But I wish you not to be ignorant, brothers, that I often purposed to come to you, and was hindered hitherto, that I might have some fruit also among you, as among the other gentiles.

For the law supervened that the fall might abound; but where the sin abounded the grace was superabundant,

knowing this that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that we should no longer serve sin;

Did then that which is good become death to me? By no means, but sin; that sin might be made manifest, producing death to me through that which is good, that sin might become exceedingly sinful through the commandment.

And not only this, but Rebecca also being with child by one, by our father Isaac??11 for the children not yet being born, nor having done any thing good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might continue, not of works but of him that calls,??12 it was said to her that the older shall serve the younger;

and that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he before prepared for glory,

You will say then, The branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.

For this end Christ died and lived again, that he might exercise lordship over the dead and living.

And I have been anxious so to preach where Christ was not named, that I might not build on another's foundation;