Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible



It is not, however, as though God's word had failed! For they are not all Israel who have sprung from Israel; they are not all children of Abraham because they are Abraham's descendants. The promise was, In Isaac shall thy posterity be called. That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as his posterity.

God did not cast off his people whom he foreknew. For do you not know what is said in the Scripture about Elijah? how he pleaded with God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have overthrown thine altars; And now I alone am left, and they seek my life. But what was the answer of God to him? I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal. read more.
In the same way also at this time there is a remnant chosen by gift of grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer of works; or else grace is no more grace. What then? that which Israel has been seeking for, that he has not obtained; but the chosen have obtained it, and the rest have been hardened.

The apostles and elders met to consider the matter; and after there had been a long discussion, Peter rose and said: "Brothers, you know how a good while ago God made choice among you, that from my lips the Gentiles were to hear the message of the gospel and believe. "And God, who knows the hearts of all, gave this testimony in their behalf, by bestowing upon them the Holy Spirit just as he did upon us; read more.
"and he made no distinction between us and them, in cleansing their hearts by faith. "Now then, why are you tempting God by laying on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear? "On the contrary we believe that it is by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that we and they shall be saved."

Unable to agree among themselves, they began to go, but not before Paul had spoken a word to them, saying. "Right well did the Holy Spirit say to your ancestors, through the prophet Isaiah. "Go to the people and tell them, You will hear and hear, and by no means understand; And will look, and by no means see. For this people's heart is grown obtuse, Their ears are heavy of hearing, Their eyes have they closed, Lest they should see with their eyes And hear with their ears, Lest they understand with their heart, And turn again, and heal them. read more.
"Be fully assured, therefore, that this salvation of God is now sent unto the Gentiles. They will listen to it."

What then shall we say? That Gentiles who never pursed righteousness have overtaken it, even the righteousness of faith? But that the descendants of Israel, who were in pursuit of a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law? And why? Because they sought it not by faith, but thought to gain it by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling; read more.
even as it is written. Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; but he that believes on Him shall not be put to shame.

Then I ask, Did God cast off his people? No indeed. For I also am an Israelite, a son of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God did not cast off his people whom he foreknew. For do you not know what is said in the Scripture about Elijah? how he pleaded with God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have overthrown thine altars; And now I alone am left, and they seek my life. read more.
But what was the answer of God to him? I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal. In the same way also at this time there is a remnant chosen by gift of grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer of works; or else grace is no more grace. What then? that which Israel has been seeking for, that he has not obtained; but the chosen have obtained it, and the rest have been hardened. According as it is written, God has given them a spirit of slumber, Eyes that they should not see, Ears that they should not hear, unto this day. As David says. Let their table be made a snare and a trap, And a stumbling-block and a recompense unto them; Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, And bow thou down their backs forever. I ask then, "Have they stumbled so as to fall?" No indeed; but by their lapse salvation has come unto Gentiles, "to provoke Israel to jealousy." Now if their stumbling enriches the world, and their loss enriches the Gentiles, how much more must their fulness do! For to you who are Gentiles I say that since I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry, if by any means I might "provoke to jealousy" my kinsmen, and save some among them. For if their casting out is the reconciliation of the world to God, what will their restoration be but life out of death? Now if the first-fruits of the dough Abraham and the Patriarchs are holy, so also is the whole mass their descendants. And if the root of a tree Abraham is holy, so also are the branches his descendants. Supposing that some of the branches have been broken off, and you, although you were but a wild olive, have been grafted in among the branches and have become a partaker with them of the fatness of the olive tree, do not glory over the branches; or if you are glorying, remember that it is not you who uphold the root, but the root which upholds you. "Branches have been broken off," you say, "that I might be grafted in." True, through their unbelief they were broken off, and by your faith you stand. Do not be puffed up, but fear; for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Fix your gaze, therefore, on the goodness and the severity of God; towards those who fell, severity, but towards you, God's goodness, if you continue stedfast in his goodness; otherwise you, too, will be cut off. And they also those Jews, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in again; for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a mere wild olive tree, and have been grafted, contrary to nature, into a fruitful olive tree, how much more shall these, the natural branches, be regrafted into their own olive tree? For I would not, my brothers, have you ignorant of this hidden truth, for fear that you become wise in your own conceits. that a hardening in part has befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles is come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written. The deliver will come from Zion, He will banish all ungodliness from Jacob; This is my covenant with them, When I shall take away their sins. In relation to the gospel, the Jews are God's enemies for your sake; but in relation to the election, they are dearly loved for their forefather's sake. For no change of purpose can annul God's free gift and call. And as in times past you were yourselves disobedient to God, but now, thanks to their disobedience, have obtained mercy; even so they also have now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they also may now obtain mercy. For God has locked up all in the prison of disobedience, that upon all he may have mercy.

