3      2 Samuel 7:14; Psalm 2:7
13    Acts 19:21
16    Mark 8:38; 2 Timothy 1:8
17    Habakkuk 2:4; Acts 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:18
21   Jeremiah 2:5; Romans 3:23; 4:20; 5:2; 9:23, 15:6; Ephesians 4:17-18
23    Deuteronomy 4:16-18
24    Psalm 81:12
25    Jeremiah 1:16

2-4      Donald Juel, Messianic Exegesis, p. 80 f.
8-17    Richard Foster, “Searching for Faith,” Prayers from the Heart, p. 48

17           Peter Schjeldahl, “Habakkuk and Romans,” Communion, p. 299-310
18-23    Richard Wilbur, “Lying,” New and Collected Poems, p. 11

21         Brian A. Gerrish, “Sovereign Grace,” Interpretation (January 2003), p. 49

1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 3 the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and designated Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ;

7 To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:

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

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.  9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, 10 asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.  11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.  13 I want you to know, brethren, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.  14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish: 15 so I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: it is the power of God for salvation to every one who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “He who through faith is righteous shall live.”

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth.  19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  20 Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse; 21 for although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened.  22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man or birds or animals or reptiles.

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever! Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural, 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error.

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a base mind and to improper conduct.  29 They were filled with all manner of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity, they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.  32 Though they know God’s decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them but approve those who practice them.

1:1 παυλος δουλος ιησου χριστου κλητος αποστολος αφωρισμενος εις ευαγγελιον θεου 1:2 ο προεπηγγειλατο δια των προφητων αυτου εν γραφαις αγιαις 1:3 περι του υιου αυτου του γενομενου εκ σπερματος δαυιδ κατα σαρκα 1:4 του ορισθεντος υιου θεου εν δυναμει κατα πνευμα αγιωσυνης εξ αναστασεως νεκρων ιησου χριστου του κυριου ημων 1:5 δι ου ελαβομεν χαριν και αποστολην εις υπακοην πιστεως εν πασιν τοις εθνεσιν υπερ του ονοματος αυτου 1:6 εν οις εστε και υμεις κλητοι ιησου χριστου

1:7 πασιν τοις ουσιν εν ρωμη αγαπητοις θεου κλητοις αγιοις

χαρις υμιν και ειρηνη απο θεου πατρος ημων και κυριου ιησου χριστου

1:8 πρωτον μεν ευχαριστω τω θεω μου δια ιησου χριστου υπερ παντων υμων οτι η πιστις υμων καταγγελλεται εν ολω τω κοσμω 1:9 μαρτυς γαρ μου εστιν ο θεος ω λατρευω εν τω πνευματι μου εν τω ευαγγελιω του υιου αυτου ως αδιαλειπτως μνειαν υμων ποιουμαι 1:10 παντοτε επι των προσευχων μου δεομενος ειπως ηδη ποτε ευοδωθησομαι εν τω θεληματι του θεου ελθειν προς υμας 1:11 επιποθω γαρ ιδειν υμας ινα τι μεταδω χαρισμα υμιν πνευματικον εις το στηριχθηναι υμας 1:12 τουτο δε εστιν συμπαρακληθηναι εν υμιν δια της εν αλληλοις πιστεως υμων τε και εμου 1:13 ου θελω δε υμας αγνοειν αδελφοι οτι πολλακις προεθεμην ελθειν προς υμας και εκωλυθην αχρι του δευρο ινα τινα καρπον σχω και εν υμιν καθως και εν τοις λοιποις εθνεσιν 1:14 ελλησιν τε και βαρβαροις σοφοις τε και ανοητοις οφειλετης ειμι 1:15 ουτως το κατ εμε προθυμον και υμιν τοις εν ρωμη ευαγγελισασθαι

1:16 ου γαρ επαισχυνομαι το ευαγγελιον του χριστου δυναμις γαρ θεου εστιν εις σωτηριαν παντι τω πιστευοντι ιουδαιω τε πρωτον και ελληνι 1:17 δικαιοσυνη γαρ θεου εν αυτω αποκαλυπτεται εκ πιστεως εις πιστιν καθως γεγραπται ο δε δικαιος εκ πιστεως ζησεται

1:18 αποκαλυπτεται γαρ οργη θεου απ ουρανου επι πασαν ασεβειαν και αδικιαν ανθρωπων των την αληθειαν εν αδικια κατεχοντων 1:19 διοτι το γνωστον του θεου φανερον εστιν εν αυτοις ο γαρ θεος αυτοις εφανερωσεν 1:20 τα γαρ αορατα αυτου απο κτισεως κοσμου τοις ποιημασιν νοουμενα καθοραται η τε αιδιος αυτου δυναμις και θειοτης εις το ειναι αυτους αναπολογητους 1:21 διοτι γνοντες τον θεον ουχ ως θεον εδοξασαν η ευχαριστησαν αλλ εματαιωθησαν εν τοις διαλογισμοις αυτων και εσκοτισθη η ασυνετος αυτων καρδια 1:22 φασκοντες ειναι σοφοι εμωρανθησαν 1:23 και ηλλαξαν την δοξαν του αφθαρτου θεου εν ομοιωματι εικονος φθαρτου ανθρωπου και πετεινων και τετραποδων και ερπετων 1:24 διο και παρεδωκεν αυτους ο θεος εν ταις επιθυμιαις των καρδιων αυτων εις ακαθαρσιαν του ατιμαζεσθαι τα σωματα αυτων εν εαυτοις 1:25 οιτινες μετηλλαξαν την αληθειαν του θεου εν τω ψευδει και εσεβασθησαν και ελατρευσαν τη κτισει παρα τον κτισαντα ος εστιν ευλογητος εις τους αιωνας αμην

1:26 δια τουτο παρεδωκεν αυτους ο θεος εις παθη ατιμιας αι τε γαρ θηλειαι αυτων μετηλλαξαν την φυσικην χρησιν εις την παρα φυσιν 1:27 ομοιως τε και οι βαφεντες την φυσικην χρησιν της θηλειας εξεκαυθησαν εν τη ορεξει αυτων εις αλληλους αρσενες εν αρσεσιν την ασχημοσυνην κατεργαζομενοι και την αντιμισθιαν ην εδει της πλανης αυτων εν εαυτοις απολαμβανοντες

1:28 και καθως ουκ εδοκιμασαν τον θεον εχειν εν επιγνωσει παρεδωκεν αυτους ο θεος εις αδοκιμον νουν ποιειν τα μη καθηκοντα 1:29 πεπληρωμενους παση αδικια πορνεια πονηρια πλεονεξια κακια μεστους φθονου φονου εριδος δολου κακοηθειας ψιθυριστας 1:30 καταλαλους θεοστυγεις υβριστας υπερηφανους αλαζονας εφευρετας κακων γονευσιν απειθεις 1:31 ασυνετους ασυνθετους αστοργους ασπονδους ανελεημονας 1:32 οιτινες το δικαιωμα του θεου επιγνοντες οτι οι τα τοιαυτα πρασσοντες αξιοι θανατου εισιν ου μονον αυτα ποιουσιν αλλα και συνευδοκουσιν τοις πρασσουσιν

1          Matthew 7:1; Luke 6:37
5          Matthew 6:19-21
6-11    2 Corinthians 5:10
6          Psalm 62:12; Proverbs 24:12
11         Deuteronomy 10:17
17-21   Romans 12:3, 12:16
24        Isaiah 52:5
29        Deuteronomy 10:16, 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4; Colossians 2:11; Thomas 53

29    John Wesley, “The Circumcision of The Heart,” Fifty-Three Sermons, p. 185-197

1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, whoever you are, when you judge another; for in passing judgment upon him you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.  2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who do such things.  3 Do you suppose, O man, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God?  4 Or do you presume upon the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not know that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?  5 But by your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.  6 For he will render to every man according to his works:  7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury.  9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for every one who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.  11 For God shows no partiality.

12 All who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.  13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.  14 When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.  15 They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely upon the law and boast of your relation to God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed in the law, 19 and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth -21 you then who teach others, will you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal?  22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?  23 You who boast in the law, 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.”

