Reference: Romans, Epistle to The
Easton
(3.) This epistle was probably written at Corinth. Phoebe (Ro 16:1) of Cenchrea conveyed it to Rome, and Gaius of Corinth entertained the apostle at the time of his writing it (Ro 16:23; 1Co 1:14), and Erastus was chamberlain of the city, i.e., of Corinth (2Ti 4:20).
(4.) The precise time at which it was written is not mentioned in the epistle, but it was obviously written when the apostle was about to "go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints", i.e., at the close of his second visit to Greece, during the winter preceding his last visit to that city (Ro 15:25; comp. Ac 19:21; 20:2-3,16; 1Co 16:1-4), early in A.D. 58.
(5.) It is highly probable that Christianity was planted in Rome by some of those who had been at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Ac 2:10). At this time the Jews were very numerous in Rome, and their synagogues were probably resorted to by Romans also, who in this way became acquainted with the great facts regarding Jesus as these were reported among the Jews. Thus a church composed of both Jews and Gentiles was formed at Rome. Many of the brethren went out to meet Paul on his approach to Rome. There are evidences that Christians were then in Rome in considerable numbers, and had probably more than one place of meeting (Ro 16:14-15).
(6.) The object of the apostle in writing to this church was to explain to them the great doctrines of the gospel. His epistle was a "word in season." Himself deeply impressed with a sense of the value of the doctrines of salvation, he opens up in a clear and connected form the whole system of the gospel in its relation both to Jew and Gentile. This epistle is peculiar in this, that it is a systematic exposition of the gospel of universal application. The subject is here treated argumentatively, and is a plea for Gentiles addressed to Jews. In the Epistle to the Galatians, the same subject is discussed, but there the apostle pleads his own authority, because the church in Galatia had been founded by him.
(7.) After the introduction (1:1-15), the apostle presents in it divers aspects and relations the doctrine of justification by faith (1:16-11:36) on the ground of the imputed righteousness of Christ. He shows that salvation is all of grace, and only of grace. This main section of his letter is followed by various practical exhortations (12:1-15:13), which are followed by a conclusion containing personal explanations and salutations, which contain the names of twenty-four Christians at Rome, a benediction, and a doxology (RO 15:14-ch. 16).
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Phrygia also and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of the Libya that is towards Cyrene, and the sojourning Romans, - both Jews and proselytes,
Now, when these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in his spirit, going through Macedonia and Achaia, to be journeying unto Jerusalem, saying - After I have been there, Rome also, must I see!
Passing through those parts, however, and exhorting them with much discourse, he came into Greece; and, spending three months, when a plot was laid against him by the Jews, as he was about to sail to Syria, he determined to turn back through Macedonia.
For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, lest he should happen to lose time in Asia; for he hastened, if it were possible for him, against the day of Pentecost, to arrive, in Jerusalem.
But, now, I am journeying unto Jerusalem, ministering unto the saints;
And I commend to you Phoebe our sister, - being a minister alsoof the assembly which is in Cenchreae;
Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren that are with them. Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympus, and all the saints that are with them.
There saluteth you - Gaius, my host and the host of the whole assembly. There salute you - Erastus, the steward of the city, and Quartus the brother.
In whom, we have our redemption - the remission of our sins, -
Erastus, remained in Corinth; but, Trophimus, I left at Miletus, sick.
Hastings
ROMANS, EPISTLE TO THE
1. Time, occasion, and character.
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Judge not, that ye be not judged; -
And, while they were looking steadfastly into heaven as he was going his way, then lo! two men had taken their stand beside them, in white garments, - Who also said - Men of Galilee! why stand ye looking into heaven? This Jesus who hath been taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, in like manner as ye yourselves have gazed upon him going into heaven.
Then, seemed it good unto the Apostles and the Elders with the whole Assembly to send chosen men from among them unto Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, - even Judas who is called Barsabbas, and Silas, men taking a lead among the brethren:
They, therefore, being let go, came down unto Antioch; and, having gathered together the throng, delivered the letter,
The same, following after Paul and us, kept crying aloud, saying - These men, are servants of the Most High God, - who, indeed, are declaring unto you a way of salvation. And, this, she continued to do for many days. But Paul, worn out, and turning unto the spirit, said - I charge thee, in the name of Jesus Christ, to come out from her. And it came out the same hour. read more. And, her masters, seeing that their hope of gain had gone out, laying hold on Paul and Silas, dragged them into the market-place, unto the rulers; and, leading them forward unto the magistrates, said - These men, are exceedingly troubling our city, they, being Jews,
and, laying upon them many stripes, they thrust them into prison, charging the prison-keeper, safely, to be keeping them:
and, finding a certain Jew, by name Aquila, of Pontus by birth, - lately come from Italy, and Priscilla his wife, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to be leaving Rome, he came unto them,
and, spending some time, he went forth, passing through, in order, the country of Galatia and Phrygia, confirming all the disciples. But, a certain Jew, Apollos by name, an Alexandrian by birth, a learned man, came down to Ephesus, being, mighty, in the Scriptures. read more. The same, had been orally taught the way of the Lord, and, being fervent in his spirit, began speaking and teaching accurately, the things concerning Jesus, - properly knowing, only the immersion of John. The same, also began speaking boldly in the synagogue; and Priscilla and Aquila, hearing him, took him unto them, and, more accurately, expounded unto him the way of God. And, he being minded to pass through into Achaia, the brethren urgently wrote unto the disciples to welcome him, - who, arriving, was very useful unto them who had believed, with his gift; for, with great force, began he confuting the Jews, publicly, shewing by the Scriptures that Jesus was, the Christ.
Now, when these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in his spirit, going through Macedonia and Achaia, to be journeying unto Jerusalem, saying - After I have been there, Rome also, must I see!
Now, when these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in his spirit, going through Macedonia and Achaia, to be journeying unto Jerusalem, saying - After I have been there, Rome also, must I see!
Now, when these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in his spirit, going through Macedonia and Achaia, to be journeying unto Jerusalem, saying - After I have been there, Rome also, must I see!
Now, when these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in his spirit, going through Macedonia and Achaia, to be journeying unto Jerusalem, saying - After I have been there, Rome also, must I see! And, sending off into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself, held on awhile in Asia.
And, sending off into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself, held on awhile in Asia.
And, sending off into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself, held on awhile in Asia. And there arose during that season no small disturbance concerning the Way. read more. For, one Demetrius by name, a silversmith, making silvershrines, of Diana, used to bring unto the craftsmen no little business; gathering whom together, and them who in such things wrought, he said - Men! ye well know that, by this business, we have our prosperity; and ye perceive and hear that, not only in Ephesus, but well-nigh in all Asia, this Paul, hath persuaded and turned away a considerable multitude, saying that they are, no gods, which, with hands, are made. And, not only is there danger that this our heritage into ill-repute may come, but even that the temple, of the great Goddess Diana, for nothing, may be counted; also that, even on the point of being pulled down, may be Her Majesty, whom, all Asia and the habitable world, do worship. Now, hearing this, and becoming full of wrath, they began crying aloud, saying - Great, is Diana of the Ephesians! And the city was filled with the confusion; they rushed also with one accord into the theatre, carrying off with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, fellow-travellers of Paul. But, Paul, being minded to enter in among the populace, the disciples would not suffer him. Moreover, certain of the Asiarchs also, being his friends, sending unto him, were beseeching him not to adventure himself into the theatre. Others, indeed, were crying out something else; for the assembly had become confused, and, the greater part, knew not for what cause they had come together. Howbeit, out of the multitude, they bare aloft one Alexander, the Jews thrusting him forward; Alexander, however, waving his hand, was wishing to make his defense unto the populace. But, recognizing that he was a Jew, one voice arose from all for about two hours, as they cried aloud - Great, is Diana of the Ephesians! Howbeit the town-clerk, having calmed the multitude, saith - Ephesians! why, who is there of mankind that doth not acknowledge the city of Ephesians to be temple-keeper of the Great Diana, and of the imagethat fell from Jupiter? As these things, then, cannot be denied, it is needful that ye be calmed at once, and, nothing rash, be doing. For ye have brought these men, neither as temple-robbers, nor as defaming our goddess. If then, Demetrius, and the craftsmen with him, have against anyone an accusation, courts, are being held, and there are, proconsuls: let them accuse one another! But, if after, something further, ye are seeking, in the regular assembly shall it be settled. For we are, even in danger of being accused of riot, concerning this day, no cause at all, existing, by reference to which we shall be able to give a reason for this concourse.
and, spending three months, when a plot was laid against him by the Jews, as he was about to sail to Syria, he determined to turn back through Macedonia.
and, spending three months, when a plot was laid against him by the Jews, as he was about to sail to Syria, he determined to turn back through Macedonia.
and, spending three months, when a plot was laid against him by the Jews, as he was about to sail to Syria, he determined to turn back through Macedonia. Now there were accompanying him, Sopater, son of Pyrrhus a Beroean; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe and Timothy; and, of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, separated unto the glad-message of God - Which he promised beforehand, through his prophets, in holy scriptures - read more. Concerning his Son, - who came to be of the seed of David, according to flesh, Who was distinguished as the Son of God - by power, according to a Holy Spirit, through means of a resurrection of the dead, - Jesus Christ our Lord; Through whom we have received favour and apostleship, for obedience of faith among all the nations, in behalf of his name, Among whom are, ye also, called of Jesus Christ: Unto all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called saints, favour unto you, and peace, from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ.
Unto all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called saints, favour unto you, and peace, from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ. First, indeed, I give thanks unto my God, through Jesus Christ, concerning you all, because your faith is being announced throughout the whole world. read more. For God is, my witness, - unto whom I am rendering divine service in my spirit, in the glad message of his Son, - how incessantly, I am making mention of you At all times in my prayers, - making supplication - if, by some means, even now, at any time, I may have a way opened, in the will of God, to come unto you; For I am longing to see you, that I may impart some spiritual gift unto you, to the end ye may be established, - That is to say - there may be a mutual encouragement among you, each by the other's faith, both yours and mine. I do not wish however that ye should be ignorant, brethren, that, many times, have I purposed to come unto you, but have been hindered, until the present, - in order that, some fruit, I might have among you also, even as among the other nations, Both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to wise and to unwise, a debtor, I am: Thus, the eagerness on my part - unto you also who are in Rome, to announce the joyful message.
Thus, the eagerness on my part - unto you also who are in Rome, to announce the joyful message. For I am not ashamed of the joyful message; for it is God's power unto salvation, to every one that believeth, both to Jew firstand to Greek; read more. For, a righteousness of God, is therein revealed, - by faith unto faith: even as it is written - But, he that is righteous, by faith, shall live. For there is being revealed an anger of God from heaven - against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who, the truth, in unrighteousness, do hold down; - Inasmuch as, what may be known of God, is manifest among them, for, God, unto them, hath made it manifest, - For, the unseen things of him, from a world's creation, by the things made, being perceived, are clearly seen, even his eternal power and divinity, - to the end they should be without excuse; Inasmuch as, having come to know God, not, as God, did they glorify him, or give him thanks, but were made fruitless in their reasonings, and darkened was their undiscerning heart, Professing to be wise, they were made foolish, And, exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God, for the likeness of an image of a corruptible man, and of birds and fourfooted beasts and reptiles: Wherefore God gave them up in the covetings of their hearts unto impurity, so as to be dishonouring their bodies among them, - Who, indeed, exchanged away the truth of God for the falsehood, and rendered worship and service unto the creature rather than unto the Creator, - who is blessed unto the ages. Amen! For this cause, God gave them up unto dishonourable passions; for, even their females, exchanged away the natural use into that which is against nature, - In like manner also, even the males, leaving the natural use of the female, flamed out in their eager desire one for another, males with males, the indecency, effecting, - and, the necessary recompence of their error, within themselves, duly receiving; - And, even as they did not approve to be holding, God, in acknowledgment, God gave them up unto a disapproved mind to be doing the things that are not becoming, Filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, baseness, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil disposition, Whisperers, detractors, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, vain boasters, inventors of vices, unto parents unyielding, Without discernment, regardless of covenants, without natural affection, unmerciful: - Who, indeed, having acknowledged the righteous sentence of God, - that, they who such things as these do practise, are worthy of death, not only, the same things, are doing, but are even delighting together with them who are practising them .
Wherefore, inexcusable, thou art, O man, whoever judgest; for, wherein thou judgest some one else, thyself, thou dost condemn, - for, the very things, thou dost practise, who art judging: We know, however, that, the sentence of God, is according to truth against them who, such things as these, do practise. read more. And reckonest thou this, O man - who dost judge them who such things do practise, and yet art doing the same, that, thou, shalt escape the sentence of God? Or, the riches of his kindness, and forbearance, and long-suffering, dost thou despise, - not knowing that, the kindness of God, unto repentance, is leading thee? But, according to thy hardness, and thine impenitent heart, art treasuring up for thyself anger, in a day of anger and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, - Who will render unto each one according to his works: - Unto them, on the one hand, who, by way of endurance in good work, are seeking, glory, honour and incorruption, life age-abiding, Unto them, on the other hand, who are of contention, and are not yielding unto the truth, but are yielding unto unrighteousness, anger and wrath, tribulation and anguish - against every soul of man who worketh out what is base, both of Jew first and of Greek, - But glory and honour and peace - unto every one who worketh what is good, both unto Jew first and unto Greek: For there is no respect of persons with God; - For, as many as without law sinned, without law, also shall perish, and, as many as within law sinned, through law, shall be judged; For, not the hearers of law, are righteous with God, but, the doers of law, shall be declared righteous; For, whensoever the nations which have not law, by nature, the things of the law, may be doing, the same, not having law, unto themselves, are a law, - Who, indeed, shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience therewith bearing witness, and, between one another, their reasonings accusing - or, even excusing, them: - In the day on which God judgeth the secrets of men according to my glad-message through Christ Jesus. If, however, thou, art taking the name of Jew, and resting thyself upon law, and boasting in God, And art taking note of his will, and testing the things that differ - when receiving oral instruction out of the law, Art persuaded, moreover, that, thou thyself, art - a guide of the blind, a light of them that are in darkness, A trainer of the simple, a teacher of babes, having the forming of knowledge and truth in the law, - Thou, therefore, that art teaching someone else, thyself, art thou not teaching? Thou that proclaimest - Do not steal! Art thou, stealing? That sayest - Do not commit adultery! Art thou, committing adultery? That abhorrest sacrilege, Art thou, robbing temples? That in law dost boast, Through the transgression of the law, art thou dishonouring God?
