LittleNipper wrote: For example, a married woman is bound by Law to her husband while he is alive; but if the husband dies, she is released from the section of the Law dealing with husbands. [Please note: this verse flies in the face of Mormon doctrine regarding marriage. Paul (who should know) is stating that when death comes the marriage vowels are no longer binding.]
I have seen Matthew 22:30 and Mark 12:25 used against the LDS Concept of eternal marriage, but I don’t really remember having seen Romans 7:2 used against the LDS Concept of eternal marriage.
As a result, there is no condemnation waiting the those united with the Messiah Jesus.
Why? Because the Law of the Spirit, which instills this life in union with Messiah Jesus, has set me free from the “Law” of sin and death.
For what the Law could not do alone, because it lacked the power to make the old nature cooperate, God did by sending His only Son into the world, as a human being with a nature like our own sinful one [but without sin]. God did this in order to conquer sin, and in so doing He executed the punishment against sin in human nature,
so that the just requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not run our lives according to what our old nature desires but according to what the Spirit wants.
For those who identify with their old nature set their minds on the things of the old nature, but those who identify with the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
Having one’s mind controlled by the old nature is death, but having one’s mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.
For the mind controlled by the old nature is hostile towards God, because it does not submit itself to God’s Law — in fact, it cannot.
Thus, those who identify with their old nature cannot please God.
But you, you do not identify with your old nature but with the Spirit — provided the Spirit of God is living inside you, for anyone who doesn’t have the Spirit of the Messiah doesn’t belong to Him.
However, if the Messiah is in you, then, on the one hand, the body is dead because of sin; but, on the other hand, the Spirit is providing life because God regards you righteous.
And if the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead is residing within you, then the One who raised the Messiah Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit living in you.
So then, brethren, we don’t owe anything to our old nature that would commit us to live according to our old nature.
For if you remain in accordance to your old nature, you will certainly die; but if, by the Spirit, you continually put to death the practices of the body, you will live.
All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to bring you back again into fear; quit the contrary, you received the Spirit, who makes us sons and by whose power we cry out, “Dear Daddy!”.
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our own spirits that we are children of God;
and if we are children, then we are also heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with the Messiah — provided we suffer with Him in order to be glorified with Him.
I don’t think the sufferings we are going through now are even worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us in the future.
The creation waits eagerly for the sons of God to be revealed;
for the creation was made subject to frustration — not willingly, but because of the one who subjected it. But it was given a reliable hope
that it too would be set free from its bondage to decay and would enjoy the freedom accompanying the glory that God’s children will have.
We know that until now, the whole creation has been groaning as with the pains of childbirth;
and not only it, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we continue waiting eagerly to become sons — that is, to have our whole bodies redeemed and set free.
It was in this hope that we were saved. But if we observe what we hope for, it isn’t hope — after all, who hopes for what he already observes?
But if we continue hoping for something we don’t see, then we still wait eagerly for it, with perseverance.
Similarly, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we don’t know how to pray the way we should. But the Spirit Himself pleads on our behalf with groanings too deep for words;
and the One searching our hearts knows exactly what the Spirit thinks, because He is pleading for God’s people in accordance with God’s will.
Additionally, we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called in accordance with His purpose;
because those whom He knew in advance, He also determined in advance would be conformed to His Son's pattern, so that he might be the firstborn among many brethren; and those whom he thus determined in advance, He called; and those whom He called, h e also caused to be considered righteous; and those whom he caused to be considered righteous he also glorified!
So what, are we to say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare even His only Son, but gave him up on behalf of us all — is it possible that, having given us his Son, he would not give us everything else too?
So who will bring a charge against God’s chosen people? Certainly not God — He is the one who causes them to be regarded righteous!
Who punishes them? Certainly not the Messiah Jesus, who died and — more than that — has been raised, is at the right hand of God and is actually pleading on our behalf!
Who will separate us from the love of the Messiah? Trouble? Hardship? Persecution? Hunger? Poverty? Danger? War?
As the scripture acknowledges,
“For your sake we are being put to death all day long, we are considered sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are super conquerors, through the One who has loved us.
I'm convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers, neither what exists nor what is coming,
neither powers above nor powers below, nor any other created thing will be able to tear us from the love of God which comes to us through Jesus the Messiah, our Lord.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
1 There is, then, now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit;
2 for the law of the Spirit of the life in Christ Jesus did set me free from the law of the sin and of the death;
3 for what the law was not able to do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, His own Son having sent in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, did condemn the sin in the flesh,
4 that the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
5 For those who are according to the flesh, the things of the flesh do mind; and those according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit;
6 for the mind of the flesh [is] death, and the mind of the Spirit -- life and peace;
7 because the mind of the flesh [is] enmity to God, for to the law of God it doth not subject itself,
8 for neither is it able; and those who are in the flesh are not able to please God.
9 And ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God doth dwell in you; and if any one hath not the Spirit of Christ -- this one is not His;
10 and if Christ [is] in you, the body, indeed, [is] dead because of sin, and the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness,
11 and if the Spirit of Him who did raise up Jesus out of the dead doth dwell in you, He who did raise up the Christ out of the dead shall quicken also your dying bodies, through His Spirit dwelling in you.