Even as Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness? Notice then that the true sons of Abraham are children of faith. And the Scripture, anticipating God's justification of the Gentiles by faith, announced the gospel to Abraham beforehand in the words, In thee shall all the Gentiles be blessed. read more.
So then they who are children of faith are blessed with Abraham the faithful; but a curse rests on those who have their root in the works of the Law; for it is written. Cursed is every one that continues not in all the things written in the Book of the Law, to do them. And it is manifest that by the Law no man is justified in the sight of God. because The just shall live by faith, and the Law has nothing to do with faith, but declares, The man that has done these things shall live therein. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us (for it is written, Cursed is every one who is hanged upon a tree), to the end that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that through faith we might receive the promised Spirit.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is God's gift. It is not of works, so that any one can boast of it;


And why? Because they sought it not by faith, but thought to gain it by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling; Verse ConceptsProphecies Concerning ChristTrusting In WorksSaved By FaithWorks Of The LawConversion Of Israel


"Many in that day will say to me, "'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name done many mighty works?' "Then I will tell them plainly, "'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of iniquity.'



But when the kindness of God our Saviour, And his love toward men shined forth, He saved us, not because of any deeds that we had done in righteousness, But because of his own pity for us. He saved us by that washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit


"On the contrary we believe that it is by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that we and they shall be saved." Verse ConceptsLegalismEquality In SalvationSalvation, Necessity And Basis OfGrace, The Source OfSaving GraceThe Grace Of ChristGod's GraceBeing Saved

even while we were dead in our trespasses, made us live together with Christ (it is by grace you have been saved). Verse ConceptsGrace, The Source OfSaving GraceLife With ChristSpiritually DeadJustified By GraceThe Gospel Of SalvationGraceCauses of failure inBeing Saved

But the free gift is not like the transgression; for if through the transgression of that one man the rest on men died, much more did the grace of God and the gift given in his grace in the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow unto the rest of men. Verse ConceptsAdam and Jesus ChristGod's attitude towards peopleParticipation, In ChristAbounding, Good ThingsGrace, Description OfSalvation, As A GiftSaving GraceGrowth In GraceMany Seeking SalvationSin Producing DeathNot Like ThingsOnly One PersonSin Produces DeathThe Grace Of ChristThe Grace Of GodGod's Grace





"On the contrary we believe that it is by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that we and they shall be saved." Verse ConceptsLegalismEquality In SalvationSalvation, Necessity And Basis OfGrace, The Source OfSaving GraceThe Grace Of ChristGod's GraceBeing Saved

even while we were dead in our trespasses, made us live together with Christ (it is by grace you have been saved). Verse ConceptsGrace, The Source OfSaving GraceLife With ChristSpiritually DeadJustified By GraceThe Gospel Of SalvationGraceCauses of failure inBeing Saved

But the free gift is not like the transgression; for if through the transgression of that one man the rest on men died, much more did the grace of God and the gift given in his grace in the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow unto the rest of men. Verse ConceptsAdam and Jesus ChristGod's attitude towards peopleParticipation, In ChristAbounding, Good ThingsGrace, Description OfSalvation, As A GiftSaving GraceGrowth In GraceMany Seeking SalvationSin Producing DeathNot Like ThingsOnly One PersonSin Produces DeathThe Grace Of ChristThe Grace Of GodGod's Grace






Now if a man earn his pay by his work, it is not counted to him as a favor, but it is paid him as a debt; Verse ConceptsReward, HumanServants, Working Conditions OfOne's DeedsRighteousness imputedDebtWorking For GodWork Ethicworking

What then shall we say? That Gentiles who never pursed righteousness have overtaken it, even the righteousness of faith? But that the descendants of Israel, who were in pursuit of a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law? And why? Because they sought it not by faith, but thought to gain it by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling; read more.
even as it is written. Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; but he that believes on Him shall not be put to shame.

