churches of Galatia, so also do you. [16:2]On the first day of the week
let each one of you lay aside by himself in store as God has prospered
him, that there may be no collections made when I come. [16:3]And when
I come, whom you shall approve, these will I send with letters to carry
your charity to Jerusalem; [16:4]and if it seems best that I should go,
they shall go with me. [16:5]And I will come to you when I pass
through Macedonia; for I will pass through Macedonia [16:6]and perhaps
remain and spend the winter, that you may send me forward wherever I
go. [16:7]For I do not wish now to see you by the way; for I hope to
continue some time with you, if the Lord permits. [16:8]But I will
remain at Ephesus till Pentecost, [16:9]for a great and effectual door
is opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
2 [16:10]If Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear, for he
performs the work of the Lord, as I also do; [16:11]let no one
therefore despise him. But send him forward in peace, that he may come
to me; for I look for him with the brothers.
3 [16:12]But concerning Apollos the brother, I have exhorted him much
to come to you with the brothers; but he was entirely indisposed to
come now, but he will come when he has a convenient time.
4 [16:13]Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, be manly, be strong,
[16:14]let all your [works] be in love.
5 [16:15]And I exhort you, brothers, know the family of Stephanas, for
it is a first fruit of Achaia, and they devoted themselves to serving
the saints; [16:16]that you also be in subjection to such, and to every
one that works and labors with us. [16:17]I am glad of the coming of
Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaiacus, for they supplied your lack,
[16:18]and refreshed my spirit and yours. Know therefore such.
6 [16:19]The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute
you much in the Lord, with the assembly [church] at their house.
[16:20]All the brothers salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss.
7 [16:21]The salutation with my hand, Paul's. [16:22]If any one is not
a friend to the Lord, let him be accursed. The Lord comes. [16:23]The
grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. [16:24]My love be with you all in
Christ Jesus.
SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS.
PHILIPPI, A.D. 58. (ACTS, 16:1.)
CHAPTER I.
THE APOSTLE'S LOVE OF THE CORINTHIANS, HIS TRIALS, HIS DESIGN TO VISIT
THEM, HIS FORMER LETTER, ETC.
1 [1:1]PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy
the brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the
saints who are in all Achaia. [1:2]Grace be to you, and peace from God
our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 [1:3]Blessed be the God and lather of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [1:4]who comforts us in all
our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those in every
affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by
God, [1:5]because as Christ's sufferings abound in us, so also through
Christ does our comfort abound. [1:6]And if we are afflicted, it is for
your comfort and salvation, wrought by a patient endurance the same
sufferings which we also suffer, and our hope for you is strong; and if
we are comforted, it is for your comfort and salvation, [1:7] knowing
that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so you are also of the
comfort.
3 [1:8]For we wish you not to be ignorant, brothers, of our affliction
which befell us in Asia, that we were exceedingly oppressed beyond our
power, so that we despaired even of life; [1:9]but we had the sentence
of death in ourselves, that we might not trust in ourselves, but in God
who raises the dead, [1:10]who delivered us from so great a death and
will deliver, in whom we hope that he will also still deliver,
[1:11]you also striving together for us in prayer, that thanks may be
rendered for us by many persons for the gift bestowed on us by many.
4 [1:12]For this is our rejoicing; the testimony of our conscience that
in purity and godly sincerity, not with a carnal wisdom, but with a
divine grace, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and most
abundantly towards you. [1:13]For we do not write to you of other
things, but of what you read and acknowledge; and I hope you will also
acknowledge to the end, [1:14]as you have also acknowledged us in part,
that we are your rejoicing as you also are ours in the day of the Lord
Jesus.
5 [1:15]And in this confidence I wished to come to you before, that you
might have a second benefit, [1:16]and to pass by you into Macedonia,
and to come again from Macedonia to you, and by you to be sent forward
to Judea. [1:17] Wishing this therefore, did I use lightness? or what I
wish do I wish according to the flesh, that with me there may be the
yes, yes, and the no, no? [1:18]But as God is faithful, our word to
you was not yes and no. [1:19]For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who
was preached among you by us, by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not
yes and no, but was yes in him; [1:20]for all the promises of God, the
yes in him, and the Amen in him, are for glory to God by us. [1:21]And
he that establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God,
[1:22] who has also sealed us and given us the pledge of the Spirit in
our hearts.
6 [1:23]But I call God to witness on my soul, that to spare you I have
not yet come to Corinth. [1:24]Not that we are lords of your faith, but
co-laborers of your joy; for you stand firm by the faith. [2:1]But I
determined this with myself, not to come again to you in sorrow;
[2:2]for if I grieve you, who is he that gladdens me, but he that is
grieved by me? [2:3]And I wrote the same to you that coming I might not
have sorrow for those in whom I ought to have joy, having trusted in
you all that my joy is the joy of you all. [2:4]For I wrote to you in
much affliction and distress of mind with many tears, not that you
should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have
abundantly for you.
7 [2:5]But if any one has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but in
part, that I may not be hard upon you, [has grieved you] all,
[2:6]Sufficient for such a one is this rebuke by many; [2:7]so that on
the other hand you ought to forgive and comfort him, that he may not be
overwhelmed with excessive sorrow. [2:8]I exhort you, therefore, to
confirm your love to him; [2:9]for I wrote for this purpose, that I
might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things.
[2:10]But whom you favor I also will favor; for what favor I have
shown, if I have shown any favor, has been for your sakes, in the
presence of Christ, [2:11]that we may not be circumvented by Satan; for
we are not ignorant of his devices.
8 [2:12]But when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and a door
was opened to me by the Lord, [2:13]I had no rest in my spirit from not
finding Titus my brother; but leaving them I went to Macedonia.
[2:14]But thanks be to God, who always triumphs over us in Christ and
reveals the odor of his knowledge by us in every place; [2:15]for we
are a sweet odor of Christ to God, in the saved and in the lost,
[2:16]in one an odor of death to death, and in the other an odor of
life to life. And who is sufficient for these things? [2:17]For we are
not as many, who adulterate the word of God, [for gain]; but as of
sincerity, but as of God, we speak before God in Christ.
9 [3:1]Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some,
commendatory epistles to you or from you? [3:2]You are our epistle,
written by our hearts, known and read by all men, [3:3]for you are
manifestly an epistle of Christ delivered by us, written not with ink
but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on
tablets of hearts of flesh. [3:4]And we have such confidence through
Jesus Christ in God; [3:5]not that we are sufficient of ourselves to
reason out any thing as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God,
[3:6]who also has made us able ministers of the new covenant, not of
the writing but of the spirit; for the writing kills, but the spirit
makes alive.
10 [3:7]But if the ministry of death engraved in a writing on stones
was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at
the face of Moses on account of the brightness of his face, which
passed away, [3:8]how shall not the ministry of the spirit be glorious?
[3:9]For if the ministry of condemnation was a glory, much more will
the ministry of righteousness abound in glory. [3:10]For that which was
made glorious was not glorious in this respect, on account of the
surpassing glory. [3:11]For if that which has passed away was with
glory, much more will that which continues be in glory.
11 [3:12]Having therefore this hope we use great boldness, [3:13]and
not as Moses put a vail on his face, that the children of Israel might
not see to the end of that which has passed away; [3:14]but their minds
were blinded. For to this day in reading the old covenant the same vail
remains, not taken away because it is taken away in Christ; [3:15]but
to this day when Moses is read a vail lies upon their minds; [3:16]but
when they turn to the Lord the vail is taken away. [3:17]And the Lord
is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.
[3:18]And we all with unvailed face beholding as in a glass the glory
of the Lord, are transformed into the same likeness, from glory to
glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.
12 [4:1]Therefore, having this ministry, as we have obtained mercy we
faint not, [4:2]but have renounced the hidden things of shame, not
walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but
commending ourselves by the manifestation of the truth to every
conscience of men before God. [4:3]But if our gospel is vailed it is
vailed among the lost, [4:4]in whom the god of this life has blinded
the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory
of Christ, who is the likeness of God, may not shine. [4:5]For we
preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your
servants for Jesus' sake. [4:6]For God who commanded the light to shine
out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give us the light of the
knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
13 [4:7]But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the
excellency of the power may be of God and not of us, [4:8]being
afflicted in every thing but not distressed, being perplexed but not in
despair, [4:9]being persecuted but not deserted, being cast down but
not destroyed, [4:10]always carrying about the death of Jesus in the
body, that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
[4:11]For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake,
that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
[4:12]So that death works in us, but life in you. [4:13]And having the
same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, therefore
I spoke, we also believe and therefore speak, [4:14]knowing that he who
raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and present
us with you. [4:15]For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant
grace may abound through the thanksgiving of many to the glory of God.
14 [4:16]Wherefore we faint not, but if our outward man is destroyed
our inward man is renewed day by day. [4:17]For the light affliction
which is for a moment, works out for us more abundantly an eternal
weight of glory, [4:18] while we look not on the things which are seen
but on the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are
for a time, but those which are unseen are eternal.
15 [5:1]For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle was
destroyed, we have an edifice from God, a house not made with hands,
eternal in the heavens. [5:2]For in this we also groan, earnestly
desiring to put on our dwelling which is from heaven, [5:3]if indeed
also having put it on we may not be found naked. [5:4]For being in
this tabernacle we groan, being burdened, because we do not wish to put
it off, but to put on [the other], that the mortal may be swallowed up
by life. [5:5]And he that has made us for this is God, who has given us
the pledge of the Spirit. [5:6]Being always confident therefore, and
knowing that while we are present in the body we are absent from the
Lord,-- [5:7]we walk by faith, not by sight;-- [5:8]but we are
confident, and are pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be
present with the Lord. [5:9] Wherefore also we strive, whether present
or absent, to be well pleasing to him. [5:10]For we must all appear
before the tribunal of Christ, that each one may receive through the
body for what he has done, whether it is good or evil.
16 [5:11]Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord we persuade men, but
are made manifest to God; and I hope also to be made manifest in your
consciences. [5:12] For we do not again commend ourselves to you, but
give you occasion to glory on our account, that you may have something
for those that glory in appearance and not in heart. [5:13]For if we
are beside ourselves it is for God; and if we are sober it is for you.