25 Circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law; but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.  26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?  27 Then those who are physically uncircumcised but keep the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For he is not a real Jew who is one outwardly, nor is true circumcision something external and physical.  29 He is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart, spiritual and not literal. His praise is not from men but from God.

2:1 διο αναπολογητος ει ω ανθρωπε πας ο κρινων εν ω γαρ κρινεις τον ετερον σεαυτον κατακρινεις τα γαρ αυτα πρασσεις ο κρινων 2:2 οιδαμεν δε οτι το κριμα του θεου εστιν κατα αληθειαν επι τους τα τοιαυτα πρασσοντας 2:3 λογιζη δε τουτο ω ανθρωπε ο κρινων τους τα τοιαυτα πρασσοντας και ποιων αυτα οτι συ εκφευξη το κριμα του θεου 2:4 η του πλουτου της χρηστοτητος αυτου και της ανοχης και της μακροθυμιας καταφρονεις αγνοων οτι το χρηστον του θεου εις μετανοιαν σε αγει 2:5 κατα δε την σκληροτητα σου και αμετανοητον καρδιαν θησαυριζεις σεαυτω οργην εν ημερα οργης και αποκαλυψεως και δικαιοκρισιας του θεου 2:6 ος αποδωσει εκαστω κατα τα εργα αυτου 2:7 τοις μεν καθ υπομονην εργου αγαθου δοξαν και τιμην και αφθαρσιαν ζητουσιν ζωην αιωνιον 2:8 τοις δε εξ εριθειας και απειθουσιν μεν τη αληθεια πειθομενοις δε τη αδικια θυμος και οργη 2:9 θλιψις και στενοχωρια επι πασαν ψυχην ανθρωπου του κατεργαζομενου το κακον ιουδαιου τε πρωτον και ελληνος 2:10 δοξα δε και τιμη και ειρηνη παντι τω εργαζομενω το αγαθον ιουδαιω τε πρωτον και ελληνι 2:11 ου γαρ εστιν προσωποληψια παρα τω θεω

2:12 οσοι γαρ ανομως ημαρτον ανομως και απολουνται και οσοι εν νομω ημαρτον δια νομου κριθησονται 2:13 ου γαρ οι ακροαται του νομου δικαιοι παρα τω θεω αλλ οι ποιηται του νομου δικαιωθησονται 2:14 οταν γαρ εθνη τα μη νομον εχοντα φυσει τα του νομου ποιη ουτοι νομον μη εχοντες εαυτοις εισιν νομος 2:15 οιτινες ενδεικνυνται το εργον του νομου γραπτον εν ταις καρδιαις αυτων συμμαρτυρουσης αυτων της συνειδησεως και μεταξυ αλληλων των λογισμων κατηγορουντων η και απολογουμενων 2:16 εν ημερα οτε κρινει ο θεος τα κρυπτα των ανθρωπων κατα το ευαγγελιον μου δια ιησου χριστου

2:17 ιδε συ ιουδαιος επονομαζη και επαναπαυη τω νομω και καυχασαι εν θεω 2:18 και γινωσκεις το θελημα και δοκιμαζεις τα διαφεροντα κατηχουμενος εκ του νομου 2:19 πεποιθας τε σεαυτον οδηγον ειναι τυφλων φως των εν σκοτει 2:20 παιδευτην αφρονων διδασκαλον νηπιων εχοντα την μορφωσιν της γνωσεως και της αληθειας εν τω νομω 2:21 ο ουν διδασκων ετερον σεαυτον ου διδασκεις ο κηρυσσων μη κλεπτειν κλεπτεις 2:22 ο λεγων μη μοιχευειν μοιχευεις ο βδελυσσομενος τα ειδωλα ιεροσυλεις 2:23 ος εν νομω καυχασαι δια της παραβασεως του νομου τον θεον ατιμαζεις 2:24 το γαρ ονομα του θεου δι υμας βλασφημειται εν τοις εθνεσιν καθως γεγραπται

2:25 περιτομη μεν γαρ ωφελει εαν νομον πρασσης εαν δε παραβατης νομου ης η περιτομη σου ακροβυστια γεγονεν 2:26 εαν ουν η ακροβυστια τα δικαιωματα του νομου φυλασση ουχι η ακροβυστια αυτου εις περιτομην λογισθησεται 2:27 και κρινει η εκ φυσεως ακροβυστια τον νομον τελουσα σε τον δια γραμματος και περιτομης παραβατην νομου 2:28 ου γαρ ο εν τω φανερω ιουδαιος εστιν ουδε η εν τω φανερω εν σαρκι περιτομη 2:29 αλλ ο εν τω κρυπτω ιουδαιος και περιτομη καρδιας εν πνευματι ου γραμματι ου ο επαινος ουκ εξ ανθρωπων αλλ εκ του θεου

3           Psalm 89:33; 2 Timothy 2:13
4           Psalm 51:4
5-9        Genesis 3:1-7
10-11    Psalm 14:1-3, 53:1-3
13          Psalm 5:9; 140:3
14          Psalm 10:7
15-17    Isaiah 59:7-8
18          Psalm 36:1
20         Psalm 143:2; Galatians 2:16
22         Galatians 2:16
23         Romans 1:21
30         Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 5:17; Galatians 3:20

13-18     Horace Bushnell, “Dignity of Human Nature Shown from its Ruins,” Sermons, p. 188-202
18           Brian A. Gerrish, “Sovereign Grace,” Interpretation (January 2003), p. 48

21-26     John Dominic Crossan, In Search of Paul, p. 382

21-26    Wallace Stegner, “Walter Clark’s Frontier,” Where the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade Springs, p. 175

22-23     Peter Enns, How the Bible Actually Works, p. 267

22        Christoph Blumhardt, “The Righteousness of God,” Blumhardt Reader, p. 230-235

25-26    Ben F. Meyer, “The Pre-Pauline Formula in Rom. 3:25-26a,” The Early Christians, p. 84-88
27-31    John Dominic Crossan, In Search of Paul, p. 387

31       John Wesley, Fifty-Three Sermons, “The Law Established Through Faith—I,” p. 440-450; “The Law Established Through Faith—II,” p. 451 -460

1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?  2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews are entrusted with the oracles of God.  3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?  4 By no means! Let God be true though every man be false, as it is written, “That thou mayest be justified in thy words, and prevail when thou art judged.”  5 But if our wickedness serves to show the justice of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) . 6 By no means! For then how could God judge the world?  7 But if through my falsehood God’s truthfulness abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner?  8 And why not do evil that good may come? — as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.

9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all; for I have already charged that all men, both Jews and Greeks, are under the power of sin, 10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands, no one seeks for God.  12 All have turned aside, together they have gone wrong; no one does good, not even one.”  13 “Their throat is an open grave, they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.”  14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”  15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood, 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they do not know.”  18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.  20 For no human being will be justified in his sight by works of the law, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; 23 since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins; 26 it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies him who has faith in Jesus.