Jews continue to ask for miracles and Greeks are ever wanting philosophy, but we come preaching a crucified Messiah??o Jews a stumbling-block, to Greeks foolishness,


Then I ask, Did God cast off his people? No indeed. For I also am an Israelite, a son of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God did not cast off his people whom he foreknew. For do you not know what is said in the Scripture about Elijah? how he pleaded with God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have overthrown thine altars; And now I alone am left, and they seek my life. read more.
But what was the answer of God to him? I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal. In the same way also at this time there is a remnant chosen by gift of grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer of works; or else grace is no more grace. What then? that which Israel has been seeking for, that he has not obtained; but the chosen have obtained it, and the rest have been hardened. According as it is written, God has given them a spirit of slumber, Eyes that they should not see, Ears that they should not hear, unto this day. As David says. Let their table be made a snare and a trap, And a stumbling-block and a recompense unto them; Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, And bow thou down their backs forever. I ask then, "Have they stumbled so as to fall?" No indeed; but by their lapse salvation has come unto Gentiles, "to provoke Israel to jealousy."

Then I ask, Did God cast off his people? No indeed. For I also am an Israelite, a son of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God did not cast off his people whom he foreknew. For do you not know what is said in the Scripture about Elijah? how he pleaded with God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have overthrown thine altars; And now I alone am left, and they seek my life. read more.
But what was the answer of God to him? I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal. In the same way also at this time there is a remnant chosen by gift of grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer of works; or else grace is no more grace. What then? that which Israel has been seeking for, that he has not obtained; but the chosen have obtained it, and the rest have been hardened. According as it is written, God has given them a spirit of slumber, Eyes that they should not see, Ears that they should not hear, unto this day. As David says. Let their table be made a snare and a trap, And a stumbling-block and a recompense unto them; Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, And bow thou down their backs forever. I ask then, "Have they stumbled so as to fall?" No indeed; but by their lapse salvation has come unto Gentiles, "to provoke Israel to jealousy." Now if their stumbling enriches the world, and their loss enriches the Gentiles, how much more must their fulness do! For to you who are Gentiles I say that since I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry, if by any means I might "provoke to jealousy" my kinsmen, and save some among them. For if their casting out is the reconciliation of the world to God, what will their restoration be but life out of death? Now if the first-fruits of the dough Abraham and the Patriarchs are holy, so also is the whole mass their descendants. And if the root of a tree Abraham is holy, so also are the branches his descendants. Supposing that some of the branches have been broken off, and you, although you were but a wild olive, have been grafted in among the branches and have become a partaker with them of the fatness of the olive tree, do not glory over the branches; or if you are glorying, remember that it is not you who uphold the root, but the root which upholds you. "Branches have been broken off," you say, "that I might be grafted in." True, through their unbelief they were broken off, and by your faith you stand. Do not be puffed up, but fear; for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Fix your gaze, therefore, on the goodness and the severity of God; towards those who fell, severity, but towards you, God's goodness, if you continue stedfast in his goodness; otherwise you, too, will be cut off. And they also those Jews, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in again; for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a mere wild olive tree, and have been grafted, contrary to nature, into a fruitful olive tree, how much more shall these, the natural branches, be regrafted into their own olive tree? For I would not, my brothers, have you ignorant of this hidden truth, for fear that you become wise in your own conceits. that a hardening in part has befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles is come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written. The deliver will come from Zion, He will banish all ungodliness from Jacob; This is my covenant with them, When I shall take away their sins. In relation to the gospel, the Jews are God's enemies for your sake; but in relation to the election, they are dearly loved for their forefather's sake. For no change of purpose can annul God's free gift and call. And as in times past you were yourselves disobedient to God, but now, thanks to their disobedience, have obtained mercy; even so they also have now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they also may now obtain mercy. For God has locked up all in the prison of disobedience, that upon all he may have mercy.