[5:14]For the love of Christ constrains us, judging this, that if one
died for all then were all dead; [5:15]and he died for all, that those
who live should no more live for themselves but for him that died for
them and rose again. [5:16]So that from henceforth we know no man after
the flesh; and if we have known Christ after the flesh, we now know him
no more. [5:17]So that if any one is in Christ he is a new creation;
old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.
[5:18]And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by
Jesus Christ, and given us the ministry of the reconciliation, [5:19]to
wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not
imputing to them their offenses, and has given to us the word of
reconciliation. [5:20]We are embassadors therefore for Christ, as
though God besought you by us; we pray you, for Christ, be reconciled
to God. [5:21]For he made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we
might become God's righteousness in him.
17 [6:1]And being also co-laborers we exhort you not to receive the
grace of God in vain,-- [6:2]for he says, In an acceptable time I heard
you, and in a day of salvation I helped you; behold, now is an
acceptable time, behold, now is a day of salvation,-- [6:3]giving no
offense in any thing, that the ministry may not be blamed, [6:4]but in
every thing commending ourselves as ministers of God, in great
patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, [6:5]in
stripes, in imprisonments, in dissensions, in labors, in watchings, in
fastings, [6:6]in purity, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in kindness,
in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned, [6:7]in the word of truth, in
the power of God; with the arms of righteousness on the right hand and
on the left, [6:8]with honor and dishonor, with evil report and good
report; as deceivers and true, [6:9]as unknown and well-known, as dying
and behold we live, as chastened and not killed, [6:10]as grieving but
always rejoicing, as poor but making many rich, as having nothing and
possessing all things.
18 [6:11]Our mouth is opened to you, Corinthians, our heart is
enlarged; [6:12] you are not straitened in us, but you are straitened
in your own souls; [6:13] and now as a return of benefits, I speak as
to children, do you also be enlarged.
19 [6:14]Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what
participation has righteousness with wickedness? or what communion has
light with darkness? [6:15] and what agreement has Christ with Beliar,
or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? [6:16]and what
agreement has a temple of God with idols? For you are a temple of the
living God; as God said, I will dwell in them, and I will walk in them,
and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people. [6:17]Go
out therefore from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and
touch not the impure; and I will receive you, [6:18]and will be to you
a father, and you shall be to me sons and daughters, says the Lord
Almighty. [7:1] Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us purify
ourselves from every defilement of the flesh and spirit, perfecting
holiness in the fear of God.
20 [7:2]Receive us; we have injured no one, we have destroyed no one,
we have defrauded no one. [7:3]I say this not to condemn you, for I
have said before that you are in our hearts both to die and live
together. [7:4]I have great boldness towards you, and great glorying on
your account; I am full of comfort, I have a super-abounding joy in all
our afflictions. [7:5]For when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no
rest, but we were distressed on every hand; without were conflicts,
within fears; [7:6]but God who comforts the humble comforted us by the
coming of Titus; [7:7]and not only by his coming but also by the
comfort with which he was comforted on your account, telling us of your
great desire, your deep sorrow, your zeal for me, so that I rather
rejoiced. [7:8]For if I even grieved you by the epistle, I do not
repent, though I did repent; for because I see that the epistle grieved
you but for a time, [7:9]now I rejoice, not that you were grieved, but
that you grieved to a change of mind; for you were grieved in a godly
manner, to suffer injury from us in nothing. [7:10]For godly sorrow
produces a change of mind to salvation not to be repented of; but the
sorrow of the world produces death. [7:11]For behold, this same thing,
that you grieved in a godly manner, how great diligence it produced in
you, what a defense, what indignation, what fear, what desire, what
zeal, what a punishment! In every thing you proved yourselves to be
clear in this matter.
21 [7:12]If therefore I wrote to you, it was not on account of him that
did the wrong, nor on account of him that suffered wrong, but that our
diligence in your behalf might be manifest before God. [7:13]On this
account we were comforted. And in addition to our comfort, we rejoiced
more abundantly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed
by you all; [7:14]for if I had boasted of you to him I was not ashamed,
but as we said all things to you in truth, so also the boasting of you
to Titus was truth. [7:15]And his affection is more abundant for you,
remembering the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you
received him. [7:16]I rejoice that I have confidence in you in every
thing.
CHAPTER II.
A CONTRIBUTION SOLICITED FOR THE SAINTS AT JERUSALEM.
1 [8:1]AND I make known to you, brothers, the grace of God given to the
churches of Macedonia, [8:2]that in much trying affliction the
abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of
their liberality. [8:3]For according to their ability, I testify, and
beyond their ability, of their own accord, [8:4]with much entreaty they
desired of us the favor of a participation in the service to the
saints; [8:5]and not as we hoped, but they first gave themselves to the
Lord and to us by the will of God, [8:6]so that we requested Titus, as
he before began, that he would complete also this charity with you.
[8:7]But as you abound in every thing, in faith, and speech, and
knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us, [we desire]
that you may abound in this grace also.
2 [8:8]I do not speak by command, but on account of the diligence of
others, and to prove the genuineness of your love; [8:9]for you know
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sakes he became poor,
though rich, that you by his poverty might be rich. [8:10]And in this
case I give an opinion; for this is expedient for you, who began before
to act in this matter and to act willingly a year ago. [8:11]And now,
therefore, perform the doing also, that as there was a readiness to
will, so also there may be a performance from what you have. [8:12]For
if there is a willing mind, a man is acceptable according to what he
has, and not according to what he has not. [8:13]Not that others may be
relieved and you burdened, [8:14]but that there may be an equality;
that at the present time your abundance may supply their deficiency,
and that their abundance may supply your deficiency, that there may be
an equality, [8:15]as it is written; He that [gathered] much had
nothing over, and he that [gathered] little had no deficiency.
3 [8:16]But thanks be to God, who put this care for you into the heart
of Titus, [8:17]for he received the exhortation, and being extremely
diligent went to you of his own accord. [8:18]And we sent with him the
brother, whose praise in the gospel is in all the churches, [8:19]and
not only so, but he has also been chosen by the churches as our
travelling companion in this charity ministered by us for the glory of
the same Lord and our promptitude, [8:20] guarding against this, that
no one may blame us in this abundance administered by us; [8:21]for we
provide things honorable not only before the Lord, but also before men.
[8:22]And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have often proved
in many services to be diligent, and who is now much more diligent from
the great confidence in you. [8:23]If [any one inquires] respecting
Titus, he is my companion and co-laborer for you; if our brothers, they
are apostles of churches and the glory of Christ. [8:24]Show them
therefore the proof of your love, and of our boasting of you before the
churches.
4 [9:1]For concerning the service for the saints it is superfluous for
me to write to you; [9:2]for I know your readiness, of which I boasted
in your behalf to the Macedonians that Achaia was ready a year ago, and
your zeal has excited many. [9:3]But I sent the brothers, that our
boasting of you may not be in vain in this respect, as I said you were
prepared, [9:4]lest if the Macedonians should come with me and find you
unprepared, we, not to say you, should be ashamed of this confidence.
[9:5]I thought it necessary, therefore, to exhort the brothers to go to
you before, and to make ready your free gift before announced, that it
may be ready as a free gift and not as an exaction.
5 [9:6]And [consider] this, He that sows sparingly shall reap also
sparingly, and he that sows liberally shall reap also liberally.
[9:7]Let each one contribute as he chooses in his heart, not with
regret or from necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. [9:8]And God
is able to make every favor abound to you, that having always every
sufficiency in every thing you may abound in every good work; [9:9]as
it is written, He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, his
righteousness continues forever. [9:10]And may he that supplies seed to
the sower and bread for eating multiply your grain, and increase the
products of your righteousness; [9:11]that you may be enriched in every
thing for all liberality, which produces through us thanksgiving to
God. [9:12]For the performance of this service not only supplies the
need of the saints, but also abounds with the thanksgivings of many to
God; [9:13][they] glorifying God on account of the proof of this
ministry for your professed subjection to the gospel of Christ and the
liberality of the contribution to them and to all, [9:14]and by their
prayer for you, greatly longing for you on account of the abounding
grace of God upon you. [9:15]Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.
CHAPTER III.
PAUL'S REPLY TO HIS DETRACTORS.
1 [10:1]I PAUL also exhort you by the meekness and gentleness of
Christ, who in appearance am humble among you, but being absent am bold
towards you; [10:2]and I desire that I may not be bold when present,
with that confidence which I design to use against some who speak of us
as if we walked according to the flesh. [10:3]For though we walk in
the flesh we do not war according to the flesh, [10:4]for the arms of
our warfare are not of flesh, but mighty with God to the pulling down
of strongholds, [10:5]destroying [false] reasonings and every height
which is exalted against the knowledge of God, and subjecting every
thought to the obedience of Christ, [10:6]and being ready to punish
every disobedience, when your obedience is completed.
2 [10:7]You see things according to appearances. If any one trusts in
himself that he is Christ's, let him consider again with himself that
as he is Christ's so also are we. [10:8]For if I should even boast some
of our authority which the Lord gave for your edification, and not for
your destruction, I should not be ashamed. [10:9][But I forbear,] that
I may not seem as though I would terrify you by epistles. [10:10]For
the epistles, say they, are weighty and powerful, but the bodily
presence is weak and speech contemptible. [10:11]Let such a one think,
that such as we are in word by epistles when absent, such also will we
be in work when present. [10:12]For we dare not judge or compare
ourselves with some who commend themselves; but they, measuring
themselves with themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves,
are not wise. [10:13]But we will not boast of things not measured, but
according to the measure of the rule which God has given us, to come
even to you. [10:14]For we do not stretch ourselves out too far, as if
we had not come to you, for we came even to you with the gospel of
Christ; [10:15]not boasting of things unmeasured in the labors of
others, but having a hope, your faith being increased, that we shall be
magnified among you according to our rule abundantly, [10:16]to preach
the gospel in the parts beyond you, not to boast of things prepared by
another's rule. [10:17]But let him that glories glory in the Lord;
[10:18]for not he that commends himself is approved, but he whom the
Lord commends.
3 [11:1]I wish you would bear a little with my folly; and indeed do
bear with me. [11:2]For I am zealous for you with a godly zeal, for I
joined you, a chaste virgin, to one husband, to present to Christ;
[11:3]but I fear lest as the serpent deceived Eve with his craftiness,
so also your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity which is in
Christ. [11:4]For if he that comes preaches another Jesus whom we did
not preach, or you receive another spirit which you did not receive, or
another gospel which you did not receive, you might well bear it;
[11:5]for I judge that I am not behind the chief of the apostles.
