Romans 0

I, Paul, an apostle whom God appointed to proclaim the good message about Jesus Christ, am writing this letter to all you believers who are in Rome. I pray that God will continue to act kindly toward you and grant you peace.

IthankGodthatpeopleeverywherearetalkingabouthowyou believers inRomearetrustingJesusChrist. IpraythatGodwillpermitmetovisityousoon. IwantyoutoknowthatIhavelongedtovisityou, butthingshavealwayspreventedmefromdoingthat. Iameagertoproclaimthe gospel toyouwhoarelivingatRomealso.

Iveryconfidentlyproclaimthegoodmessageaboutwhat Christ hasdone, bothtoJewsand non-Jews, becausebythatmessageGodrevealshiswayofdeclaringallpeoplerighteous.

Godismakingitcleartoall non-Jewish peoplewhoaregodlessandwickedthatheisangrywiththem.

EveryonecanclearlyknowwhatGodislike; sonoonehasabasisforsaying, “WeneverknewaboutGod.”

SoGodletthe non-Jewish peoplefeelcompelledtododisgracefulthings, whichresultedintheir dishonoring theirbodies sexually. HedidthisbecausetheyworshippedidolsandthingsthatwerecreatedinsteadofworshippingGod. Asaresultofbothmenandwomenhaving unnatural sexualrelations, theyhavebeenpunishedastheydeserve.

TheresultofGod’slettingpeoplebecome obsessed bytheirowndepravedthoughtswasthattheythemselvesbegantodoallmannerofevilthingsthatGodsaysareimproper. Theyevenapproveofothersdoingsuchthings.

Any one of you Jews who condemns non-Jews for doing evil will be condemned by God, because you also do the same evil things.

BecauseGodisnotinfluencedbyaperson’sstatus, hewillpaybackeachpersonaccordingtowhatthatpersonhasdone.

All non-Jews andall non-Jews willbeeternallyseparatedfromGodfortheirsin, sinceitisonlythosewhohavecontinuallyobeyedhislawswhomGodwilljustify.

Itisdisgustingthatanyoneofyouwhohasallthe advantages ofbeingaJewwoulddisobeyGod’slawand, bydoingso, insultGod.

Godwillconsider non-Jews acceptabletohimiftheyobeyhislaws, andsuch non-Jews willdeclareGodisrightincondemningthosewhodisobeyhislaws, becauseitisonlythosewhoarechangedinwardlywhoaretrueJewsandacceptabletoGod.

My reply to the objection that there is no advantage in being a Jew or being circumcised is that there is much advantage, especially since God entrusted his promises to us. My reply to the objection that God has not kept his promise is that he certainly has, for his promises are always true. My reply to the objection that it is not right for God to punish us Jews is that it certainly is right for him to punish us, because if God did not judge us Jews he could not judge anyone.

Myreplytoa query aboutwhetherGodwilltreatJewsmorefavorablythan non-Jews isno, becausethe Scriptures makeclearthatallpeoplearecondemnedbyGodfortheirsin.

Insummary, nooneisabletoobjecttoGod’s condemnation; everyonehasbeendeclaredguiltybyGod.

NowGod erases therecordofsinsofeveryone, Jewand non-Jew, whotrustsinwhatJesus Christ hasdoneforthem. Godpresented Christ astheonewhowouldatoneforsinsbydyingonthecross.

SowearepreventedfromboastingthatGodsavesusbecauseofourobeyingtheMosaiclaws. AndGodwillalsoaccept non-Jews onthesamebasis. Andby agreeing thatpeoplearedeclaredrighteousbytheirtrustingin Christ, weactuallyconfirm, not nullify, theMosaiclaws.

We can draw conclusions from Abraham’s life about how God erases the record of our sins. Abraham could not boast about his accomplishing that because the Scriptures record that it was because he believed what God promised that God erased the record of his sins. God’s doing that was a gift, not a reward.

ThishappinessofknowingthatGodhas erased therecordofoursinsisalsoforthe non-Jews. RememberthatitwasbeforeAbrahamwascircumcised, whenhewasstillineffecta non-Jew, thatGoddidthat. HelaterreceivedcircumcisionsimplyasasignofGodhaving erased therecordofhissinsbecauseofhisfaith. TheresultwasthathebecameaspiritualfatherofallwhobelieveinGodashedid, whethertheyarecircumcisedornot.