12 So, then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh;
13 for if according to the flesh ye do live, ye are about to die; and if, by the Spirit, the deeds of the body ye put to death, ye shall live;
14 for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God;
15 for ye did not receive a spirit of bondage again for fear, but ye did receive a spirit of adoption in which we cry, `Abba -- Father.'
16 The Spirit himself doth testify with our spirit, that we are children of God;
17 and if children, also heirs, heirs, indeed, of God, and heirs together of Christ -- if, indeed, we suffer together, that we may also be glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of the present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory about to be revealed in us;
19 for the earnest looking out of the creation doth expect the revelation of the sons of God;
20 for to vanity was the creation made subject -- not of its will, but because of Him who did subject [it] -- in hope,
21 that also the creation itself shall be set free from the servitude of the corruption to the liberty of the glory of the children of God;
22 for we have known that all the creation doth groan together, and doth travail in pain together till now.
23 And not only [so], but also we ourselves, having the first-fruit of the Spirit, we also ourselves in ourselves do groan, adoption expecting -- the redemption of our body;
24 for in hope we were saved, and hope beheld is not hope; for what any one doth behold, why also doth he hope for [it]?
25 and if what we do not behold we hope for, through continuance we expect [it].
26 And, in like manner also, the Spirit doth help our weaknesses; for, what we may pray for, as it behoveth [us], we have not known, but the Spirit himself doth make intercession for us with groanings unutterable,
27 and He who is searching the hearts hath known what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because according to God he doth intercede for saints.
28 And we have known that to those loving God all things do work together for good, to those who are called according to purpose;
29 because whom He did foreknow, He also did fore-appoint, conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be first-born among many brethren;
30 and whom He did fore-appoint, these also He did call; and whom He did call, these also He declared righteous; and whom He declared righteous, these also He did glorify.
31 What, then, shall we say unto these things? if God [is] for us, who [is] against us?
32 He who indeed His own Son did not spare, but for us all did deliver him up, how shall He not also with him the all things grant to us?
33 Who shall lay a charge against the choice ones of God? God [is] He that is declaring righteous,
34 who [is] he that is condemning? Christ [is] He that died, yea, rather also, was raised up; who is also on the right hand of God -- who also doth intercede for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of the Christ? tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 (according as it hath been written -- `For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long, we were reckoned as sheep of slaughter,')
37 but in all these we more than conquer, through him who loved us;
38 for I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor messengers, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present,
39 nor things about to be, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, that [is] in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I'm speaking truth — as one belonging to the Messiah, I do not lie; and also bearing witness is my conscience, governed by the Holy Spirit:
my grief is so deep, the pain in my heart so constant,
that I could wish myself actually under God’s curse and separated from the Messiah, if it would help my brethren, my own flesh and blood,
the people of Israel! They were made God’s children, the GLORY has been with them, the covenants are theirs, likewise the giving of the Law, the Temple service and the promises;
the Patriarchs are theirs; and from them, as far as his physical descent is concerned, arrived the Messiah, who is over all. Praised be the Lord forever! So be it!
But the present condition of Israel does not mean that the Word of God has failed.
For not everyone from Israel is truly part of Israel;
indeed, not all the descendants are seed of Abraham; rather, “What is to be called your ‘seed’ will be in Isaac.”
In other words, it is not the physical children who are children of God, but the children the promise refers to who are considered seed.
For this is what the promise said: “At the time set, I will arrive; and Sarah will have a son.”
And even more to the point is the case of Rebecca ; for both her children were conceived in a single act with Isaac, our father;
and before they were born, before they had done anything at all, either good or bad (so that God’s plan might remain a matter of his sovereign choice, not dependent on what they did, but on God, who does the calling),
it was told to her, “The older will serve the younger.”
This follows along with where it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
So are we to say, “It is unjust for God to do this”? Heaven forbid!
For to Moses says, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will take pity whom I pity.”
Thus it doesn’t depend on human desires or efforts, but on God, who has mercy.
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “It is for this very reason that I raised you up, so that in connection with you I might demonstrate My power, so that My name might be known throughout the world.”
So then, He has mercy on whom He wants, and He hardens whom He wants.
However you will say to me, “Then why does He still find fault with us? After all, who resists His will?”
Who are you, a mere human, to talk back to God? Will what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did you design me this way?”
Or has the potter no right to make from a given lump of clay this pot for honorable use and that one for dishonorable?
Now what if God, even though he was quite willing to demonstrate his anger and make known his power, patiently put up with people who deserved punishment and were ripe for destruction?
What if He did this in order to make known the riches of His glory to those who are the objects of His mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory —
that is, to us, whom He called not only from among the Jews but also from among the Gentiles?
As indeed He says in Hosea,
“Those who were not My people I will call My people; her who was not loved I will call loved;
and in the very place where they were told, ‘You are not My people,’ there they will be labelled sons of the living God!”[i]
But Isaiah, referring to Israel, cries out,
“Even if the people in Israel number is many as the number of grains of sand by the sea, only a remnant will be saved.