[11:6]And even if I am rude in speech, I certainly am not in knowledge,
but we have been made fully manifest to you in all things. [11:7] Have
I done wrong to humble myself that you might be exalted, that I
preached the gospel of God to you gratuitously? [11:8]I robbed other
churches taking wages to serve you; [11:9]and when I was with you and
was in want, I was burdensome to no one; for the brothers who came from
Macedonia supplied beforehand my need; and in every thing I kept myself
without being burdensome to you, and will keep myself so.
4 [11:10]As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting in respect to
myself shall not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. [11:11]Why?
Because I love you not? God knows. [11:12]But what I do I also will do,
that I may take away an occasion from those who wish an occasion, that
wherein they boast they may be found even as we are. [11:13]For such
false apostles, deceitful laborers, transform themselves into apostles
of Christ. [11:14]And no wonder; for Satan himself transforms himself
into an angel of light. [11:15]It is no great thing, therefore, if his
ministers transform themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end
will be according to their works.
5 [11:16]Again, I say let no one think me to be foolish; but if
otherwise, even as a foolish man bear with me that I may boast a
little. [11:17]What I say, I do not say according to the Lord, but as
it were in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. [11:18]Since
many boast of the flesh, I also will boast. [11:19]You endure fools
patiently being wise; [11:20]for you endure it if any one reduces you
to servitude, if any one devours you, if any one takes from you, if any
one exalts himself against you, if any one beats you in the face.
6 [11:21]I speak of reproach as if we were weak; wherein any one is
bold, I speak foolishly, I am bold also. [11:22]Are they Hebrews? so am
I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the posterity of Abraham? so
am I. [11:23]Are they ministers of Christ? I speak foolishly, I am
more; in labors most abundant, in stripes above measure, in
imprisonments most abundant, in deaths often; [11:24]five times I
received of the Jews forty [stripes] lacking one, [11:25] thrice was I
beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice have I been shipwrecked, a
night and a day have I spent in the deep; [11:26]often on journeys, in
dangers from rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from [my own]
race, in dangers from gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in
the wilderness, in dangers on the sea, in dangers among false brothers,
[11:27]in labor and weariness, in watchings often, in hunger and
thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. [11:28]Besides
things without, that which comes upon me daily, the care of all the
churches. [11:29]Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I
am not displeased? [11:30]If it is necessary to boast, I will boast of
my infirmities. [11:31]The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
is blessed forever, knows that I lie not. [11:32]In Damascus, the
ethnarch, when Aretas was king, guarded the city of the Damascenes,
desiring to take me, [11:33]and I was let down in a rope-basket, by a
window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.
7 [12:1]It is not expedient therefore for me to boast [of these
things]; for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
[12:2]I know a man, in Christ above fourteen years, whether in the body
I know not, or out of the body I know not, God knows,--such a one
caught up to the third heaven. [12:3]I know even such a man,--whether
in the body or out of the body I know not, God knows,-- [12:4]that he
was caught up to paradise, and heard unutterable words, which it is not
lawful for man to speak. [12:5]Of such a one will I boast, but of
myself I will not boast except of my infirmities. [12:6]For if I shall
wish to boast I shall not be foolish, for I will tell the truth. But I
forbear, lest any one should think of me beyond what he sees or hears
of me.
8 [12:7]And that I might not be elated with my extraordinary
revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan
to beat me, that I should not be too much exalted. [12:8]For this I
besought the Lord thrice that it might leave me. [12:9]And he said to
me, My grace is sufficient for you; for power is perfected in weakness.
[12:10]Most gladly, therefore, will I glory in my infirmities, that the
power of Christ may rest upon me. Wherefore I am well pleased with
infirmities, with injuries, with necessities, with persecutions, with
distresses for Christ; for when I am weak, then am I strong.
9 [12:11]I have become foolish; you compelled me. For I ought to have
been commended by you; for in nothing am I behind the chief of the
apostles, though I also am nothing. [12:12]The signs of an apostle were
performed among you with all patience, in miracles, and prodigies, and
mighty works. [12:13]For what is there in which you were inferior to
the rest of the churches, except that I was not burdensome to you?
Forgive me this wrong.
10 [12:14]Behold, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will
not be burdensome to you; for I seek not yours, but you. For the
children ought not to lay up treasure for the parents, but the parents
for the children. [12:15]And I most gladly will spend and will be spent
for your souls, even if the more abundantly I love you the less I am
loved. [12:16]Be it so, I was not burdensome to you; but being crafty I
caught you with deceit. [12:17]Did I make any thing out of you by any
of those I sent to you? [12:18]I requested Titus, and sent the brother
with him; did Titus make any thing out of you? Did we not walk in the
same spirit, in the same steps?
CHAPTER IV.
PROPOSED VISIT, ETC.
1 [12:19]Do you again think that we are defending ourselves? We speak
in Christ before God; all these things, beloved, are for your
edification. [12:20]For I fear lest when I come I shall not find you
such as I wish, and that I shall be found such as you wish not; lest
there shall be strife, envy, anger, contentions, evil speakings,
whisperings, pride, dissensions; [12:21]lest when I come again my God
shall humble me before you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned,
and not changed their minds, in respect to impurity and fornication and
lewdness which they have committed.
2 [13:1]This third time I am coming to you; by the mouth of two or
three witnesses shall every word be established. [13:2]I have said
before, and I now foretell as if present a second time, although
absent, to those who have already sinned and to all the rest, that if I
come again I will not spare; [13:3]since you seek a proof in me of
Christ speaking, who is not weak to you but powerful in you; [13:4]for
though he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by the power of God;
and we also are weak in him, but live with him by the power of God in
you.
3 [13:5]Try yourselves, whether you are in the faith; prove yourselves;
or know you not yourselves that Christ is in you unless you are
reprobates? [13:6]But I hope you will know that we are not reprobates.
[13:7]We wish to God that you may do no evil, not that we may appear
approved, but that you may do good though we should be as reprobates.
[13:8]For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
[13:9]For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong; and we desire
this, your perfection. [13:10]For this reason, being absent, I write
these things, that I may not use sharpness when present, with the power
which the Lord has given me for building up, and not for pulling down.
4 [13:11]Finally, brothers, rejoice, be perfect, be of good comfort, be
of the same mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be
with you. [13:12]Salute one another with a holy kiss. [13:13]All the
saints salute you. [13:14]The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the
love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS.
CORINTH, A.D., 58. (ACTS, 18:1)
CHAPTER I.
HIMSELF, JESUS CHRIST, AND THE GOSPEL.
1 [1:1]PAUL, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set
apart to the gospel of God,-- [1:2]which he promised by his prophets in
the Holy Scriptures,-- [1:3]concerning his Son born of the posterity of
David as to the flesh, [1:4]declared to be the Son of God in power as
to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead,--Jesus
Christ our Lord,-- [1:5]through whom we have received grace and an
apostleship for the obedience of the faith in all nations in behalf of
his name, [1:6]among whom are you also the called of Jesus Christ,--
[1:7]to all who are at Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints.
Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 [1:8]First, indeed, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all,
that your faith is proclaimed in all the world. [1:9]For God is my
witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how
incessantly I make mention of you, always in my prayers [1:10]asking if
by any means I may now at some time have a prosperous journey by the
will of God to come to you. [1:11]For I greatly desire to see you, that
I may impart to you some spiritual gift, that you may be strengthened,
[1:12]that is, that I may be comforted in you by the mutual faith both
of you and me.
3 [1:13]But I wish you not to be ignorant, brothers, that I often
purposed to come to you, and was hindered hitherto, that I might have
some fruit also among you, as among the other gentiles. [1:14]I am a
debtor both to the Greeks and the Barbarians, both to the wise and the
ignorant; [1:15]so that as far as depends upon me I am ready also to
preach the gospel to those at Rome. [1:16] For I am not ashamed of the
gospel; for it is the power of God to salvation to every one that
believes, the Jew first and also the Greek. [1:17]For God's
righteousness is revealed in it by faith in the faith [the gospel]; as
it is written; The righteous shall live by faith.
CHAPTER II.
WICKEDNESS DESTROYS GENTILES AND JEWS.
1 [1:18]FOR the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
impiety and wickedness of men who hold the truth in wickedness,
[1:19]because what can be known of God is manifest among them; for God
has manifested [himself] to them. [1:20]For his invisible [attributes]
are clearly seen from the creation of the world, being perceived by the
things which are made, even his eternal power and deity, so that they
have no defense, [1:21]because having known God they glorified him not
as God neither were thankful, but became vain in their reasonings and
their ignorant mind was darkened. [1:22]Saying that they were wise they
became foolish, [1:23]and changed the glory of the imperishable God
into the likeness of the image of perishable man, and of birds, and
quadrupeds, and reptiles.
2 [1:24]Wherefore God also gave them up with the desires of their
hearts to impurity, to disgrace their bodies among themselves,
[1:25]who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and
served the creation more than the Creator, who is blessed forever, amen.
3 [1:26]Therefore God gave them up to infamous affections; for their
females changed a natural enjoyment for that which is against nature,
[1:27]and in like manner also the males, leaving the natural enjoyment
of the female, became the subjects of inordinate desires for each
other, males with males committing indecency, and receiving in return
the recompense of their error which was fit.
4 [1:28]And as they did not choose to retain God in their knowledge,
God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do things which are not
proper, [1:29]being filled with all wickedness, malice, covetousness,
vice, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil dispositions,
whisperers, [1:30]evil speakers, haters of God, injurious, proud,
boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
[1:31]unintelligent, covenant-breakers, without natural affection,
unmerciful, [1:32]who knowing the ordinance of God, that those who do
such things deserve death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in
those who do them.
5 [2:1]Wherefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are that
judge, for in that in which you judge another you condemn yourself; for
you who judge do the same things. [2:2]But we know that the judgment of
God is according to truth against those who do such things. [2:3]But do
you think this, O man, who judge those doing such things and do the
same, that you shall escape the judgment of God? [2:4]or do you despise
the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long suffering, not
knowing that the goodness of God leads you to a change of mind?