ItwasbecauseAbrahamtrustedinGodthatGod erased therecordofhissinsandpromisedhimmanyblessings. SowhatGodpromisedisguaranteedtoall, bothJewsand non-Jews, whotrustinGodasAbrahamdid.

ItwasbecauseAbrahamconfidentlybelievedGod’spromisetogivehimmanydescendants, whentherewasno physical basisforhishopingthatthiswouldhappen, thatGod erased therecordofhissins.

ThewordsaboutGod erasing therecordofAbraham’ssinswerewrittenalsotoassureuswhobelieveinGod.

Because God has erased the record of our sins, we have peace with him, we experience his acting kindly toward us, we rejoice because we expect to receive God’s glory, and we even rejoice in suffering because we know the results that it brings.

Because Christ diedforusungodlypeople, hewillcertainlysaveusfromGod’seternalpunishment, andsoweboastofwhathehasdoneforus.

Althoughthesinofoneman, Adam, ledtoallpeopledyingandGoddeclaringthattheydeservedtobepunished, Christ’srighteousactofobediencewhenhediedledtomanypeopleexperiencingGod’skindnessandbeingdeclaredrighteousandlivingeternally, anditwillalsoresultintheirrulingwithChrist.

If someone were to say that perhaps we should continue to sin in order that God may continue to act more kindly toward us, I would reply that we who ought to consider ourselves unresponsive to sinful desires should certainly not continue sinning. We must keep remembering that it is as though our former sinful nature has ceased to function, and it is as though we have become unresponsive to sinful desires, living in a new way. So do not let the desire to commit sin control you. Instead, present yourselves to God to do righteous things.

Ifsomeoneshould conclude thatpeoplecansinnowbecausetheyarenot obligated toobeytheMosaiclaws, Iwouldsay, “Certainlynot!” Instead, letyourmindscompelyourbodiestoactrighteously.

You know that after people die they are freed from being required to obey any law. Similarly, God has freed us from being required to obey all the Jewish rituals and laws.

Myreplytothe objection thatthelawsofMosesareevilbecausetheycauseustosinisthatthelawsareholyandgood; whatthelawsdoaresimplytorevealthatwhatwearedoingissinful.

Myreplytothe objection thatGod’slaw, beinggood, causespeopletobecome spiritually deadisno, itisourdesiretocommitsinthatcausesustosinandbecome spiritually dead.

ThelawscamefromGod’sSpirit, butyouandIareinfluencedbyoursinful natures. Weoftendonotdothethingsthatwedesire, andwedothethingsthatwedetestbecauseofadesiretosinthat permeates usand prevents usfromdoinggood, unless Christ frees usfrombeingcontrolledbythesedesires.

God will not in any way condemn those who are united to Christ Jesus, because God’s Spirit has freed us from the inevitability of sinning and from spiritual death.

WearecompelledtoliveastheSpiritdirects, notasour self-directed nature directs, becauseifwedothelatterwewillbeeternallyseparatedfromGod, butifweceasedoingthelatterwewillliveeternally.

BecausewewhoallowtheSpiritofGodtoguideusareGod’schildren, wewillalsoinheriteternalblessingsfromGod.

SinceeverythingthatGodhascreatediseagerly awaiting thetimewhenhewillrevealwhoarehistruechildren, Iconsiderthatwhatwesuffernowisnotworthpayingattentionto.

God’sSpirithelpsuswhenourspiritsfeelweak; hepraysforusandGodunderstandswhathisSpiritintends.

Godworksoutallthingsinawaythatproducesgoodspiritualbenefitsforuswholovehim. Hedoesthisbecause, havingknownthatwewouldbesavedandthuswewouldhavethecharacterofhisSon, hechoseusanddeclaredusrighteous, andhewillsurelygiveusfuturesplendor.

Wemust conclude fromthesethingsthatnoonecandefeatus, andabsolutelynooneandnothingcanseparateusfrom Christ’s lovingusandGod’slovingus.

