Romans 1-9

Holman Christian Standard Bible

God’s Good News for Rome

1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle^[a](A) and singled out^(B) for God’s good news^(C)— ² which He promised long ago^(D) through His prophets^(E) in the Holy Scriptures— ³ concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David^[b](F) according to the flesh^{(G) 4} and who has been declared to be the powerful^(H) Son of God^(I) by the resurrection from the dead according to the Spirit of holiness.^{[c] 5} We have received grace and apostleship^(J) through Him to bring about^[d] the obedience^(K) of faith^[e] among all the nations,^[f](L) on behalf of His name, ⁶ including yourselves who also belong to Jesus Christ by calling:^(M)

⁷ To all who are in Rome, loved by God,^(N) called^(O) as saints.^(P)

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s Desire to Visit Rome

⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you because the news of your faith^[g] is being reported in all the world.^{(Q) 9} For God, whom I serve with my spirit^(R) in telling the good news about His Son, is my witness^(S) that I constantly mention you,^{(T) 10} always asking in my prayers that if it is somehow in God’s will, I may now at last succeed in coming to you.^{(U) 11} For I want very much to see you,^(V) so I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, ¹² that is, to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

¹³ Now I want you to know,^[h](W) brothers, that I often planned to come to you (but was prevented until now^(X)) in order that I might have a fruitful ministry^[i] among you,^(Y) just as among the rest of the Gentiles. ¹⁴ I am obligated both to Greeks and barbarians,^[j](Z) both to the wise and the foolish. ¹⁵ So I am eager to preach the good news^(AA) to you also who are in Rome.

The Righteous Will Live by Faith

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel,^[k](AB) because it is God’s power for salvation^(AC) to everyone who believes, first to the Jew,^(AD) and also to the Greek.^{(AE) 17} For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith,^[l](AF) just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.^[m](AG)[n]

The Guilt of the Gentile World

¹⁸ For God’s wrath^(AH) is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth,^{(AI) 19} since what can be known^[o] about God is evident among them,^(AJ) because God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world,^(AK) being understood through what He has made.^(AL) As a result, people are without excuse. ²¹ For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened.^{(AM) 22} Claiming to be wise, they became fools^{(AN) 23} and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.^(AO)

²⁴ Therefore God delivered them over in the cravings of their hearts^(AP) to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. ²⁵ They exchanged the truth of God for a lie,^(AQ) and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever.^(AR) Amen.

From Idolatry to Depravity

²⁶ This is why God delivered them over to degrading passions.^(AS) For even their females exchanged natural sexual relations^[p] for unnatural ones. ²⁷ The males in the same way also left natural relations^[q] with females and were inflamed in their lust for one another. Males committed shameless acts with males^(AT) and received in their own persons^[r] the appropriate penalty of their error.

²⁸ And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a worthless mind to do what is morally wrong. ²⁹ They are filled with all unrighteousness,^[s] evil, greed, and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, and malice. They are gossips,^{(AU) 30} slanderers, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful,^(AV) inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,^{(AW) 31} undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving,^[t](AX) and unmerciful. ³² Although they know full well God’s just sentence—that those who practice such things deserve to die^[u](AY)—they not only do them, but even applaud^[v](AZ) others who practice them.

God’s Righteous Judgment

2 Therefore, any one of you^[w](BA) who judges is without excuse.^(BB) For when you judge another,^(BC) you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. ² We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth. ³ Do you really think—anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same—that you will escape God’s judgment? ⁴ Or do you despise the riches of His kindness,^(BD) restraint,^(BE) and patience,^(BF) not recognizing^[x] that God’s kindness^(BG) is intended to lead you to repentance? ⁵ But because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath^(BH) for yourself in the day of wrath,^(BI) when God’s righteous judgment is revealed. ⁶ He will repay each one according to his works:^{(BJ)[y] 7} eternal life^(BK) to those who by persistence in doing good^(BL) seek glory, honor,^(BM) and immortality;^{(BN) 8} but wrath and indignation to those who are self-seeking^(BO) and disobey the truth^(BP) but are obeying unrighteousness; ⁹ affliction and distress^(BQ) for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek;^{(BR) 10} but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. ¹¹ There is no favoritism with God.^(BS)