What, then, is the preeminence of the Jew? Or what, the profit of his circumcision? Much, every way: - First, indeed, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God. read more. For what? If some distrusted, shall their distrust make, the trust of God, void? Far be it! But let, God, prove to be, true, albeit, every man, be false! Even as it is written - That thou mightest be declared righteous in thy words, and overcome when thou art in judgment. But, if, our unrighteousness, commendeth, God's righteousness, what shall we say? Surely, not unrighteous, is God who visiteth with his anger? After the manner of men, I am speaking, - Far be it! Else how shall God judge the world? But, if, the truth of God, by my falsehood, hath the more abounded unto his glory, why, any longer, am, even I, as a sinner, to be judged? And why not, according as we are injuriously charged, and according as some affirm that we say, Let us do the bad things, that the good ones may come? whose sentence is, just. What then? do we screen ourselves? Not at all! For we have before accused both Jews and Greeks of being, all under sin; Even as it is written - there is none righteous, not even one, There is none that discerneth, There is none that seeketh out God: All, have turned aside, together, have become useless, There is none that doeth kindness, not so much as one: A sepulchre opened, is their throat, with their tongues, have they used deceit, the poison of asps, is under their lips, Whose mouth, of cursing and bitterness, is full, Swift, are their feet to shed blood; Destruction and misery, are in their ways, And, the way of peace, have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that, whatsoever things the law saith, to them who are within the law, it speaketh, in order that, every mouth, may be stopped and all the world come, under penal sentence, unto God. Inasmuch as, by works of law, shall no flesh be declared righteous before him, - through law, in fact, is discovery of sin. But now, apart from law, a righteousness of God hath been manifested, borne witness to by the law and the prophets, - A righteousness of God, through faith in JesusChrist, unto all that have faith; for there is no distinction, - For, all, have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; Being declared righteous freely by his favour through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: - Whom God hath set forth as a propitiatory covering, through faith in his blood, for a showing forth of his righteousness, by reason of the passing-by of the previously committed sins, In the forbearance of God, - with a view to a showing forth of his righteousness in the present season, that he might be righteous even when declaring righteous him that hath faith in Jesus. Where, then, the boasting! It is excluded. Through what kind of law? Of works? Nay! but through a law of faith: For we reckon that a man is to be declared righteous by faith, apart from works of law. Or, is God the God, of Jews only, and not of the nations also? Yea! of the nations also: - If, at all events, God is one, who will declare righteous - the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through their faith. Do we then make, law, void through means of our faith? Far be it! On the contrary, law, we do establish!
Who was delivered up on account of our offences and was raised on account of the declaring us righteous.
Or are ye ignorant, brethren, - for unto them that understand the law am I speaking, that, the law, hath lordship over a men as long as he liveth? For, the married woman, unto her living husband is bound by law; but, if her husband have died, she hath received a full release from the law of her husband. read more. Hence then, her husband being alive, an adulteress, shall she be called - if she become another man's, but, if the husband have died, she is free from the law; so that she is not an adulteress, though she become another man's. So, then, my brethren, ye also, were made dead unto the law through the body of the Christ, to the end ye might become another's - his who from among the dead was raised, in order that we might bring forth fruit unto God. For, when we were in the flesh, the susceptibilities of sins which were through the law, used to be energized in our members unto the bringing forth of fruit unto death; But, now, we have received full release from the law, by dying in that wherein we used to be held fast, so that we should be doing service - in newness of spirit and not in obsoleteness of letter. What, then, shall we say? Is the law sin? Far be it! On the contrary, I had not discovered, sin, save through law, for even, of coveting, I had not been aware if, the law, had not kept on saying - Thou shall not covet; Howbeit sin taking, occasion - through the commandment, wrought out in me all manner of coveting; for, apart from law, sin is dead; - And, I, was alive, apart from law, at one time, but, the commandment coming, sin sprang up to life, Whereas, I, died, - and the commandment which was unto life was found by me to be, itself, unto death; For, sin, - taking occasion - through the commandment, completely deceived me and, through it, slew me: So that, the law, indeed, is holy, and the commandment, holy, and righteous and good. Did, then, that which is good, unto me become death? Far be it! But it was sin, that it might appear sin, through that which was good unto me working out death, in order that, exceeding sinful, might sin become through the commandment. For we know that, the law, is spiritual, - I, however, am a creature of flesh, sold under sin; For, that which I am working out, I do not approve, - for not, what I wish, the same I practise, but, what I hate, the same I do: Now, if what I wish not the same I do, I consent unto the law that it is right. Now, however, no longer am, I, working it out, but the, sin, that dwelleth in me: I know, in fact, that there dwelleth not in me, that is, in my flesh, anything good; for, the wishing, lieth near me, but, the working out of what is right, not! For not, the good that I wish, I do, but, the evil that I do not wish, the same I practise. Now, if what I wish not, the same, I do, no longer am, I, working it out, but the, sin, that dwelleth in me. Hence, I find the law, to me who wish to be doing the right, that, unto me, the wrong lieth near: I have, in fact, a sympathetic pleasure in the law of God; according to the inner man. But I behold a diverse law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and taking me captive in the law of sin which existeth in my members: - Wretched, man am, I! Who shall rescue me out of this body doomed to death? Butthanks be unto God! - Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Hence, then, - I myself, with the mind, indeed, am in servitude unto a law of God; but; with the flesh; unto a law of sin.