But some men came down from Judea and attempted to teach the brethren, saying, "Unless you are circumcised according to Moses' custom, you cannot be saved." Now when dispute and controversy sprang up between them and Paul and Barnabas, the brethren appointed Paul and Barnabas, and certain others, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. So the church saw them off on their journey, and they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria. Here they set forth the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. read more.
Upon their arrival in Jerusalem they were received by the church and the apostles and elders, and they told them all things that God had done with them. But certain men who had belonged to the sect of the Pharisees, but were now believers, stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise Gentile, and to order them to keep the Law of Moses." The apostles and elders met to consider the matter; and after there had been a long discussion, Peter rose and said: "Brothers, you know how a good while ago God made choice among you, that from my lips the Gentiles were to hear the message of the gospel and believe. "And God, who knows the hearts of all, gave this testimony in their behalf, by bestowing upon them the Holy Spirit just as he did upon us; "and he made no distinction between us and them, in cleansing their hearts by faith. "Now then, why are you tempting God by laying on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear? "On the contrary we believe that it is by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that we and they shall be saved." Then the whole assembly remained silent, and listened to Barnabas and Saul as they told the signs and wonders which God had wrought among the Gentiles through them. When they had finished speaking, James said: "Brothers, listen to me. Symeon has told how God first looked graciously upon the Gentiles, to take out from among them a people to be called by his name. "And this is in harmony with the language of the prophets, which says. "After these things I will return, And I will rebuild David's fallen tent; And I will build again its ruins, And I will set it up; "So that the rest of men may seek after the Lord, Even all the Gentiles, who are called by my name, "Says the Lord, who has been making this known from the beginning of the world. "My judgment therefore, is against troubling those who turn to God from among the Gentiles; "but that we should write to them to abstain from the pollution of idols and from fornication, from meat killed by strangling, and from blood. "For Moses from the earliest times has had his preachers in every town where he is read aloud, Sabbath after Sabbath, in the synagogues." Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, to select some of their number, and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The men chosen were Judas called Bar-Sabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. They took with them the following letter. "The apostles and older brothers send greeting to the Gentile Brotherhood throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia; "as we have heard that some of your number who went out from us have troubled you with words and upset your souls, without having received any such instruction from us; "we have unanimously decided to select certain men, and to send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul; "men who have risked their very lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. "So we have sent Judas and Silas to tell you the same things by word of mouth. "For it has seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; "that you abstain from food that has been sacrificed to idols, and from tasting blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. Keep yourselves clear from these things and it will be well with you. Farewell."



But when I saw that they were not walking a straight path, in the presence of the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all. "If you, although you are a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, why do you try to compel the Gentiles to become Jews? "We are Jews by birth, and not 'Gentile sinners'; "yet because we know that no man is justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, we ourselves also have put our faith in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law; for "By the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified." read more.
But if while seeking to be justified in Christ we ourselves also have been found to be sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? Far from it! For if I am rebuilding the very things which I destroyed, I am proving myself a transgressor. For it is through law I died to law, in order to live to God. I have been crucified with Christ, so it is no longer I who am living, but it is Christ who is living in me; and the life I am now living in the flesh, I am living in faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself up for me. I do not annul the grace of God; for if righteousness comes by way of the Law, then indeed Christ died Christ for nothing.

It is for discipline that you are enduring these sufferings. God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all children share, then are you bastards and not sons. Furthermore, our earthly fathers used to discipline us, and we gave them reverence. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? read more.
For they only disciplined us for a few days, as seemed good to them; but he does it for our profit, that we may share his holiness.

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles??2 for surely you have heard of the stewardship of the grace of God entrusted to me for you? You have heard how by direct revelation the secret truth was made known to me, as I have already briefly written you. By reading what I have written, you can judge of my insight into that secret truth of Christ read more.
which was not disclosed to the sons of men in former generations, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets, namely, that in Christ Jesus the Gentiles form one body with us the Jews, and are coheirs and copartners in the promise, through the gospel.

Then I ask, Did God cast off his people? No indeed. For I also am an Israelite, a son of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God did not cast off his people whom he foreknew. For do you not know what is said in the Scripture about Elijah? how he pleaded with God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have overthrown thine altars; And now I alone am left, and they seek my life. read more.
But what was the answer of God to him? I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal. In the same way also at this time there is a remnant chosen by gift of grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer of works; or else grace is no more grace. What then? that which Israel has been seeking for, that he has not obtained; but the chosen have obtained it, and the rest have been hardened. According as it is written, God has given them a spirit of slumber, Eyes that they should not see, Ears that they should not hear, unto this day. As David says. Let their table be made a snare and a trap, And a stumbling-block and a recompense unto them; Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, And bow thou down their backs forever. I ask then, "Have they stumbled so as to fall?" No indeed; but by their lapse salvation has come unto Gentiles, "to provoke Israel to jealousy." Now if their stumbling enriches the world, and their loss enriches the Gentiles, how much more must their fulness do! For to you who are Gentiles I say that since I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry, if by any means I might "provoke to jealousy" my kinsmen, and save some among them. For if their casting out is the reconciliation of the world to God, what will their restoration be but life out of death? Now if the first-fruits of the dough Abraham and the Patriarchs are holy, so also is the whole mass their descendants. And if the root of a tree Abraham is holy, so also are the branches his descendants. Supposing that some of the branches have been broken off, and you, although you were but a wild olive, have been grafted in among the branches and have become a partaker with them of the fatness of the olive tree, do not glory over the branches;