27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On the principle of works? No, but on the principle of faith.  28 For we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law.  29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of their faith and the uncircumcised through their faith.  31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

3:1 τι ουν το περισσον του ιουδαιου η τις η ωφελεια της περιτομης 3:2 πολυ κατα παντα τροπον πρωτον μεν γαρ οτι επιστευθησαν τα λογια του θεου 3:3 τι γαρ ει ηπιστησαν τινες μη η απιστια αυτων την πιστιν του θεου καταργησει 3:4 μη γενοιτο γινεσθω δε ο θεος αληθης πας δε ανθρωπος ψευστης καθως γεγραπται οπως αν δικαιωθης εν τοις λογοις σου και νικησης εν τω κρινεσθαι σε 3:5 ει δε η αδικια ημων θεου δικαιοσυνην συνιστησιν τι ερουμεν μη αδικος ο θεος ο επιφερων την οργην κατα ανθρωπον λεγω 3:6 μη γενοιτο επει πως κρινει ο θεος τον κοσμον 3:7 ει γαρ η αληθεια του θεου εν τω εμω ψευσματι επερισσευσεν εις την δοξαν αυτου τι ετι καγω ως αμαρτωλος κρινομαι 3:8 και μη καθως βλασφημουμεθα και καθως φασιν τινες ημας λεγειν οτι ποιησωμεν τα κακα ινα ελθη τα αγαθα ων το κριμα ενδικον εστιν

3:9 τι ουν προεχομεθα ου παντως προητιασαμεθα γαρ ιουδαιους τε και ελληνας παντας υφ αμαρτιαν ειναι 3:10 καθως γεγραπται [οτι] ουκ εστιν δικαιος ουδε εις 3:11 ουκ εστιν ο συνιων ουκ εστιν ο εκζητων τον θεον  3:12 παντες εξεκλιναν αμα ηχρειωθησαν ουκ εστιν ποιων χρηστοτητα ουκ εστιν εως ενος 3:13 ταφος ανεωγμενος ο λαρυγξ αυτων ταις γλωσσαις αυτων εδολιουσαν ιος ασπιδων υπο τα χειλη αυτων 3:14 ων το στομα αρας και πικριας γεμει 3:15 οξεις οι ποδες αυτων εκχεαι αιμα 3:16 συντριμμα και ταλαιπωρια εν ταις οδοις αυτων 3:17 και οδον ειρηνης ουκ εγνωσαν 3:18 ουκ εστιν φοβος θεου απεναντι των οφθαλμων αυτων

3:19 οιδαμεν δε οτι οσα ο νομος λεγει τοις εν τω νομω λαλει ινα παν στομα φραγη και υποδικος γενηται πας ο κοσμος τω θεω 3:20 διοτι εξ εργων νομου ου δικαιωθησεται πασα σαρξ ενωπιον αυτου δια γαρ νομου επιγνωσις αμαρτιας

3:21 νυνι δε χωρις νομου δικαιοσυνη θεου πεφανερωται μαρτυρουμενη υπο του νομου και των προφητων 3:22 δικαιοσυνη δε θεου δια πιστεως ιησου χριστου εις παντας και επι παντας τους πιστευοντας ου γαρ εστιν διαστολη 3:23 παντες γαρ ημαρτον και υστερουνται της δοξης του θεου 3:24 δικαιουμενοι δωρεαν τη αυτου χαριτι δια της απολυτρωσεως της εν χριστω ιησου 3:25 ον προεθετο ο θεος ιλαστηριον δια της πιστεως εν τω αυτου αιματι εις ενδειξιν της δικαιοσυνης αυτου δια την παρεσιν των προγεγονοτων αμαρτηματων 3:26 εν τη ανοχη του θεου προς ενδειξιν της δικαιοσυνης αυτου εν τω νυν καιρω εις το ειναι αυτον δικαιον και δικαιουντα τον εκ πιστεως ιησου

3:27 που ουν η καυχησις εξεκλεισθη δια ποιου νομου των εργων ουχι αλλα δια νομου πιστεως 3:28 λογιζομεθα ουν πιστει δικαιουσθαι ανθρωπον χωρις εργων νομου 3:29 η ιουδαιων ο θεος μονον ουχι δε και εθνων ναι και εθνων  3:30 επειπερ εις ο θεος ος δικαιωσει περιτομην εκ πιστεως και ακροβυστιαν δια της πιστεως 3:31 νομον ουν καταργουμεν δια της πιστεως μη γενοιτο αλλα νομον ιστωμεν

Stanley Hauerwas, “Citizens of Heaven,” Minding the Web, p. 201

3        Genesis 15:6; Psalm 106:31; Galatians 3:6
7-8    Psalm 32:1-2
11       Genesis 17:10
13      Genesis 17:4-6, 22:17-18; Galatians 3:29
14      Galatians 3:18
16      Galatians 3:7
17      Genesis 17:5
18      Genesis 15:5
19      Genesis 17:17
20      Romans 1:21, 3:23
25      Isaiah 53:4-5

1-4     Me, “Sermon,” February 24, 2002

5      John Wesley, “Justification By Faith,” Fifty-Three Sermons, p. 74-87
18    Jan Richardson, “Rough Translations,” Circle of Grace, p. 96

1 What then shall we say about Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?  2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.”  4 Now to one who works, his wages are not reckoned as a gift but as his due.  5 And to one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness.  6 So also David pronounces a blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works:  7 “Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not reckon his sin.”

9 Is this blessing pronounced only upon the circumcised, or also upon the uncircumcised? We say that faith was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness.  10 How then was it reckoned to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised.  11 He received circumcision as a sign or seal of the righteousness which he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised and who thus have righteousness reckoned to them, 12 and likewise the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but also follow the example of the faith which our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

13 The promise to Abraham and his descendants, that they should inherit the world, did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.  14 If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.

16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants — not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, for he is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations” — in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations; as he had been told, “So shall your descendants be.”  19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb.  20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.  22 That is why his faith was “reckoned to him as righteousness.”  23 But the words, “it was reckoned to him,” were written not for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him that raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was put to death for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

4:1 τι ουν ερουμεν αβρααμ τον πατερα ημων ευρηκεναι κατα σαρκα 4:2 ει γαρ αβρααμ εξ εργων εδικαιωθη εχει καυχημα αλλ ου προς τον θεον 4:3 τι γαρ η γραφη λεγει επιστευσεν δε αβρααμ τω θεω και ελογισθη αυτω εις δικαιοσυνην 4:4 τω δε εργαζομενω ο μισθος ου λογιζεται κατα χαριν αλλα κατα οφειλημα 4:5 τω δε μη εργαζομενω πιστευοντι δε επι τον δικαιουντα τον ασεβη λογιζεται η πιστις αυτου εις δικαιοσυνην 4:6 καθαπερ και δαυιδ λεγει τον μακαρισμον του ανθρωπου ω ο θεος λογιζεται δικαιοσυνην χωρις εργων 4:7 μακαριοι ων αφεθησαν αι ανομιαι και ων επεκαλυφθησαν αι αμαρτιαι 4:8 μακαριος ανηρ ω ου μη λογισηται κυριος αμαρτιαν

4:9 ο μακαρισμος ουν ουτος επι την περιτομην η και επι την ακροβυστιαν λεγομεν γαρ οτι ελογισθη τω αβρααμ η πιστις εις δικαιοσυνην 4:10 πως ουν ελογισθη εν περιτομη οντι η εν ακροβυστια ουκ εν περιτομη αλλ εν ακροβυστια 4:11 και σημειον ελαβεν περιτομης σφραγιδα της δικαιοσυνης της πιστεως της εν τη ακροβυστια εις το ειναι αυτον πατερα παντων των πιστευοντων δι ακροβυστιας εις το λογισθηναι και αυτοις την δικαιοσυνην 4:12 και πατερα περιτομης τοις ουκ εκ περιτομης μονον αλλα και τοις στοιχουσιν τοις ιχνεσιν της πιστεως της εν τη ακροβυστια του πατρος ημων αβρααμ

4:13 ου γαρ δια νομου η επαγγελια τω αβρααμ η τω σπερματι αυτου το κληρονομον αυτον ειναι του κοσμου αλλα δια δικαιοσυνης πιστεως 4:14 ει γαρ οι εκ νομου κληρονομοι κεκενωται η πιστις και κατηργηται η επαγγελια 4:15 ο γαρ νομος οργην κατεργαζεται ου γαρ ουκ εστιν νομος ουδε παραβασις