Hence there is now, no, condemnation unto them who are in Christ Jesus; For, the-law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, hath set thee free from the law of sin and of death; - read more. For, what was impossible by the law in that it was weak through the flesh, God, by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, condemned sin in the flesh, In order that, the righteous requirement of the law, might be fulfilled in us - who, not according to flesh, do walk, but according to spirit; For, they who according to flesh have their being, the things of the flesh do prefer, but, they according to the spirit, the things of the spirit; For, what is preferred by the flesh, is death, whereas, what is preferred by the spirit, is life and peace; - Inasmuch as, what is preferred by the flesh, is hostile towards God, for, unto the law of God, it doth not submit itself, neither in fact can it. - They, moreover, who in flesh have their being, cannot please, God. But, ye, have not your being in flesh, but in spirit, - if at least, God's Spirit, dwelleth in you; and, if anyone hath not Christ's Spirit, the same, is not his; - But, if Christ is in you, the body, indeed, is dead by reason of sin, whereas, the spirit, is life by reason of righteousness; If, moreover, the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from among the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised from among the dead Christ Jesus, shall make alive evenyour death-doomed bodies, through means of his indwelling Spirit within you. Hence, then, brethren - debtors, we are, not unto the flesh, that, according to flesh, we should live, -
Hence, then, brethren - debtors, we are, not unto the flesh, that, according to flesh, we should live, - For, if according to flesh ye live, ye are about to die, whereas, if in spirit, the practices of the flesh, ye are putting to death, ye shall attain unto life; read more. For, as many as by God's Spirit are being led, the same, are God's sons, - For ye have not received a spirit of servitude, leading back into fear, but ye have received a spirit of sonship, whereby we are exclaiming - Abba! Oh Father! The Spirit itself, beareth witness together with our spirit that we are children of God; And, if children, heirs also - heirs, indeed, of God, but co-heirs with Christ, - if, at least, we are suffering together, in order that we may also be glorified together. For I reckon that unworthy are the sufferings of the present season to be compared with the glory about to be revealed towards us; For, the eager outlook of creation, ardently awaiteth the revealing of the sons of God, - For, unto vanity, hath creation been made subject - not by choice, but by reason of him that made it subject, in hope That, creation itself also, shall be freed - from the bondage of the decay into the freedom of the glory of the sons of God; For we know that, all creation, is sighing together, and travailing-in-birth-throes together until the present, - And, not only so, but, we ourselves, also, who have the first-fruit of the Spirit - weeven ourselves, within our own selves do sigh, - sonship ardently awaiting - the redeeming of our body; - For, by our hope, have we been saved, - but, hope beheld, is not hope, for, what one beholdeth, why doth he hope for? If, however, what we do not behold we hope for, with endurance, are we ardently awaiting it ; - In the selfsame way moreover, even the Spirit, helpeth together in our weakness, - for, what we should pray for as we ought, we know not, but, the Spirit itself, maketh intercession with sighings unutterable, And, he that searcheth the hearts, knoweth what is preferred by the Spirit - that, according to God, he maketh intercession in behalf of saints; We know, further, that, unto them who love God, God causeth all things to work together for good, - unto them who, according to purpose, are such as he hath called; For, whom he fore-approved, he also fore-appointed to be conformed unto the image of his Son, that he might be firstborn among many brethren, - And, whom he fore-appointed, the same, he also called, and, whom he called, the same, he also declared righteous, and, whom he declared righteous, the same, he also made glorious: - What, then, shall we say to a these things? If God is for us, who shall be against us?
What, then, shall we say to a these things? If God is for us, who shall be against us? He, at least, who his own Son did not spare, but in behalf of us all delivered him up, how shall he not also, with him, all things upon us in favour bestow? read more. Who shall bring an accusation against the chosen ones of God? God, who declareth righteous? Who is he that condemneth? Christ Jesuswho died? - Nay! rather was raised from among the dead, - who is on the right hand of God, who also is making intercession in our behalf? Who shall separate us from the love of the Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? - According as it is written - For thy sake, are we being put to death all the day long, we have been reckoned as sheep for slaughter. - Nay, in all these things, we are more than conquering through him that hath loved us.