So then, my beloved, continually flee from idolatry. I am speaking to men of sense; do you yourselves judge what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a common participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a common participation in the body of Christ? read more.
Because we who are many are one bread, one body, for we all do share in the one loaf. Look at Israel according to the flesh; are not those who eat the sacrifices in communion with the altar?

For this reason from the day I heard of it I have never ceased to pray for you, asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will with every kind of wisdom and spiritual insight; that you may walk worthy of the Lord in every kind of pleasing; that you may be fruitful in every kind of good work, and may increase in the knowledge of God; that you may be strengthened in every kind of strength by the might of his glory for every kind of patience and fortitude with good cheer. read more.
I ask that you may give thanks to the Father who has made us fit to receive our share of the heritage of the saints in the light. For he has delivered us out of the dominion of the darkness, and transplanted us into the kingdom of his dear Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins.

Let those who are under the yoke as slaves esteem their masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teachings be not blasphemed. Those whose masters are Christian believers must not treat them with disrespect, because they are brothers; nay, rather slave for them the better because those who get the benefit of their services are believing and beloved. Continue to teach and preach this.

Do not think it strange, beloved, that a fiery ordeal has come to test you, as though some surprising thing had befallen you. But be glad in the degree in which you share in the sufferings of Christ; so that when his glory shall be revealed, you too may be glad with triumphant gladness. If you are being reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the spirit of glory and of God is resting upon you.

Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained an equally precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Grace and peace be multiplied to you by the God and Father of Jesus our Lord. For his power divine has granted to us everything needful for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue. read more.
By these he has granted his promises to us, precious and splendid; so that through them you may become partners of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.


Now if a man earn his pay by his work, it is not counted to him as a favor, but it is paid him as a debt; but a man who does not "work," but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, has his faith imputed to him for righteousness.


"On the contrary we believe that it is by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that we and they shall be saved." Verse ConceptsLegalismEquality In SalvationSalvation, Necessity And Basis OfGrace, The Source OfSaving GraceThe Grace Of ChristGod's GraceBeing Saved

even while we were dead in our trespasses, made us live together with Christ (it is by grace you have been saved). Verse ConceptsGrace, The Source OfSaving GraceLife With ChristSpiritually DeadJustified By GraceThe Gospel Of SalvationGraceCauses of failure inBeing Saved

But the free gift is not like the transgression; for if through the transgression of that one man the rest on men died, much more did the grace of God and the gift given in his grace in the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow unto the rest of men. Verse ConceptsAdam and Jesus ChristGod's attitude towards peopleParticipation, In ChristAbounding, Good ThingsGrace, Description OfSalvation, As A GiftSaving GraceGrowth In GraceMany Seeking SalvationSin Producing DeathNot Like ThingsOnly One PersonSin Produces DeathThe Grace Of ChristThe Grace Of GodGod's Grace




The apostles and elders met to consider the matter; and after there had been a long discussion, Peter rose and said: "Brothers, you know how a good while ago God made choice among you, that from my lips the Gentiles were to hear the message of the gospel and believe. "And God, who knows the hearts of all, gave this testimony in their behalf, by bestowing upon them the Holy Spirit just as he did upon us; read more.
"and he made no distinction between us and them, in cleansing their hearts by faith. "Now then, why are you tempting God by laying on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear? "On the contrary we believe that it is by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that we and they shall be saved."

Unable to agree among themselves, they began to go, but not before Paul had spoken a word to them, saying. "Right well did the Holy Spirit say to your ancestors, through the prophet Isaiah. "Go to the people and tell them, You will hear and hear, and by no means understand; And will look, and by no means see. For this people's heart is grown obtuse, Their ears are heavy of hearing, Their eyes have they closed, Lest they should see with their eyes And hear with their ears, Lest they understand with their heart, And turn again, and heal them. read more.
"Be fully assured, therefore, that this salvation of God is now sent unto the Gentiles. They will listen to it."