4:16 δια τουτο εκ πιστεως ινα κατα χαριν εις το ειναι βεβαιαν την επαγγελιαν παντι τω σπερματι ου τω εκ του νομου μονον αλλα και τω εκ πιστεως αβρααμ ος εστιν πατηρ παντων ημων 4:17 καθως γεγραπται οτι πατερα πολλων εθνων τεθεικα σε κατεναντι ου επιστευσεν θεου του ζωοποιουντος τους νεκρους και καλουντος τα μη οντα ως οντα 4:18 ος παρ ελπιδα επ ελπιδι επιστευσεν εις το γενεσθαι αυτον πατερα πολλων εθνων κατα το ειρημενον ουτως εσται το σπερμα σου 4:19 και μη ασθενησας τη πιστει ου κατενοησεν το εαυτου σωμα ηδη νενεκρωμενον εκατονταετης που υπαρχων και την νεκρωσιν της μητρας σαρρας 4:20 εις δε την επαγγελιαν του θεου ου διεκριθη τη απιστια αλλ ενεδυναμωθη τη πιστει δους δοξαν τω θεω 4:21 και πληροφορηθεις οτι ο επηγγελται δυνατος εστιν και ποιησαι 4:22 διο και ελογισθη αυτω εις δικαιοσυνην 4:23 ουκ εγραφη δε δι αυτον μονον οτι ελογισθη αυτω 4:24 αλλα και δι ημας οις μελλει λογιζεσθαι τοις πιστευουσιν επι τον εγειραντα ιησουν τον κυριον ημων εκ νεκρων 4:25 ος παρεδοθη δια τα παραπτωματα ημων και ηγερθη δια την δικαιωσιν ημων

Eberhard Arnold, Salt and Light, p. 207

Stephen Covey, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, p. 46

Ernst Käsemann, Commentary on Romans, p. 133

Denise Levertov, “Relearning the Alphabet,” Poems 1968-1972 (Relearning the Alphabet), p. 91

Marjorie Maddox, “IMPROMPTU,” Burning Light (May 1995), p. 19

Imaging the Word, Vol. 1, p. 216-217

2     Matthew 6:9

3-5    Walter Brueggemann, journey to the Common Good, p. 34

3-5    Loren Eiseley, “The Judgment of the Birds,” The Star Thrower, p. 34

3-5   Francis Patrick Sullivan, “Stranded with God,” A Time To Sow, p. 126
3-5   Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace (in The Hidden Wound by Wendell Berry)

5         Brian A. Gerrish, “Sovereign Grace,” Interpretation (January 2003), p. 48

1 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  2 Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God.  3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.

5:1 δικαιωθεντες ουν εκ πιστεως ειρηνην εχομεν προς τον θεον δια του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου 5:2 δι ου και την προσαγωγην εσχηκαμεν τη πιστει εις την χαριν ταυτην εν η εστηκαμεν και καυχωμεθα επ ελπιδι της δοξης του θεου 5:3 ου μονον δε αλλα και καυχωμεθα εν ταις θλιψεσιν ειδοτες οτι η θλιψις υπομονην κατεργαζεται 5:4 η δε υπομονη δοκιμην η δε δοκιμη ελπιδα 5:5 η δε ελπις ου καταισχυνει οτι η αγαπη του θεου εκκεχυται εν ταις καρδιαις ημων δια πνευματος αγιου του δοθεντος ημιν

12     Genesis 3:6

8       Geoffrey Hill, “Lachrimae Amantis,” Tenebrae, p. 21

12-21     Alistair Drummond, “Between Text and Sermon,” Interpretation (January 2003), p. 67-69
12-19     Walter J. Burghardt, S.J., “Where Sin Increased, Grace Abounded All the More,” Lovely in Eyes Not His, p. 19-25
20-21    John Wesley, “Scriptural Christianity,” Fifty-three Sermons, p. 63 f.

6 While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  7 Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man — though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die.  8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.  9 Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.  10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.  11 Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received our reconciliation.

12 Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned -13 sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law.  14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.  16 And the free gift is not like the effect of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. 17 If, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

18 Then as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to acquittal and life for all men.  19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous.  20 Law came in, to increase the trespass; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

5:6 ετι γαρ χριστος οντων ημων ασθενων κατα καιρον υπερ ασεβων απεθανεν 5:7 μολις γαρ υπερ δικαιου τις αποθανειται υπερ γαρ του αγαθου ταχα τις και τολμα αποθανειν 5:8 συνιστησιν δε την εαυτου αγαπην εις ημας ο θεος οτι ετι αμαρτωλων οντων ημων χριστος υπερ ημων απεθανεν 5:9 πολλω ουν μαλλον δικαιωθεντες νυν εν τω αιματι αυτου σωθησομεθα δι αυτου απο της οργης 5:10 ει γαρ εχθροι οντες κατηλλαγημεν τω θεω δια του θανατου του υιου αυτου πολλω μαλλον καταλλαγεντες σωθησομεθα εν τη ζωη αυτου 5:11 ου μονον δε αλλα και καυχωμενοι εν τω θεω δια του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου δι ου νυν την καταλλαγην ελαβομεν

5:12 δια τουτο ωσπερ δι ενος ανθρωπου η αμαρτια εις τον κοσμον εισηλθεν και δια της αμαρτιας ο θανατος και ουτως εις παντας ανθρωπους ο θανατος διηλθεν εφ ω παντες ημαρτον 5:13 αχρι γαρ νομου αμαρτια ην εν κοσμω αμαρτια δε ουκ ελλογειται μη οντος νομου 5:14 αλλ εβασιλευσεν ο θανατος απο αδαμ μεχρι μωσεως και επι τους μη αμαρτησαντας επι τω ομοιωματι της παραβασεως αδαμ ος εστιν τυπος του μελλοντος

5:15 αλλ ουχ ως το παραπτωμα ουτως και το χαρισμα ει γαρ τω του ενος παραπτωματι οι πολλοι απεθανον πολλω μαλλον η χαρις του θεου και η δωρεα εν χαριτι τη του ενος ανθρωπου ιησου χριστου εις τους πολλους επερισσευσεν 5:16 και ουχ ως δι ενος αμαρτησαντος το δωρημα το μεν γαρ κριμα εξ ενος εις κατακριμα το δε χαρισμα εκ πολλων παραπτωματων εις δικαιωμα 5:17 ει γαρ τω του ενος παραπτωματι ο θανατος εβασιλευσεν δια του ενος πολλω μαλλον οι την περισσειαν της χαριτος και της δωρεας της δικαιοσυνης λαμβανοντες εν ζωη βασιλευσουσιν δια του ενος ιησου χριστου

5:18 αρα ουν ως δι ενος παραπτωματος εις παντας ανθρωπους εις κατακριμα ουτως και δι ενος δικαιωματος εις παντας ανθρωπους εις δικαιωσιν ζωης 5:19 ωσπερ γαρ δια της παρακοης του ενος ανθρωπου αμαρτωλοι κατεσταθησαν οι πολλοι ουτως και δια της υπακοης του ενος δικαιοι κατασταθησονται οι πολλοι 5:20 νομος δε παρεισηλθεν ινα πλεοναση το παραπτωμα ου δε επλεονασεν η αμαρτια υπερεπερισσευσεν η χαρις 5:21 ινα ωσπερ εβασιλευσεν η αμαρτια εν τω θανατω ουτως και η χαρις βασιλευση δια δικαιοσυνης εις ζωην αιωνιον δια ιησου χριστου του κυριου ημων

4            Colossians 2:12
12-14    Romans 12:1-2

3-14    Malcolm Muggeridge, Confessions of a 20th Century Pilgrim, p. 109

3-11    Walter J. Burghardt, S.J., “Alive to God in Christ Jesus,” Lovely in Eyes Not His, p. 41-46
3-11    Julia Esquivel, “Killing Death, Bread and Wine,” quoted in Daily Dig

3-11    William Willimon, On a Wild and Windy Mountain, quoted in Daily Dig

4        Robert Frost, “Does No One at All Ever Feel This Way in the Least,” The Poetry of Robert Frost, p. 446

4              Imaging the Word, Vol. 2, p. 226-229
12-23      Ernst Käsemann, Commentary on Romans, p. 1722

1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?  2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?  3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.  6 We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.  7 For he who has died is freed from sin.  8 But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.  9 For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.  10 The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.  11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions.  13 Do not yield your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but yield yourselves to God as men who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments of righteousness.  14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!  16 Do you not know that if you yield yourselves to any one as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?  17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.  19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once yielded your members to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now yield your members to righteousness for sanctification.