Truth, say I, in Christ, I utter no falsehood, - my conscience bearing witness with me in the Holy Spirit, - That I have great grief and incessant travail in my heart; read more. For I could have wished to be accursed, even I myself, from the Christ, in behalf of my brethren my kinsmen according to the flesh; - Who, indeed, are Israelites, whose are the sonship, and the glory, and the covenants, and the legislation, and the divine service, and the promises, Whose are the fathers, and of whom is the Christ - according to the flesh - he who is over all, God, blessed unto the ages. Amen. It is not, however, as though the word of God had failed; for, not all they who are of Israel, the same are Israel. Neither, because they are seed of Abraham, are all children, - but, In Isaac, shall there be called unto thee a seed. That is - not the children of the flesh, the same are children of God; but, the children of the promise, are reckoned as a seed. For, of promise, is this word - According to this season, will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. And, not only so, but, when, Rebekah also, was with child, of one - Isaac our father, - They, in fact, not being yet born, nor having practised anything good or bad, - in order that the purpose of God by way of election might stand, - not by works but by him that was calling, It was said unto her - The elder, shall serve the younger; Even as it is written - Jacob, have I loved, but, Esau, have I hated. What, then, shall we say? Is there injustice with God? Far be it! For, unto Moses, he saith - I will have mercy upon whomsoever I can have mercy, and I will have compassion upon whomsoever I can have compassion. Hence, then, it is nor of him that wisheth nor of him that runneth, but of the mercy-shewing God. For the Scripture saith unto Pharaoh - Unto this end, have I raised thee up, that I may thus shew in thee my power, and that I may declare my name in all the earth. Hence, then, - on whom he pleaseth, he hath mercy, and, whom he pleaseth, he doth harden. Thou wilt say to me, then - Why longer findeth he fault? For, his purpose, who hath withstood? O man! Who, nevertheless, art, thou, that art answering again unto God? Shall the thing formed say unto him that formed it - Why didst thou make me thus? Or hath not the potter a right over the clay - out of the same lump, to make some, indeed, into a vessel for honour, and some for dishonour?
What, then, shall we say? That, they of the nations, who were not in pursuit of righteousness, have laid hold of righteousness, - a righteousness, however, which is by faith;
Whereas, regarding Israel, he saith - All day long, have I stretched forth my hands unto a people unyielding and contradicting.
If, however, some of the branches, have been broken out, and, thou, being a wild olive hast been grafted in among them, and hast become a joint partaker of the root of the fatness of the olive, Be not boasting over the branches! Howbeit, if thou boast, it is not, thou, that bearest the root, but the root, thee! read more. Thou wilt say, then - Branches were broken out in order that, I, might he grafted in. Well: by their want of faith, they have been broken out, - and, thou, by thy faith, dost stand! - Regard not lofty things, but be afraid; For, if, God, hath not spared, the natural branches, neither, thee, will he spare! See, then, the kindness and the severity of God: upon them who have fallen, severity, - but, upon thee, the kindness of God, if thou abide still in the kindness, - otherwise, thou also, shalt he cut out; Whereas, they also, unless they abide still in their want of faith, shall be grafted in, for God is, able, again to engraft them! For, if, thou, out of the naturally wild olive was cut out, and, beyond nature, hast been engrafted into the good olive, how much rather, shall these, the natural branches be engrafted into their own olive tree? For I wish not, ye should be ignorant, brethren, of this sacred secret, lest within yourselves ye be presumptuous, that, a hardening in part, hath befallen Israel, until, the full measure of the nations, shall come in; And, so, all Israel shall be saved: even as it is written - There shall have come out of Zion the Deliverer, - He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; And, this, for them, is the covenant from me, as soon as I take away their sins. As touching the joyful-message, indeed, they are enemies for your sake, but, as touching the election, beloved for their father's sake; For, not to be regretted, are the gifts and the calling of God: - For, just as, ye, at one time had not yielded unto God, and yet now have received mercy by their refusal to yield, So, these also, have now refused to yield, by your own mercy, in order that, themselves also, should now become objects of mercy; For God hath shut up all together, in a refusal to yield, in order that, upon all, he may bestow mercy. Oh! the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments! and untraceable his ways! For who hath come to know the mind of the Lord? Or who hath become his counselor? Or who hath first given unto him, and it shall be recompensed to him again? Because, of him, and through him, and unto him, are all things: - unto him, be the glory, unto the ages. Amen!
Him that is weak in his faith, receive ye, - not for disputing opinions: -
But, he that is in doubt, if he eat, hath condemned himself, - because, it was not of faith, and, everything which is not of faith, is sin.
And, again, Isaiah, saith - There shall be the root of Jesse, and he that ariseth to rule nations, - upon, him, shall nations hope. Now, the God of the hope, fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that ye may surpass in the hope, in the power of Holy Spirit. read more. But I am persuaded my brethren, - even, I myself, concerning you: that, ye yourselves, also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also, unto one another, to be ministering admonition: Howbeit, the more boldly, have I written unto you, - in some measure, as bringing it back to your minds, - by reason of the favour given unto me from God, - That I should be a public minister of Christ Jesus unto the nations, doing priestly service with the glad-message of God, in order that the offering up of the nations might prove to be acceptable, being hallowed in Holy Spirit: I have, therefore, myboasting in Christ Jesus in the things pertaining to God, - For I wilt not dare to speak anything save of the things which Christ hath wrought out for himself through me for the obedience of nations, - -by word and deed, By the power of signs and wonders, by the power of Holy Spirit; so that I, from Jerusalem and in a circuit as far as Illyricum, have fulfilled the glad-message of the Christ, - Although, thus, - as ambitious to be announcing the glad-message - not where Christ had been named, lest, upon another's foundation, I should be building; But, even as it is written - They shall see unto whom had been announced no tidings concerning him, and, they who had not heard, shall understand. Wherefore, also, I have been hindered these many times from coming unto you;
Wherefore, also, I have been hindered these many times from coming unto you; But, now, no longer having place in these regions, and having had, a longing, to come unto you a good many years, - read more. As soon as I am journey to Spain, - I am hoping, in fact, when journeying through to get sight of you, and by you to be set forward thither, - if, with your company, I have first in some measure been satisfied. But, now, I am journeying unto Jerusalem, ministering unto the saints; For Macedonia and Achaia have been well-pleased to make a certain fellowship for the destitute of the saints who are in Jerusalem, - They have been well-pleased, indeed, - and, their debtors, they are; for, if, with their spiritual things the nations have come into fellowship, they are bound also with their own carnal things to minister publicly unto them. This, then, having completed, and sealed unto them this fruit, I will come back by you unto Spain: - And know that, when I come unto you, in the fullness of the blessing of Christ, I shall come. I beseech you, moreover, brethren, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers on my behalf unto God, -
I beseech you, moreover, brethren, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers on my behalf unto God, - In order that I may be delivered from them who do not yield in Judaea, and, my ministry which is unto Jerusalem, may prove to be acceptable unto the saints;
In order that I may be delivered from them who do not yield in Judaea, and, my ministry which is unto Jerusalem, may prove to be acceptable unto the saints; In order that, with joy coming unto you through God's will, I may together with you find rest. read more. Now, the God of peace, be with you all. Amen.
Salute also the assembly at their house. Salute ye Epaenetus, my beloved, who is a first-fruit of Asia unto Christ.
Now, unto him who hath power to establish you, according to my glad-message - even the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of a sacred secret, in age-past times kept silent, But now made manifest, and through means of prophetic scriptures, according to the command of the age-abiding God, for obedience of faith unto all the nations made known, read more. Unto a God, wise alone, through Jesus Christ, unto whombe the glory, unto the ages. Amen.
I give thanks, that, none of you, did I immerse - save Crispus and Gaius,
Morish
This may justly be called the fundamental epistle of Christian doctrine. Its value and importance are seen in that its doctrine lays in the soul a moral foundation by the presentation of God in qualities or attributes which the state of things existing in the world appears to call in question. Thus God is justified in the eyes of the believer, and this being the case, the purposes of His love are made known to him.
In looking at all that is around us in the world, everything appears to be out of order: the presence and domination of sin, a broken law, and the corrupt and violent will in man, all call in question the righteousness of God; while the scattering of God's people Israel raises the question of His faithfulness to His promises.
Now in Christ all this finds its full and complete answer. The Son of God, by whom all were created, has Himself come in the likeness of sinful flesh, and, by offering Himself a sacrifice for sin, has completely vindicated God's righteousness, while revealing His love. At the same time the man, or order of man, that has sinned against God has been judicially removed by His death from before the eye of God, so that God can present Himself to man in grace.
The moral perfection of the offerer of necessity brought in resurrection, in which all the pleasure of God's grace in regard to man is set forth in righteousness; and Christ risen is the deliverer who is to come forth from Zion to turn away ungodliness from Jacob. Thus God's faithfulness to His covenant is established in Zion. God is proved to be faithful and righteous: we have here the first elements of the knowledge of God.
But it way be desirable to open up the epistle a little in detail. After the introduction, in which the fact may be noticed that the glad tidings are said to be concerning God's Son, a picture is given us of the moral condition of man in the world, whether heathen, philosopher, or Jew. In the heathen we see the unchecked development of sin (Rom. 1). In the philosopher the fact that light in itself does not control evil (Rom. 2); and in the Jew that law is proved to be powerless to bring about subjection to God, or to secure righteousness for man. The conclusion is that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God
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But, after the tumult had ceased, Paul, sending for the disciples and exhorting them, took leave, and went forth to be journeying unto Macedonia. Passing through those parts, however, and exhorting them with much discourse, he came into Greece; read more. and, spending three months, when a plot was laid against him by the Jews, as he was about to sail to Syria, he determined to turn back through Macedonia.