[2:5]But according to your hardness and unchanged heart you treasure up
wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and of a revelation of the
righteous judgment of God, [2:6]who will render to each according to
his works; [2:7]to those who by patience in good works seek for glory
and honor and immortality, eternal life; [2:8]but to those who are
contentions and disobey the truth, and obey unrighteousness,
indignation and wrath. [2:9]Affliction and distress [shall be] on every
soul of man that does evil, both the Jew first and the Greek; [2:10]
and glory and honor and peace to every one that does good, both the Jew
first and the Greek.
6 [2:11]For there is no respect of persons with God. [2:12]For as many
as have sinned without the law shall perish without the law, and as
many as have sinned with the law shall be judged by the law,--
[2:13]for not the hearers of the law are righteous with God, but the
doers of the law shall be justified; [2:14]for when the nations which
have not the law perform by nature [the commandments] of the law, these
who have not the law are a law to themselves, [2:15]and they show the
work of the law written in their minds, their consciences testifying
with them, and their judgments mutually accusing or defending one
another;-- [2:16]in the day when God shall judge the secret [doings] of
men according to my gospel through Jesus Christ.
7 [2:17]But [what] if you are called a Jew and rest on the law, and
boast of God, [2:18]and know his will, and approve of things which are
excellent, being instructed by the law, [2:19]and believe yourself to
be a guide of the blind, a light of those in darkness, [2:20]an
instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of
knowledge and of the truth in the law; [2:21]you that teach another, do
you not teach yourself? You that preach not to steal, do you steal?
[2:22]You that command not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery?
You that abhor idols, do you commit sacrilege? [2:23]You who boast of
the law, by the transgression of the law do you dishonor God? [2:24]For
the name of God is blasphemed on your account among the nations as it
is written.
8 [2:25]For circumcision indeed is profitable if you perform the law,
but if you are a transgressor of the law, your circumcision becomes
uncircumcision. [2:26]If therefore the uncircumcision keeps the
ordinances of the law, shall not its uncircumcision be accounted for
circumcision? [2:27]And the uncircumcision by nature which keeps the
law shall judge you who with the written law and circumcision are a
transgressor of the law. [2:28]For not that which is external is the
Jew, nor is that which is external in the flesh circumcision. [2:29]But
that which is in secret is the Jew, and circumcision of the heart is in
the spirit not in the writing, the commendation of which is not of men
but of God.
9 [3:1]What then is the preeminence of the Jew? or what the profit of
circumcision? [3:2]Much in every way. For first, indeed, that they were
entrusted with the oracles of God. [3:3]For what if some did not
believe? Will their unbelief destroy the faith of God? [3:4]By no
means; but let God be true, and every man a liar; as it is written,
That thou mayest be justified in thy sayings and overcome when thou art
judged.
10 [3:5]But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God,
what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak as a
man;-- [3:6] by no means;--since [if he was] how shall God judge the
world? [3:7]For if the truth of God abounded by my falsehood to his
glory, why am I also yet judged as a sinner? [3:8]And as we are
falsely accused and as some declare that we say, [do we say] Let us do
evil that good may come? Whose judgment is just.
11 [3:9]What defense then have we? None at all; for we before asserted
that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin, [3:10]as it is written,
There is none righteous not one, [3:11]there is none that understands,
there is none that seeks God; [3:12]all have turned aside, they have
together become unprofitable; there is no one that does good, there is
not even one; [3:13]their throat is an opened tomb, with their tongues
they practise deceit, the poison of asps is under their lips.
[3:14]Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. [3:15] Their feet
are swift to shed blood, [3:16]destruction and misery are in their
ways, [3:17]and the way of peace they have not known. [3:18]There is no
fear of God before their eyes. [3:19]But we know that whatever the law
says, it says to those having the law, that every mouth may be stopped
and all the world become guilty before God. [3:20]Wherefore by the
works of the law there shall no flesh be justified is his sight, for by
the law there is an acknowledgment of sin.
CHAPTER III.
GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH SAVES BOTH JEWS AND GENTILES.
1 [3:21]BUT now God's righteousness has been made manifest without the
law, being testified to by the law and the prophets, [3:22]but God's
righteousness is through the faith of Jesus Christ, in all and upon all
that believe. For there is no difference; [3:23]for all have sinned and
come short of the glory of God, [3:24]being justified freely by his
grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus, [3:25]whom God set forth
[to be] a propitiator through faith in his blood, to show his
righteousness because of the passing by of the errors committed
previously in the forbearance of God, [3:26]to show his righteousness
at the present time, that he may be righteous and justify him that is
of faith.
2 [3:27]Where then is the boasting [of the Jew]? It is excluded. By
what law? Of works? No; but by the law of faith. [3:28]We conclude then
that a man is justified by faith without the works of the law. [3:29]Is
God [a God] of the Jews alone? and not also of the gentiles? Yes, also
of the gentiles, [3:30] since there is one God who will justify the
circumcision by faith and the uncircumcision through the [same] faith.
[3:31]Do we then abrogate the law by the faith? By no means; but we
establish the law.
3 [4:1]What shall we say then that Abraham our father found according
to the flesh? [4:2]For if Abraham was justified by works he has
[occasion for] boasting, but not before God. [4:3]For what says the
Scripture? And Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for
righteousness. [4:4]But to one that works the reward is not accounted
by grace but by debt. [4:5]But to one that works not, but believes on
him that justifies the wicked, his faith is [accounted] for
righteousness. [4:6]As David describes the blessedness of the man to
whom the Lord accounts righteousness without works, [4:7]Blessed are
they whose transgressions are forgiven and whose sins are covered;
[4:8]blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not account sin.
4 [4:9]Is this blessedness then on the circumcision? or also on the
uncircumcision? [Also on the uncircumcision.] For we say that faith was
accounted to Abraham for righteousness. [4:10]How then was it
accounted? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in
circumcision, but in uncircumcision. [4:11]And he received the symbol
of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which was in
uncircumcision, so that he became the father of all that believe in
uncircumcision, that righteousness may also be accounted to them,
[4:12]and a father of circumcision not to those of the circumcision
only, but to those also who walk in the steps of the faith of our
father Abraham which was in uncircumcision.
5 [4:13]For the promise to Abraham and his posterity that he should
inherit the world was not through the law but through the righteousness
of faith. [4:14]For if the subjects of the law are heirs, the faith is
done away and the promise abrogated. [4:15]For the law produces wrath;
for where there is no law there is no transgression. [4:16]Therefore it
is by faith that it may be by grace, that the promise may be sure to
all the posterity, not to that of the law only but to that of the faith
of Abraham, who is a father of us all, [4:17]as it is written, I have
made you a father of many nations before God in whom he believed, who
makes the dead alive and calls things which do not exist as existing.--
[4:18]who against hope believed in hope that he should become a father
of many nations according to the saying shall your posterity be. [4:19]
And being not weak in faith, he did not regard himself as dead, being
now about a hundred years old, nor Sarah's incapacity for
child-bearing, [4:20]and he did not doubt the promise of God by
unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, [4:21]being
fully persuaded that what he had promised he was able to perform.
[4:22]Wherefore also it was accounted to him for righteousness. [4:23]
But it was not written for his sake alone, that it was accounted to
him, [4:24] but also for our sakes, to whom it is about to be accounted
if we believe on him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,
[4:25]who was delivered up for our sins and raised for our
justification.
6 [5:1]Having been justified therefore by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ, [5:2]through whom also we have been
introduced into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in the hope
of the glory of God. [5:3]And not only [this], but we rejoice also in
afflictions, knowing that affliction works out patience, [5:4]and
patience, experience, and experience, hope; [5:5] and the hope makes
not ashamed, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts
through the Holy Spirit given us. [5:6]For when we were yet weak, in
due time Christ died for the wicked; [5:7]for scarcely for a righteous
man will one die, but for a good man some one perhaps would even dare
to die; [5:8]but God commends his love to us, that while we were yet
sinners Christ died for us; [5:9]much more then being now justified by
his blood, we shall be saved through him from wrath. [5:10]For if when
enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much
more having become reconciled we shall be saved in his life. [5:11]And
not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we received the present reconciliation.
7 [5:12]Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world and
death through sin, and so came upon all men because all sinned,--
[5:13]for till the law there was sin in the world, but sin is not
accounted where there is no law [5:14]but death reigned from Adam till
Moses even over those that sinned not after the similitude Adam's
transgression, who is a type of him that was to come; [5:15]but not as
the fall so also is the gift; for if by the fall of one the many died,
much more the grace of God and the gift by grace which is of the one
man Jesus Christ, abounded to the many; [5:16]and not as through one
that sinned is the gift; for the judgment was by one to condemnation,
but the gift was from many sins to a righteous ordinance; [5:17]for if
by one fall death reigned through the one, much more those who receive
the abundance of the grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign
in life through the one, Jesus Christ;-- [5:18]therefore, as through
the fall of one [judgment came] on all men to condemnation, so also
through the righteous ordinance of one [the gift comes] on all men to
justification of life; [5:19]for as through the disobedience of the one
man the many were constituted sinners, so also through the obedience of
the one shall the many be constituted righteous. [5:20]For the law
supervened that the fall might abound; but where the sin abounded the
grace was superabundant, [5:21]that as sin reigned in death, so the
grace shall reign through righteousness in life eternal through Jesus
Christ our Lord.
CHAPTER IV.
SIN IS ON NO ACCOUNT TO BE ALLOWED.
1 [6:1]WHAT shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that the grace
may abound? [6:2]By no means. How shall we who died to sin any longer
live in it? [6:3]Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized in
Christ were baptized in his death? [6:4]We have been buried therefore
with him through baptism in death, that as Christ was raised from the
dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness
of life. [6:5]For if we have been planted together in the likeness of
his death, we shall much more be of his resurrection; [6:6]knowing this
that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be
destroyed, that we should no longer serve sin; [6:7] for he that died
was justified from sin. [6:8]And if we died with Christ, we believe
that we shall also live with him; [6:9]knowing that Christ being raised
from the dead dies no more; death has no longer a lordship over him.
[6:10]For [the death] which he died, he died to sin once; but [the
life] which he lives, he lives to God. [6:11]So also account yourselves
dead indeed to sin, but living to God in Christ Jesus.
2 [6:12]Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, to obey its
desires, [6:13]neither present your members as instruments of
wickedness to sin, but present yourselves to God as living from the
dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
[6:14]For sin shall not have a Lordship over you; for you are not under
the law but under the grace.
3 [6:15]What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but
under the grace? By no means. [6:16]Know you not that to whom you
present yourselves servants for obedience, his servants you are whom
you obey, whether of sin in death or of obedience in righteousness?
