Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Bigotry » Paul's argument against
WHAT then is the superiority of the Jew? or what is the advantage of circumcision? Much in every view: the principal one indeed is, that the oracles of God were entrusted to them. For what if some were unbelievers? shall their unbelief render the faithfulness of God ineffectual? read more.
God forbid: but let God be true, though every man were a liar; as it is written, "That thou mayest be acknowledged just in thy sayings, and overcome when thou art judged." But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is not God unrighteous in inflicting wrath? (I speak humanly). God forbid: for how then shall God judge the world? For if the truth of God by my lying hath more abundantly contributed to his glory; why am I notwithstanding judged as a sinner? And why not admit, (as we are falsely reported of; and as some affirm we say,) That we should do evil things, that good may come? whose condemnation is just. What then? have we pre-eminence? Not at all: for we have before proved that both the Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written, "There is not a just person, no not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. All are turned aside together, they are become worthless; there is none that doeth good, there is not even one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have spoken craftily; the poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: their feet are swift to shed blood: destruction and misery are in their ways. And they have not known the way of peace: there is not the fear of God before their eyes." Now we know that whatsoever things the law saith, it speaks to those who are under the law: that every mouth might be sealed up, and all the world become criminal before God. Wherefore by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified before God: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now distinct from the law the righteousness of God is manifest, receiving testimony from the law and the prophets; the righteousness of God indeed by faith in Jesus Christ unto all and upon all that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
God forbid: but let God be true, though every man were a liar; as it is written, "That thou mayest be acknowledged just in thy sayings, and overcome when thou art judged." But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is not God unrighteous in inflicting wrath? (I speak humanly). God forbid: for how then shall God judge the world? For if the truth of God by my lying hath more abundantly contributed to his glory; why am I notwithstanding judged as a sinner? And why not admit, (as we are falsely reported of; and as some affirm we say,) That we should do evil things, that good may come? whose condemnation is just. What then? have we pre-eminence? Not at all: for we have before proved that both the Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written, "There is not a just person, no not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. All are turned aside together, they are become worthless; there is none that doeth good, there is not even one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have spoken craftily; the poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: their feet are swift to shed blood: destruction and misery are in their ways. And they have not known the way of peace: there is not the fear of God before their eyes." Now we know that whatsoever things the law saith, it speaks to those who are under the law: that every mouth might be sealed up, and all the world become criminal before God. Wherefore by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified before God: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now distinct from the law the righteousness of God is manifest, receiving testimony from the law and the prophets; the righteousness of God indeed by faith in Jesus Christ unto all and upon all that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
WHAT then shall we say that Abraham our father hath obtained by the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath cause for glorying; though not before God. For what doth the scripture say? Abraham truly believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness. read more.
Now to him that worketh, the reward is not brought to account as a favour, but as a debt. But to him who doth not work, but believeth in him who justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned in account for righteousness. As David also describeth the blessedness of that man, to whom God imputeth righteousness without works, "Blessed are they whose unrighteousnesses are forgiven, and whose sins are covered up. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will in nowise impute sin." This blessedness then, [is it] for the circumcision, or for the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was imputed to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it imputed to him? when circumcised, or while uncircumcised? Not when circumcised, but whilst uncircumcised. And he received the sign of circumcision, as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had when uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all those who believe, though uncircumcised; that to them also the righteousness might be imputed: and the father of circumcision, not to those who are of the circumcision merely, but who also tread in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham, which he exercised while uncircumcised. For not by the law [came] the promise to Abraham and his seed, that he should be heir of the world, but by the righteousness of faith. For if they who are of the law are heirs, faith becomes vain, and the promise is useless: for the law causeth wrath: for where there is no law, neither is there transgression. Therefore it is by faith, that it might be of grace; in order that the promise might be secured to all the seed; not only to that which is of the law, but to that which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Now to him that worketh, the reward is not brought to account as a favour, but as a debt. But to him who doth not work, but believeth in him who justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned in account for righteousness. As David also describeth the blessedness of that man, to whom God imputeth righteousness without works, "Blessed are they whose unrighteousnesses are forgiven, and whose sins are covered up. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will in nowise impute sin." This blessedness then, [is it] for the circumcision, or for the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was imputed to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it imputed to him? when circumcised, or while uncircumcised? Not when circumcised, but whilst uncircumcised. And he received the sign of circumcision, as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had when uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all those who believe, though uncircumcised; that to them also the righteousness might be imputed: and the father of circumcision, not to those who are of the circumcision merely, but who also tread in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham, which he exercised while uncircumcised. For not by the law [came] the promise to Abraham and his seed, that he should be heir of the world, but by the righteousness of faith. For if they who are of the law are heirs, faith becomes vain, and the promise is useless: for the law causeth wrath: for where there is no law, neither is there transgression. Therefore it is by faith, that it might be of grace; in order that the promise might be secured to all the seed; not only to that which is of the law, but to that which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Now it was not written for his sake only, that it was imputed to him; but also for our sakes, to whom it will be imputed, if we believe in him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered up for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.