For I do not [really] understand what I am doing; I practice what I do not want to and I hate what I do. [Note: This highly controversial section (verses 14b-25) is here viewed as the struggles of the apostle Paul after his conversion, and by extension, of all Christians. See Bruce, pages 150ff; Murray, pages 255ff; Lard, pages 236ff].

Sentence of death therefore shall not pass upon those christians who do not lead a vicious life.

And not just the world, but even we [Christians] ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Holy Spirit [i.e., the first installment of our inheritance from God] also groan within us, eagerly waiting to be adopted as [God's] children, and receive back our bodies [i.e., in the resurrection].

In the same way, though we [Christians] are many, we are one [spiritual] body in [fellowship with] Christ, and each one of us is part of [all] the others.

So then, every one of us [i.e., including Christians] will have to give an account of himself to God.

for I will not offer to mention any thing, but what Christ has wrought by me, to make the Gentiles christians, both in profession and practice:

For [the Christians in] Macedonia and Achaia [Note: These were provinces in Greece] thought it was a good idea to take up an offering for the poor saints at Jerusalem.

For they thought it was a good idea, and [besides] they were indebted to those Jewish Christians. For if the Gentiles [have] shared in the spiritual blessings of the Jews, [then] they owe it to those Jews to help meet their material needs.

as becometh christians, and assist her in every thing her business requires: for she hath assisted many besides my self.

Remember me to Andronicus and Junias, my fellow-country-men, who also served in prison with me; they are held in high esteem among the apostles, and became Christians before I did.

and were christians before me. salute Amplias, whom

Greetings to Herodion, my fellow-Jew. [See verse 7]. Greetings to those members of the family of Narcissus who are Christians.

for the christian dispensation of a spiritual life has set me free from the legal state of sin and death.

for I could wish to be as one anathematiz'd from the christian church for my brethren, who are of the same race as my self,

salute the church that is in their house. salute my dear Epenetus, who is the first christian convert of Asia.

I value as a good christian. salute Urbane my assistant in the cause of Christ,

and my dear Stachys. salute Apelles, an approved christian. salute the family of Aristobulus.

I am telling the truth as a Christian man. I am telling no lie, because my conscience enlightened by the Holy Spirit is bearing me witness to this fact,

Make it your practice to receive into full Christian fellowship people who are overscrupulous, but not to criticize their views.

Therefore, practice receiving one another into full Christian fellowship, just as Christ has so received you to Himself.

So, as a Christian, I am proud of the things that I have done for God.

Remember me to Rufus, that choicest Christian, and to his mother, who has been a mother to me too.

I, Tertius, who write this letter, wish to be remembered to you as a fellow-Christian.

Now if we have died with Christ [i.e., to the practice of sin], we believe we will also live with Him. [Note: This "living" probably refers to our spiritual relationship with Him during our Christian life].

Let each of us endeavour to please his fellow Christian, aiming at a blessing calculated to build him up.

But as to you, brethren, I am convinced-- yes, I Paul am convinced--that, even apart from my teaching, you are already full of goodness of heart, and enriched with complete Christian knowledge, and are also competent to instruct one another.

Greetings to those Christian workers, Tryphaena and Tryphosa; also to dear Persis, who has laboured strenuously in the Lord's work.