¹² All those who sinned without the law^(BT) will also perish without the law, and all those who sinned under the law will be judged by the law. ¹³ For the hearers of the law^(BU) are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be declared righteous.^{[z] 14} So, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, instinctively^(BV) do what the law demands, they are a law to themselves even though they do not have the law. ¹⁵ They show that the work of the law^[aa] is written on their hearts.^(BW) Their consciences confirm this. Their competing thoughts will either accuse or excuse them^{[ab] 16} on the day when God judges^(BX) what people have kept secret, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.^(BY)

Jewish Violation of the Law

¹⁷ Now if^[ac] you call yourself a Jew, and rest in the law,^(BZ) boast in God, ¹⁸ know His will, and approve the things that are superior,^(CA) being instructed from the law, ¹⁹ and if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness, ²⁰ an instructor of the ignorant, a teacher of the immature, having the full expression^[ad] of knowledge and truth^(CB) in the law— ²¹ you then, who teach another,^(CC) don’t you teach yourself? You who preach, “You must not steal”—do you steal? ²² You who say, “You must not commit adultery”—do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob their temples?^{(CD) 23} You who boast in the law,^(CE) do you dishonor God by breaking the law? ²⁴ For, as it is written: The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.^(CF)[ae]

Circumcision of the Heart

²⁵ For circumcision benefits you if you observe the law, but if you are a lawbreaker, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.^{(CG) 26} Therefore if an uncircumcised^(CH) man keeps the law’s requirements,^(CI) will his uncircumcision not be counted as circumcision? ²⁷ A man who is physically uncircumcised, but who fulfills the law, will judge you^(CJ) who are a lawbreaker in spite of having the letter of the law and circumcision. ²⁸ For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly,^(CK) and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. ²⁹ On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly,^(CL) and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter.^[af](CM) That man’s praise^[ag] is not from men but from God.^(CN)

Paul Answers an Objection

3 So what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? ² Considerable in every way. First, they were entrusted^(CO) with the spoken words of God.^{(CP) 3} What then? If some did not believe,^(CQ) will their unbelief cancel God’s faithfulness? ⁴ Absolutely not!^(CR) God must be true, even if everyone is a liar,^(CS) as it is written:

⁵ But if our unrighteousness highlights^[ai] God’s righteousness,^(CU) what are we to say?^(CV) I use a human argument:^[aj](CW) Is God unrighteous to inflict wrath? ⁶ Absolutely not! Otherwise, how will God judge the world?^{(CX) 7} But if by my lie God’s truth is amplified to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?^{(CY) 8} And why not say, just as some people slanderously claim we say, “Let us do what is evil so that good may come”?^(CZ) Their condemnation is deserved!

The Whole World Guilty before God

⁹ What then? Are we any better?^[ak] Not at all! For we have previously charged that both Jews^(DA) and Gentiles^[al](DB) are all under sin,^{[am](DC) 10} as it is written:^[an]

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says^(DJ) speaks to those who are subject to the law,^[au](DK) so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God’s judgment.^{[av](DL) 20} For no one will be justified^[aw] in His sight by the works of the law,^(DM) because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.^(DN)

God’s Righteousness through Faith

²¹ But now, apart from the law, God’s righteousness has been revealed^(DO)—attested by the Law and the Prophets^{[ax](DP) 22} —that is, God’s righteousness through faith^(DQ) in Jesus Christ,^[ay](DR) to all who believe,^(DS) since there is no distinction.^{(DT) 23} For all have sinned^(DU) and fall short of the^[az] glory of God. ²⁴ They are justified freely by His grace^(DV) through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.^{(DW) 25} God presented Him as a propitiation^[ba](DX) through faith in His blood,^(DY) to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God^(DZ) passed over the sins previously committed.^{(EA) 26} God presented Him to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be righteous and declare righteous^[bb] the one who has faith in Jesus.

Boasting Excluded

²⁷ Where then is boasting?^(EB) It is excluded. By what kind of law?^[bc](EC) By one of works? No, on the contrary, by a law^[bd] of faith. ²⁸ For we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.^{(ED) 29} Or is God for Jews only?^(EE) Is He not also for Gentiles? Yes, for Gentiles too, ³⁰ since there is one God^(EF) who will justify the circumcised by faith^(EG) and the uncircumcised through faith. ³¹ Do we then cancel the law through faith? Absolutely not!^(EH) On the contrary, we uphold the law.^(EI)

Abraham Justified by Faith

4 What then can we say that Abraham, our physical ancestor,^[be](EJ) has found? ² If Abraham was justified^[bf] by works,^(EK) he has something to brag about—but not before God.^{[bg] 3} For what does the Scripture say?

⁴ Now to the one who works,^(EM) pay is not considered as a gift, but as something owed. ⁵ But to the one who does not work, but believes on Him who declares the ungodly to be righteous,^[bi](EN) his faith is credited for righteousness.

David Celebrating the Same Truth

⁶ Likewise, David also speaks of the blessing of the man God credits righteousness to apart from works:

Abraham Justified before Circumcision

⁹ Is this blessing only for the circumcised,^(EP) then? Or is it also for the uncircumcised? For we say, Faith was credited to Abraham for righteousness.^{(EQ)[bk] 10} In what way then was it credited—while he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while he was circumcised, but uncircumcised. ¹¹ And he received the sign of circumcision^(ER) as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith^[bl](ES) while still uncircumcised. This was to make him the father^(ET) of all who believe^(EU) but are not circumcised, so that righteousness may be credited to them also. ¹² And he became the father of the circumcised, who are not only circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith our father Abraham had while he was still uncircumcised.

The Promise Granted through Faith

¹³ For the promise to Abraham^(EV) or to his descendants that he would inherit the world^(EW) was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.^{[bm] 14} If those who are of the law are heirs,^(EX) faith is made empty and the promise is canceled. ¹⁵ For the law produces wrath.^(EY) And where there is no law,^(EZ) there is no transgression.

¹⁶ This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace,^(FA) to guarantee it to all the descendants^(FB)—not only to those who are of the law^[bn] but also to those who are of Abraham’s faith. He is the father of us all ¹⁷ in God’s sight. As it is written: I have made you the father of many nations.^(FC)[bo] He believed in God, who gives life to the dead^(FD) and calls^(FE) things into existence that do not exist.^{(FF) 18} He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations^(FG)[bp] according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be.^{(FH)[bq] 19} He considered^[br] his own body to be already dead^(FI) (since he was about 100 years old)^(FJ) and also considered the deadness of Sarah’s womb,^(FK) without weakening in the faith. ²⁰ He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,^{(FL) 21} because he was fully convinced^(FM) that what He had promised He was also able to perform.^{(FN) 22} Therefore, it was credited to him for righteousness.^{(FO)[bs] 23} Now it was credited to him was not written for Abraham alone,^{(FP) 24} but also for us. It will be credited to us who believe in Him^(FQ) who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.^{(FR) 25} He was delivered up for^[bt] our trespasses^(FS) and raised for^[bu] our justification.^[bv](FT)

Faith Triumphs

5 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith,^(FU) we have peace^[bw] with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.^{(FV) 2} We have also obtained access through Him^(FW) by faith^[bx] into this grace in which we stand,^(FX) and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only that,^(FY) but we also rejoice in our afflictions,^(FZ) because we know that affliction produces endurance,^{(GA) 4} endurance produces proven character,^(GB) and proven character produces hope. ⁵ This hope will not disappoint us,^(GC) because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts^(GD) through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Those Declared Righteous Are Reconciled

⁶ For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment,^(GE) Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. ⁸ But God proves^(GF) His own love for us^(GG) in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! ⁹ Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood,^(GH) we will be saved through Him from wrath.^{(GI) 10} For if, while we were enemies,^(GJ) we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life!^{(GK) 11} And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have now received this reconciliation through Him.^(GL)

Death through Adam and Life through Christ

¹² Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man,^(GM) and death through sin,^(GN) in this way death spread to all men,^(GO) because all sinned.^{[by] 13} In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law.^{(GP) 14} Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression.^(GQ) He is a prototype^[bz] of the Coming One.^(GR)

¹⁵ But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift overflowed to the many by the grace of the one man,^(GS) Jesus Christ. ¹⁶ And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment,^(GT) resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification.^{[ca] 17} Since by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life^(GU) through the one man, Jesus Christ.

¹⁸ So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification^[cb](GV) for everyone. ¹⁹ For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners,^(GW) so also through the one man’s obedience^(GX) the many will be made righteous. ²⁰ The law came along to multiply the trespass.^(GY) But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more^{(GZ) 21} so that, just as sin reigned in death,^(HA) so also grace will reign^(HB) through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The New Life in Christ

6 What should we say then?^(HC) Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply?^{(HD) 2} Absolutely not!^(HE) How can we who died to sin^(HF) still live in it? ³ Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized^(HG) into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?^{(HH) 4} Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death,^(HI) in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead^(HJ) by the glory of the Father,^(HK) so we too may walk in a new way^[cc] of life.^{(HL) 5} For if we have been joined with Him in the likeness of His death,^(HM) we will certainly also be^[cd] in the likeness of His resurrection. ⁶ For we know that our old self^[ce](HN) was crucified with Him^(HO) in order that sin’s dominion over the body^[cf] may be abolished,^(HP) so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, ⁷ since a person who has died^(HQ) is freed^[cg] from sin’s claims.^{[ch] 8} Now if we died with Christ,^(HR) we believe that we will also live with Him, ⁹ because we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead,^(HS) will not die again. Death no longer rules over Him.^{(HT) 10} For in light of the fact that He died, He died to sin once for all; but in light of the fact that He lives, He lives to God. ¹¹ So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin^(HU) but alive to God in Christ Jesus.^[ci]

¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey^[cj] its desires. ¹³ And do not offer any parts^[ck] of it to sin^(HV) as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God,^(HW) and all the parts^[cl] of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness. ¹⁴ For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under law^(HX) but under grace.^(HY)

From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God

¹⁵ What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace?^(HZ) Absolutely not!^{(IA) 16} Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone^[cm] as obedient slaves,^(IB) you are slaves of that one you obey^(IC)—either of sin leading to death^(ID) or of obedience leading to righteousness? ¹⁷ But thank God that, although you used to be slaves of sin,^(IE) you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching you were transferred^[cn] to,^{(IF) 18} and having been liberated from sin,^(IG) you became enslaved to righteousness. ¹⁹ I am using a human analogy^[co](IH) because of the weakness of your flesh.^[cp] For just as you offered the parts^[cq] of yourselves as slaves to moral impurity, and to greater and greater lawlessness, so now offer them as slaves to righteousness, which results in sanctification. ²⁰ For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from allegiance to righteousness.^{[cr](II) 21} So what fruit was produced^[cs] then from the things you are now ashamed of?^(IJ) For the end of those things is death.^{(IK) 22} But now, since you have been liberated from sin and have become enslaved to God,^(IL) you have your fruit, which results in sanctification^[ct](IM)—and the end is eternal life!^{(IN) 23} For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.^(IO)

An Illustration from Marriage

7 Since I am speaking to those who understand law, brothers,^(IP) are you unaware that the law has authority over someone as long as he lives? ² For example, a married woman is legally bound to her husband while he lives.^(IQ) But if her husband dies, she is released from the law regarding the husband. ³ So then, if she gives herself to another man while her husband is living, she will be called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law. Then, if she gives herself to another man, she is not an adulteress.

⁴ Therefore, my brothers, you also were put to death^(IR) in relation to the law^(IS) through the crucified body of the Messiah,^(IT) so that you may belong to another—to Him who was raised from the dead—that we may bear fruit for God. ⁵ For when we were in the flesh,^[cu](IU) the sinful passions operated through the law in every part of us^[cv](IV) and bore fruit for death. ⁶ But now we have been released from the law, since we have died to what held us, so that we may serve in the new way^[cw] of the Spirit^(IW) and not in the old letter of the law.

Sin’s Use of the Law

⁷ What should we say then?^(IX) Is the law sin? Absolutely not!^(IY) On the contrary, I would not have known sin if it were not for the law.^(IZ) For example, I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, Do not covet.^{(JA)[cx] 8} And sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment,^(JB) produced in me coveting of every kind. For apart from the law sin is dead.^{(JC) 9} Once I was alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life ¹⁰ and I died. The commandment that was meant for life^(JD) resulted in death for me. ¹¹ For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me,^(JE) and through it killed me. ¹² So then, the law is holy,^(JF) and the commandment is holy and just and good.

The Problem of Sin in Us

¹³ Therefore, did what is good cause my death?^[cy] Absolutely not!^(JG) On the contrary, sin, in order to be recognized as sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that through the commandment, sin might become sinful beyond measure. ¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual,^(JH) but I am made out of flesh,^[cz] sold^(JI) into sin’s power.^{(JJ) 15} For I do not understand what I am doing,^(JK) because I do not practice what I want to do,^(JL) but I do what I hate. ¹⁶ And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good. ¹⁷ So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me. ¹⁸ For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh.^(JM) For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but it is the sin that lives in me. ²¹ So I discover this principle:^[da](JN) When I want to do what is good, evil is with me. ²² For in my inner self^[db] I joyfully agree with God’s law.^{(JO) 23} But I see a different law in the parts of my body,^[dc](JP) waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body.^{[dd] 24} What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this dying body?^{(JQ) 25} I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord!^[de](JR) So then, with my mind I myself am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh, to the law of sin.

The Life-Giving Spirit

8 Therefore, no condemnation^(JS) now exists for those in^(JT) Christ Jesus,^{[df](JU) 2} because the Spirit’s law of life^(JV) in Christ Jesus has set you^[dg] free from the law of sin and of death.^{(JW) 3} What the law could not do^(JX) since it was limited^[dh] by the flesh,^(JY) God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours^(JZ) under sin’s domain,^[di] and as a sin offering,^{(KA) 4} in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished^(KB) in us who do not walk according to the flesh^(KC) but according to the Spirit. ⁵ For those who live^[dj] according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh,^(KD) but those who live^[dk] according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For the mind-set of the flesh^(KE) is death,^(KF) but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile^(KG) to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so. ⁸ Those who are in the flesh^(KH) cannot please God. ⁹ You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since^[dl] the Spirit of God lives in you.^(KI) But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ,^(KJ) he does not belong to Him. ¹⁰ Now if Christ is in you,^(KK) the body is dead^[dm] because of sin, but the Spirit^[dn] is life because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead^(KL) lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through^[do] His Spirit who lives in you.

The Holy Spirit’s Ministries

¹² So then, brothers, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, ¹³ for if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body,^(KM) you will live. ¹⁴ All those led by God’s Spirit^(KN) are God’s sons.^{(KO) 15} For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,^(KP) but you received the Spirit of adoption,^(KQ) by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!”^{(KR) 16} The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit^(KS) that we are God’s children, ¹⁷ and if children, also heirs^(KT)—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that^[dp] we suffer with Him^(KU) so that we may also be glorified with Him.

From Groans to Glory

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing^(KV) with the glory^(KW) that is going to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation^(KX) for God’s sons^(KY) to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected^(KZ) to futility^(LA)—not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it^(LB)—in the hope ²¹ that the creation itself^(LC) will also be set free from the bondage of corruption into the glorious freedom of God’s children. ²² For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains^(LD) until now. ²³ And not only that,^(LE) but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits^(LF)—we also groan within ourselves,^(LG) eagerly waiting for adoption,^(LH) the redemption of our bodies.^{(LI) 24} Now in this hope^(LJ) we were saved, yet hope^(LK) that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see,^(LL) we eagerly wait for it with patience.

²⁶ In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should,^(LM) but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us^[dq](LN) with unspoken groanings. ²⁷ And He who searches the hearts^(LO) knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

²⁸ We know that all things work together^[dr] for the good^[ds] of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.^{(LP) 29} For those He foreknew He also predestined^(LQ) to be conformed to the image of His Son,^(LR) so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.^{(LS) 30} And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified;^(LT) and those He justified, He also glorified.^(LU)

The Believer’s Triumph

Israel’s Rejection of Christ

9 I speak the truth in Christ^(MR)—I am not lying; my conscience is testifying to me with the Holy Spirit^[du]— ² that I have intense sorrow and continual anguish in my heart. ³ For I could almost wish^(MS) to be cursed^(MT) and cut off^[dv] from the Messiah for the benefit of my brothers, my own flesh and blood. ⁴ They are Israelites,^(MU) and to them belong the adoption,^(MV) the glory,^(MW) the covenants,^(MX) the giving of the law,^(MY) the temple service,^(MZ) and the promises.^{(NA) 5} The ancestors are theirs,^(NB) and from them, by physical descent,^[dw] came the Messiah,^(NC) who is God^(ND) over all,^(NE) praised forever.^[dx](NF) Amen.

God’s Gracious Election of Israel

⁶ But it is not as though the word of God has failed.^(NG) For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.^{(NH) 7} Neither are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants.^[dy](NI) On the contrary, your offspring will be traced^[dz] through Isaac.^{(NJ)[ea] 8} That is, it is not the children by physical descent^[eb] who are God’s children,^(NK) but the children of the promise^(NL) are considered to be the offspring. ⁹ For this is the statement of the promise: At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.^{(NM)[ec] 10} And not only that,^(NN) but also Rebekah received a promise when she became pregnant^[ed](NO) by one man, our ancestor Isaac. ¹¹ For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand—^{(NP) 12} not from works but from the One who calls—she was told: The older will serve the younger.^{(NQ)[ee] 13} As it is written: I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.^(NR)[ef]

God’s Selection Is Just

¹⁴ What should we say then?^(NS) Is there injustice with God?^(NT) Absolutely not!^{(NU) 15} For He tells Moses:

¹⁶ So then it does not depend on human will or effort^[eh](NW) but on God who shows mercy.^{(NX) 17} For the Scripture tells Pharaoh:

¹⁸ So then, He shows mercy to those He wants to, and He hardens those He wants to harden.^(NZ)

¹⁹ You will say to me,^(OA) therefore, “Why then does He still find fault?^(OB) For who can resist His will?”^{(OC) 20} But who are you, a mere man, to talk back to God?^(OD) Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?”^{(OE) 21} Or has the potter no right over the clay,^(OF) to make from the same lump one piece of pottery for honor and another for dishonor? ²² And what if God, desiring to display His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience^(OG) objects of wrath ready for destruction?^{(OH) 23} And what if He did this to make known the riches of His glory^(OI) on objects of mercy^(OJ) that He prepared beforehand for glory^(OK)— ²⁴ on us, the ones He also called,^(OL) not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?^{(OM) 25} As He also says in Hosea:

²⁷ But Isaiah cries out concerning Israel:

²⁹ And just as Isaiah predicted:

Israel’s Present State

³⁰ What should we say then?^(OU) Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained righteousness—namely the righteousness that comes from faith.^{(OV) 31} But Israel, pursuing the law for righteousness,^(OW) has not achieved the righteousness of the law.^{[ep](OX) 32} Why is that? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works.^[eq] They stumbled over the stumbling stone.^{(OY) 33} As it is written: