544"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* severity \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*: \w upon|strong="G1909"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w fell|strong="G4098"\w*, severity; \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w toward|strong="G1909"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w*, \w kindness|strong="G5544"\w*, \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w continue|strong="G1961"\w* \w in|strong="G1909"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w kindness|strong="G5544"\w*; \w otherwise|strong="G1893"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w too|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w cut|strong="G1581"\w* \w off|strong="G1581"\w*.\f + \fr 11:22 \ft Here is a plain statement. ‘Continuing’ wins, and it is something that is up to us.\f*  
\v 23 \w And|strong="G1161"\w* \w even|strong="G1161"\w* \w they|strong="G1161"\w*, \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w they|strong="G1161"\w* \w do|strong="G3361"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* persist \w in|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* unbelief, \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w grafted|strong="G1461"\w* \w back|strong="G3825"\w* \w in|strong="G2316"\w*, \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w power|strong="G1415"\w* \w to|strong="G1161"\w* \w graft|strong="G1461"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G2316"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w*.  
\v 24 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w cut|strong="G1581"\w* \w out|strong="G1537"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w wild|strong="G2532"\w* \w by|strong="G1537"\w* \w nature|strong="G5449"\w* \w olive|strong="G1636"\w* \w tree|strong="G1636"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w grafted|strong="G1461"\w* \w contrary|strong="G3844"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w nature|strong="G5449"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w cultivated|strong="G2565"\w* \w olive|strong="G1636"\w* \w tree|strong="G1636"\w*, \w how|strong="G4214"\w* \w much|strong="G4214"\w* \w more|strong="G3123"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w natural|strong="G5449"\w* branches, \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w grafted|strong="G1461"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w own|strong="G2398"\w* \w olive|strong="G1636"\w* \w tree|strong="G1636"\w*?\f + \fr 11:24 \ft One is reminded of Ezekiel 18, the whole chapter—if you have not read it for a while, I suggest you refresh your memory.\f*   
\s2 Hardening  
\p
\v 25 Brothers, \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w do|strong="G1096"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w want|strong="G2309"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w ignorant|strong="G3361"\w* \w of|strong="G3844"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* ‘\w mystery|strong="G3466"\w*’\f + \fr 11:25 \ft This term is used of information that God has not yet made generally available, not about something mysterious.\f* (\w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w conceited|strong="G5429"\w*): \w hardening|strong="G4457"\w* \w has|strong="G3739"\w* \w come|strong="G1096"\w* \w upon|strong="G1096"\w* \w Israel|strong="G2474"\w* \w in|strong="G1525"\w* \w part|strong="G3313"\w* until \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w full|strong="G4138"\w* \w number|strong="G3756"\w* \w of|strong="G3844"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w* \w has|strong="G3739"\w* \w come|strong="G1096"\w* \w in|strong="G1525"\w*.  
\v 26 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w Israel|strong="G2474"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w saved|strong="G4982"\w*, \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*:  
\q1 “\w The|strong="G2532"\w* \w Deliverer|strong="G4506"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w come|strong="G2240"\w* \w out|strong="G1537"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w Zion|strong="G4622"\w*,  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* turn ungodliness away \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w Jacob|strong="G2384"\w*;\f + \fr 11:26 \ft ‘Jacob’ is Jacob, not the Church!\f*   
\q1
\v 27 \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w my|strong="G1473"\w* \w covenant|strong="G1242"\w* \w with|strong="G3844"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*,  
\q2 \w when|strong="G3752"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w take|strong="G2532"\w* away \w their|strong="G2532"\w* sins.”\f + \fr 11:27 \ft See Isaiah 59:20-21 and 27:9. When will this happen? Presumably at the beginning of the millennial Messianic Kingdom. The conversion of the last Gentile will be followed by the Rapture. All the Israelites that enter the Kingdom will be saved (all rebels will have been executed).\f*   
\p
\v 28 \w On|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w hand|strong="G1161"\w*, regarding \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w*, \w they|strong="G1161"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w enemies|strong="G2190"\w* \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*; \w on|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w other|strong="G1161"\w*, regarding \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w election|strong="G1589"\w*, \w they|strong="G1161"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* beloved \w on|strong="G2596"\w* \w account|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w forefathers|strong="G3962"\w*.  
\v 29 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s gracious \w gifts|strong="G5486"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w calling|strong="G2821"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* irrevocable.\f + \fr 11:29 \ft That is, God does not take them back; what we do with them is another story.\f*  
\v 30 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w just|strong="G5618"\w* \w as|strong="G5618"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w also|strong="G1161"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w once|strong="G4218"\w* disobedient \w to|strong="G1161"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w now|strong="G1161"\w* \w have|strong="G1653"\w* \w been|strong="G3568"\w* \w shown|strong="G1653"\w* \w mercy|strong="G1653"\w* \w through|strong="G2316"\w* \w their|strong="G3588"\w* disobedience,  
\v 31 \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w now|strong="G3568"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* disobedient \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w through|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w mercy|strong="G1656"\w* \w shown|strong="G1653"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G3779"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w shown|strong="G1653"\w* \w mercy|strong="G1656"\w*.  
\v 32 \w Yes|strong="G1063"\w*, \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* given \w everyone|strong="G3956"\w* \w over|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* disobedience \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w He|strong="G3588"\w* \w might|strong="G2316"\w* \w show|strong="G1653"\w* \w mercy|strong="G1653"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*.\f + \fr 11:32 \ft A bitter pill, but apart from God's mercy we do not obey Him.\f*   
\s1 Doxology  
\q1
\v 33 \w Oh|strong="G5599"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* depth \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w riches|strong="G4149"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w wisdom|strong="G4678"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w knowledge|strong="G1108"\w*!  
\q2 \w How|strong="G5613"\w* unsearchable \w His|strong="G2532"\w* \w judgments|strong="G2917"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* untraceable \w His|strong="G2532"\w* \w ways|strong="G3598"\w*!\f + \fr 11:33 \ft This is the ‘answer’ for all of us who would like to understand just how election works, and so on. God is too big, and we are too small!\f*   
\q1
\v 34 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* “\w Who|strong="G5101"\w* \w has|strong="G2962"\w* \w known|strong="G1097"\w* \w the|strong="G1063"\w* \w mind|strong="G3563"\w* \w of|strong="G2962"\w* \w the|strong="G1063"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*?  
\q2 \w Or|strong="G2228"\w* \w who|strong="G5101"\w* \w has|strong="G2962"\w* \w been|strong="G1096"\w* \w His|strong="G2228"\w* \w counselor|strong="G4825"\w*?”\f + \fr 11:34 \ft See Isaiah 40:13 and Jeremiah 23:18.\f*   
\q1
\v 35 \w Or|strong="G2228"\w* “\w Who|strong="G5101"\w* \w has|strong="G5101"\w* ever \w given|strong="G4272"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w Him|strong="G2532"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w has|strong="G5101"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* repaid?”\f + \fr 11:35 \ft See Job 41:11.\f*   
\q1
\v 36 \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*  
\q2 \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w*.\f + \fr 11:36 \ft Everything said and done, God is the Owner of the universe.\f*  
\q1 \w To|strong="G1519"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w forever|strong="G1519"\w*! Amen.   
\c 12  
\ms1 The will of God  
\m
\v 1 \w Now|strong="G3767"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, brothers, \w I|strong="G1223"\w* \w exhort|strong="G3870"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w in|strong="G2316"\w* \w view|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s compassions, \w to|strong="G2316"\w* \w present|strong="G3936"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w bodies|strong="G4983"\w* \w as|strong="G2316"\w* \w a|strong="G1223"\w* \w living|strong="G2198"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="G2378"\w*,\f + \fr 12:1 \ft Any animal in the Old Testament had to die in order to become a sacrifice, so what does Paul mean by a ‘living’ one? In 1 Corinthians 15:31 he said that he died every day. Paul could not have been referring to actual physical death, obviously, since Hebrews 9:27 affirms that it is appointed to men to die only once (no reincarnation). He may well have faced possible death often enough, but I suppose he is referring to dying to himself. I suppose this is also the meaning of our Lord's words in Luke 9:23-24—“If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” In that day a cross was an instrument of death. We must die to our own will in order to embrace God's. To present the body is presumably a metonym for presenting one's whole self.\f* holy, satisfying \w to|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*—\w your|strong="G1223"\w* intelligent duty.  
\v 2 Yes, \w stop|strong="G3361"\w* conforming \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* pattern \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* world; rather, \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w transformed|strong="G3339"\w* \w by|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* renewing \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w mind|strong="G3563"\w* \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* able \w to|strong="G1519"\w* experience \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* satisfying \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w perfect|strong="G5046"\w* \w will|strong="G2307"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.\f + \fr 12:2 \ft ‘The pattern of this world’ belongs to Satan, so it must be rejected in order to do God's will. Many ‘Christians’ appear to be afraid of God's will, as well they might, unless they meet the conditions—only then is it ‘good’, ‘satisfying’ and ‘perfect’.\f*   
\s1 Be sensible  
\p
\v 3 Based \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w given|strong="G1325"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w me|strong="G1325"\w*, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w everyone|strong="G3956"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w set|strong="G5426"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* sights higher \w than|strong="G3844"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w should|strong="G1163"\w*, \w but|strong="G3361"\w* \w set|strong="G5426"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* sensibly, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w apportioned|strong="G3307"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w measure|strong="G3358"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w each|strong="G1538"\w*.\f + \fr 12:3 \ft We need to understand what God wants us to be and do, and set our sights on that. Any attitude of competition, wanting to be bigger and better than others, will produce bad results.\f*  
\v 4 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w just|strong="G2509"\w* \w as|strong="G1722"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* \w parts|strong="G3196"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w parts|strong="G3196"\w* \w do|strong="G2192"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* same \w function|strong="G4234"\w*,  
\v 5 \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w we|strong="G1161"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w*, \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w individually|strong="G2596"\w* \w members|strong="G3196"\w* \w of|strong="G1520"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w another|strong="G2596"\w*.  
\v 6 \w Since|strong="G2192"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w different|strong="G1313"\w* \w spiritual|strong="G5486"\w* \w gifts|strong="G5486"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w given|strong="G1325"\w* \w us|strong="G1325"\w*, \it let us use them\it*: \w if|strong="G1535"\w* \w prophecy|strong="G4394"\w*, \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* analogy \w of|strong="G5485"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Faith|strong="G4102"\w*;\f + \fr 12:6 \ft Any prophesying needs to be in accordance with Scripture.\f*  
\v 7 \w if|strong="G1535"\w* \w serving|strong="G1248"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w serving|strong="G1248"\w*; \w if|strong="G1535"\w* \w teaching|strong="G1321"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w teaching|strong="G1321"\w*;  
\v 8 \w if|strong="G1535"\w* \w exhorting|strong="G3870"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w exhortation|strong="G3874"\w*;\f + \fr 12:8 \ft One might feel that Paul is being repetitious, but we all know people who try to operate in someone else's area of gifting, and the results are not good. If an ear tries to be an eye, both hearing and sight suffer.\f* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* sharer, \w with|strong="G1722"\w* simplicity; \w the|strong="G1722"\w* leader, \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w diligence|strong="G4710"\w*; \w the|strong="G1722"\w* mercy-shower, \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w cheerfulness|strong="G2432"\w*.\f + \fr 12:8 \ft Nothing like cheerfulness when helping someone who is hurting.\f*   
\s1 Behave!  
\p
\v 9 Love \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G3588"\w* \w be|strong="G3588"\w* genuine: abhorring \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w malignant|strong="G4190"\w*; clinging \w to|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w*;  
\v 10 showing family affection \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w another|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w brotherly|strong="G5360"\w* \w love|strong="G5360"\w*; \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w honor|strong="G5092"\w* \w preferring|strong="G4285"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w another|strong="G3588"\w*;  
\v 11 \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w lagging|strong="G3636"\w* \w in|strong="G4151"\w* \w diligence|strong="G4710"\w*; \w serving|strong="G1398"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w with|strong="G4151"\w* \w an|strong="G4151"\w* enthusiastic \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w*;  
\v 12 \w rejoicing|strong="G5463"\w* \w in|strong="G5463"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w*; enduring \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w affliction|strong="G2347"\w*; \w continuing|strong="G4342"\w* steadfastly \w in|strong="G5463"\w* \w prayer|strong="G4335"\w*;  
\v 13 \w distributing|strong="G2841"\w* \w to|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w needs|strong="G5532"\w* \w of|strong="G5532"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* saints; \w practicing|strong="G1377"\w* \w hospitality|strong="G5381"\w*.\f + \fr 12:13 \ft I take it that the whole paragraph is explaining just how love is to be genuine—very practical!\f*   
\p
\v 14 \w Bless|strong="G2127"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w persecute|strong="G1377"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*; \w bless|strong="G2127"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w curse|strong="G2672"\w*.\f + \fr 12:14 \ft If a boss is mistreating you and you curse him, will he get better or worse? That said, however, I believe we must distinguish between things done against us personally and things done against the Kingdom. Something done against the Kingdom is an act of war, and needs to be repelled.\f*  
\v 15 \w Rejoice|strong="G5463"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* those who \w rejoice|strong="G5463"\w* \w and|strong="G2799"\w* \w weep|strong="G2799"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* those who \w weep|strong="G2799"\w*.  
\v 16 \w Regard|strong="G1519"\w* \w each|strong="G1438"\w* \w other|strong="G1438"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w being|strong="G1096"\w* \w on|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* same level—\w do|strong="G1096"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* distinguish \w the|strong="G1519"\w* upper classes, \w but|strong="G3361"\w* \w associate|strong="G4879"\w* \w with|strong="G3844"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* lower classes; \w do|strong="G1096"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* exalt \w yourself|strong="G1438"\w*.\f + \fr 12:16 \ft I take it that this text is dealing with social position, not personal abilities.\f*  
\v 17 \w Do|strong="G3367"\w* \w not|strong="G3367"\w* repay \w anyone|strong="G3367"\w* \w evil|strong="G2556"\w* \w for|strong="G2570"\w* \w evil|strong="G2556"\w*. \w Have|strong="G3956"\w* \w regard|strong="G4306"\w* \w for|strong="G2570"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w* \w that|strong="G3956"\w* \w everyone|strong="G3956"\w* considers \w to|strong="G3956"\w* \w be|strong="G3956"\w* \w good|strong="G2570"\w*.  
\v 18 \w If|strong="G1487"\w* \w possible|strong="G1415"\w*, \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w depends|strong="G1537"\w* \w on|strong="G1537"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w live|strong="G1514"\w* \w at|strong="G1537"\w* \w peace|strong="G1514"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w everyone|strong="G3956"\w*.   