For The Lord will fulfill His word on the earth with certainty and without delay.”
Also, as Isaiah said earlier,
“If Lord of Armies had not left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, we would have resembled ‘Gomorrah.”[k]
So, what can we say? This: that Gentiles, even though they were not striving for righteousness, have obtained righteousness; but it is a righteousness grounded in trusting!
However, Israel, even though they kept pursuing a Law that offers righteousness, did not reach what the Torah offers.
Why? Because they did not pursue righteousness grounded in trusting but as if it were grounded in doing legalistic works. They stumbled over the stone that makes people stumble.
As the scriptures puts it,
“Look, I am laying a stone in Sion that will make people stumble, a rock that will cause tripping. But he who rests his trust on it will not be humiliated.”
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
1 Truth I say in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing testimony with me in the Holy Spirit,
2 that I have great grief and unceasing pain in my heart --
3 for I was wishing, I myself, to be anathema from the Christ -- for my brethren, my kindred, according to the flesh,
4 who are Israelites, whose [is] the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the lawgiving, and the service, and the promises,
5 whose [are] the fathers, and of whom [is] the Christ, according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed to the ages. Amen.
6 And it is not possible that the word of God hath failed; for not all who [are] of Israel are these Israel;
7 nor because they are seed of Abraham [are] all children, but -- `in Isaac shall a seed be called to thee;'
8 that is, the children of the flesh -- these [are] not children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for seed;
9 for the word of promise [is] this; `According to this time I will come, and there shall be to Sarah a son.'
10 And not only [so], but also Rebecca, having conceived by one -- Isaac our father --
11 (for they being not yet born, neither having done anything good or evil, that the purpose of God, according to choice, might remain; not of works, but of Him who is calling,) it was said to her --
12 `The greater shall serve the less;'
13 according as it hath been written, `Jacob I did love, and Esau I did hate.'
14 What, then, shall we say? unrighteousness [is] with God? let it not be!
15 for to Moses He saith, `I will do kindness to whom I do kindness, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion;'
16 so, then -- not of him who is willing, nor of him who is running, but of God who is doing kindness:
17 for the Writing saith to Pharaoh -- `For this very thing I did raise thee up, that I might shew in thee My power, and that My name might be declared in all the land;'
18 so, then, to whom He willeth, He doth kindness, and to whom He willeth, He doth harden.
19 Thou wilt say, then, to me, `Why yet doth He find fault? for His counsel who hath resisted?'
20 nay, but, O man, who art thou that art answering again to God? shall the thing formed say to Him who did form [it], Why me didst thou make thus?
21 hath not the potter authority over the clay, out of the same lump to make the one vessel to honour, and the one to dishonour?
22 And if God, willing to shew the wrath and to make known His power, did endure, in much long suffering, vessels of wrath fitted for destruction,
23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on vessels of kindness, that He before prepared for glory, whom also He did call -- us --
24 not only out of Jews, but also out of nations,
25 as also in Hosea He saith, `I will call what [is] not My people -- My people; and her not beloved -- Beloved,
26 and it shall be -- in the place where it was said to them, Ye [are] not My people; there they shall be called sons of the living God.'
27 And Isaiah doth cry concerning Israel, `If the number of the sons of Israel may be as the sand of the sea, the remnant shall be saved;
28 for a matter He is finishing, and is cutting short in righteousness, because a matter cut short will the Lord do upon the land.
29 and according as Isaiah saith before, `Except the Lord of Sabaoth did leave to us a seed, as Sodom we had become, and as Gomorrah we had been made like.'
30 What, then, shall we say? that nations who are not pursuing righteousness did attain to righteousness, and righteousness that [is] of faith,
31 and Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, at a law of righteousness did not arrive;
32 wherefore? because -- not by faith, but as by works of law; for they did stumble at the stone of stumbling,
33 according as it hath been written, `Lo, I place in Sion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence; and every one who is believing thereon shall not be ashamed.'
1 Brethren, the pleasure indeed of my heart, and my supplication that [is] to God for Israel, is -- for salvation;
2 for I bear them testimony that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge,
3 for not knowing the righteousness of God, and their own righteousness seeking to establish, to the righteousness of God they did not submit.
4 For Christ is an end of law for righteousness to every one who is believing,
5 for Moses doth describe the righteousness that [is] of the law, that, `The man who did them shall live in them,'
6 and the righteousness of faith doth thus speak: `Thou mayest not say in thine heart, Who shall go up to the heaven,' that is, Christ to bring down?
7 or, `Who shall go down to the abyss,' that is, Christ out of the dead to bring up.
8 But what doth it say? `Nigh thee is the saying -- in thy mouth, and in thy heart:' that is, the saying of the faith, that we preach;
9 that if thou mayest confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and mayest believe in thy heart that God did raise him out of the dead, thou shalt be saved,
10 for with the heart doth [one] believe to righteousness, and with the mouth is confession made to salvation;
11 for the Writing saith, `Every one who is believing on him shall not be ashamed,'
12 for there is no difference between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord of all [is] rich to all those calling upon Him,
13 for every one -- whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, he shall be saved.'
14 How then shall they call upon [him] in whom they did not believe? and how shall they believe [on him] of whom they did not hear? and how shall they hear apart from one preaching?
15 and how shall they preach, if they may not be sent? according as it hath been written, `How beautiful the feet of those proclaiming good tidings of peace, of those proclaiming good tidings of the good things!'
16 But they were not all obedient to the good tidings, for Isaiah saith, `Lord, who did give credence to our report?'
17 so then the faith [is] by a report, and the report through a saying of God,
18 but I say, Did they not hear? yes, indeed -- `to all the earth their voice went forth, and to the ends of the habitable world their sayings.'
19 But I say, Did not Israel know? first Moses saith, `I will provoke you to jealousy by [that which is] not a nation; by an unintelligent nation I will anger you,'
20 and Isaiah is very bold, and saith, `I was found by those not seeking Me; I became manifest to those not inquiring after Me;'
21 and unto Israel He saith, `All the day I did stretch out My hands unto a people unbelieving and gainsaying.'
I ask you, has God rejected and disavowed His people? Absolutely not! For I'm also an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
God has not rejected His chosen people whom He preselected. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?
“Lord, they have murdered Your prophets, they have destroyed Your altars, and I alone am left [of the prophets], and they are seeking to kill me.”
But what is God’s response to him? “I have kept for Myself 7000 men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”
So too then, at the present time there has come to be a small believing minority according to God’s gracious choice.
But if it is by God’s unmerited favor, it is no longer by the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.
What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking, but the elect obtained it, while the rest of them became hardened and callously indifferent;
just as it is written,
“God gave them a spirit of intoxication, Eyes that do not observe and ears that do not listen, to this very day.”
And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution to them.
“Let their eyes be dimmed so that they do not perceive. And make their backs deal with burden forever.”
So I say, have they stumbled so as to fall? Certainly not! But by their rejection of the Messiah salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make Israel jealous.
Now if Israel’s transgression means riches for the world and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment and reinstatement be!
But now I am speaking to Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
in the hope of somehow making my fellow countrymen jealous and perhaps save some of them.
For if their present rejection of salvation is for the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance of salvation be but nothing less than life from the dead?
If the dough offered as the first fruits is holy, so is the whole batch; and if the patriarchs are holy, so are the Israelites.
But if some of the branches were broken off, and you [Gentiles], being like a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among them to share with them the rich root of the olive tree,
do not boast over the [broken] branches and exalt yourself at their expense. If you do boast and feel superior, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root that supports you.
You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.”
That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but regard God;
for if God did not spare the natural branches [due to unbelief], He will not spare you either.
Then appreciate the gracious kindness and the severity of God: to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s gracious kindness if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off.
And even the unbelieving Jews, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for God has the power to graft them in again.
For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and against nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much easier will it be to graft these who are the natural branches back into their own olive tree?
I do not want you, believers, to be unaware of God’s previously hidden plan — so that you will not be wise in your own opinion—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in;
and so all Israel having a personal faith in Jesus as Messiah will be saved; just as it is written,
“The Deliverer (Messiah) will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.”
“This is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.”
From the standpoint of the gospel, the Jews presently are enemies which is for your benefit, but from the standpoint of God’s choice, they are still loved by Him for the sake of the fathers.
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Just as you once were disobedient and failed to listen to God, but have now obtained mercy because of their disobedience,
so they too have now become disobedient so that they too may one day receive mercy because of the mercy shown to you.
For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to Jew and Gentile alike.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How mysterious are His judgments and decisions and how incomprehensible and untraceable are His ways!
For who knows the mind of the Lord, or who has counseled Him?
Or who has first handed to Him that it would be reimbursed?
For from Him everything originates and through Him everything lives and exist] and to Him are all things [directed]. To Him be glory and honor forever! Amen.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
1 I say, then, Did God cast away His people? let it not be! for I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin:
2 God did not cast away His people whom He knew before; have ye not known -- in Elijah -- what the Writing saith? how he doth plead with God concerning Israel, saying,
3 `Lord, Thy prophets they did kill, and Thy altars they dug down, and I was left alone, and they seek my life;'
4 but what saith the divine answer to him? `I left to Myself seven thousand men, who did not bow a knee to Baal.'
5 So then also in the present time a remnant according to the choice of grace there hath been;
6 and if by grace, no more of works, otherwise the grace becometh no more grace; and if of works, it is no more grace, otherwise the work is no more work.
7 What then? What Israel doth seek after, this it did not obtain, and the chosen did obtain, and the rest were hardened,
8 according as it hath been written, `God gave to them a spirit of deep sleep, eyes not to see, and ears not to hear,' -- unto this very day,
9 and David saith, `Let their table become for a snare, and for a trap, and for a stumbling-block, and for a recompense to them;
10 let their eyes be darkened -- not to behold, and their back do Thou always bow down.'
11 I say, then, Did they stumble that they might fall? let it not be! but by their fall the salvation [is] to the nations, to arouse them to jealousy;
12 and if the fall of them [is] the riches of a world, and the diminution of them the riches of nations, how much more the fulness of them?
13 For to you I speak -- to the nations -- inasmuch as I am indeed an apostle of nations, my ministration I do glorify;
14 if by any means I shall arouse to jealousy mine own flesh, and shall save some of them,
15 for if the casting away of them [is] a reconciliation of the world, what the reception -- if not life out of the dead?
16 and if the first-fruit [is] holy, the lump also; and if the root [is] holy, the branches also.
17 And if certain of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wast graffed in among them, and a fellow-partaker of the root and of the fatness of the olive tree didst become --
18 do not boast against the branches; and if thou dost boast, thou dost not bear the root, but the root thee!
19 Thou wilt say, then, `The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in;' right!
20 by unbelief they were broken off, and thou hast stood by faith; be not high-minded, but be fearing;
21 for if God the natural branches did not spare -- lest perhaps He also shall not spare thee.
22 Lo, then, goodness and severity of God -- upon those indeed who fell, severity; and upon thee, goodness, if thou mayest remain in the goodness, otherwise, thou also shalt be cut off.
23 And those also, if they may not remain in unbelief, shall be graffed in, for God is able again to graff them in;
24 for if thou, out of the olive tree, wild by nature, wast cut out, and, contrary to nature, wast graffed into a good olive tree, how much rather shall they, who [are] according to nature, be graffed into their own olive tree?
25 For I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, of this secret -- that ye may not be wise in your own conceits -- that hardness in part to Israel hath happened till the fulness of the nations may come in;
26 and so all Israel shall be saved, according as it hath been written, `There shall come forth out of Sion he who is delivering, and he shall turn away impiety from Jacob,
27 and this to them [is] the covenant from Me, when I may take away their sins.'
28 As regards, indeed, the good tidings, [they are] enemies on your account; and as regards the choice -- beloved on account of the fathers;
29 for unrepented of [are] the gifts and the calling of God;
30 for as ye also once did not believe in God, and now did find kindness by the unbelief of these:
31 so also these now did not believe, that in your kindness they also may find kindness;
32 for God did shut up together the whole to unbelief, that to the whole He might do kindness.
33 O depth of riches, and wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!
34 for who did know the mind of the Lord? or who did become His counsellor?
35 or who did first give to Him, and it shall be given back to him again?
36 because of Him, and through Him, and to Him [are] the all things; to Him [is] the glory -- to the ages. Amen.
I tell you, therefore, brothers, in view of God’s mercies, to offer yourselves as a sacrifice, living and set apart for God. This will please Him; it is the logical “Temple worship” for you.
In other words, do not let yourselves be conformed to the standards of the times. Instead, keep letting yourselves be transformed by the renewing of your minds; so that you will know what God wants and will agree that what He wants is good, satisfying and able to succeed.
For I'm informing every one of you, through the grace that has been given to me, not to have exaggerated ideas about your own importance. Instead, develop a sober estimate of yourself based on the standard which God has given to each of you, namely, trust.
For just as there are many parts that compose one body, but the parts don’t all have the same function;
so there are many of us, and in union with the Messiah we comprise one body, with each of us belonging to the others.
But we have gifts that differ and which are meant to be used according to the grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, use it to the extent of your trust;
if it is serving, use it to serve; if you are a teacher, use your gift in teaching;
if you are a counselor, use your gift to comfort and uplift; if you are someone who gives, do it simply and generously; if you are in a position of leadership, lead with diligence and zeal; if you are one who does acts of mercy, do them cheerfully.
Don’t let love be a mere outward show. Recoil from what is evil, and hold to what is good.
Love each other devotedly and with brotherly love; and set examples for each other in showing respect.
Don’t be lazy when hard work is needed, but serve the Lord with spiritual fervor.
Rejoice in your hope, be patient in your troubles, and continue always prayerfully.
Share what you have with God’s people, and practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you — bless them, don’t curse them!
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Be sensitive to each other’s needs — don’t think yourselves better than others, but make humble people your friends. Don’t be conceited.
Repay no one with evil for their evil, but try to do what everyone regards as good.
If possible, and to the extent that it depends on you, live in peace with all people.
Never seek revenge, dear friends; instead, leave that to God’s anger; for in the scripture it is written,
"The Lord declares, ‘Vengeance is my responsibility; I will repay.’”
Quit the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him, if thirsty, give him something to drink. By doing this, you will uncomfortably shame him.”
Do not be conquered with evil, but conquer evil with good.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
1 I call upon you, therefore, brethren, through the compassions of God, to present your bodies a sacrifice -- living, sanctified, acceptable to God -- your intelligent service;
2 and be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for your proving what [is] the will of God -- the good, and acceptable, and perfect.
3 For I say, through the grace that was given to me, to every one who is among you, not to think above what it behoveth to think; but to think so as to think wisely, as to each God did deal a measure of faith,
4 for as in one body we have many members, and all the members have not the same office,
5 so we, the many, one body are in Christ, and members each one of one another.
6 And having gifts, different according to the grace that was given to us; whether prophecy -- `According to the proportion of faith!'
7 or ministration -- `In the ministration!' or he who is teaching -- `In the teaching!'
8 or he who is exhorting -- `In the exhortation!' he who is sharing -- `In simplicity!' he who is leading -- `In diligence?' he who is doing kindness -- `In cheerfulness.'
9 The love unfeigned: abhorring the evil; cleaving to the good;
10 in the love of brethren, to one another kindly affectioned: in the honour going before one another;
11 in the diligence not slothful; in the spirit fervent; the Lord serving;
12 in the hope rejoicing; in the tribulation enduring; in the prayer persevering;
13 to the necessities of the saints communicating; the hospitality pursuing.
14 Bless those persecuting you; bless, and curse not;
15 to rejoice with the rejoicing, and to weep with the weeping,
16 of the same mind one toward another, not minding the high things, but with the lowly going along; become not wise in your own conceit;
17 giving back to no one evil for evil; providing right things before all men.
18 If possible -- so far as in you -- with all men being in peace;
19 not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to the wrath, for it hath been written, `Vengeance [is] Mine,
20 I will recompense again, saith the Lord;' if, then, thine enemy doth hunger, feed him; if he doth thirst, give him drink; for this doing, coals of fire thou shalt heap upon his head;
21 Be not overcome by the evil, but overcome, in the good, the evil.
Everyone is to obey the governing authorities. For there is no authority that is not from God, and the existing authorities have been placed where they are by God.
Therefore, whoever hassles authorities is resisting what God has instituted; and such bring judgment on themselves.
For rulers do not discourage good conduct, but bad. Would you like to be unafraid of authority? Then simply behave, and you will win approval;
for he is God’s servant, there for your benefit. But if you do what is wrong, be afraid! Because it is not without purpose that he holds the power of the sword; for he is God’s servant, existing as an avenger to punish wrongdoers.
Another reason to obey, besides fear of punishment, is for the conscience sake.
This is also why you pay taxes; for the authorities are God’s public officials, constantly managing these duties.
Pay everyone what he is owed: if you owe the tax-collector, pay your taxes; if you owe the revenue-collector, pay revenue; if you owe someone respect, respect him; if you owe someone honor, honor him.
Don’t owe anyone anything — except to love; for whoever loves his fellow human fulfills the law.
For the commandments, “Don’t commit adultery,” “Don’t murder,” “Don’t steal,” “Don’t covet,”and any others are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Love does not do harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fullness of Law.
Besides all this, you know at what place in history we stand; so it is high time for you to rouse yourselves from sleep; for the final deliverance is nearer than when we first came to trust.
The night is almost through, day is nearly here. So let us not do deeds of darkness but arm ourselves with the weapons of light.
Let us live properly, as people do in the daylight — not partying and getting drunk, not engaging in sexual immorality and other excesses, not quarrelling and being jealous.
Rather, cover yourselves with the Lord Jesus the Messiah; and don’t waste your time thinking about how to entertain the sinful desires of your old nature.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
1 Let every soul to the higher authorities be subject, for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities existing are appointed by God,
2 so that he who is setting himself against the authority, against God's ordinance hath resisted; and those resisting, to themselves shall receive judgment.
3 For those ruling are not a terror to the good works, but to the evil; and dost thou wish not to be afraid of the authority? that which is good be doing, and thou shalt have praise from it,
4 for of God it is a ministrant to thee for good; and if that which is evil thou mayest do, be fearing, for not in vain doth it bear the sword; for of God it is a ministrant, an avenger for wrath to him who is doing that which is evil.
5 Wherefore it is necessary to be subject, not only because of the wrath, but also because of the conscience,
6 for because of this also pay ye tribute; for servants of God they are, on this very thing attending continually;
7 render, therefore, to all [their] dues; to whom tribute, the tribute; to whom custom, the custom; to whom fear, the fear; to whom honour, the honour.
8 To no one owe anything, except to love one another; for he who is loving the other -- law he hath fulfilled,
9 for, `Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false testimony, Thou shalt not covet;' and if there is any other command, in this word it is summed up, in this: `Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself;'
10 the love to the neighbor doth work no ill; the love, therefore, [is] the fulness of law.
11 And this, knowing the time, that for us, the hour already [is] to be aroused out of sleep, for now nearer [is] our salvation than when we did believe;
12 the night did advance, and the day came nigh; let us lay aside, therefore, the works of the darkness, and let us put on the armour of the light;
13 as in day-time, let us walk becomingly; not in revellings and drunkennesses, not in chamberings and lasciviousnesses, not in strife and emulation;
14 but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and for the flesh take no forethought -- for desires.
Regarding a person whose faith is weak, welcome him — but not argue concerning opinions.
One person has the faith that will allow him to eat anything, while another whose faith is weak eats only vegetables.
The one who eats a variety must not look down on the one who abstains; and the abstainer must not pass judgment on the one who eats a variety, because God has accepted him —
what's it to you to pass judgment on someone else’s servant? It is before his own master that he will stand or fall; and the fact is that he will stand, because the Lord makes him stand.
One person considers some days holier than others, while someone else regards them as being all alike. What is important is for each to be fully convinced in his own mind.
He who observes a particular day as special does so to honor the Lord. Also he who eats a variety, eats to honor the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; likewise the abstainer abstains to honor the Lord, and he also gives thanks to God.
For believers do not exist only in relation to himself, and believers do not die only in relation to himself;
for if we live, we live in relation to the Lord; and if we die, we die in relation to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord —
indeed, it was for this very reason that the Messiah died and came back to life, so that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
You then, why do you pass judgment on brethren? Or why do you look down on brethren? For all of us will stand before God’s judgment seat;
since it is written in the scriptures,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bend before me, and every tongue will publicly acknowledge God.”
So then, every one of us will have to give an account of himself to God.
Let’s then stop passing judgment on each other! Instead, make this one judgment — not to put a stumbling block or a snare in a brother’s way.
I know — that is, I have been persuaded by the Lord Jesus the Messiah — that nothing is unclean in itself. But if a person considers something unclean, then for him it is unclean;
and if your brother is being upset by the food you eat, your life is no longer one of love. Do not, by your eating habits, destroy someone for whom the Messiah died!
Do not let what you know to be correct, be branded as bad;
for the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Anyone who serves the Messiah in this fashion both pleases God and wins the approval of other people.
So, let's pursue the things that make for peace and mutual uplifting.
Don’t tear down God’s work for the sake of food. True enough, all things are clean; but it is wrong for anybody by his eating to cause someone to desert the faith.
What is good is not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.
The belief you hold about such things, keep between yourself and God. Happy the person who is free of self-condemnation when he approves of something!
But the doubter comes under condemnation if he eats, because his action is not based on trust. Anything not founded on trust is sinful.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
1 And him who is weak in the faith receive ye -- not to determinations of reasonings;
2 one doth believe that he may eat all things -- and he who is weak doth eat herbs;
3 let not him who is eating despise him who is not eating: and let not him who is not eating judge him who is eating, for God did receive him.
4 Thou -- who art thou that art judging another's domestic? to his own master he doth stand or fall; and he shall be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
5 One doth judge one day above another, and another doth judge every day [alike]; let each in his own mind be fully assured.
6 He who is regarding the day, to the Lord he doth regard [it], and he who is not regarding the day, to the Lord he doth not regard [it]. He who is eating, to the Lord he doth eat, for he doth give thanks to God; and he who is not eating, to the Lord he doth not eat, and doth give thanks to God.
7 For none of us to himself doth live, and none to himself doth die;
8 for both, if we may live, to the Lord we live; if also we may die, to the Lord we die; both then if we may live, also if we may die, we are the Lord's;
9 for because of this Christ both died and rose again, and lived again, that both of dead and of living he may be Lord.
10 And thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or again, thou, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand at the tribunal of the Christ;
11 for it hath been written, `I live! saith the Lord -- to Me bow shall every knee, and every tongue shall confess to God;'
12 so, then, each of us concerning himself shall give reckoning to God;
13 no longer, therefore, may we judge one another, but this judge ye rather, not to put a stumbling-stone before the brother, or an offence.
14 I have known, and am persuaded, in the Lord Jesus, that nothing [is] unclean of itself, except to him who is reckoning anything to be unclean -- to that one [it is] unclean;
15 and if through victuals thy brother is grieved, no more dost thou walk according to love; do not with thy victuals destroy that one for whom Christ died.
16 Let not, then, your good be evil spoken of,
17 for the reign of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit;
18 for he who in these things is serving the Christ, [is] acceptable to God and approved of men.
19 So, then, the things of peace may we pursue, and the things of building up one another;
20 for the sake of victuals cast not down the work of God; all things, indeed, [are] pure, but evil [is] to the man who is eating through stumbling.
21 Right [it is] not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to [do anything] in which thy brother doth stumble, or is made to fall, or is weak.
22 Thou hast faith! to thyself have [it] before God; happy is he who is not judging himself in what he doth approve,
23 and he who is making a difference, if he may eat, hath been condemned, because [it is] not of faith; and all that [is] not of faith is sin.
So we who are strong have a duty to carry the weaknesses of those who are not strong, rather than satisfy ourselves.
Each of us should please his neighbor and act for his good, this way uplifting him.
For even the Messiah did not please himself; rather, as the Scripture says, ‘The insults of those insulting you fell on me.’
For everything written in the past was written for our instruction, so that with the encouragement of the Scripture we might patiently hang on to our hope.
And may God, the source of encouragement and patience, give you the same attitude among yourselves as that of Messiah Jesus,
so that united and with one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus the Messiah.
So welcome each other, just as the Messiah has welcomed you into God’s glory.
For I say that the Messiah became a servant of the Jewish people in order to show God’s truthfulness by fulfilling His promises to the Patriarchs,
and in order to demonstrate His mercy by causing the Gentiles to glorify God — as it is written in the Scriptures,
“Because of this I will acknowledge you among the Gentiles and sing praise to Your name.”
And again it says, “Gentiles, rejoice with His people.”
And again, “Praise the Lord, all Gentiles! Let all peoples praise Him!”
And again, Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, he who arises to rule Gentiles; Gentiles will put their hope in him.”
May God, the source of hope, indwell you completely with joy and peace as you continue believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may overflow with hope.
Now I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and well able to counsel each other.
But on some points I have written you quite boldly by reminding you about them, because of the grace God has given me
to be a servant of the Messiah Jesus for the Gentiles, with the priestly duty of presenting the Good News of God, so that the Gentiles may be an acceptable offering, made holy by the Holy Spirit.
United with the Messiah Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my service to God;
for I will not dare speak of anything except what the Messiah has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience through my words and,
through the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum have I fully proclaimed the Good News of the Messiah.
I have always made it my ambition to proclaim the Good News where the Messiah was unknown, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation,
but rather, as the Scripture puts it, “Those who have not been told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will comprehend.”
This is also why I have so often been stopped from visiting you.
But now, since there is no longer a place in these regions that needs me, and since I have wanted for many years to come to you,
I hope to see you as I pass through on my way to Spain, and to have you help me travel there after I have enjoyed your company a while.
Now I am going to Jerusalem with assistance for God’s people there.
For Macedonia and Achaia thought it would be good to provide a contribution to the poor among God’s people in Jerusalem.
They were happy to do it, but the fact is that they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared with the Jews spiritually, then the Gentiles clearly have a duty to help the Jews materially.
So when I have finished this task and made certain that they have received this fruit, I will head for Spain and visit you on my way there;
and I know that when I arrive, it will be with the full measure of the Messiah’s blessings.
And now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus the Messiah and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me
that I will be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem will be acceptable to God’s people there.
Then, if God allows, I will come to you with joy and have a time of rest among you.
Now may the God of peace be with you all. So be it.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
1 And we ought -- we who are strong -- to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves;
2 for let each one of us please the neighbor for good, unto edification,
3 for even the Christ did not please himself, but, according as it hath been written, `The reproaches of those reproaching Thee fell upon me;'
4 for, as many things as were written before, for our instruction were written before, that through the endurance, and the exhortation of the Writings, we might have the hope.
5 And may the God of the endurance, and of the exhortation, give to you to have the same mind toward one another, according to Christ Jesus;
6 that with one accord -- with one mouth -- ye may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ;
7 wherefore receive ye one another, according as also the Christ did receive us, to the glory of God.
8 And I say Jesus Christ to have become a ministrant of circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises to the fathers,
9 and the nations for kindness to glorify God, according as it hath been written, `Because of this I will confess to Thee among nations, and to Thy name I will sing praise,'
10 and again it saith, `Rejoice ye nations, with His people;'
11 and again, `Praise the Lord, all ye nations; and laud Him, all ye peoples;'
12 and again, Isaiah saith, `There shall be the root of Jesse, and he who is rising to rule nations -- upon him shall nations hope;'
13 and the God of the hope shall fill you with all joy and peace in the believing, for your abounding in the hope in power of the Holy Spirit.
14 And I am persuaded, my brethren -- I myself also -- concerning you, that ye yourselves also are full of goodness, having been filled with all knowledge, able also one another to admonish;
15 and the more boldly I did write to you, brethren, in part, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me by God,
16 for my being a servant of Jesus Christ to the nations, acting as priest in the good news of God, that the offering up of the nations may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17 I have, then, a boasting in Christ Jesus, in the things pertaining to God,
18 for I will not dare to speak anything of the things that Christ did not work through me, to obedience of nations, by word and deed,
19 in power of signs and wonders, in power of the Spirit of God; so that I, from Jerusalem, and in a circle as far as Illyricum, have fully preached the good news of the Christ;
20 and so counting it honour to proclaim good news, not where Christ was named -- that upon another's foundation I might not build --
21 but according as it hath been written, `To whom it was not told concerning him, they shall see; and they who have not heard, shall understand.'
22 Wherefore, also, I was hindered many times from coming unto you,
23 and now, no longer having place in these parts, and having a longing to come unto you for many years,
24 when I may go on to Spain I will come unto you, for I hope in going through, to see you, and by you to be set forward thither, if of you first, in part, I shall be filled.
25 And, now, I go on to Jerusalem, ministering to the saints;
26 for it pleased Macedonia and Achaia well to make a certain contribution for the poor of the saints who [are] in Jerusalem;
27 for it pleased well, and their debtors they are, for if in their spiritual things the nations did participate, they ought also, in the fleshly things, to minister to them.
28 This, then, having finished, and having sealed to them this fruit, I will return through you, to Spain;
29 and I have known that coming unto you -- in the fulness of the blessing of the good news of Christ I shall come.
30 And I call upon you, brethren, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in the prayers for me unto God,
31 that I may be delivered from those not believing in Judea, and that my ministration, that [is] for Jerusalem, may become acceptable to the saints;
32 that in joy I may come unto you, through the will of God, and may be refreshed with you,
33 and the God of the peace [be] with you all. Amen.