[6:17]But thanks be to God that you were servants of sin, but obeyed
from the heart the form of teaching in which you were instructed,
[6:18]and having become free from sin you served righteousness. [6:19]I
speak after the manner of men on account of the weakness of your flesh.
For as you presented your members servants to impurity and to
wickedness in wickedness, so now present your members servants to
righteousness in sanctification. [6:20]For when you were servants of
sin, you were free from righteousness. [6:21]What fruit had you
therefore then in things of which you are now ashamed? for the end of
them is death. [6:22]But now having been made free from sin and made
servants to God, you have your fruit in sanctification, and the end
eternal life. [6:23]For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God
is eternal life by Christ Jesus our Lord.
CHAPTER V.
THOSE IN CHRIST DEAD TO THE LAW, THE FLESH THE PRINCIPLE OF SIN, ITS
DOMINION OVER THE MIND, ETC.
1 [7:1]ARE you ignorant, brothers, for I speak to them who understand
law, that the law has authority over a man as long as he lives?
[7:2]For a woman under a husband is bound by law to a living husband;
but if the husband has died she is released from the law of the
husband. [7:3]Therefore while the husband lives, she shall be called an
adulteress if she is married to another man; but if the husband has
died, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress if
married to another man. [7:4]So, my brothers, you have also died to the
law through the body of Christ, that you should be married to another,
to him that was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.
[7:5]For when we were in the flesh, the sinful affections operated
through the law in our members to bear fruit to death; [7:6]but now we
are released from the law by which we were held having died, that we
should serve [God] in newness of spirit, not in the old age of a
writing.
2 [7:7]What shall we say then? Is the law sin? By no means. On the
contrary I knew not sin except through the law; for I had not known
inordinate desire, unless the law had said, You shall not desire
inordinately. [7:8]But Sin having taken occasion through the
commandment wrought in me every inordinate desire; for without the law
sin was dead.
3 [7:9]And I was alive without the law once, but when the commandment
came, sin revived, and I died, [7:10]and the commandment which was for
life was found to be for death. [7:11]For sin having taken occasion
through the commandment deceived me, and through it killed me.
[7:12]The law therefore is holy, and the commandment holy and righteous
and good. [7:13]Did then that which is good become death to me? By no
means, but sin; that sin might be made manifest, producing death to me
through that which is good, that sin might become exceedingly sinful
through the commandment. [7:14]For we know that the law is spiritual;
but I am carnal, sold under sin. [7:15]For what I do this I approve
not; for I do not what I wish, but what I hate, this I do. [7:16]But if
what I wish not this I do, I consent to the law that it is good;
[7:17]and now I no longer do it, but the sin that dwells in me.
[7:18]For I know that in me, that is in my flesh, there dwells no good.
For to wish is present with me, but to do the good is not; [7:19]for
the good which I wish I do not, but the evil which I wish not this I do.
4 [7:20]But if what I wish not this I do, I no longer do it, but sin
which dwells in me. [7:21]I find therefore the law, that when I wish to
do good evil is present with me; [7:22]for I consent to the law of God
as to my inward man, [my soul], [7:23]but I see another law in my
members warring against the law of my mind, and making me captive to
the law of sin which is in my members. [7:24] Miserable man that I am;
who will deliver me from the body of this death? [7:25] Thanks be to
God through Jesus Christ our Lord; therefore I myself with the mind
serve the law of God, and with the flesh the law of sin.
CHAPTER VI.
THOSE IN CHRIST NOT SUBJECT TO CONDEMNATION, NOR TO THE FLESH, BUT
RULED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, ETC.
1 [8:1]THERE is no condemnation therefore to those in Christ Jesus;
[8:2]for the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free
from the law of sin and death. [8:3]For what the law could not do
because it was weak through the flesh, God having sent his Son in the
likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned the sin in the flesh,
[8:4]that the righteous ordinance of the law may be performed by us who
walk not according to the flesh, but according to the spirit. [8:5]For
they who are according to the flesh mind the things of the flesh, but
they who are according to the spirit the things of the spirit; [8:6]
for the minding of the flesh is death, but the minding of the Spirit is
life and peace. [8:7]Because the minding of the flesh is enmity against
God; for it is not subject to the law of God; for it can not be.
[8:8]And they that are in the flesh cannot please God. [8:9]But you are
not in the flesh but in the spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells
in you. And if any man has not the spirit of Christ he is not his.
[8:10]But if Christ is in you, the body is dead on account of sin, but
the spirit is life on account of righteousness. [8:11]And if the Spirit
of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised
Christ from the dead shall make alive your mortal bodies through his
Spirit that dwells in you.
2 [8:12]Therefore, brothers, we are debtors not to the flesh to live
according to the flesh. [8:13]For if you live according to the flesh,
you shall die; but if by the spirit you kill the deeds of the body, you
shall live. [8:14]For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are
sons of God. [8:15]For you received not the spirit of servitude again
to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption, by which we cry;
Abba, Father. [8:16]The Spirit itself is a co-witness with our spirits
that we are children of God. [8:17]And if children, [we are] also
heirs, heirs indeed of God and co-heirs with Christ, if we suffer with
him that we may also be glorified with him.
3 [8:18]For I think that the sufferings of the present time are of no
account in comparison with the glory to be revealed in us. [8:19]For
the earnest expectation of the creation waits for the revelation of the
sons of God. [8:20] For the creation was subjected to a perishable
condition, not willingly, but by him that subjected it, in hope
[8:21]that the same creation will be delivered from the servitude of
destruction and [brought] into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.
[8:22]For we know that all the creation groans and is in pain till now;
[8:23]and not only it, but we ourselves also who have the first fruit
of the Spirit, even ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the
adoption, the redemption of our bodies. [8:24]For we are saved by hope;
but a hope that is seen is not a hope; for why does one hope for what
he sees? [8:25]but if we hope for what we see not, we wait for it with
patience.
4 [8:26]And in like manner also the Spirit helps our weakness. For we
know not what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit makes
intercession for us with groanings unutterable; [8:27]and he that
searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because it
makes intercession with God for the saints. [8:28]And we know that all
things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are
called according to [his] purpose. [8:29]For whom he foreknew, he also
predestinated to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he may
be a first-born among many brothers; [8:30]and whom he predestinated
them he also called; and whom he called them he also justified; and
whom he justified them he also glorified.
5 [8:31]What shall we say then to these things? If God is for us, who
is against us? [8:32]He who spared not his Son, but gave him up for us
all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?
[8:33]Who will bring a charge against God's elect? It is God that
justifies; [8:34]who is he that condemns? Is it Christ who died, and
still more, who has also been raised, and who is on the right hand of
God, and who makes intercession for us? [8:35]Who shall separate us
from the love of Christ? Shall affliction or distress, persecution or
famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? [8:36]As it is written,
For thy sake we are killed all the day; we are accounted as sheep for
slaughter. [8:37]But in all these things we more than conquer, through
him who loved us. [8:38]For I am persuaded that neither death nor life,
nor angels nor principalities, nor things present nor things to come,
nor powers, [8:39]nor height, nor depth, nor any other creation, shall
be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
CHAPTER VII.
THE REJECTION OF THE UNBELIEVING JEWS.
1 [9:1]I SPEAK the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing me
witness with the Holy Spirit, [9:2]that I have great grief and
continual pain in my heart; [9:3]for I have wished that I was myself
accursed from Christ for my brothers, my kindred according to the
flesh, [9:4]who are Israelites, whose are the adoption and the glory,
and the covenants and the giving of the law, and the service, and the
promises, [9:5]whose are the fathers, and of whom is Christ, according
to the flesh. He who is over all is God blessed forever, amen. [9:6]
Not that the word of God has failed of being accomplished. For all are
not Israel who are of Israel; [9:7]neither, because they are a
posterity of Abraham, are they all children; but in Isaac shall your
posterity be called; [9:8]that is, the children of the flesh are not
the children of God, but the children of the promise are accounted the
posterity. [9:9]For this was the word of promise; According to this
time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son. [9:10]And not only this,
but Rebecca also being with child by one, by our father Isaac--
[9:11]for the children not yet being born, nor having done any thing
good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might
continue, not of works but of him that calls,-- [9:12]it was said to
her that the older shall serve the younger; [9:13]as it is written;
Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.
2 [9:14]What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? By
no means. [9:15]For he says to Moses, I will be merciful to him to whom
I may be merciful, and I will compassionate him whom I may
compassionate. [9:16] Therefore, it is not of him that wills nor of him
that runs, but of God that exercises mercy. [9:17]For the Scripture
says to Pharaoh, For this same cause I raised you up, to show my power
in you, and that my name may be declared in all the earth. [9:18]He
therefore has mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardens.
[9:19]You will say to me then, Why then does he yet find fault? for who
has resisted his will? [9:20]Yes indeed, O man, who are you that reply
against God? Shall the work say to him that made it, Why did you make
me thus? [9:21]or has not the potter a right, in respect to the clay,
to make of the same mass one vessel to honor and another to dishonor?
[9:22]But if God wishing to show his wrath and to make known his power
endured with much long suffering vessels of wrath fitted for
destruction, [9:23]and that he might make known the riches of his glory
on the vessels of mercy, which he before prepared for glory, [9:24]whom
he also called, us not of the Jews only but also of the gentiles,
[9:25]as he says also in Hosea, I will call them that were not my
people, my people, and her that was not beloved, beloved, [9:26]and in
the place where it was said to them, You are not my people, there they
shall be called children of the living God. [9:27]But Isaiah cries
concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel is as
the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved; [9:28]for he executes
and performs his word in righteousness, for a finished work will the
Lord perform on the earth. [9:29]As also Isaiah said before, Unless the
Lord of Sabaoth had left us a posterity, we should have been like
Sodom, and should have resembled Gomorrah.
3 [9:30]What shall we say then? That nations who did not pursue
righteousness attained a righteousness, but the righteousness which is
by faith; [9:31]but Israel who pursued the law of righteousness did not
attain to the law of righteousness. [9:32]For what reason? Because
they are not of faith, but as it were of works of the law; for they
stumbled at the stone of stumbling, [9:33]as it is written; Behold, I
lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, and he that
believes on him shall not be ashamed.
