and you also are among those who are called of Jesus Christ to belong to Him;

For this reason God gave them over to degrading and vile passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural [a function contrary to nature],

For, “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written [in Scripture].

whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness [which demands punishment for sin], because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus’ crucifixion].

Do we then nullify the Law by this faith [making the Law of no effect, overthrowing it]? Certainly not! On the contrary, we confirm and establish and uphold the Law [since it convicts us all of sin, pointing to the need for salvation].

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather humanly speaking, has found? [Has he obtained a favored standing?]

Is this blessing only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say, “Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.”

Through Him we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power].

and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation].

What shall we say [to all this]? Should we continue in sin and practice sin as a habit so that [God’s gift of] grace may increase and overflow?

Did that which is good [the Law], then become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, in order that it might be revealed as sin, was producing death in me by [using] this good thing [as a weapon], so that through the commandment sin would become exceedingly sinful.

Wretched and miserable man that I am! Who will [rescue me and] set me free from this body of death [this corrupt, mortal existence]?

For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us!

For in this hope we were saved [by faith]. But hope [the object of] which is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he already sees?

What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us?

For this is what the promise said: “About this time [next year] I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.”

And not only that, but this too: Rebekah conceived twin sons by one man [under the same circumstances], by our father Isaac;

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “I raised you up for this very purpose, to display My power in [dealing with] you, and so that My name would be proclaimed in all the earth.”

just as it is written [in Scripture],

“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
Eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear,
[a spiritual apathy that has continued] to this very day.”

I do not want you, believers, to be unaware of this mystery [God’s previously hidden plan]—so that you will not be wise in your own opinion—that a partial hardening has [temporarily] happened to Israel [to last] until the full number of the Gentiles has come in;

“This is My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.”

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

For this same reason you pay taxes, for civil authorities are God’s servants, devoting themselves to governance.

Do this, knowing that this is a critical time. It is already the hour for you to awaken from your sleep [of spiritual complacency]; for our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed [in Christ].

For Christ died and lived again for this reason, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

For the one who serves Christ in this way [recognizing that food choice is secondary] is acceptable to God and is approved by men.

This [goal—my commitment to this principle] is the reason why I have often been prevented from coming to you [in Rome].

Therefore, when I have finished this [mission] and have safely given to them what has been raised, I will go on by way of you to Spain.

I, Tertius, the writer (scribe) of this letter, greet you in the Lord.