20 When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.  21 But then what return did you get from the things of which you are now ashamed? The end of those things is death.  22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life.  23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

6:1 τι ουν ερουμεν επιμενουμεν τη αμαρτια ινα η χαρις πλεοναση 6:2 μη γενοιτο οιτινες απεθανομεν τη αμαρτια πως ετι ζησομεν εν αυτη 6:3 η αγνοειτε οτι οσοι εβαπτισθημεν εις χριστον ιησουν εις τον θανατον αυτου εβαπτισθημεν 6:4 συνεταφημεν ουν αυτω δια του βαπτισματος εις τον θανατον ινα ωσπερ ηγερθη χριστος εκ νεκρων δια της δοξης του πατρος ουτως και ημεις εν καινοτητι ζωης περιπατησωμεν

6:5 ει γαρ συμφυτοι γεγοναμεν τω ομοιωματι του θανατου αυτου αλλα και της αναστασεως εσομεθα 6:6 τουτο γινωσκοντες οτι ο παλαιος ημων ανθρωπος συνεσταυρωθη ινα καταργηθη το σωμα της αμαρτιας του μηκετι δουλευειν ημας τη αμαρτια 6:7 ο γαρ αποθανων δεδικαιωται απο της αμαρτιας 6:8 ει δε απεθανομεν συν χριστω πιστευομεν οτι και συζησομεν αυτω 6:9 ειδοτες οτι χριστος εγερθεις εκ νεκρων ουκετι αποθνησκει θανατος αυτου ουκετι κυριευει 6:10 ο γαρ απεθανεν τη αμαρτια απεθανεν εφαπαξ ο δε ζη ζη τω θεω 6:11 ουτως και υμεις λογιζεσθε εαυτους νεκρους μεν ειναι τη αμαρτια ζωντας δε τω θεω εν χριστω ιησου τω κυριω ημων

6:12 μη ουν βασιλευετω η αμαρτια εν τω θνητω υμων σωματι εις το υπακουειν αυτη εν ταις επιθυμιαις αυτου 6:13 μηδε παριστανετε τα μελη υμων οπλα αδικιας τη αμαρτια αλλα παραστησατε εαυτους τω θεω ως εκ νεκρων ζωντας και τα μελη υμων οπλα δικαιοσυνης τω θεω 6:14 αμαρτια γαρ υμων ου κυριευσει ου γαρ εστε υπο νομον αλλ υπο χαριν

6:15 τι ουν αμαρτησομεν οτι ουκ εσμεν υπο νομον αλλ υπο χαριν μη γενοιτο 6:16 ουκ οιδατε οτι ω παριστανετε εαυτους δουλους εις υπακοην δουλοι εστε ω υπακουετε ητοι αμαρτιας εις θανατον η υπακοης εις δικαιοσυνην 6:17 χαρις δε τω θεω οτι ητε δουλοι της αμαρτιας υπηκουσατε δε εκ καρδιας εις ον παρεδοθητε τυπον διδαχης 6:18 ελευθερωθεντες δε απο της αμαρτιας εδουλωθητε τη δικαιοσυνη 6:19 ανθρωπινον λεγω δια την ασθενειαν της σαρκος υμων ωσπερ γαρ παρεστησατε τα μελη υμων δουλα τη ακαθαρσια και τη ανομια εις την ανομιαν ουτως νυν παραστησατε τα μελη υμων δουλα τη δικαιοσυνη εις αγιασμον

6:20 οτε γαρ δουλοι ητε της αμαρτιας ελευθεροι ητε τη δικαιοσυνη 6:21 τινα ουν καρπον ειχετε τοτε εφ οις νυν επαισχυνεσθε το γαρ τελος εκεινων θανατος 6:22 νυνι δε ελευθερωθεντες απο της αμαρτιας δουλωθεντες δε τω θεω εχετε τον καρπον υμων εις αγιασμον το δε τελος ζωην αιωνιον 6:23 τα γαρ οψωνια της αμαρτιας θανατος το δε χαρισμα του θεου ζωη αιωνιος εν χριστω ιησου τω κυριω ημων

7     Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21
11    Genesis 3:13
15    Galatians 5:17

12           John Wesley, “The Original Nature Property and Use of The Law,” Fifty-Three Sermons, p. 425-439
13-20    Jean Nicolas Grou, Joy and Strength, p. 173

14-25     Thomas Cahill, How the Irish Saved Civilization, p. 55 f.

14-25    George Lakoff and Mark Johnson, Philosophy in the Flesh, p. 13

14-25    Christina Rossetti, “Who Shall Deliver Me,” The Book of Uncommon Prayer, p. 128

14-25    Loren Eiseley, “Strangeness in the Proportion,” The Man Who Saw Through Time, p. 93; 112

15-20     John Michael Talbot, “Confession,” Hiding Place
15-20     Franz Wright, “The Hawk,” God’s Silence , p. 41

15-17     David Dark, The Sacredness of Questioning Everything , p. 74

15        John Dominic Crossan, In Search of Paul, p. 388

15       Marc David, Nourishing Wisdom, p. 113

1 Do you not know, brethren — for I am speaking to those who know the law — that the law is binding on a person only during his life?  2 Thus a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives; but if her husband dies she is discharged from the law concerning the husband.  3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.

4 Likewise, my brethren, you have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God.  5 While we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.  6 But now we are discharged from the law, dead to that which held us captive, so that we serve not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit.

7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet, if it had not been for the law, I should not have known sin. I should not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”  8 But sin, finding opportunity in the commandment, wrought in me all kinds of covetousness. Apart from the law sin lies dead.  9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died; 10 the very commandment which promised life proved to be death to me.  11 For sin, finding opportunity in the commandment, deceived me and by it killed me.  12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good.

13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, working death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.

14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin.  15 I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.  16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good.  17 So then it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me.  18 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it.  19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do.  20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me.

21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.  22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inmost self, 23 but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin which dwells in my members.  24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?  25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I of myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

7:1 η αγνοειτε αδελφοι γινωσκουσιν γαρ νομον λαλω οτι ο νομος κυριευει του ανθρωπου εφ οσον χρονον ζη 7:2 η γαρ υπανδρος γυνη τω ζωντι ανδρι δεδεται νομω εαν δε αποθανη ο ανηρ κατηργηται απο του νομου του ανδρος 7:3 αρα ουν ζωντος του ανδρος μοιχαλις χρηματισει εαν γενηται ανδρι ετερω εαν δε αποθανη ο ανηρ ελευθερα εστιν απο του νομου του μη ειναι αυτην μοιχαλιδα γενομενην ανδρι ετερω

7:4 ωστε αδελφοι μου και υμεις εθανατωθητε τω νομω δια του σωματος του χριστου εις το γενεσθαι υμας ετερω τω εκ νεκρων εγερθεντι ινα καρποφορησωμεν τω θεω 7:5 οτε γαρ ημεν εν τη σαρκι τα παθηματα των αμαρτιων τα δια του νομου ενηργειτο εν τοις μελεσιν ημων εις το καρποφορησαι τω θανατω 7:6 νυνι δε κατηργηθημεν απο του νομου αβεν ω κατειχομεθα ωστε δουλευειν ημας εν καινοτητι πνευματος και ου παλαιοτητι γραμματος

7:7 τι ουν ερουμεν ο νομος αμαρτια μη γενοιτο αλλα την αμαρτιαν ουκ εγνων ει μη δια νομου την τε γαρ επιθυμιαν ουκ ηδειν ει μη ο νομος ελεγεν ουκ επιθυμησεις 7:8 αφορμην δε λαβουσα η αμαρτια δια της εντολης κατειργασατο εν εμοι πασαν επιθυμιαν χωρις γαρ νομου αμαρτια νεκρα 7:9 εγω δε εζων χωρις νομου ποτε ελθουσης δε της εντολης η αμαρτια ανεζησεν εγω δε απεθανον 7:10 και ευρεθη μοι η εντολη η εις ζωην αυτη εις θανατον 7:11 η γαρ αμαρτια αφορμην λαβουσα δια της εντολης εξηπατησεν με και δι αυτης απεκτεινεν 7:12 ωστε ο μεν νομος αγιος και η εντολη αγια και δικαια και αγαθη

7:13 το ουν αγαθον εμοι γεγονεν θανατος μη γενοιτο αλλα η αμαρτια ινα φανη αμαρτια δια του αγαθου μοι κατεργαζομενη θανατον ινα γενηται καθ υπερβολην αμαρτωλος η αμαρτια δια της εντολης

7:14 οιδαμεν γαρ οτι ο νομος πνευματικος εστιν εγω δε σαρκικος ειμι πεπραμενος υπο την αμαρτιαν 7:15 ο γαρ κατεργαζομαι ου γινωσκω ου γαρ ο θελω τουτο πρασσω αλλ ο μισω τουτο ποιω 7:16 ει δε ο ου θελω τουτο ποιω συμφημι τω νομω οτι καλος 7:17 νυνι δε ουκετι εγω κατεργαζομαι αυτο αλλ η οικουσα εν εμοι αμαρτια 7:18 οιδα γαρ οτι ουκ οικει εν εμοι τουτ εστιν εν τη σαρκι μου αγαθον το γαρ θελειν παρακειται μοι το δε κατεργαζεσθαι το καλον ουχ ευρισκω 7:19 ου γαρ ο θελω ποιω αγαθον αλλ ο ου θελω κακον τουτο πρασσω 7:20 ει δε ο ου θελω εγω τουτο ποιω ουκετι εγω κατεργαζομαι αυτο αλλ η οικουσα εν εμοι αμαρτια 7:21 ευρισκω αρα τον νομον τω θελοντι εμοι ποιειν το καλον οτι εμοι το κακον παρακειται 7:22 συνηδομαι γαρ τω νομω του θεου κατα τον εσω ανθρωπον 7:23 βλεπω δε ετερον νομον εν τοις μελεσιν μου αντιστρατευομενον τω νομω του νοος μου και αιχμαλωτιζοντα με εν τω νομω της αμαρτιας τω οντι εν τοις μελεσιν μου 7:24 ταλαιπωρος εγω ανθρωπος τις με ρυσεται εκ του σωματος του θανατου τουτου 7:25 ευχαριστω τω θεω δια ιησου χριστου του κυριου ημων

αρα ουν αυτος εγω τω μεν νοι δουλευω νομω θεου τη δε σαρκι νομω αμαρτιας

11          Ezekiel 37:1-10; 1 Corinthians 3:16
14-17    Matthew 6:6; Mark 3:31-35
15-17    Galatians 4:5-7
15          Mark 14:36; Romans 9:4; Hebrews 2:15
16          Acts 5:32
17          Galatians 3:29; 2 Corinthians 1:5-7; 2 Timothy 2:12; 1 Peter 4:13

1        L. William Countryman, Forgiven and Forgiving, p. 62 & 118

1           John Michael Talbot, “Confession,” Hiding Place
1           John Wesley, “The First-Fruits of the Spirit,” Fifty-Three Sermons, p. 113-124
8-11     Walter J. Burghardt, S.J. “Can These Bones Live?” Lovely in Eyes Not His, p. 32-37

14-17    John Dominic Crossan, The Greatest Prayer, p. 49

14-17    H. E. Fosdick, The Meaning of Prayer, p. 58 f.
14-15    Francis Patrick Sullivan, “A Lesson for Fanatics,” A Time To Sow, p. 122
15-16    John Wesley, “Scriptural Christianity,” Fifty-three Sermons, p. 59

15       John Wesley, “The Spirit of Bondage and of Adoption,” Fifty-Three Sermons, p. 125-138
16       John Wesley, Fifty-Three Sermons, “The Witness of the Spirit,” p. 139-154; “The Witness of the Spirit—II,” p. 647-659

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death.  3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.  6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, indeed it cannot; 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 But you are not in the flesh, you are in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Any one who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.  10 But if Christ is in you, although your bodies are dead because of sin, your spirits are alive because of righteousness.  11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit which dwells in you.

12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh -13 for if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live.  14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry, “Abba! Father!”  16 it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

8:1 ουδεν αρα νυν κατακριμα τοις εν χριστω ιησου μη κατα σαρκα περιπατουσιν αλλα κατα πνευμα 8:2 ο γαρ νομος του πνευματος της ζωης εν χριστω ιησου ηλευθερωσεν με απο του νομου της αμαρτιας και του θανατου 8:3 το γαρ αδυνατον του νομου εν ω ησθενει δια της σαρκος ο θεος τον εαυτου υιον πεμψας εν ομοιωματι σαρκος αμαρτιας και περι αμαρτιας κατεκρινεν την αμαρτιαν εν τη σαρκι 8:4 ινα το δικαιωμα του νομου πληρωθη εν ημιν τοις μη κατα σαρκα περιπατουσιν αλλα κατα πνευμα 8:5 οι γαρ κατα σαρκα οντες τα της σαρκος φρονουσιν οι δε κατα πνευμα τα του πνευματος 8:6 το γαρ φρονημα της σαρκος θανατος το δε φρονημα του πνευματος ζωη και ειρηνη 8:7 διοτι το φρονημα της σαρκος εχθρα εις θεον τω γαρ νομω του θεου ουχ υποτασσεται ουδε γαρ δυναται 8:8 οι δε εν σαρκι οντες θεω αρεσαι ου δυνανται

8:9 υμεις δε ουκ εστε εν σαρκι αλλ εν πνευματι ειπερ πνευμα θεου οικει εν υμιν ει δε τις πνευμα χριστου ουκ εχει ουτος ουκ εστιν αυτου 8:10 ει δε χριστος εν υμιν το μεν σωμα νεκρον δια αμαρτιαν το δε πνευμα ζωη δια δικαιοσυνην 8:11 ει δε το πνευμα του εγειραντος ιησουν εκ νεκρων οικει εν υμιν ο εγειρας τον χριστον εκ νεκρων ζωοποιησει και τα θνητα σωματα υμων δια ββαυτου βεν υμιν

8:12 αρα ουν αδελφοι οφειλεται εσμεν ου τη σαρκι του κατα σαρκα ζην 8:13 ει γαρ κατα σαρκα ζητε μελλετε αποθνησκειν ει δε πνευματι τας πραξεις του σωματος θανατουτε ζησεσθε 8:14 οσοι γαρ πνευματι θεου αγονται ουτοι εισιν υιοι θεου 8:15 ου γαρ ελαβετε πνευμα δουλειας παλιν εις φοβον αλλ ελαβετε πνευμα υιοθεσιας εν ω κραζομεν αββα ο πατηρ 8:16 αυτο το πνευμα συμμαρτυρει τω πνευματι ημων οτι εσμεν τεκνα θεου 8:17 ει δε τεκνα και κληρονομοι κληρονομοι μεν θεου συγκληρονομοι δε χριστου ειπερ συμπασχομεν ινα και συνδοξασθωμεν

Curtis Fussell, “Science and Confession,” Science & Christian Faith, p. 33-40
Wendell Berry, “1979 – III,” A Timbered Choir, p. 8

Wendell Berry, “1979 – VI,” A Timbered Choir, p. 13

Wendell Berry, “1991 – VII,” A Timbered Choir, p. 133

Susan Mangam, S.T.R., “Open the Door!” Weavings (January/February 1994), p. 29

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Hymn of the Universe, p. 29 & 107

18         2 Corinthians 4:17
19-21    Isaiah 55:12
20         Genesis 3:17-19
23         2 Corinthians 5:2-4

18    Oscar Romero, The Violence of Love, p. 74

21     Wendell Berry, “The Gift of Good Land,” The Gift of Good Land, p. 271

21    Henri Nouwen, “Let Jesus Transform You,” The Inner Voice of Love, p. 40 f., 117

21    Oscar Romero, The Violence of Love, p. 25

21    John Shea, “A Prayer to the God Who Will Not Go Away,” The Hour of the Unexpected, p. 57

22    Wendell Berry, “1991 – VII,” This Day, p. 112

22    Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, The Divine Milieu, p. 154

24-25   Wendell Berry, Standing by Words, p. 108

24       George A. Buttrick, “Similitudes of the Kingdom,” The Parables of Jesus, p. 16

25      Noam Chomsky, Chronicles of Dissent

25      Denise Levertov, “Hoping,” Evening Train, p. 75

18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.  19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God.  22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.  24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?  25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

8:18 λογιζομαι γαρ οτι ουκ αξια τα παθηματα του νυν καιρου προς την μελλουσαν δοξαν αποκαλυφθηναι εις ημας 8:19 η γαρ αποκαραδοκια της κτισεως την αποκαλυψιν των υιων του θεου απεκδεχεται 8:20 τη γαρ ματαιοτητι η κτισις υπεταγη ουχ εκουσα αλλα δια τον υποταξαντα επ ελπιδι 8:21 οτι και αυτη η κτισις ελευθερωθησεται απο της δουλειας της φθορας εις την ελευθεριαν της δοξης των τεκνων του θεου 8:22 οιδαμεν γαρ οτι πασα η κτισις συστεναζει και συνωδινει αχρι του νυν 8:23 ου μονον δε αλλα και αυτοι την απαρχην του πνευματος εχοντες και ημεις αυτοι εν εαυτοις στεναζομεν υιοθεσιαν απεκδεχομενοι την απολυτρωσιν του σωματος ημων 8:24 τη γαρ ελπιδι εσωθημεν ελπις δε βλεπομενη ουκ εστιν ελπις ο γαρ βλεπει τις τι και ελπιζει 8:25 ει δε ο ου βλεπομεν ελπιζομεν δι υπομονης απεκδεχομεθα

H. E. Fosdick, The Meaning of Prayer, p. 113 f.
Richard Foster, Prayer, p. 119

Me

William Stafford, “Sky”; “Are You Mister William Stafford?” The Way It Is, p. 3, 46

Imaging the Word, Vol. 3, p. 222

26    Scott Cairns, “Murmur,” Odd Angles of Heaven, p. 40

26    Patrick, Confessio. Quoted in Richard Fletcher, The Barbarian Conversion, p. 85

26    Your Word is Fire, p. 62

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.  27 And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

8:26 ωσαυτως δε και το πνευμα συναντιλαμβανεται ταις ασθενειαις ημων το γαρ τι προσευξομεθα καθο δει ουκ οιδαμεν αλλ αυτο το πνευμα υπερεντυγχανει υπερ ημων στεναγμοις αλαλητοις 8:27 ο δε ερευνων τας καρδιας οιδεν τι το φρονημα του πνευματος οτι κατα θεον εντυγχανει υπερ αγιων

28    Proverbs 11:23; Jeremiah 32:39-41; Matthew 7:15-20
30    Isaiah 43:7

28    Malcolm Muggeridge, Confessions of a 20th Cent. Pilgrim, p. 53

28    Kathleen Norris, Amazing Grace, p. 23

28    Parker Palmer, Let Your Life Speak, p. 88

28    Oscar Romero, The Violence of Love, p. 15

29    Horace Bushnell, “Inspiration,” Sermons, p. 56

29    Richard Wilbur, “Lying,” New and Collected Poems, p.

30    Robert C. Morris, “Holy and Glorious Flesh,” Weavings (July/August 1999), p. 36 f.

30    Morris West, A View from the Ridge, p. 85

30    Barbara J. Wheeler, “To Give You a Future With Hope: Themes for a Protestant Piety,” (tape) Earl Lectures (January 29, 1997),

28 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren.  30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

8:28 οιδαμεν δε οτι τοις αγαπωσιν τον θεον παντα συνεργει εις αγαθον τοις κατα προθεσιν κλητοις ουσιν 8:29 οτι ους προεγνω και προωρισεν συμμορφους της εικονος του υιου αυτου εις το ειναι αυτον πρωτοτοκον εν πολλοις αδελφοις 8:30 ους δε προωρισεν τουτους και εκαλεσεν και ους εκαλεσεν τουτους και εδικαιωσεν ους δε εδικαιωσεν τουτους και εδοξασεν

Rainer Maria Rilke, “December 23rd, 1903,” Letters to a Young Poet, p. 49

32          Genesis 22:16
32-34    Isaiah 50:8-9
36          Psalm 44:22; 2 Corinthians 4:11
35-39    Psalm 3

32      Jaroslav Pelikan, The Illustrated Jesus through the Centuries, p. 15
32      John Wesley, “Sermon,” Lend Me Your Ears, p. 421 ff.
34      X. J. Kennedy, “The Waterbury Cross,” Odd Angles of Heaven, p. 163

38-39   Morris West, A View from the Ridge, p. 144 f.

31 What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us?  32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him?  33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies; 34 who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us?  35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  36 As it is written, “For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”  37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  38 For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

8:31 τι ουν ερουμεν προς ταυτα ει ο θεος υπερ ημων τις καθ ημων 8:32 ος γε του ιδιου υιου ουκ εφεισατο αλλ υπερ ημων παντων παρεδωκεν αυτον πως ουχι και συν αυτω τα παντα ημιν χαρισεται 8:33 τις εγκαλεσει κατα εκλεκτων θεου θεος ο δικαιων

8:34 τις ο κατακρινων χριστος ο αποθανων μαλλον δε και εγερθεις ος και εστιν εν δεξια του θεου ος και εντυγχανει υπερ ημων 8:35 τις ημας χωρισει απο της αγαπης του χριστου θλιψις η στενοχωρια η διωγμος η λιμος η γυμνοτης η κινδυνος η μαχαιρα 8:36 καθως γεγραπται οτι ενεκεν σου θανατουμεθα ολην την ημεραν ελογισθημεν ως προβατα σφαγης 8:37 αλλ εν τουτοις πασιν υπερνικωμεν δια του αγαπησαντος ημας 8:38 πεπεισμαι γαρ οτι ουτε θανατος ουτε ζωη ουτε αγγελοι ουτε αρχαι ουτε δυναμεις ουτε ενεστωτα ουτε μελλοντα 8:39 ουτε υψωμα ουτε βαθος ουτε τις κτισις ετερα δυνησεται ημας χωρισαι απο της αγαπης του θεου της εν χριστω ιησου τω κυριω ημων

John Dominic Crossan, In Search of Paul, p. 390

7            Genesis 21:12
9            Genesis 18:10
12          Genesis 25:23
13          Malachi 1:2-3
15          Exodus 33:19
17          Exodus 9:16; John 9:3
20          Isaiah 29:16, 45:9
25          Hosea 2:23
26          Hosea 1:10
27-28    Isaiah 10:22-23
29          Isaiah 1:9
33          Isaiah 28:16

3       Meister Eckhart, “Commentary on Exodus,” Preacher and Teacher, p. 126

1 I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.  3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen by race.  4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; 5 to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ. God who is over all be blessed for ever. Amen.

6 But it is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his descendants; but “Through Isaac shall your descendants be named.”  8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are reckoned as descendants.  9 For this is what the promise said, “About this time I will return and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebecca had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad, in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call, 12 she was told, “The elder will serve the younger.”  13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means!  15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”  16 So it depends not upon man’s will or exertion, but upon God’s mercy.  17 For the scripture says to Pharaoh, “I have raised you up for the very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.”  18 So then he has mercy upon whomever he wills, and he hardens the heart of whomever he wills.

19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, a man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me thus?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for beauty and another for menial use?  22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the vessels of wrath made for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for the vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?  25 As indeed he says in Hose’a, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘my beloved.’”  26 “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”  27 And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved; 28 for the Lord will execute his sentence upon the earth with rigor and dispatch.” 29 And as Isaiah predicted, “If the Lord of hosts had not left us children, we would have fared like Sodom and been made like Gomor’rah.”