4 [10:1]Brothers, the earnest desire and prayer of my heart for Israel
is for their salvation. [10:2]For I bear them witness that they have a
zeal for God but not according to knowledge; [10:3]for not knowing
God's righteousness, and seeking to set up their righteousness, they
have not submitted themselves to God's righteousness. [10:4]For Christ
is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes.
[10:5]For Moses describes the righteousness of the law, that the man
that does these things shall live by them. [10:6]But the righteousness
by faith speaks thus; Say not in your mind, who shall ascend into
heaven?--that is, to bring Christ down,-- [10:7]or who shall descend
into the abyss?--that is, to bring Christ up from the dead. [10:8]But
what does it say? The word is nigh you, in your mouth and in your mind;
that is, the word of the faith which we preach. [10:9]For if you
confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe with your mind that
God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved; [10:10]for with the
mind we believe to righteousness, and with the mouth we confess to
salvation. [10:11]For the Scripture says, No one that believes in him
shall be ashamed. [10:12]For there is no difference between Jew and
Greek; for the same Lord of all is rich to all that call upon him.
[10:13]For every one that calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
[10:14]How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?
and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how
shall they hear without one preaching? [10:15]and how shall they preach
unless they have been sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the
feet of those that publish good news of peace, that publish good news
of good things.
5 [10:16]But all did not obey the gospel; for Isaiah says, Lord, who
believed our report? [10:17]Faith therefore comes by the report, and
the report by the word of God. [10:18]But I say, Did they not hear? Yes
indeed; their voice went into all the earth, and their words to the
ends of the world. [10:19]But I say, did not Israel know? First, Moses
says, I will provoke you by that which is not a nation, and by a
foolish nation will I excite you to anger. [10:20]But Isaiah is more
bold and says, I was found by them that sought me not, I was made
manifest to them that inquired not after me. [10:21]But in respect to
Israel he says, All the day I stretched out my hands to a disobedient
and contradicting people.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE SALVATION OF BELIEVING JEWS AND THE CALLING OF THE GENTILES.
1 [11:1]I SAY then, has God cast away his people? By no means; for I
also am an Israelite, of the race of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
[11:2]God has not cast away his people whom he foreknew. Know you not
what the Scripture says in Elijah, how he intercedes with God against
Israel? [11:3]Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have dug down
thy altars, and I am left alone, and they seek my life. [11:4]But what
says the response to him? I have reserved for myself seven thousand
men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal. [11:5]So then also at the
present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace;
[11:6] but if by grace, no longer by works; for otherwise grace is no
longer grace; but if by works, it is no longer grace; for otherwise a
work is no longer a work. [11:7]What then? What Israel seeks, this it
did not obtain, but the election obtained; and the rest were
hardened,-- [11:8]as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor,
eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear--to
this day. [11:9]And David says, Let their table become a trap and a
snare and an offense and a stumbling block to them; [11:10]let their
eyes be darkened that they may not see, and bow down their back always.
2 [11:11]I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? By no
means; but by their fall the nations have salvation to excite them to
emulation. [11:12] But if their fall is the riches of the world, and
their diminution the riches of nations, how much more will their
fullness be. [11:13]For I speak to you, gentiles. Inasmuch as I am an
apostle of the gentiles, I glorify my ministry, [11:14]if perhaps I may
excite my flesh [race] to emulation and save some of them. [11:15]For
if their falling away is the reconciling of the world, what will their
recovery be but life from the dead? [11:16]And if the first fruit is
holy, the mass is also; and if the root is holy, the branches also are.
3 [11:17]But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a
wild olive, were grafted in among them and became a partaker of the
root and excellence of the olive, [11:18]boast not against the
branches; but if you boast, you bear not the root, but the root you.
[11:19]You will say then, The branches were broken off that I might be
grafted in. [11:20]Well; they were broken off by unbelief, and you
stand by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear; [11:21]for if God spared
not the natural branches, perhaps he will not spare you. [11:22]See
then the goodness and severity of God; towards those that fell,
severity, but towards you, the goodness of God, if you continue in
goodness, for otherwise you also will be cut off. [11:23]And they, if
they continue not in unbelief, will be grafted in; for God is able to
graft them in again. [11:24] For if you have been cut from an olive
wild by nature, and grafted contrary to nature into a good olive, how
much more shall they according to nature be grafted into their own
olive.
4 [11:25]For I wish you not to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery;
that you may not be wise in your own conceit. For hardness in part has
come upon Israel, till the fullness of the gentiles shall come in,
[11:26]and so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, A deliverer
shall come from Zion, he shall turn away impiety from Jacob. [11:27]And
this is the promise to them from me, when I take away their sins.
[11:28]As to the gospel, they are enemies on your account, but as to
the election, they are beloved on account of the fathers; [11:29]for
the gifts and calling of God are without a change of mind. [11:30]For
as you once disobeyed God, but now have obtained mercy by their
disobedience, [11:31]so also they now have disobeyed that they may
obtain mercy by your mercy. [11:32] For God has concluded all in
disobedience that he may have mercy on all. [11:33] O the depth of the
riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how inscrutable are his
judgments, and his ways can not be explored! [11:34]For who knew the
mind of the Lord? or who was his counsellor? [11:35]or who first gave
to him, and it shall be repaid him? [11:36]For of him and through him,
and in him are all things; to him be glory forever; amen.
CHAPTER IX.
MORAL AND POLITICAL DUTIES.
1 [12:1]I EXHORT you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to
present your bodies a living sacrifice; holy, well pleasing to God,
your reasonable service; [12:2]and be not conformed to this life, but
be transformed by the renewing of the mind, that you may prove what is
the will of God which is good and well-pleasing and perfect. [12:3]For
I say through the grace given me, to every one among you, not to be
higher-minded than he ought to be, but to think soberly, as God has
distributed to each the measure of faith. [12:4]For as we have many
members in one body, and all the members have not the same office,
[12:5]so we, the many, are one body in Christ, and each one members one
of another; [12:6]but having different gifts according to the grace
given us, if prophecy [let us prophesy] according to the analogy of the
faith, [12:7]if a service [let us labor] in the service, if one
teaches, in teaching, [12:8]if one exhorts in the exhortation, he that
gives, with simplicity, he that rules, with diligence, he that
exercises mercy, with cheerfulness.
2 [12:9]Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor evil, adhere to that which
is good, [12:10]be kindly disposed one to another with brotherly love,
in honor prefer one another, [12:11]be not slothful in business, be
fervent in spirit, serve the Lord, [12:12]rejoice in the hope, be
patient in affliction, be persevering in prayer, [12:13]contribute to
the necessity of saints, practise hospitality. [12:14]Bless those that
persecute, bless and curse not. [12:15] Rejoice with the rejoicing,
weep with the weeping. [12:16]Desire the same thing one for another;
desire not the high, but be satisfied with the humble. Be not wise in
your own conceit. [12:17]Render evil for evil to no one, provide things
honorable in the sight of all men; [12:18]if possible, as much as may
be in your power, live peaceably with all men, [12:19]not vindicating
yourselves, beloved, but give place to wrath; for it is written,
Judgment is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. [12:20]If therefore your
enemy is hungry, give him food; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for
doing this you shall heap coals of fire on his head. [12:21]Be not
overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
3 [13:1]Let every soul be subject to the superior powers. For there is
no power except from God, and the [powers] which exist have been
ordained by God. [13:2] So that he who resists the power resists the
ordinance of God; and those who resist shall receive judgment on
themselves. [13:3]For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to
evil. Will you not fear the power? Do good, and you shall have praise
from it; [13:4]for [the power] is God's minister to you for good. But
if you do evil, fear; for it bears not the sword in vain; for it is
God's minister of justice for punishment to him that does evil.
[13:5]Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only on
account of punishment, but also on account of conscience.
4 [13:6]For on this account also you pay taxes; for [magistrates] are
servants of God attending constantly to this same thing. [13:7]Pay to
all their dues; a tax to whom a tax is due, a toll to whom a toll is
due, fear to whom fear, and honor to whom honor. [13:8]Owe no man any
thing, except to love one another; for he that loves another has fully
performed the law. [13:9]For this, You shall not commit adultery, You
shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not desire inordinately,
and if there is any other commandment, it is summarily comprehended in
this word; You shall love your neighbor as yourself. [13:10] Love does
no evil to a neighbor; love therefore is the sum of the law. [13:11]
And [do] this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour that we
should be waked from sleep, for now is our salvation nearer than when
we believed. [13:12] The night is far advanced, and the day is at hand;
let us lay aside therefore the works of darkness, and let us put on the
armor of light. [13:13]Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in
revelries and drinking, not in lewdness and excesses, not in strife and
envy; [13:14]but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision
for desires of the flesh.
CHAPTER X.
DUTIES TO THE WEAK, ETC.
1 [14:1]RECEIVE the weak in faith, not to doubtful reasonings.
[14:2]For one has faith to eat all things, but he that is weak eats
vegetables. [14:3]Let not him that eats despise him that eats not; and
let not him that eats not judge him that eats; for God has accepted
him. [14:4]Who are you that judge another man's servant? To his master
he stands or falls; and he shall be made to stand, for God is able to
make him stand.
2 [14:5]One judges one day to be better than another, but another
judges every day [to be alike]. Let each one be fully persuaded in his
mind. [14:6]He that observes the day observes it to the Lord, and he
that observes not the day observes it not to the Lord. And he that eats
eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he that eats not eats
not to the Lord, and gives God thanks. [14:7] For no one of us lives
for himself; and no one dies for himself; [14:8]for if we live, we live
for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; whether therefore we
live, or whether we die, we are the Lord's. [14:9]For this end Christ
died and lived again, that he might exercise lordship over the dead and
living. [14:10]But why do you judge your brother? why do you set at
nought your brother? for we must all stand at the tribunal of God.
[14:11]For it is written, [As] I live, says the Lord, to me every knee
shall bow, and every tongue confess to God. [14:12]Each of us
therefore shall give account of himself to God.
3 [14:13]Let us not therefore judge one another, but judge this rather,
not to place a stumbling-block or an offense before a brother. [14:14]I
know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is defiled in
itself, except to him that thinks any thing to be defiled; to him it is
defiled. [14:15]For if your brother is grieved by your food, you no
longer walk in love. Destroy not with your food him for whom Christ
died. [14:16]Let not your good therefore be injuriously spoken of.
[14:17]For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but
righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit; [14:18]for he
that in this serves Christ is well pleasing to God and approved by men.