Smith
Romans, Epistle to the.
1. The date of this epistle is fixed at the time of the visit recorded in Acts 20:3 during the winter and spring following the apostle's long residence at Ephesus A.D. 58. On this visit he remained in Greece three months.
2. The place of writing was Corinth.
3. The occasion which prompted it,,and the circumstances attending its writing, were as follows:--St. Paul had long purposed visiting Rome, and still retained this purpose, wishing also to extend his journey to Spain. Etom. 1:9-13; 15:22-29. For the time, however, he was prevented from carrying out his design, as he was bound for Jerusalem with the alms of the Gentile Christians, and meanwhile he addressed this letter to the Romans, to supply the lack of his personal teaching. Phoebe, a deaconess of the neighboring church of Cenchreae, was on the point of starting for Rome, ch.
and probably conveyed the letter. The body of the epistle was written at the apostle's dictation by Tertius, ch.
but perhaps we may infer, from the abruptness of the final doxology, that it was added by the apostle himself.
4. The origin of the Roman church is involved in obscurity. If it had been founded by St. Peter according to a later tradition, the absence of any allusion to him both in this epistle and in the letters written by St. Paul from Rome would admit of no explanation. It is equally clear that no other apostle was like founder. The statement in the Clementines --that the first tidings of the gospel reached Rome during the lifetime of our Lord is evidently a fiction for the purposes of the romance. On the other hand, it is clear that the foundation of this church dates very far back. It may be that some of these Romans, "both Jews and proselytes," present. On the day of Pentecost
carried back the earliest tidings of the new doctrine; or the gospel may have first reached the imperial city through those who were scattered abroad to escape the persecution which followed on the death of Stephen.
At first we may suppose that the gospel had preached there in a confused and imperfect form, scarcely more than a phase of Judaism, as in the case of Apollos at Corinth,
or the disciples at Ephesus.
As time advanced and better-instructed teachers arrived the clouds would gradually clear away, fill at length the presence of the great apostle himself at Rome dispersed the mists of Judaism which still hung about the Roman church.
5. A question next arises as to the composition of the Roman church at the time when St. Paul wrote. It is more probable that St. Paul addressed a mixed church of Jews and Gentiles, the latter perhaps being the more numerous. These Gentile converts, however, were not for the most part native Romans. Strange as the: paradox appears, nothing is more certain than that the church of Rome was at this time a Greek and not a Latin church. All the literature of the early Roman church was written in the Greek tongue.
6. The heterogeneous composition of this church explains the general character of the Epistle to the Romans. In an assemblage so various we should expect to find, not the exclusive predominance of a single form of error, but the coincidence of different and opposing forms. It was: therefore the business of the Christian teacher to reconcile the opposing difficulties and to hold out a meeting-point in the gospel. This is exactly what St. Paul does in the Epistle to the Romans.
7. In describing the purport of this epistle we may start from St. Paul's own words, which, standing at the beginning of the doctrinal portion, may be taken as giving a summary of the contents. ch.
Accordingly the epistle has been described as comprising "the religious philosophy of the world's history "The atonement of Christ is the centre of religious history. The epistle, from its general character, lends itself more readily to an analysis than is often the case with St. Paul's epistles. While this epistle contains the fullest and most systematic exposition of the apostle's teaching, it is at the same time a very striking expression of his character. Nowhere do his earnest and affectionate nature and his tact and delicacy in handling unwelcome topics appear more strongly than when he is dealing with the rejection of his fellow country men the Jews. Internal evidence is so strongly in favor of the genuineness of the Epistle to the Romans that it has never been seriously questioned.
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They, indeed, therefore, who were scattered abroad, passed through, telling the good-news of the word;
And, this, took place thrice, - and the whole was drawn up again into heaven;
The same, had been orally taught the way of the Lord, and, being fervent in his spirit, began speaking and teaching accurately, the things concerning Jesus, - properly knowing, only the immersion of John.
And it came to pass, while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul, passing through the upper parts, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples; and he said unto them - Holy Spirit, received ye, when ye believed? And they said unto him - Nay! not even whether there is Holy Spirit, did we hear. read more. And he said - Into what, then, were ye immersed? And, they, said - Unto John's immersion.
For I am not ashamed of the joyful message; for it is God's power unto salvation, to every one that believeth, both to Jew firstand to Greek; For, a righteousness of God, is therein revealed, - by faith unto faith: even as it is written - But, he that is righteous, by faith, shall live.
And I commend to you Phoebe our sister, - being a minister alsoof the assembly which is in Cenchreae; In order that ye may give her welcome in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and stand by her in any matter wherein she may have need of you; for, she also, hath proved to be a defender of many, and of my own self.
I, Tertius, who have written the epistle, salute you in the Lord.