\p
\v 19 Dear ones, \w do|strong="G3004"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w avenge|strong="G1556"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G1438"\w*; rather \w give|strong="G1325"\w* \w place|strong="G5117"\w* \w to|strong="G3004"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w wrath|strong="G3709"\w*;\f + \fr 12:19 \ft Wrath is normally expressed through physical violence, and perhaps in our day through legal action. These are the sort of reaction that an ‘enemy’ will expect, not acts of kindness, which may even make him feel ashamed of himself. In any case, we are not to descend to his level, but let God do any avenging.\f* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*: “\w Vengeance|strong="G1557"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w up|strong="G1325"\w* \w to|strong="G3004"\w* \w me|strong="G1325"\w*; \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G2962"\w* repay,”\f + \fr 12:19 \ft See Deuteronomy 32:35.\f* \w says|strong="G3004"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*.  
\v 20 \w Therefore|strong="G1063"\w*, “\w If|strong="G1437"\w* \w your|strong="G1437"\w* \w enemy|strong="G2190"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w hungry|strong="G3983"\w*, \w feed|strong="G5595"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*; \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w he|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w thirsty|strong="G1372"\w*, \w give|strong="G4160"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w a|strong="G1437"\w* \w drink|strong="G4222"\w*; \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w in|strong="G1909"\w* \w doing|strong="G4160"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w will|strong="G3778"\w* \w heap|strong="G4987"\w* coals \w of|strong="G1909"\w* \w fire|strong="G4442"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w his|strong="G1909"\w* \w head|strong="G2776"\w*.”\f + \fr 12:20 \ft See Proverbs 25:21-22. Presumably the ‘coals of fire’ are not literal.\f*  
\v 21 \w Do|strong="G3361"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w be|strong="G3361"\w* \w overcome|strong="G3528"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w evil|strong="G2556"\w*, \w but|strong="G3361"\w* \w overcome|strong="G3528"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w evil|strong="G2556"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w*.\f + \fr 12:21 \ft Sounds great, but how does it work? Well, in Luke 10:19 Sovereign Jesus said: “Take note, I am giving you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing at all may harm you.” And in Ephesians 3:20 we read: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is working is us…” Please see my footnotes at those passages for an extended discussion.\f*   
\c 13  
\s1 Submit  
\m
\v 1 \w Let|strong="G1161"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w soul|strong="G5590"\w* \w submit|strong="G5293"\w* \w to|strong="G1849"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w governing|strong="G5242"\w* \w authorities|strong="G1849"\w*, \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w there|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w authority|strong="G1849"\w* \w except|strong="G1487"\w* \w under|strong="G5259"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* existing \w authorities|strong="G1849"\w* \w have|strong="G1510"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* placed \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.  
\v 2 \w Therefore|strong="G5620"\w* \w whoever|strong="G3588"\w* resists \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w authority|strong="G1849"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* opposed \w to|strong="G1849"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w ordinance|strong="G1296"\w*, \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* oppose \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w bring|strong="G2983"\w* \w judgment|strong="G2917"\w* \w on|strong="G1161"\w* \w themselves|strong="G1438"\w*.\f + \fr 13:2 \ft God does not like anarchy.\f*  
\v 3 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* rulers \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w terror|strong="G5401"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w* \w deeds|strong="G2041"\w* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w bad|strong="G2556"\w* ones. \w So|strong="G2532"\w* \w if|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G1510"\w* \w wish|strong="G2309"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w fear|strong="G5401"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w authority|strong="G1849"\w*, \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G1510"\w* \w will|strong="G2309"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w praise|strong="G1868"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w same|strong="G2532"\w*;  
\v 4 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w minister|strong="G1249"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w with|strong="G2316"\w* \w a|strong="G1519"\w* \w view|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w*. \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w wrong|strong="G2556"\w*, \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w afraid|strong="G5399"\w*, \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w does|strong="G4160"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w bear|strong="G4160"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w sword|strong="G3162"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w nothing|strong="G3756"\w*; \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w minister|strong="G1249"\w*, \w an|strong="G1519"\w* \w avenger|strong="G1558"\w* \w with|strong="G2316"\w* \w a|strong="G1519"\w* \w view|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w wrath|strong="G3709"\w* \w on|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* wrongdoer.  
\v 5 \w Therefore|strong="G1352"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* necessary \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w submit|strong="G5293"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w wrath|strong="G3709"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w conscience|strong="G4893"\w*.\f + \fr 13:5 \ft Presumably regimes that are overtly evil are not in view. Where a regime overtly combats the good, while promoting the evil, divine guidance is especially necessary for representatives of the good, because even an evil regime exists by God's permission. That said, however, in Luke 10:19 Sovereign Jesus gives us “\+nd the\+nd* authority over all the power of the enemy”. It is therefore within the sphere of our competence to forbid any use of Satan's power in the administration of the country, in the surrounding culture, in the entertainment industry, and so on. The sky is the limit.\f*  
\v 6 \w This|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* precisely \w why|strong="G1223"\w* \w you|strong="G1510"\w* \w pay|strong="G5055"\w* \w taxes|strong="G5411"\w*, \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w servants|strong="G3011"\w*, \w continually|strong="G1223"\w* attending \w on|strong="G1519"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w very|strong="G2532"\w* \w thing|strong="G3778"\w*.\f + \fr 13:6 \ft Have you ever seen a government that didn't want more money?\f*  
\v 7 Render therefore \w to|strong="G3956"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w their|strong="G3956"\w* \w due|strong="G3782"\w*: \w taxes|strong="G5411"\w* \w to|strong="G3956"\w* \w whom|strong="G3588"\w* \w taxes|strong="G5411"\w*, \w customs|strong="G5056"\w* \w to|strong="G3956"\w* \w whom|strong="G3588"\w* \w customs|strong="G5056"\w*, \w respect|strong="G5092"\w* \w to|strong="G3956"\w* \w whom|strong="G3588"\w* \w respect|strong="G5092"\w*, \w honor|strong="G5092"\w* \w to|strong="G3956"\w* \w whom|strong="G3588"\w* \w honor|strong="G5092"\w*.   
\s1 Love  
\p
\v 8 \w Owe|strong="G3784"\w* \w no|strong="G3361"\w* \w one|strong="G3367"\w* \w anything|strong="G3367"\w* \w except|strong="G1487"\w* \w to|strong="G3361"\w* love \w one|strong="G3367"\w* \w another|strong="G2087"\w*, \w since|strong="G1063"\w* \w he|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* loves \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w other|strong="G2087"\w* \w has|strong="G4137"\w* \w fulfilled|strong="G4137"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*.\f + \fr 13:8 \ft Of course this is \ft \+it agape\+it* love.\f*  
\v 9 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w*—“\w You|strong="G4771"\w* \w shall|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w commit|strong="G3431"\w* \w adultery|strong="G3431"\w*,” “\w You|strong="G4771"\w* \w shall|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w murder|strong="G5407"\w*,” “\w You|strong="G4771"\w* \w shall|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w steal|strong="G2813"\w*,” “\w You|strong="G4771"\w* \w shall|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w bear|strong="G2532"\w* \w false|strong="G1722"\w* \w witness|strong="G3778"\w*,”\f + \fr 13:9 \ft About a third of the Greek manuscripts omit “You shall not bear false witness”, to be followed by NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.\f* “\w You|strong="G4771"\w* \w shall|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w covet|strong="G1937"\w*,”\f + \fr 13:9 \ft See Exodus 20:13-17 and Deuteronomy 5:17-21.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w whatever|strong="G5100"\w* further \w commandment|strong="G1785"\w*—everything \w is|strong="G3588"\w* summed \w up|strong="G1722"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w word|strong="G3056"\w*, \w namely|strong="G5613"\w*: “\w You|strong="G4771"\w* \w shall|strong="G2532"\w* love \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w neighbor|strong="G4139"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w yourself|strong="G4572"\w*.”\f + \fr 13:9 \ft See Leviticus 19:18.\f*  
\v 10 Love \w does|strong="G2038"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w harm|strong="G2556"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* \w a|strong="G3756"\w* \w neighbor|strong="G4139"\w*; \w therefore|strong="G3767"\w* love \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w fulfillment|strong="G4138"\w*\f + \fr 13:10 \ft The Greek word here could also be rendered ‘complement’.\f* \w of|strong="G3551"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*.   