[14:19]Let us therefore pursue the things of peace and those which
edify one another. [14:20]On account of food destroy not the work of
God. All things indeed are pure, but evil is to the man that eats with
offense; [14:21]it is good not to eat meat nor drink wine, nor [do] any
thing by which your brother stumbles. [14:22]You have faith; have it
for yourself before God, Blessed is he that condemns not himself in
what he approves; [14:23]but he that doubts is condemned if he eats,
because it is not of faith; and every thing which is not of faith is
sin.
4 [15:1]And we, the strong, ought to bear the infirmities of those who
are not strong, and not to please ourselves. [15:2]Let us each please
our neighbor in that which is good for edification; [15:3]for Christ
also pleased not himself, but, as it is written, The reproaches of
those that reproached thee fell on me. [15:4]For those things which
were written before were written for our instruction, that through
patience and the consolation of the Scriptures we may have hope.
[15:5]And the God of patience and consolation grant you to have the
same mind one to another, according to Christ Jesus, [15:6]that being
of one mind you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
with one mouth.
5 [15:7]Wherefore receive one another, as Christ also received you to
the glory of God. [15:8]For I say that Christ was made a minister of
the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises of the
fathers, [15:9]and that the nations should glorify God for mercy; as it
is written, For this cause will I praise thee among nations, and sing
to thy name. [15:10]And again he says, Rejoice nations with his people.
[15:11]And again, Praise the Lord, all nations, and let all peoples
praise him. [15:12]And again, Isaiah says, There shall be a root of
Jesse and he shall stand up to rule nations, in him shall nations hope.
[15:13]And may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in
believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
6 [15:14]And I am persuaded, my brothers, even I myself, concerning
you, that you are full of kindness, filled with all knowledge, and able
to admonish one another; [15:15]but I have written more boldly to you
in part, to refresh your minds on account of the grace given me by God
[15:16]that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the nations,
administering as a priest the gospel of God, that the offering of the
nations may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. [15:17]I have
therefore cause of boasting in Christ Jesus in respect to things
relating to God; [15:18]for I dare not to speak of what Christ has not
performed by me for the obedience of the nations, by word and work,
[15:19]by the power of miracles and prodigies, by the power of the
Spirit, so that from Jerusalem and around as far as Illyricum I have
fully preached the gospel of Christ. [15:20]And I have been anxious so
to preach where Christ was not named, that I might not build on
another's foundation; [15:21]but as it is written, They shall see to
whom nothing was told concerning him, and they who have not heard shall
understand.
7 [15:22]Wherefore I was also much hindered from coming to you;
[15:23]but now having no longer a place in these regions, and having a
desire to come to you for many years, [15:24]should I go to Spain I
will come to you; for I hope, going by, to see you, and to be sent
forward by you there, when first I am in part filled with you.
[15:25]But now I am going to Jerusalem to serve the saints. [15:26]For
Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for
the poor of the saints at Jerusalem. [15:27]They have been pleased
indeed, and their debtors they are; for if the nations have
participated in their spiritual things, they ought also to serve them
in things pertaining to the flesh. [15:28]Having therefore performed
this, and sealed to them this service, I will go by you to Spain;
[15:29]and I know that when I come to you I shall come in the fullness
of the blessing of Christ. [15:30]But I exhort you by the Lord Jesus
Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in
prayers to God for me, [15:31]that I may be delivered from those that
obey not in Judea, and that my service which is for Jerusalem may be
acceptable to the saints, [15:32]that I may come to you with joy by the
will of God, and be refreshed together with you. [15:33]And may the
God of peace be with you all; amen.
CHAPTER XI.
COMMENDATION OF PHOEBE, SALUTATIONS, ETC.
1 [16:1]AND I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a minister of
the church in Cenchrea, [16:2]that you receive her in the Lord worthily
of the saints, and assist her in any thing in which she may have need
of you; for she has been an assistant of many, and of myself also.
2 [16:3]Salute Prisca [Priscilla] and Aquila my co-laborers in Christ
Jesus, [16:4]who exposed their necks for my life, to whom not only I
give thanks but all the churches of the nations; [16:5]and [salute] the
assembly at their house. Salute Epenetus my beloved, who is the first
fruit of Asia to Christ. [16:6]Salute Mary, who labored much for us.
[16:7]Salute Andronicus and Junius, my relatives and my
fellow-captives, who are distinguished among the apostles, and who were
before me in Christ. [16:8]Salute Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
[16:9]Salute Urbanus our co-laborer in Christ, and Stachus my beloved.
[16:10]Salute Apelles, the approved in Christ. Salute those of the
[family] of Aristobulus. [16:11]Salute Herodion, my relative. Salute
those of the [family] of Narcissus who are in the Lord. [16:12]Salute
Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labored in the Lord. Salute Persis the
beloved, who labored much in the Lord. [16:13]Salute Rufus the elect
in the Lord, and his mother and mine. [16:14]Salute Asyncritus,
Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers with them.
[16:15]Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas,
and all the saints with them. [16:16]Salute one another with a holy
kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.
3 [16:17]I exhort you, brothers, to observe those that cause
dissensions and offenses contrary to the teaching which you learned,
and avoid them; [16:18]for such serve not our anointed Lord, but
themselves, And by kind and complimentary words deceive the minds of
the simple. [16:19]For your obedience has come to all; I rejoice in you
therefore, but I wish you to be wise for that which is good, and simple
for evil. [16:20]And the God of peace shall crush Satan under your feet
shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
4 [16:21]Timothy my co-laborer salutes you, and Lucius and Jason and
Sosipater, my relatives. [16:22]I, Tertius, who wrote the epistle,
salute you in the Lord. [16:23]Gaius my entertainer, and the
entertainer of all the church, salutes you. Erastus the treasurer of
the city and Quartus the brother salute you. [16:24]The grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ be with you all; amen.
5 [16:25]And to him that is able to confirm you according to my gospel,
and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the
mystery not revealed in ancient times, [16:26]but made manifest now by
the scriptures of the prophets, by the command of the eternal God, for
the obedience of the faith among all nations, [16:27]to the only wise
God, through Jesus Christ, to him be the glory forever; amen.
THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON.
ROME, A.D. 63. (ACTS 25:4.)
CONCERNING ONESIMUS, ETC.
1 [1:1]PAUL, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy the brother, to
the beloved. Philemon and our fellow-laborer, [1:2]and to the beloved
Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the assembly at
your house. [1:3]Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ.
2 [1:4]I thank my God, always making mention of you in my prayers,
[1:5] hearing of your love and faith which you have for the Lord Jesus
and for all the saints, [1:6]that your participation of the faith may
be made effectual by a knowledge of all the good which we have in
Christ Jesus. [1:7]For I have great joy and comfort in your love,
because the saints are refreshed by you, brother. [1:8]Wherefore,
having great boldness to command you what is fit, [1:9]on account of
love I rather request; being such as Paul the aged, and now also a
prisoner of Christ Jesus, [1:10]I request you for my son Onesimus, whom
I obtained in my bonds, [1:11]who was formerly not useful to you but is
now most useful to you and me, [1:12]whom I have sent back. And do you
receive him, that is, my soul, [1:13]whom I should like to retain for
myself, that he might serve me for you in the bonds of the gospel,
[1:14]but without your consent I will do nothing, that your service may
not be compulsory but voluntary; [1:15]for perhaps he has been
separated from you for a time that you may have him back forever,
[1:16]no longer as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved,
especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in
the Lord. [1:17]If therefore you regard me as a friend receive him as
myself. [1:18]If he injured you, or owes you any thing, set it to my
account. [1:19]I, Paul, have written with my hand; I will pay; not to
tell you that you owe yourself to me. [1:20]Yes, brother, let me be
profited by you in the Lord; refresh my soul in Christ.
3 [1:21]I have written to you, having confidence in your obedience,
knowing that you will do even more than I say. [1:22]But at the same
time also prepare me a lodging; for I hope that through your prayers I
shall be given to you. [1:23]Epaphras, who is my fellow-captive in
Christ Jesus, [1:24]Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my co-laborers,
salute you. [1:25]The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your
spirit.
THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS.
ROME, A.D. 63. (ACTS 25:4.)
CHAPTER I.
PAUL'S PRAYERS FOR THE COLOSSIANS, THE DIGNITY OF CHRIST, PAUL'S
MINISTRY, FALSE TEACHERS, ETC.
1 [1:1]PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy
the brother, [1:2]to the saints in Colosse and the faithful brothers in
Christ. Grace be to you and peace from God our Father.
2 [1:3]We thank the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying
always for you, [1:4]having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the
love which you have for all the saints, [1:5]on account of the hope
laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the true word
of the gospel [1:6]which is present with you as also in all the world,
and is fruitful and increases, as also with you, from the day that you
heard and knew the grace of God in truth; [1:7]as you learned from
Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of
Christ for you, [1:8]and who made known to us your love in the Spirit.
3 [1:9]Therefore we also, from the day that we heard, cease not to pray
for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of his
will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, [1:10]that you may walk
worthily of the Lord in all that is pleasing [to him], being fruitful
in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; [1:11]being
strengthened with all power, according to his glorious power, for all
patience and long suffering with joy; [1:12]giving thanks to the Father
who has made us fit for a portion in the inheritance of the saints in
light, [1:13]who delivered us from the power of darkness and translated
us into the kingdom of the Son of his love, [1:14]in whom we have
redemption, the forgiveness of sins, [1:15]who is the likeness of the
invisible God, the first-born of all creation, [1:16]for by him were
all things created which are in heaven and on the earth, the visible
and the invisible, whether thrones, or lordships, or principalities, or
powers. All things were created through him and for him, [1:17]and he
is before all things, and in him all things consist, [1:18]and he is
the head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the first-born
from the dead, that he might himself be preeminent in all things,
[1:19]for in him [God] was well pleased that all fullness should dwell,
[1:20]and through him to reconcile all things to himself, making peace
through the blood of his cross, through him, whether things on the
earth or things in the heavens. [1:21]And you, formerly alienated and
enemies in mind by evil works, he has now reconciled [1:22]by the body
of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blame and
without fault before him, [1:23]if indeed you continue founded and
established in the faith, and not moved from the hope of the gospel
which you heard, which was preached in all the creation under heaven;
of which I, Paul, was made a minister.
4 [1:24]Now I rejoice in sufferings for you, and supply the
deficiencies of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body,
which is the church, [1:25]of which I was made a minister according to
the dispensation of God given me for you, to complete the word of God,
[1:26]the mystery concealed from ages and from generations, but now it
has been manifested to his saints, [1:27]to whom God was pleased to
make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the
nations, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory, [1:28]whom we
preach, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom,
that we may present every man perfect in Christ; [1:29]for which I also
labor, striving with his power which operates in me with power.
5 [2:1]For I wish you to know what a conflict I have for you and those
in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,
[2:2]that your hearts may be comforted, being united in love and
[raised] to all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, to
the knowledge of the mystery of God, [2:3]in which are hid all the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge. [2:4]But I say this that no one may
mislead you with persuasive words. [2:5]For if I am absent in the
flesh, still I am present in spirit with you, rejoicing and beholding
your order and the strength of your faith in Christ. [2:6]As therefore
you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, [2:7]founded and
built up in him, and established in the faith as you were taught,
abounding in thanksgiving.
6 [2:8]See that no one leads you off as a prey through philosophy and
vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the
rudiments of the world, and not according to Christ, [2:9]for in him
dwells all the fullness of the Deity bodily [2:10]and you are made
perfect in him, who is the head of all principality and power, [2:11]in
whom you are also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands,
with the putting off of the body of the flesh, with the circumcision of
Christ, [2:12]having been buried with him in baptism, in which you have
also been raised together through the effectual faith of God who raised
him from the dead; [2:13]and you being dead in sins and in the
uncircumcision of your flesh, he has made you alive with him, having
forgiven us all sins, [2:14]having blotted out what was written by the
hand in ordinances which was against us, and has taken it away from
between [us], having nailed it to the cross; [2:15][and] having
subjugated principalities and powers, he made a public exhibition of
them, leading them in triumph by it.
7 [2:16]Let no man therefore judge you in eating and in drinking, or in
respect to a feast, or new moon, or sabbath, [2:17]which are a shadow
of things that were to come; but the body is Christ's. [2:18]Let no one
wishing [it] deprive you of your reward by humility and a worship of
angels, intruding into what he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his
carnal mind, [2:19]and not holding the head, from which all the body
being supplied and compacted by means of joints and tendons grows with
an increase of God. [2:20]If therefore you died with Christ from the
rudiments of the world, why do you practice ordinances as living in the
world,-- [2:21]you shall not touch, you shall not taste, you shall not
feel,-- [2:22]all which are to perish in the using--according to the
commandments and instructions of men? [2:23]Which have an appearance
of wisdom in voluntary worship and humiliation, and in a rigorous
treatment of the body, [which is held] in no respect for the surfeiting
of the flesh.
CHAPTER II.
MORAL DUTIES, ETC.
1 [3:1]IF you, therefore, have been raised with Christ, seek the things
above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God; [3:2]employ your
minds on things above, not on things on the earth. [3:3]For you have
died, and your life is hid with Christ in God; [3:4]when Christ your
life shall be made manifest, then shall you also be made manifest in
glory.
2 [3:5]Put to death, therefore, your members which are on the earth,
fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness which is
idolatry, [3:6]for which comes the wrath of God. [3:7]In which also you
walked formerly when you lived in them; [3:8]but now do you put away
also all these, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, vile conversation out
of your mouth; [3:9]lie not one to another; put off the old man with
his doings, [3:10]and put on the new man, renewed in knowledge in the
likeness of him that created him, [3:11]where there are not Greek and
Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, servant,
freeman, but Christ is all things and in all.
3 [3:12]Put on, therefore, as elect and beloved saints of God, hearts
of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering,
[3:13]forbearing one another, and forgiving one another if any one has
a charge against any, as Christ forgave you, so [do] you also,
[3:14]and in addition to all these [put on] love, which is the bond of
perfection. [3:15]And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for
which you have been called in one body; and be thankful. [3:16]Let the
word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching with all wisdom, and
admonishing one another, with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, singing
with grace in your hearts to God, [3:17]and whatever you do in word or
in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the God
[and] Father through him.
4 [3:18]Wives, be subject to the husbands, as is fit in the Lord.
[3:19] Husbands, love the wives and be not bitter to them.
[3:20]Children, obey [your] parents in all things; for this is well
pleasing in the Lord. [3:21]Fathers, be not fault-finding with your
children, that they be not discouraged. [3:22] Servants, obey in all
things masters according to the flesh, not with eye service, as those
pleasing men, but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord. [3:23]And
whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men;
[3:24]knowing that you will receive from the Lord the recompense of the
inheritance. You serve Christ the Lord; [3:25]for he that does wrong
shall receive for the wrong which he has done, and there is no respect
of persons. [4:1]Masters, render to your servants what is just and
equal, knowing also that you have a master in heaven.
5 [4:2]Be constant in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,
[4:3]praying also at the same time for us, that God will open to us a
door of utterance to declare the mystery of Christ, for which also I am
bound, [4:4]that I may declare it plainly, as I ought to speak.
[4:5]Walk in wisdom towards those without, redeeming the time. [4:6]Let
your words always be with kindness, seasoned with salt, that you may
know how to answer every one.
6 [4:7]Tychicus will inform you of all things relating to me, who is a
beloved brother, and faithful minister, and fellow-servant in the Lord,
[4:8]whom I have sent to you for this purpose, that he may know your
affairs and comfort your hearts, [4:9]with Onesimus the faithful and
beloved brother, who is of you; they will tell you of all things here.
7 [4:10]Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner salutes you, and Mark the nephew
of Barnabas,--concerning whom you received commandments, if he comes to
you receive him,-- [4:11]and Jesus called Justus, who are of the
circumcision; these are the only co-laborers for the kingdom of God who
have been a comfort to me. [4:12]Epaphras, who is of you, a servant of
Christ Jesus, salutes you, always striving for you in prayers that you
may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. [4:13]For I bear
him witness that he has great zeal for you and for those in Laodicea,
and for those in Hierapolis. [4:14]Luke the beloved physician, and
Demas, salute you. [4:15]Salute the brothers in Laodicea, and Nymphas,
and the assembly at his house. [4:16]And when this letter has been read
with you, cause that it be also read by the church of the Laodiceans;
and do you also read that from Laodicea. [4:17]And say to Archippus,
Attend to your ministry which you received in the Lord, to perform it
fully. [4:18]The salutation with my hand, Paul's. Remember my bonds.
The grace be with you.
THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS [LAODICEANS].
ROME, A.D. 63. (ACTS 25:4.)
CHAPTER I.
THE BENEFICENCE OF GOD TO THE ELECT, CHRIST THE SAVIOUR, THE SALVATION
OF THE GENTILES, ETC.
1 [1:1]PAUL, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the
saints in [Ephesus] and the faithful in Christ Jesus. [1:2]Grace be to
you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 [1:3]Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has
blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [worlds] in
Christ, [1:4]as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and blameless before him, [1:5]having
predestinated us in love to an adoption through Jesus Christ to
himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, [1:6]to the praise
of his glorious grace, which he bestowed upon us in the beloved,
[1:7]in whom we have the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness
of sins, according to the riches of his grace, [1:8]which he bestowed
on us abundantly with all wisdom and knowledge [1:9]making known to us
the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he
purposed in himself [1:10]in respect to the dispensation of the
fullness of times, to bring all things into one in Christ, the things
which are in heaven and the things which are on earth, in him [1:11]in
whom also we have been called, having been predestinated according to
the purpose of him who works out all things according to the counsel of
his will, [1:12]that we should be for a praise of his glory, who first
trusted in Christ; [1:13]in whom also you, when you heard the word of
truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also you having believed
were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, [1:14]which is a pledge of
our inheritance for the redemption of the purchased possession, to the
praise of his glory.
3 [1:15]Therefore, I also, having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus
and love to all the saints, [1:16]do not cease to give thanks for you,
making mention of you in my prayers, [1:17]that the God of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and
revelation in the knowledge of him; [1:18]the eyes of your minds being
enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his call, and what
the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, [1:19]and
what the exceeding greatness of his power towards us who believe,
according to the operation of his mighty power, [1:20]which he
performed in Christ, when he raised him from the dead and seated him at
his right hand in the heavenly [worlds], [1:21]above every principality
and authority and power and lordship, and every name that is named, not
only in this life but also in that to come, [1:22]and put all things in
subjection under his feet, and made him head over all things to the
church, [1:23]which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all
things in all.
4 [2:1]And you being dead in trespasses and sins,-- [2:2]in which you
formerly walked according to the life of this world, according to the
ruler of the power of the air, the spirit which now operates in the
children of disobedience, [2:3] among whom also we all formerly lived
in the desires of our flesh, performing the wishes of the flesh and the
mind, and were by nature children of wrath even as others; [2:4]but God
who is rich in mercy, on account of his great love with which he loved
us,-- [2:5]even when we were dead in sins he made us alive with
Christ,--by grace are you saved, [2:6]and raised us up and seated us
together with Christ Jesus in the heavenly worlds, [2:7]that he might
show in the ages to come the transcendent riches of his grace in
goodness to us by Jesus Christ. [2:8]For by grace are you saved through
the faith; and that not of you; [it is] the gift of God; [2:9]not of
works, that no one may boast; [2:10]for we are his creation, created in
Christ Jesus for good works, in which God before appointed that we
should walk.
5 [2:11]Wherefore, remember that you were formerly gentiles by birth,
called uncircumcision by that called circumcision made in the flesh by
the hand, [2:12] that at that time you were without Christ, alienated
from the polity of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise,
having no hope and without God in the world; [2:13]but now, in Christ
Jesus you who were formerly far off have been made nigh by the blood of
Christ. [2:14]For he is our peace, who made both one and broke down the
middle wall of partition, [2:15]the enmity, and abolished by his flesh
the law of commandments [consisting] of ordinances, that of the two he
might create in himself one new man, making peace, [2:16]and reconcile
both in one body to God through the cross, having destroyed the enmity
by it. [2:17]And he came and preached the good news of peace to you who
were far off, and peace to those nigh, [2:18]for through him we both
have access by one spirit to the Father. [2:19]Therefore you are no
longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow-citizens of the
saints and of the family of God, [2:20]being built on the foundation of
the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief
corner-stone, [2:21]by which all the building being fitted together
grows into a holy temple in the Lord, [2:22]in which you also are built
up together for a spiritual habitation of God.