What then shall we say? That Gentiles who never pursed righteousness have overtaken it, even the righteousness of faith? But that the descendants of Israel, who were in pursuit of a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law? And why? Because they sought it not by faith, but thought to gain it by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling; read more.
even as it is written. Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; but he that believes on Him shall not be put to shame.

Then I ask, Did God cast off his people? No indeed. For I also am an Israelite, a son of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God did not cast off his people whom he foreknew. For do you not know what is said in the Scripture about Elijah? how he pleaded with God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have overthrown thine altars; And now I alone am left, and they seek my life. read more.
But what was the answer of God to him? I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal. In the same way also at this time there is a remnant chosen by gift of grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer of works; or else grace is no more grace. What then? that which Israel has been seeking for, that he has not obtained; but the chosen have obtained it, and the rest have been hardened. According as it is written, God has given them a spirit of slumber, Eyes that they should not see, Ears that they should not hear, unto this day. As David says. Let their table be made a snare and a trap, And a stumbling-block and a recompense unto them; Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, And bow thou down their backs forever. I ask then, "Have they stumbled so as to fall?" No indeed; but by their lapse salvation has come unto Gentiles, "to provoke Israel to jealousy." Now if their stumbling enriches the world, and their loss enriches the Gentiles, how much more must their fulness do! For to you who are Gentiles I say that since I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry, if by any means I might "provoke to jealousy" my kinsmen, and save some among them. For if their casting out is the reconciliation of the world to God, what will their restoration be but life out of death? Now if the first-fruits of the dough Abraham and the Patriarchs are holy, so also is the whole mass their descendants. And if the root of a tree Abraham is holy, so also are the branches his descendants. Supposing that some of the branches have been broken off, and you, although you were but a wild olive, have been grafted in among the branches and have become a partaker with them of the fatness of the olive tree, do not glory over the branches; or if you are glorying, remember that it is not you who uphold the root, but the root which upholds you. "Branches have been broken off," you say, "that I might be grafted in." True, through their unbelief they were broken off, and by your faith you stand. Do not be puffed up, but fear; for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Fix your gaze, therefore, on the goodness and the severity of God; towards those who fell, severity, but towards you, God's goodness, if you continue stedfast in his goodness; otherwise you, too, will be cut off. And they also those Jews, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in again; for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a mere wild olive tree, and have been grafted, contrary to nature, into a fruitful olive tree, how much more shall these, the natural branches, be regrafted into their own olive tree? For I would not, my brothers, have you ignorant of this hidden truth, for fear that you become wise in your own conceits. that a hardening in part has befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles is come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written. The deliver will come from Zion, He will banish all ungodliness from Jacob; This is my covenant with them, When I shall take away their sins. In relation to the gospel, the Jews are God's enemies for your sake; but in relation to the election, they are dearly loved for their forefather's sake. For no change of purpose can annul God's free gift and call. And as in times past you were yourselves disobedient to God, but now, thanks to their disobedience, have obtained mercy; even so they also have now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they also may now obtain mercy. For God has locked up all in the prison of disobedience, that upon all he may have mercy.

Even as Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness? Notice then that the true sons of Abraham are children of faith. And the Scripture, anticipating God's justification of the Gentiles by faith, announced the gospel to Abraham beforehand in the words, In thee shall all the Gentiles be blessed. read more.
So then they who are children of faith are blessed with Abraham the faithful; but a curse rests on those who have their root in the works of the Law; for it is written. Cursed is every one that continues not in all the things written in the Book of the Law, to do them. And it is manifest that by the Law no man is justified in the sight of God. because The just shall live by faith, and the Law has nothing to do with faith, but declares, The man that has done these things shall live therein. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us (for it is written, Cursed is every one who is hanged upon a tree), to the end that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that through faith we might receive the promised Spirit.