I tell you very sincerely that I grieve greatly about most of my fellow Israelites having rejected Christ. I would be willing to be separated from Christ if that would help them believe in him.

ThisdoesnotprovethatGodhasfailedtodoforAbrahamwhathepromised, because, asScripture illustrates, itisnotallwhoare naturally descendedfromJacoborAbrahamwhomGodconsiderstobehischildren, butitisthosewhowerebornasaresultofwhatGodpromisedwhomheconsidershischildren.

Asthe Scriptures indicate, God’schoosingpeopledependsnotontheirwishesorefforts. Hehelpswhomeverhewantstohelp, andhemakesstubbornwhomeverhewantstomakestubborn. Wecannot conclude thatGodisunjustinchoosingtheoneshewantstochoose.

Myreplytoanyone’s objection tothisdoctrineisthatGodhasarighttocarryouthispurposes; he tolerated thepeoplewhocausedhimtobeangry, inorderthathemightdisclosehowgloriouslyheactstowardthoseonwhomheintendstohavemercy.

The non-Jews foundthewaybywhichGodcoulddeclarethemrighteous. TheJewsdidnotsucceedinfulfillingwhattheMosaiclawsrequire. Instead, theytriedtofindawaytobedeclaredrighteousbydoingthingsinorderthatGodwouldacceptthem.

My deep desire and earnest prayer is that God will save the Jews, who do not understand how to seek him correctly.

ThemessageofScriptureisthatthosewhoconfesspubliclythat Jesus istheirLordandwhobelieveinwardlythatGodbrought Jesus backtolifewillbesaved, becauseGodacceptspeopleonlybecauseoftheirfaith, Jewsand non-Jews alike.

Theremaybethosewhoobjectbysaying, “IfGoddoesnotsendsomeonetopreachtotheJews, theycannotaskChristtosavethem.” MyreplytothemisthatGodhasalreadysentpeopletopreachaboutChristtothem, butmostoftheJewshavenotacceptedthe gospel. However, someJewsdobelieveinChrist, andmanyotherpeopleareindeedhearingthemessage.

InreplytoaquestionofwhethertheJewshaveheardorunderstoodaboutChrist, Iwouldsaythat, asissupportedbythe Scriptures, theyhavehearditandshouldhaveunderstoodit, becauseeven non-Jews, whowerenotsearchingforGod, understoodit.

God has certainly not rejected all Jews. I am evidence of that. Just like in the past, there is also at the present time a small group of us Jews who have become believers.

The Scriptures confirmthatthepeopleofIsraelasawholedidnotfindthewayofbeingdeclaredrighteous, althoughthosewhomGodhadchosendidfindit.

MyreplytoaquestionastowhethertheresultoftheJews’ unbelief isapermanentfallingawayfromGodis, “No! Godissavingmany non-Jews tomakemanyJewsenviousandseektobesaved.”

IhighlyesteemtheworkthatGodhascalledmetodoasan apostle amongyou non-Jews. IhopethatIwillmakemyfellowJewsjealous, andasaresult, someofthemwillbesaved.

You non-Jews whotrustinJesusmustnotdespisetheJewswhomGodhasrejected. Youmustnotbecomeproud, butinsteadbeware. Godwillnotspareyouifyoufallawayfromhim, andhewillcertainlyactkindlytowardtheJewsiftheytrustin Christ.

IwantyoutoknowthatallthepeopleofIsraelwillsomedaybesaved, asthe Scriptures saywillhappen. Godstilllovesthembecauseoftheirancestors. Itishispurposetoact mercifully towards themaswellastowardall non-Jews.

ImarvelathowgreatGod’swisdomandknowledgeare, andhisdecisionsandactionstowardus!

I appeal to you that you present yourselves to God by making yourselves like living sacrifices, which is the appropriate way to serve him. Do not let anything non-Christian determine how you act, but instead let God change your way of thinking.

Donotthinkaboutyourselvesmorehighlythanyoushould. Instead, thinkaboutyourselves sensibly, inawaythat corresponds tothe abilities thatGodhasgiventoyoubecauseyoutrustin Christ. MaywedodiligentlyandcheerfullywhatGodhasgivenustheabilitytodo.

Inthevariouswaysinwhichyouacttowardpeople, lovethemsincerely.

Insteadofavengingyourselves, allowGodtoavengeyou; andinsteadofbeingovercomebysomethingevildonetoyou, overcomeevildeedsbydoinggoodtothosewhodoeviltoyou, becausethisiswhatthe Scriptures command.

Be subject to civil authorities, because those who oppose them oppose what God has established and will bring punishment on themselves. Do what is good and then they will commend you. Give to all the authorities what you are obligated to give to them.

Donotleaveanydebt unpaid. Youronlycontinualobligationistoloveoneanother, becausedoingsofulfillsallthatGod’slawrequires.

Becauseitistimeforustobefullyalertand active, wemustquitdoingwickeddeeds. Wemustdothosethingsthatwillhelpusresistthatwhichisevil, wemustliveproperly, andwemustbelike Christ.

Accept those who are not sure whether they are permitted to do certain things. Anyone who thinks that it is all right to eat all kinds of food must not despise those who do not think that, and those who do not think that it is all right to eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, because God has accepted them.

Eachpersonshouldbefullyconvincedaboutobservingspecialdays, thinkingand deciding forhimselfandnotforothers. WeshouldtrytopleaseGodbyeverythingwedo.

Youshouldneithercondemnnordespiseyourfellow believers whobelieve differently about religious regulationsthanyoudo, becauseitisGodwhowillsaywhetherheapprovesofwhatwehavedone.

Insteadofcondemningeachother, decidenottodoanythingthatmightleadyourfellow believer tosinbyfollowingyourexampleandwhichwouldthencauseotherstospeakevilofyou.

Trytodowhatwillhelpfellow believers tobeatpeacewitheachotherandtogrow spiritually. DonotdestroywhatGodhasdonein others’ livesasaresultofyoureatingcertainthings.

We should not be irritated by the practices of those who are uncertain whether God will condemn them for doing certain things that the Mosaic laws forbid. Instead, we should do things that please our fellow Christians, because Christ has set us an example.

MayGodenableyoualltolive harmoniously witheachother.

AccepteachotherasChristhasacceptedyou, rememberingthatwhatChristhasdonewasbothtohelptheJewsandtocause non-Jews topraiseGod.

MayGodmakeyoucompletelyjoyfulandpeacefulinorderthatyoumayconfidentlyexpecthimtodowhathehaspromised.

Ihavewritten frankly toyouinthisletterbecauseofwhatGodhaskindlycommissionedmetodoamong non-Jews.

IamhappyaboutmyworkforGodthatIhavenowcompletedinthisregionbyproclaimingthegospelinplaceswherepeoplehavenotheardaboutChrist.

Becauseofthiswork, Ihaveoftenbeenhinderedfromvisitingyou, butIhopetoseeyouasIjourneythroughyourareaandIhopethatyouwillgivemewhatIneedformynextjourney. ButnowIamabouttogotoJerusalemtotake funds toGod’speoplethere. SolaterIwillvisityouin Rome, andIknowthat Christ willblessusthere.

Iurgeyoutopray fervently thatGodwillprotectmefromthe unbelieving JewsinJudeaandthatGod’speopletherewillacceptthemoneythatItaketothem, andalsothatImayberefreshedbyvisitingyou. MayGodbewithyouall.

I am introducing and commending Phoebe to you, and I ask that you receive her as a fellow believer and that you give her whatever she needs.

Isendmy greetings tomany individuals amongthe believers there. Allthecongregationsinthisareaalsosendtheir greetings toyou.

NotethosewhoarecausingquarrelsamongyouandthosewhocausepeopletoturnawayfromGod. Avoidthem, becausetheyonlywanttosatisfytheirowndesiresanddeceivethosewhodonot suspect theirmotives. Ifyouavoidsuchpeople, GodwillsooncrushSatanunderyourfeet.

Severalofthosewhoarewithmesendtheir greetings.

WeshouldforeverpraisetheOnewhoaloneisGod, whoaloneistrulywise.

Romans
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