\s1 Put on Christ  
\p
\v 11 \w Besides|strong="G2532"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w*, \w knowing|strong="G1492"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w time|strong="G2540"\w*, \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w high|strong="G2532"\w* \w time|strong="G2540"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* awakened \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w sleep|strong="G5258"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w nearer|strong="G1452"\w* \w now|strong="G3568"\w* \w than|strong="G2228"\w* \w when|strong="G3753"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w first|strong="G3588"\w* \w believed|strong="G4100"\w*.  
\v 12 \w The|strong="G1161"\w* \w night|strong="G3571"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* nearly over, \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w near|strong="G1448"\w*;\f + \fr 13:12 \ft When a servant of Christ dies physically, he leaves the ‘night’ of this world behind and his ‘day’ of glory begins. Each day we live brings us closer to that moment, so we need to make the best possible use of the time we have left.\f* \w so|strong="G3767"\w* \w let|strong="G1161"\w* us get rid \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w darkness|strong="G4655"\w*, \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w let|strong="G1161"\w* us \w put|strong="G1746"\w* \w on|strong="G1746"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w weapons|strong="G3696"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w light|strong="G5457"\w*.\f + \fr 13:12 \ft That is right, ‘weapons’. Light repels darkness. To make a difference, weapons must be used.\f*  
\v 13 \w Let|strong="G2532"\w* \w us|strong="G1722"\w* \w walk|strong="G4043"\w* \w properly|strong="G2156"\w*, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w*, \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w carousing|strong="G2970"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w drunkenness|strong="G3178"\w*, \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w sexual|strong="G2845"\w* orgies \w and|strong="G2532"\w* licentiousness, \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w strife|strong="G2054"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w jealousy|strong="G2205"\w*.  
\v 14 \w But|strong="G2532"\w* \w put|strong="G1746"\w* \w on|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w make|strong="G4160"\w* \w no|strong="G3361"\w* \w provision|strong="G4307"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*, \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w view|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w lusts|strong="G1939"\w*.\f + \fr 13:14 \ft Of course we have to eat and drink to maintain life and health; it is the abuse of these appetites that is in view; in fact, Paul's terminology indicates ‘heavy’ abuses.\f*   
\c 14  
\s1 The law of liberty  
\m
\v 1 \w Receive|strong="G4355"\w* someone \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* weak \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* disputes \w over|strong="G1519"\w* arguables.  
\v 2 \w One|strong="G3739"\w* \w man|strong="G3956"\w* \w has|strong="G3739"\w* \w faith|strong="G4100"\w* \w to|strong="G1161"\w* \w eat|strong="G2068"\w* \w everything|strong="G3956"\w*, \w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* weak \w one|strong="G3739"\w* \w eats|strong="G2068"\w* \w only|strong="G3303"\w* \w vegetables|strong="G3001"\w*.  
\v 3 \w One|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w eats|strong="G2068"\w* \w must|strong="G2919"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* look down \w on|strong="G1161"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w does|strong="G2068"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w*, \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w does|strong="G2068"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w eat|strong="G2068"\w* \w must|strong="G2919"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w judge|strong="G2919"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w does|strong="G2068"\w*,\f + \fr 14:3 \ft Right on! Those are precisely the attitudes that one often sees in such cases.\f* \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w accepted|strong="G4355"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 4 \w Who|strong="G5101"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w to|strong="G1161"\w* \w judge|strong="G2919"\w* someone \w else|strong="G2228"\w*'\w s|strong="G2962"\w* \w household|strong="G3610"\w* \w servant|strong="G3610"\w*? \w To|strong="G1161"\w* \w his|strong="G2398"\w* \w own|strong="G2398"\w* \w master|strong="G2962"\w* \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w stands|strong="G2476"\w* \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w falls|strong="G4098"\w*. \w And|strong="G1161"\w* \w stand|strong="G2476"\w* \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w will|strong="G5101"\w*, \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w God|strong="G2962"\w* \w has|strong="G2962"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* power \w to|strong="G1161"\w* \w make|strong="G2476"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w stand|strong="G2476"\w*.\f + \fr 14:4 \ft Christ is the Master of the Church.\f*   
\p
\v 5 \w One|strong="G1538"\w* \w man|strong="G1538"\w* esteems \w one|strong="G1538"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w* \w above|strong="G3844"\w* \w another|strong="G3739"\w*; \w another|strong="G3739"\w* esteems everyday alike. \w Let|strong="G1161"\w* \w each|strong="G1538"\w* \w one|strong="G1538"\w* \w be|strong="G3956"\w* \w fully|strong="G4135"\w* \w convinced|strong="G4135"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w his|strong="G3956"\w* \w own|strong="G2398"\w* \w mind|strong="G3563"\w*.\f + \fr 14:5 \ft In that event, the day of the week we decide to observe should not be made a matter of doctrine. Christians generally observe Sunday, Jews Saturday, Muslims Friday, but if someone prefers Tuesday, he should be free to do so. (Of course, if you want to hold a job, you had better go along with the requirements of the market place.)\f*  
\v 6 \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w observes|strong="G5426"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w*, \w observes|strong="G5426"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*; \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w does|strong="G2068"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* observe \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w*, \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w does|strong="G2068"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* observe \w it|strong="G2532"\w*.\f + \fr 14:6 \ft “And he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it” is omitted by 4.6% of the Greek manuscripts, to be followed by NIV, NASB, TEV, LB, etc.—an inferior proceeding (it is an easy case of ‘like ending’).\f* \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w eats|strong="G2068"\w*, \w eats|strong="G2068"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*, \w since|strong="G1063"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w gives|strong="G2168"\w* \w thanks|strong="G2168"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*; \w while|strong="G2250"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w does|strong="G2068"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w eat|strong="G2068"\w*, \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w does|strong="G2068"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w eat|strong="G2068"\w*, \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w giving|strong="G2168"\w* \w thanks|strong="G2168"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.  
\v 7 \w You|strong="G1438"\w* see, \w none|strong="G3762"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w lives|strong="G2198"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w himself|strong="G1438"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w no|strong="G3762"\w* \w one|strong="G3762"\w* dies \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w himself|strong="G1438"\w*.  
\v 8 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w we|strong="G1437"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w*, \w we|strong="G1437"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w to|strong="G5037"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*; \w and|strong="G5037"\w* \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w we|strong="G1437"\w* die, \w we|strong="G1437"\w* die \w to|strong="G5037"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*. \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w whether|strong="G1437"\w* \w we|strong="G1437"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w or|strong="G1437"\w* \w whether|strong="G1437"\w* \w we|strong="G1437"\w* die, \w we|strong="G1437"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*'\w s|strong="G2962"\w*.  
\v 9 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w very|strong="G2532"\w* reason \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w both|strong="G2532"\w* died \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w rose|strong="G2532"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w lived|strong="G2198"\w*,\f + \fr 14:9 \ft Although seemingly out of sequence, I assume that the reference of “and lived” is to His earthly life—without the incarnation He could not have died and conquered death. However, the perceived difficulty was enough to lead perhaps 2% of the Greek manuscripts to omit “and rose”, to be followed by NIV, NASB, TEV, LB, etc., except that they then make “and lived” refer to the resurrection.\f* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* rule \w both|strong="G2532"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w living|strong="G2198"\w*.\f + \fr 14:9 \ft Most presentations of the Gospel I have heard revolve around the selfish interests of the hearers, what \+nd they\+nd* are going to get out of it. But the clearest statements in Scripture giving the ‘why’ of the cross tell a different story. Here in 14:9 we have a very explicit one: He died to be \ft \+bd Lord\+bd*! 2 Corinthians 5:15 is also explicit: “He died for all so that those who now live should no longer live for themselves but for the One who died for all and was raised again.” Philippians 2:8-11 refers to the final victory. Hebrews 2:14 refers to destroying Satan. How about preaching a Gospel that revolves around Christ's interests!\f*   
\s2 The Judgment Seat of Christ  
\p
\v 10 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w*, \w why|strong="G5101"\w* \w do|strong="G5101"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w judge|strong="G2919"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* brother? \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w too|strong="G2532"\w*, \w why|strong="G5101"\w* \w do|strong="G5101"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w look|strong="G2228"\w* down \w on|strong="G1161"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* brother? \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w stand|strong="G3936"\w* \w before|strong="G3936"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Judgment|strong="G2919"\w* Seat \w of|strong="G2316"\w* Christ.\f + \fr 14:10 \ft 2.4% of the Greek manuscripts read “God” instead of “Christ”, to be followed by NIV, NASB, TEV, LB, etc.—an inferior proceeding.\f*  
\v 11 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*:  
\q1 “ ‘\w As|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w*,’ \w says|strong="G3004"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \sc \+w Lord|strong="G2962"\+w*\sc*, ‘\w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w knee|strong="G1119"\w* \w shall|strong="G2532"\w* \w bow|strong="G2578"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*,  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w tongue|strong="G1100"\w* \w shall|strong="G2532"\w* acknowledge \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.’ ”\f + \fr 14:11 \ft See Isaiah 45:23.\f*   
\m
\v 12 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, \w each|strong="G1538"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w us|strong="G1325"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w give|strong="G1325"\w* \w an|strong="G1325"\w* \w account|strong="G3056"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w himself|strong="G1438"\w* \w to|strong="G1325"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.  
\v 13 \w Therefore|strong="G3767"\w* \w let|strong="G2919"\w* \w us|strong="G2919"\w* \w stop|strong="G3361"\w* \w passing|strong="G2919"\w* \w judgment|strong="G2919"\w* \w on|strong="G2228"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w another|strong="G3588"\w*, \w but|strong="G3361"\w* \w rather|strong="G3123"\w* resolve \w this|strong="G3778"\w*: \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w to|strong="G3361"\w* \w put|strong="G5087"\w* \w a|strong="G2228"\w* \w stumbling|strong="G4625"\w* \w block|strong="G4625"\w* \w or|strong="G2228"\w* pitfall \w in|strong="G5087"\w* \w a|strong="G2228"\w* brother's \w way|strong="G3778"\w*.   
\p
\v 14 \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w convinced|strong="G3982"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* Sovereign \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w nothing|strong="G3762"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w unclean|strong="G2839"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w itself|strong="G1438"\w*\f + \fr 14:14 \ft For a Jew to say this, he had to be convinced by a higher power.\f* (still, \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w someone|strong="G5100"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* considers \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w thing|strong="G5100"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w unclean|strong="G2839"\w*, \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w unclean|strong="G2839"\w*),  
\v 15 \w but|strong="G1487"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* brother \w is|strong="G3588"\w* offended \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w food|strong="G1033"\w*, \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w no|strong="G3361"\w* \w longer|strong="G3765"\w* \w walking|strong="G4043"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* love. \w Do|strong="G3361"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w*, \w with|strong="G1223"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w food|strong="G1033"\w*, ruin \w someone|strong="G3739"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w died|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 16 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w do|strong="G3361"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w let|strong="G3767"\w* \w your|strong="G3588"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w* \w be|strong="G3361"\w* slandered;  
\v 17 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* Kingdom \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w eating|strong="G1035"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w drinking|strong="G4213"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w joy|strong="G5479"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Holy|strong="G4151"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*.  
\v 18 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w whoever|strong="G3588"\w* \w serves|strong="G1398"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* satisfying \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w approved|strong="G1384"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w men|strong="G3778"\w*.\f + \fr 14:18 \ft That is, approved by men who fear God, not by those in rebellion against Him.\f*   
\p
\v 19 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, \w let|strong="G3767"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w* \w pursue|strong="G1377"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* promote \w peace|strong="G1515"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w by|strong="G2532"\w* \w which|strong="G3588"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w edify|strong="G3619"\w* \w another|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 20 \w Do|strong="G3361"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w destroy|strong="G2647"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w work|strong="G2041"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w for|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w sake|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w food|strong="G1033"\w*. \w All|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w* \w indeed|strong="G3303"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* ‘\w clean|strong="G2513"\w*’; \w however|strong="G3303"\w* \w it|strong="G1223"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w wrong|strong="G2556"\w* \w for|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w man|strong="G3956"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w gives|strong="G1223"\w* \w offence|strong="G4348"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w eating|strong="G2068"\w*.  
\v 21 \w It|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w good|strong="G2570"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w eat|strong="G2068"\w* \w meat|strong="G2907"\w* \w nor|strong="G3366"\w* \w drink|strong="G4095"\w* \w wine|strong="G3631"\w* \w nor|strong="G3366"\w* \w do|strong="G3361"\w* \w anything|strong="G5315"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w your|strong="G1722"\w* brother \w stumbles|strong="G4350"\w*, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w offended|strong="G4624"\w*, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* weakened.\f + \fr 14:21 \ft “Or is offended, or is weakened” is omitted by 1.8% of the Greek manuscripts (of objectively inferior quality), to be followed by NIV, NASB, TEV, LB, etc.—an inferior proceeding.\f*   
\p
\v 22 \w Do|strong="G2919"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*? \w Have|strong="G2192"\w* \w it|strong="G3739"\w* \w privately|strong="G2596"\w* \w before|strong="G1799"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*. \w Happy|strong="G3107"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w he|strong="G3739"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w does|strong="G2192"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w judge|strong="G2919"\w* \w himself|strong="G1438"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w he|strong="G3739"\w* \w approves|strong="G1381"\w*.  
\v 23 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w eats|strong="G2068"\w* \w with|strong="G1537"\w* \w doubt|strong="G1252"\w* stands \w condemned|strong="G2632"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*; \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w whatever|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* sin.\f + \fr 14:23 \ft Well now, faith would appear to be a rather important commodity! But just why is everything else ‘sin’? If the basic idea in ‘sin’ is to miss the mark, or to fall short (Romans 3:23), then faith is of the essence. Habakkuk 2:4, “the just shall live by faith”, is repeated three times in the New Testament—Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11 and Hebrews 10:38. “That no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘the just shall live by faith’ ” (Galatians 3:11). So to depend on the law (or any equation based on works) is to fall short. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). If God demands faith, then anything else will fall short, will miss the mark.\f*   
\s1 Doxology  
\p
\v 24 Now to Him who has power to establish you according to my Gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret through long ages,  
\v 25 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures,\f + \fr 14:25 \ft Since it is being revealed ‘only now’, these ‘prophetic Scriptures’ must be New Testament writings, given by God!\f* according to the command of the eternal God, with a view to obedience of faith among all ethnic nations  
\v 26 —to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ—to Him be the glory forever! Amen.\f + \fr 14:26 \ft 5.2% of the Greek manuscripts place verses 24-26 at the end of the book, rather than here. Paul habitually places doxologies throughout his letters—they do not occur only at the end.\f*   
\c 15  
\s1 Summary  
\m
\v 1 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w strong|strong="G1415"\w* \w ought|strong="G3784"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w bear|strong="G2532"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* limitations \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* weak, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* please \w ourselves|strong="G1438"\w*.  