Then I ask, Did God cast off his people? No indeed. For I also am an Israelite, a son of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God did not cast off his people whom he foreknew. For do you not know what is said in the Scripture about Elijah? how he pleaded with God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have overthrown thine altars; And now I alone am left, and they seek my life. read more.
But what was the answer of God to him? I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal. In the same way also at this time there is a remnant chosen by gift of grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer of works; or else grace is no more grace. What then? that which Israel has been seeking for, that he has not obtained; but the chosen have obtained it, and the rest have been hardened. According as it is written, God has given them a spirit of slumber, Eyes that they should not see, Ears that they should not hear, unto this day. As David says. Let their table be made a snare and a trap, And a stumbling-block and a recompense unto them; Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, And bow thou down their backs forever. I ask then, "Have they stumbled so as to fall?" No indeed; but by their lapse salvation has come unto Gentiles, "to provoke Israel to jealousy." Now if their stumbling enriches the world, and their loss enriches the Gentiles, how much more must their fulness do! For to you who are Gentiles I say that since I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry, if by any means I might "provoke to jealousy" my kinsmen, and save some among them. For if their casting out is the reconciliation of the world to God, what will their restoration be but life out of death? Now if the first-fruits of the dough Abraham and the Patriarchs are holy, so also is the whole mass their descendants. And if the root of a tree Abraham is holy, so also are the branches his descendants. Supposing that some of the branches have been broken off, and you, although you were but a wild olive, have been grafted in among the branches and have become a partaker with them of the fatness of the olive tree, do not glory over the branches; or if you are glorying, remember that it is not you who uphold the root, but the root which upholds you. "Branches have been broken off," you say, "that I might be grafted in." True, through their unbelief they were broken off, and by your faith you stand. Do not be puffed up, but fear; for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Fix your gaze, therefore, on the goodness and the severity of God; towards those who fell, severity, but towards you, God's goodness, if you continue stedfast in his goodness; otherwise you, too, will be cut off. And they also those Jews, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in again; for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a mere wild olive tree, and have been grafted, contrary to nature, into a fruitful olive tree, how much more shall these, the natural branches, be regrafted into their own olive tree? For I would not, my brothers, have you ignorant of this hidden truth, for fear that you become wise in your own conceits. that a hardening in part has befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles is come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written. The deliver will come from Zion, He will banish all ungodliness from Jacob; This is my covenant with them, When I shall take away their sins. In relation to the gospel, the Jews are God's enemies for your sake; but in relation to the election, they are dearly loved for their forefather's sake. For no change of purpose can annul God's free gift and call. And as in times past you were yourselves disobedient to God, but now, thanks to their disobedience, have obtained mercy; even so they also have now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they also may now obtain mercy. For God has locked up all in the prison of disobedience, that upon all he may have mercy.




Jesus replied. "Are there not twelve hours in the daytime? If any one walks in the daytime he does not stumble, because he beholds the light of this world; but if any one walks during the night he does stumble, because the light is not in him."

"The Light is among you a little longer," answered Jesus. "Walk while you have the Light, lest darkness overtake you. He who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become Sons of Light."


Then I ask, Did God cast off his people? No indeed. For I also am an Israelite, a son of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God did not cast off his people whom he foreknew. For do you not know what is said in the Scripture about Elijah? how he pleaded with God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have overthrown thine altars; And now I alone am left, and they seek my life. read more.
But what was the answer of God to him? I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal. In the same way also at this time there is a remnant chosen by gift of grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer of works; or else grace is no more grace. What then? that which Israel has been seeking for, that he has not obtained; but the chosen have obtained it, and the rest have been hardened. According as it is written, God has given them a spirit of slumber, Eyes that they should not see, Ears that they should not hear, unto this day. As David says. Let their table be made a snare and a trap, And a stumbling-block and a recompense unto them; Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, And bow thou down their backs forever. I ask then, "Have they stumbled so as to fall?" No indeed; but by their lapse salvation has come unto Gentiles, "to provoke Israel to jealousy."


For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is God's gift. It is not of works, so that any one can boast of it;


And why? Because they sought it not by faith, but thought to gain it by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling; Verse ConceptsProphecies Concerning ChristTrusting In WorksSaved By FaithWorks Of The LawConversion Of Israel


"Many in that day will say to me, "'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name done many mighty works?' "Then I will tell them plainly, "'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of iniquity.'



But when the kindness of God our Saviour, And his love toward men shined forth, He saved us, not because of any deeds that we had done in righteousness, But because of his own pity for us. He saved us by that washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is God's gift. It is not of works, so that any one can boast of it;


And why? Because they sought it not by faith, but thought to gain it by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling; Verse ConceptsProphecies Concerning ChristTrusting In WorksSaved By FaithWorks Of The LawConversion Of Israel


"Many in that day will say to me, "'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name done many mighty works?' "Then I will tell them plainly, "'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of iniquity.'



But when the kindness of God our Saviour, And his love toward men shined forth, He saved us, not because of any deeds that we had done in righteousness, But because of his own pity for us. He saved us by that washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit