Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Abraham » God's covenant with
the oath which he swore to our father Abraham:
Verse Concepts
The promise to Abraham and his descendants, that he would be heir of the world, was not through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
Verse Concepts
For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised to show God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,
Verse Concepts
For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, "I will surely bless you and multiply you."
Even so Abraham "believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you will all the nations be blessed." read more.
So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the man of faith. For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to do them." Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "The righteous man shall live by faith." But the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "He who does them shall live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for usfor it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. To give a human example, brethren: even though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ. What I mean is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the man of faith. For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to do them." Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "The righteous man shall live by faith." But the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "He who does them shall live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for usfor it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. To give a human example, brethren: even though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ. What I mean is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.
Verse Concepts
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave and one by the free woman. But the son by the slave was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar. read more.
Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren woman who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in labor; for the children of the desolate are more numerous than the children of her who has a husband." Now you, brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now. But what does the scripture say? "Cast out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave shall not inherit with the son of the free woman." So then, brethren, we are not children of the slave, but of the free woman.
Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren woman who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in labor; for the children of the desolate are more numerous than the children of her who has a husband." Now you, brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now. But what does the scripture say? "Cast out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave shall not inherit with the son of the free woman." So then, brethren, we are not children of the slave, but of the free woman.
Abraham » Faith of
What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." read more.
Now to him who works, his wages are not reckoned as a gift but as his due. And to one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness. So also David describes the blessedness of the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not reckon his sin." Is this blessedness only upon the circumcised, or also upon the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it reckoned to him? Was it after he had been circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness which he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be reckoned to them. And he is also the father of the circumcised who are not only circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith which our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. The promise to Abraham and his descendants, that he would be heir of the world, was not through the law but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the law are to be the heirs, faith has no value and the promise is void, because the law brings wrath, for where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all his descendantsnot only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, for he is the father of us all (as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations") in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls things that do not exist as though they did. In hope, he believed against hope, so that he became the father of many nations; as he had been told, "So shall your descendants be." And he did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why it was "reckoned to him as righteousness."
Now to him who works, his wages are not reckoned as a gift but as his due. And to one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness. So also David describes the blessedness of the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not reckon his sin." Is this blessedness only upon the circumcised, or also upon the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it reckoned to him? Was it after he had been circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness which he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be reckoned to them. And he is also the father of the circumcised who are not only circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith which our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. The promise to Abraham and his descendants, that he would be heir of the world, was not through the law but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the law are to be the heirs, faith has no value and the promise is void, because the law brings wrath, for where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all his descendantsnot only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, for he is the father of us all (as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations") in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls things that do not exist as though they did. In hope, he believed against hope, so that he became the father of many nations; as he had been told, "So shall your descendants be." And he did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why it was "reckoned to him as righteousness."
Even so Abraham "believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you will all the nations be blessed." read more.
So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the man of faith.
So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the man of faith.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise; for he was looking forward to the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your descendants be called." He considered that God was able to raise men even from the dead; from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and faith was completed by works, and the scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness", and he was called the friend of God. read more.
You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Adoption » Is by faith
Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.
Verse Concepts
For you are all sons of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.
Verse Concepts
Blessings » Who all nations are blessed in
You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.'
Verse Concepts
Even so Abraham "believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you will all the nations be blessed."
Faith/faithfulness » The faithful
Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.
Verse Concepts
He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will trust you with the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another's, who will give you what is your own?
Even so Abraham "believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.
Gentiles/heathen » Salvation coming to the gentiles
The apostles and the elders came together to consider this matter. After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us; read more.
and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do you test God by putting upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are."
and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do you test God by putting upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are."
When they disagreed among themselves, they began to leave, after Paul had made one final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: saying, 'Go to this people and say, "you will be ever hearing, but will never understand; and you will be ever seeing, but will never perceive. For this people's heart has become dull, and with their ears they scarcely hear, and their eyes they have closed; otherwise they might see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them."' read more.
Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen."
Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen."
What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, righteousness through faith; but Israel, who pursued the law of righteousness, has not attained that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, read more.
as it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone that will make men stumble, and a rock that will make them fall; and he who believes in him will not be put to shame."
as it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone that will make men stumble, and a rock that will make them fall; and he who believes in him will not be put to shame."
I ask, then, has God rejected his people? Certainly not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life." read more.
But what is God's reply to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. And if it is by grace, then it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise, grace would no longer be grace. What then? Israel did not obtain what it sought. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, down to this very day." And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever." So I ask, have they stumbled so as to fall? Certainly not! But through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness mean! Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse to jealousy the kinsmen of my flesh and save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole lump is holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the rest to share the root of the olive tree, do not boast over the branches. If you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast only by faith. So do not be proud, but stand in awe. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Therefore consider the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who fell, but kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. And they also, if they do not persist in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and were grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree! I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins." As regards the gospel they are enemies of God, for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may receive mercy. For God has bound all men over to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all.
But what is God's reply to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. And if it is by grace, then it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise, grace would no longer be grace. What then? Israel did not obtain what it sought. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, down to this very day." And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever." So I ask, have they stumbled so as to fall? Certainly not! But through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness mean! Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse to jealousy the kinsmen of my flesh and save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole lump is holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the rest to share the root of the olive tree, do not boast over the branches. If you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast only by faith. So do not be proud, but stand in awe. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Therefore consider the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who fell, but kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. And they also, if they do not persist in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and were grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree! I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins." As regards the gospel they are enemies of God, for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may receive mercy. For God has bound all men over to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all.
Even so Abraham "believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you will all the nations be blessed." read more.
So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the man of faith. For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to do them." Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "The righteous man shall live by faith." But the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "He who does them shall live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for usfor it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the man of faith. For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to do them." Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "The righteous man shall live by faith." But the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "He who does them shall live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for usfor it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Justification » What you are justified by
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Even so Abraham "believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you will all the nations be blessed." read more.
So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the man of faith. For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to do them." Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "The righteous man shall live by faith." But the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "He who does them shall live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for usfor it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the man of faith. For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to do them." Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "The righteous man shall live by faith." But the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "He who does them shall live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for usfor it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
For we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since there is one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through their faith.
But are you willing to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and faith was completed by works, read more.
and the scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness", and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works, when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
and the scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness", and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works, when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
Law » What the law cannot do
(for the law made nothing perfect); and on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
Verse Concepts
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weakened through the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin: he condemned sin in the flesh, read more.
in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
yet who know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law will no flesh be justified.
Verse Concepts
Therefore no flesh will be justified in his sight by works of the law, for through the law comes knowledge of sin.
Verse Concepts
he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: 'You are my Son; today I have begotten you.' As for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to decay, he spoke in this way: 'I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.' Therefore he also says in another Psalm, 'You will not let your Holy One see decay.' read more.
For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid with his fathers and saw decay; but he whom God raised did not see decay. Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.
For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid with his fathers and saw decay; but he whom God raised did not see decay. Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.
Even so Abraham "believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you will all the nations be blessed." read more.
So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the man of faith. For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to do them." Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "The righteous man shall live by faith."
So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the man of faith. For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to do them." Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "The righteous man shall live by faith."
For since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices which are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered? If the worshipers had once been cleansed, they would no longer have any consciousness of sins. But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year after year. read more.
For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,' as it is written of me in the roll of the book." When he said above, "You did not desire, nor did you take pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), then he said, "Behold, I have come to do your will." He takes away the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when he had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies be made a stool for his feet. For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,
For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,' as it is written of me in the roll of the book." When he said above, "You did not desire, nor did you take pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), then he said, "Behold, I have come to do your will." He takes away the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when he had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies be made a stool for his feet. For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,
Nations » Who all nations are blessed in
You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.'
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Even so Abraham "believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you will all the nations be blessed."
Salvation » Salvation coming to the gentiles
The apostles and the elders came together to consider this matter. After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us; read more.
and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do you test God by putting upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are."
and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do you test God by putting upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are."
When they disagreed among themselves, they began to leave, after Paul had made one final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: saying, 'Go to this people and say, "you will be ever hearing, but will never understand; and you will be ever seeing, but will never perceive. For this people's heart has become dull, and with their ears they scarcely hear, and their eyes they have closed; otherwise they might see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them."' read more.
Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen."
Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen."
What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, righteousness through faith; but Israel, who pursued the law of righteousness, has not attained that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, read more.
as it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone that will make men stumble, and a rock that will make them fall; and he who believes in him will not be put to shame."
as it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone that will make men stumble, and a rock that will make them fall; and he who believes in him will not be put to shame."
I ask, then, has God rejected his people? Certainly not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life." read more.
But what is God's reply to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. And if it is by grace, then it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise, grace would no longer be grace. What then? Israel did not obtain what it sought. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, down to this very day." And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever." So I ask, have they stumbled so as to fall? Certainly not! But through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness mean! Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse to jealousy the kinsmen of my flesh and save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole lump is holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the rest to share the root of the olive tree, do not boast over the branches. If you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast only by faith. So do not be proud, but stand in awe. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Therefore consider the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who fell, but kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. And they also, if they do not persist in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and were grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree! I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins." As regards the gospel they are enemies of God, for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may receive mercy. For God has bound all men over to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all.
But what is God's reply to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. And if it is by grace, then it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise, grace would no longer be grace. What then? Israel did not obtain what it sought. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, down to this very day." And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever." So I ask, have they stumbled so as to fall? Certainly not! But through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness mean! Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse to jealousy the kinsmen of my flesh and save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole lump is holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the rest to share the root of the olive tree, do not boast over the branches. If you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast only by faith. So do not be proud, but stand in awe. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Therefore consider the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who fell, but kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. And they also, if they do not persist in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and were grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree! I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins." As regards the gospel they are enemies of God, for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may receive mercy. For God has bound all men over to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all.
Even so Abraham "believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you will all the nations be blessed." read more.
So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the man of faith. For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to do them." Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "The righteous man shall live by faith." But the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "He who does them shall live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for usfor it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the man of faith. For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to do them." Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "The righteous man shall live by faith." But the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "He who does them shall live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for usfor it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Titles and names of saints » Children of abraham
Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.
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