\v 2 Let \w each|strong="G1538"\w* \w of|strong="G3588"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w* please \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w neighbor|strong="G4139"\w* \w with|strong="G4314"\w* \w a|strong="G1519"\w* \w view|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w edifying|strong="G3619"\w*.  
\v 3 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* please \w Himself|strong="G1438"\w*; \w rather|strong="G3756"\w*, \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*: “\w The|strong="G2532"\w* revilings \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* reviling \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w fell|strong="G1968"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*.”\f + \fr 15:3 \ft See Psalm 69:9.\f*  
\v 4 \w Whatever|strong="G3745"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w* \w before|strong="G1519"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w our|strong="G2251"\w* \w instruction|strong="G1319"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* fortitude \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w encouragement|strong="G3874"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Scriptures|strong="G1124"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w might|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w*.  
\v 5 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* fortitude \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w encouragement|strong="G3874"\w* \w grant|strong="G1325"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w same|strong="G2532"\w* \w mind|strong="G5426"\w*\f + \fr 15:5 \ft It is only as a group of people are habitually exposed to the same Scriptures that ‘the same mind’ has much chance.\f* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G4771"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*,  
\v 6 \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G1722"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w glorify|strong="G1392"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* heart \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w voice|strong="G4750"\w*.   
\s2 Glorify  
\p
\v 7 \w Therefore|strong="G1352"\w* \w accept|strong="G4355"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w another|strong="G3588"\w*, \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w accepted|strong="G4355"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w*,\f + \fr 15:7 \ft Perhaps 40% of the Greek manuscripts read ‘you’, but the 60% includes the best line of transmission. The verb I have rendered as ‘accept’ can also mean ‘receive’.\f* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.  
\v 8 \w Now|strong="G1096"\w* \w I|strong="G1063"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G3004"\w*\f + \fr 15:8 \ft “Jesus” is omitted by perhaps 4% of the Greek manuscripts, to be followed by NIV, NASB, TEV, LB, etc.—an inferior proceeding.\f* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w minister|strong="G1249"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w circumcised|strong="G4061"\w* \w on|strong="G1519"\w* \w behalf|strong="G5228"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s truth, \w in|strong="G1519"\w* order \w to|strong="G1519"\w* confirm \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w promises|strong="G1860"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w fathers|strong="G3962"\w*;  
\v 9 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w* \w might|strong="G2532"\w* \w glorify|strong="G1392"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w for|strong="G5228"\w* \w His|strong="G1223"\w* \w mercy|strong="G1656"\w*,\f + \fr 15:9 \ft We generally do not even trust someone who does not keep his promises, much less ‘glorify’ him. So it was necessary to fulfill the promises made to the patriarchs.\f* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*:  
\q1 “\w For|strong="G5228"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w reason|strong="G1223"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w give|strong="G1843"\w* \w praise|strong="G1843"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w*,  
\q2 O \sc \+w Lord|strong="G3588"\+w*\sc*,\f + \fr 15:9 \ft Less than a third of the Greek manuscripts have “O Lord”, but that third includes the best line of transmission, that follows the Hebrew Text of both 2 Samuel 22:50 and Psalm 18:49.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w sing|strong="G5567"\w* \w psalms|strong="G5567"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w name|strong="G3686"\w*.”\f + \fr 15:9 \ft See 2 Samuel 22:50 and Psalm 18:49.\f*   
\m
\v 10 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w*:  
\q1 “\w Rejoice|strong="G2165"\w*, O \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w*, \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w His|strong="G2532"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w*!”\f + \fr 15:10 \ft See Deuteronomy 32:43.\f*   
\m
\v 11 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w*:  
\q1 “\w Praise|strong="G1867"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*, \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w you|strong="G3956"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w*,  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w laud|strong="G1867"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*, \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w you|strong="G3956"\w* \w peoples|strong="G2992"\w*!”\f + \fr 15:11 \ft See Psalm 117:1.\f*   
\m
\v 12 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w*, \w Isaiah|strong="G2268"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w*:  
\q1 “\w The|strong="G2532"\w* \w Root|strong="G4491"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w Jesse|strong="G2421"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w appear|strong="G1510"\w*,  
\q2 \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* rises \w up|strong="G1909"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* rule \w over|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w nations|strong="G1484"\w*;  
\q1 \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w place|strong="G1909"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w hope|strong="G1679"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*.”\f + \fr 15:12 \ft See Isaiah 11:10.\f*   
\m
\v 13 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w* \w fill|strong="G4137"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w joy|strong="G5479"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w believing|strong="G4100"\w*,\f + \fr 15:13 \ft If one stops and thinks about it, ‘joy’ and ‘peace’ depend on believing—when we begin to doubt we lose both. Also, if you are filled with hope, you tend to have more ‘bounce’, you work with greater enthusiasm.\f* \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w abound|strong="G4052"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w power|strong="G1411"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Holy|strong="G4151"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*.\f + \fr 15:13 \ft To abound by the power presumably means that we are to be doing things by that power. One does not ‘abound’ by sitting still doing nothing.\f*   
\s2 Paul's mission  
\p
\v 14 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w myself|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* really \w confident|strong="G3982"\w* \w about|strong="G4012"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w my|strong="G3956"\w* brothers, \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G4771"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w full|strong="G3324"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* goodness, \w filled|strong="G4137"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w knowledge|strong="G1108"\w*, \w able|strong="G1410"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w admonish|strong="G3560"\w* \w others|strong="G3588"\w*.\f + \fr 15:14 \ft Instead of “others”, some 7% of the Greek manuscripts read ‘one another’, as in most versions.\f*  
\v 15 \w Nevertheless|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w* \w to|strong="G1325"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* quite \w boldly|strong="G5112"\w* \w on|strong="G1161"\w* \w some|strong="G3588"\w* \w points|strong="G3313"\w*, brothers, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* reminder \w to|strong="G1325"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G5259"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w given|strong="G1325"\w* \w to|strong="G1325"\w* \w me|strong="G1325"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*,  
\v 16 \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w should|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w minister|strong="G3011"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w nations|strong="G1484"\w*, serving \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w priest|strong="G2418"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w* \w might|strong="G1484"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* \w an|strong="G1519"\w* \w acceptable|strong="G2144"\w* \w offering|strong="G4376"\w*,\f + \fr 15:16 \ft The concept is interesting: Paul is a priest, and the nations are his offering. I habitually present my own work to God as an offering.\f* sanctified \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w Holy|strong="G4151"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*.  
\v 17 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w I|strong="G3767"\w* \w do|strong="G2192"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* boast \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w pertaining|strong="G4314"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*;  
\v 18 \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w presume|strong="G5111"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w speak|strong="G2980"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w anything|strong="G5100"\w* \w except|strong="G3756"\w* \w those|strong="G3739"\w* \w things|strong="G3739"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w has|strong="G3739"\w* \w accomplished|strong="G2716"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w make|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w* \w obedient|strong="G5218"\w*—\w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w word|strong="G3056"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w deed|strong="G2041"\w*,  
\v 19 \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w power|strong="G1411"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w signs|strong="G4592"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w wonders|strong="G5059"\w*, \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w power|strong="G1411"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w fully|strong="G4137"\w* proclaimed\f + \fr 15:19 \ft Note the ‘word and \+nd deed\+nd*’, the ‘signs and wonders’. Can someone who has only ‘word’ claim to have ‘fully proclaimed’ the Gospel?\f* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="G2419"\w* \w all|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w way|strong="G1722"\w* \w around|strong="G2945"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w Illyricum|strong="G2437"\w*.\f + \fr 15:19 \ft Illyricum lies to the north of Macedonia, in what used to be Yugoslavia (a few decades ago).\f*  
\v 20 \w It|strong="G1161"\w* \w has|strong="G5547"\w* always \w been|strong="G3361"\w* \w my|strong="G3618"\w* aim \w to|strong="G2443"\w* evangelize \w where|strong="G3699"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w has|strong="G5547"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w been|strong="G3361"\w* \w named|strong="G3687"\w*, \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w I|strong="G1161"\w* \w would|strong="G5547"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w be|strong="G3756"\w* \w building|strong="G3618"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* someone \w else|strong="G3361"\w*'s \w foundation|strong="G2310"\w*;  
\v 21 \w rather|strong="G3756"\w*, \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3739"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*:  
\q1 “\w Those|strong="G3739"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3739"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* announced \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w see|strong="G3708"\w*,  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w those|strong="G3739"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* heard \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w understand|strong="G4920"\w*.”\f + \fr 15:21 \ft See Isaiah 52:15.\f*   
\s2 A visit to Rome  
\p
\v 22 \w That|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w why|strong="G1352"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* \w hindered|strong="G1465"\w* \w these|strong="G3588"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* times \w from|strong="G2064"\w* \w coming|strong="G2064"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.  
\v 23 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w now|strong="G1161"\w*, \w no|strong="G3371"\w* \w longer|strong="G3371"\w* \w having|strong="G2192"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w place|strong="G5117"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w parts|strong="G2824"\w*, \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w having|strong="G2192"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w longing|strong="G1974"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* \w years|strong="G2094"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*,  
\v 24 \w whenever|strong="G1437"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* travel \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w Spain|strong="G4681"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w come|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.\f + \fr 15:24 \ft “I will come to you” is omitted by 4.1% of the Greek manuscripts, to be followed by NIV, NASB, TEV, LB, etc.—an inferior proceeding.\f* \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w hope|strong="G1679"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w see|strong="G2300"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w while|strong="G5613"\w* \w passing|strong="G1279"\w* \w through|strong="G1279"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w sent|strong="G2532"\w* \w on|strong="G1519"\w* \w my|strong="G5259"\w* \w way|strong="G4198"\w* \w there|strong="G1563"\w* \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w first|strong="G4413"\w* enjoy \w your|strong="G1437"\w* company \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w while|strong="G5613"\w*.   
\p
\v 25 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w*, \w however|strong="G1161"\w*, \w I|strong="G1161"\w* \w am|strong="G3588"\w* \w traveling|strong="G4198"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="G2419"\w*, \w serving|strong="G1247"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* saints.  
\v 26 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w Macedonia|strong="G3109"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* Achaia \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w pleased|strong="G2106"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w make|strong="G4160"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w certain|strong="G5100"\w* \w contribution|strong="G2842"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w poor|strong="G4434"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* saints \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="G2419"\w*.  
\v 27 \w Yes|strong="G1063"\w*, \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w pleased|strong="G2106"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w indebted|strong="G3784"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*. \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w shared|strong="G2841"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w spiritual|strong="G4152"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w*, \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w obligated|strong="G3784"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w minister|strong="G3008"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* physical \w things|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 28 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w when|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w finished|strong="G2005"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w sealed|strong="G4972"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* ‘\w fruit|strong="G2590"\w*’, \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w go|strong="G1519"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w way|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w Spain|strong="G4681"\w*.\f + \fr 15:28 \ft I am not aware of any record that Paul ever got to Spain.\f*  
\v 29 \w And|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G1161"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w when|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G1161"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w I|strong="G1161"\w* \w will|strong="G3748"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w fullness|strong="G4138"\w* \w of|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w blessing|strong="G2129"\w* \w of|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* Gospel\f + \fr 15:29 \ft “Of the Gospel” is omitted by 3.7% of the Greek manuscripts, to be followed by NIV, NASB, TEV, LB, etc.—an inferior proceeding.\f* \w of|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*.   
\p
\v 30 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w implore|strong="G3870"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, brothers, \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* love \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*, \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w strive|strong="G4865"\w* \w together|strong="G4865"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w prayers|strong="G4335"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w behalf|strong="G5228"\w*,\f + \fr 15:30 \ft If Paul needed prayer, how about us?\f*  
\v 31 \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w delivered|strong="G4506"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Judea|strong="G2449"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w do|strong="G1096"\w* \w not|strong="G2532"\w* believe, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w service|strong="G1248"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="G2419"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w well|strong="G2532"\w* received \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* saints;  
\v 32 \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w I|strong="G1223"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w joy|strong="G5479"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w will|strong="G2307"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2064"\w* \w be|strong="G2316"\w* \w refreshed|strong="G4875"\w* \w together|strong="G4314"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.  
\v 33 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w* \w be|strong="G3956"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*. Amen.   
\c 16  
\ms1 Closing remarks  
\s1 Phoebe  
\m
\v 1 \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w commend|strong="G4921"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* sister \w Phoebe|strong="G5402"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w servant|strong="G1249"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w congregation|strong="G1577"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Cenchrea|strong="G2747"\w*,  
\v 2 \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w receive|strong="G4327"\w* \w her|strong="G1438"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* manner worthy \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* saints, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w assist|strong="G3936"\w* \w her|strong="G1438"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w whatever|strong="G3739"\w* \w matter|strong="G4229"\w* \w she|strong="G2532"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w need|strong="G5535"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*; \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w* \w she|strong="G2532"\w* \w herself|strong="G1438"\w* \w has|strong="G2962"\w* \w been|strong="G1096"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w helper|strong="G4368"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w*, \w including|strong="G3739"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w own|strong="G1438"\w* self.   
\s1 Greetings  
\p
\v 3 Greet \w Prisca|strong="G4251"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* Aquila, \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w fellow|strong="G4904"\w* \w workers|strong="G4904"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*,  
\v 4 \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w risked|strong="G5294"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* \w own|strong="G1438"\w* \w necks|strong="G5137"\w* \w for|strong="G5228"\w* \w my|strong="G3956"\w* \w life|strong="G5590"\w*;\f + \fr 16:4 \ft So far as I know, we do not have a record of just how, when or where this happened.\f* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w only|strong="G3441"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w give|strong="G2168"\w* \w thanks|strong="G2168"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* congregations \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w*.  
\v 5 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* greet \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w congregation|strong="G1577"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w house|strong="G3624"\w*.\f + \fr 16:5 \ft In the beginning, congregations met in people's homes. This avoids the expense of erecting buildings. I believe the days are upon us when all serious followers of Jesus Christ will be increasingly persecuted, including in North America and Europe. An underground Church will have little use for ‘buildings’.\f*  
\p Greet \w my|strong="G1473"\w* beloved \w Epaenetus|strong="G1866"\w*, \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w first|strong="G3588"\w* convert \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* Achaia.\f + \fr 16:5 \ft 4% of the Greek manuscripts read “Asia” instead of “Achaia” (these are very different places), to be followed by NIV, NASB, TEV, LB, etc.—an inferior proceeding.\f*  
\v 6 Greet \w Mary|strong="G3137"\w*, \w who|strong="G3748"\w* \w worked|strong="G2872"\w* \w very|strong="G4183"\w* \w hard|strong="G4183"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.\f + \fr 16:6 \ft Although scarcely a fourth of the Greek manuscripts read “you” (instead of “us”), that fourth includes the best line of transmission.\f*  
\v 7 Greet Andronicus \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Junias|strong="G2458"\w*, \w my|strong="G1722"\w* countrymen \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w fellow|strong="G4869"\w* \w prisoners|strong="G4869"\w*, \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w outstanding|strong="G1978"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* apostles, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w before|strong="G4253"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*.  
\v 8 Greet Amplias, \w my|strong="G1722"\w* beloved \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*.  
\v 9 Greet \w Urbanus|strong="G3773"\w*, \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w fellow|strong="G4904"\w* \w worker|strong="G4904"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* beloved \w Stachys|strong="G4720"\w*.  
\v 10 Greet Apelles, \w approved|strong="G1384"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*. Greet \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* household \w of|strong="G1537"\w* Aristobulus.  
\v 11 Greet Herodian, \w my|strong="G1722"\w* countryman. Greet \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* household \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w Narcissus|strong="G3488"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*.  
\v 12 Greet \w Tryphena|strong="G5170"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Tryphosa|strong="G5173"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w worked|strong="G2872"\w* \w hard|strong="G4183"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*. Greet \w the|strong="G1722"\w* beloved \w Persis|strong="G4069"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w has|strong="G2962"\w* \w worked|strong="G2872"\w* \w very|strong="G2532"\w* \w hard|strong="G4183"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*.\f + \fr 16:12 \ft The three in this verse are women.\f*  
\v 13 Greet \w Rufus|strong="G4504"\w*, \w chosen|strong="G1588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*, \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w his|strong="G1722"\w* \w mother|strong="G3384"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w mine|strong="G1473"\w*.\f + \fr 16:13 \ft If Rufus were his physical brother, presumably Paul would have expressed himself differently, so the ‘mother’ here is not literally Paul's.\f*  
\v 14 Greet Asyncritus, \w Phlegon|strong="G5393"\w*, \w Hermas|strong="G2057"\w*, \w Patrobas|strong="G3969"\w*, \w Hermes|strong="G2060"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* brothers \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w with|strong="G4862"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 15 Greet \w Philologus|strong="G5378"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Julia|strong="G2456"\w*, \w Nereus|strong="G3517"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w his|strong="G3956"\w* sister, \w also|strong="G2532"\w* Olympus \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* saints \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w with|strong="G4862"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*.\f + \fr 16:15 \ft Since Paul had never been to Rome, so far, I wonder how he knew so many believers who were there (he knew them well enough to give details about them). I suppose most of them had migrated there from places Paul had been, and he would have to know about that migration.\f*  
\v 16 Greet \w one|strong="G3956"\w* \w another|strong="G3588"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w a|strong="G1722"\w* holy \w kiss|strong="G5370"\w*. \w The|strong="G1722"\w* congregations \w of|strong="G1577"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* greet \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.   
\s1 Warning  
\p
\v 17 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w exhort|strong="G3870"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, brothers, \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w watch|strong="G4648"\w* \w out|strong="G2532"\w* \w for|strong="G1161"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w cause|strong="G4160"\w* \w divisions|strong="G1370"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* offenses, \w contrary|strong="G3844"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w doctrine|strong="G1322"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w learned|strong="G3129"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w avoid|strong="G1578"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 18 \w Because|strong="G1223"\w* \w such|strong="G5108"\w* \w people|strong="G5108"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w serve|strong="G1398"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2532"\w*\f + \fr 16:18 \ft Some 13% of the Greek manuscripts omit “Jesus”, as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.\f* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* \w own|strong="G1438"\w* \w belly|strong="G2836"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w smooth|strong="G5542"\w* talk \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w flattery|strong="G2129"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w deceive|strong="G1818"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* unsuspecting.\f + \fr 16:18 \ft Guileless people are often not prepared to recognize guile in others. So those who are responsible for the spiritual welfare of the flock need to warn the people about who should be avoided.\f*  
\v 19 \w I|strong="G1161"\w* \w rejoice|strong="G5463"\w* \w over|strong="G1909"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w your|strong="G3956"\w* \w obedience|strong="G5218"\w* \w has|strong="G1510"\w* \w become|strong="G1510"\w* known \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G1161"\w* \w want|strong="G2309"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w wise|strong="G4680"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w good|strong="G3956"\w*, \w yet|strong="G1161"\w* innocent \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w evil|strong="G2556"\w*.\f + \fr 16:19 \ft When the first pair ate of the forbidden tree, this was not the result.\f*  
\v 20 \w The|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w of|strong="G5259"\w* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w quickly|strong="G5034"\w* \w crush|strong="G4937"\w* \w Satan|strong="G4567"\w* \w under|strong="G5259"\w* \w your|strong="G2962"\w* \w feet|strong="G4228"\w*!\f + \fr 16:20 \ft The sooner, the better!\f*  
\s1 Sign-off  
\p \w The|strong="G1722"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w of|strong="G5259"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*\f + \fr 16:20 \ft 1% of the Greek manuscripts (of objectively inferior quality) omit “Christ”, to be followed by NIV and NASB—an inferior proceeding.\f* \w be|strong="G2316"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.  
\v 21 \w Timothy|strong="G5095"\w*, \w my|strong="G1473"\w* \w fellow|strong="G4904"\w* \w worker|strong="G4904"\w*, greets \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w as|strong="G2532"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lucius|strong="G3066"\w*, \w Jason|strong="G2394"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Sosipater|strong="G4989"\w*, \w my|strong="G1473"\w* countrymen.   
\p
\v 22 \w I|strong="G1473"\w*, \w Tertius|strong="G5060"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* penned \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w letter|strong="G1992"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*, greet \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.  
\v 23 \w Gaius|strong="G1050"\w*, \w host|strong="G3581"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w whole|strong="G3650"\w* \w congregation|strong="G1577"\w*, greets \w you|strong="G5210"\w*. \w Erastus|strong="G2037"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w city|strong="G4172"\w* \w treasurer|strong="G3623"\w*, greets \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w as|strong="G2532"\w* does brother \w Quartus|strong="G2890"\w*.\f + \fr 16:23 \ft One gains the clear impression that the people mentioned in verse 23 knew that Tertius was penning this letter. Not only that, they asked to be included! I wonder who Quartus may have been.\f*   
\p
\v 24 \w The|strong="G3956"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w of|strong="G5485"\w* \w our|strong="G2424"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w be|strong="G3956"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* us\f + \fr 16:24 \ft I have followed perhaps 20% of the Greek manuscripts, including the best line of transmission, in putting ‘us’ rather than the familiar ‘you’. If verses 22-24 were not dictated by Paul, then the first person is especially appropriate, coming from Tertius.\f* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*! Amen.\f + \fr 16:24 \ft 3.2% of the Greek manuscripts omit verse 24, while 7.2% supply 14:24-26 at this point.\f*