30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, righteousness through faith; 31 but that Israel who pursued the righteousness which is based on law did not succeed in fulfilling that law.  32 Why? Because they did not pursue it through faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make them fall; and he who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

9:1 αληθειαν λεγω εν χριστω ου ψευδομαι συμμαρτυρουσης μοι της συνειδησεως μου εν πνευματι αγιω 9:2 οτι λυπη μοι εστιν μεγαλη και αδιαλειπτος οδυνη τη καρδια μου 9:3 ευχομην γαρ αυτος εγω αναθεμα ειναι απο του χριστου υπερ των αδελφων μου των συγγενων μου κατα σαρκα 9:4 οιτινες εισιν ισραηλιται ων η υιοθεσια και η δοξα και αι διαθηκαι και η νομοθεσια και η λατρεια και αι επαγγελιαι 9:5 ων οι πατερες και εξ ων ο χριστος το κατα σαρκα ο ων επι παντων θεος ευλογητος εις τους αιωνας αμην

9:6 ουχ οιον δε οτι εκπεπτωκεν ο λογος του θεου ου γαρ παντες οι εξ ισραηλ ουτοι ισραηλ 9:7 ουδ οτι εισιν σπερμα αβρααμ παντες τεκνα αλλ εν ισαακ κληθησεται σοι σπερμα 9:8 τουτ εστιν ου τα τεκνα της σαρκος ταυτα τεκνα του θεου αλλα τα τεκνα της επαγγελιας λογιζεται εις σπερμα 9:9 επαγγελιας γαρ ο λογος ουτος κατα τον καιρον τουτον ελευσομαι και εσται τη σαρρα υιος 9:10 ου μονον δε αλλα και ρεβεκκα εξ ενος κοιτην εχουσα ισαακ του πατρος ημων 9:11 μηπω γαρ γεννηθεντων μηδε πραξαντων τι αγαθον η κακον ινα η κατ εκλογην προθεσις του θεου μενη ουκ εξ εργων αλλ εκ του καλουντος 9:12 ερρηθη αυτη οτι ο μειζων δουλευσει τω ελασσονι 9:13 καθως γεγραπται τον ιακωβ ηγαπησα τον δε ησαυ εμισησα

9:14 τι ουν ερουμεν μη αδικια παρα τω θεω μη γενοιτο 9:15 τω γαρ μωυση λεγει ελεησω ον αν ελεω και οικτειρησω ον αν οικτειρω 9:16 αρα ουν ου του θελοντος ουδε του τρεχοντος αλλα του ελεουντος θεου 9:17 λεγει γαρ η γραφη τω φαραω οτι εις αυτο τουτο εξηγειρα σε οπως ενδειξωμαι εν σοι την δυναμιν μου και οπως διαγγελη το ονομα μου εν παση τη γη 9:18 αρα ουν ον θελει ελεει ον δε θελει σκληρυνει

9:19 ερεις ουν μοι τι ετι μεμφεται τω γαρ βουληματι αυτου τις ανθεστηκεν 9:20 μενουνγε ω ανθρωπε συ τις ει ο ανταποκρινομενος τω θεω μη ερει το πλασμα τω πλασαντι τι με εποιησας ουτως 9:21 η ουκ εχει εξουσιαν ο κεραμευς του πηλου εκ του αυτου φυραματος ποιησαι ο μεν εις τιμην σκευος ο δε εις ατιμιαν 9:22 ει δε θελων ο θεος ενδειξασθαι την οργην και γνωρισαι το δυνατον αυτου ηνεγκεν εν πολλη μακροθυμια σκευη οργης κατηρτισμενα εις απωλειαν 9:23 και ινα γνωριση τον πλουτον της δοξης αυτου επι σκευη ελεους α προητοιμασεν εις δοξαν 9:24 ους και εκαλεσεν ημας ου μονον εξ ιουδαιων αλλα και εξ εθνων 9:25 ως και εν τω ωσηε λεγει καλεσω τον ου λαον μου λαον μου και την ουκ ηγαπημενην ηγαπημενην 9:26 και εσται εν τω τοπω ου ερρηθη αυτοις ου λαος μου υμεις εκει κληθησονται υιοι θεου ζωντος 9:27 ησαιας δε κραζει υπερ του ισραηλ εαν η ο αριθμος των υιων ισραηλ ως η αμμος της θαλασσης το καταλειμμα σωθησεται 9:28 λογον γαρ συντελων και συντεμνων εν δικαιοσυνη οτι λογον συντετμημενον ποιησει κυριος επι της γης 9:29 και καθως προειρηκεν ησαιας ει μη κυριος σαβαωθ εγκατελιπεν ημιν σπερμα ως σοδομα αν εγενηθημεν και ως γομορρα αν ωμοιωθημεν

9:30 τι ουν ερουμεν οτι εθνη τα μη διωκοντα δικαιοσυνην κατελαβεν δικαιοσυνην δικαιοσυνην δε την εκ πιστεως 9:31 ισραηλ δε διωκων νομον δικαιοσυνης εις νομον δικαιοσυνης ουκ εφθασεν 9:32 δια τι οτι ουκ εκ πιστεως αλλ ως εξ εργων νομου προσεκοψαν γαρ τω λιθω του προσκομματος 9:33 καθως γεγραπται ιδου τιθημι εν σιων λιθον προσκομματος και πετραν σκανδαλου και πας ο πιστευων επ αυτω ου καταισχυνθησεται

John Dominic Crossan, In Search of Paul, p. 392 f.

2          Romans 12:11
5          Leviticus 18:5
6-8      Deuteronomy 30:12-14
8-10    Psalm 19:14; Isaiah 30:21
9-13    Mark 8:34-38
11         Isaiah 28:16
13        Joel 2:32
15        Isaiah 52:7
16        Isaiah 53:1
18        Psalm 19:4
19        Deuteronomy 32:21
20       Isaiah 65:1
21        Isaiah 65:2

9-13    Me

14-17    Walker Percy, The Message in the Bottle, p. 136, 146

1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.  2 I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened.  3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.  4 For Christ is the end of the law, that every one who has faith may be justified.

5 Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on the law shall live by it.  6 But the righteousness based on faith says, Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 or “Who will descend into the abyss?” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).  8 But what does it say? The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach); 9 because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  10 For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved.  11 The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.”  12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his riches upon all who call upon him.  13 For, “every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14 But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?  15 And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!”  16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ.

18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.”  19 Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.”  20 Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.”  21 But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

10:1 αδελφοι η μεν ευδοκια της εμης καρδιας και η δεησις η προς τον θεον υπερ του ισραηλ εστιν εις σωτηριαν 10:2 μαρτυρω γαρ αυτοις οτι ζηλον θεου εχουσιν αλλ ου κατ επιγνωσιν 10:3 αγνοουντες γαρ την του θεου δικαιοσυνην και την ιδιαν δικαιοσυνην ζητουντες στησαι τη δικαιοσυνη του θεου ουχ υπεταγησαν 10:4 τελος γαρ νομου χριστος εις δικαιοσυνην παντι τω πιστευοντι

10:5 μωυσης γαρ γραφει την δικαιοσυνην την εκ του νομου οτι ο ποιησας αυτα ανθρωπος ζησεται εν αυτοις 10:6 η δε εκ πιστεως δικαιοσυνη ουτως λεγει μη ειπης εν τη καρδια σου τις αναβησεται εις τον ουρανον τουτ εστιν χριστον καταγαγειν 10:7 η τις καταβησεται εις την αβυσσον τουτ εστιν χριστον εκ νεκρων αναγαγειν 10:8 αλλα τι λεγει εγγυς σου το ρημα εστιν εν τω στοματι σου και εν τη καρδια σου τουτ εστιν το ρημα της πιστεως ο κηρυσσομεν 10:9 οτι εαν ομολογησης εν τω στοματι σου κυριον ιησουν και πιστευσης εν τη καρδια σου οτι ο θεος αυτον ηγειρεν εκ νεκρων σωθηση 10:10 καρδια γαρ πιστευεται εις δικαιοσυνην στοματι δε ομολογειται εις σωτηριαν 10:11 λεγει γαρ η γραφη πας ο πιστευων επ αυτω ου καταισχυνθησεται 10:12 ου γαρ εστιν διαστολη ιουδαιου τε και ελληνος ο γαρ αυτος κυριος παντων πλουτων εις παντας τους επικαλουμενους αυτον 10:13 πας γαρ ος αν επικαλεσηται το ονομα κυριου σωθησεται

10:14 πως ουν επικαλεσονται εις ον ουκ επιστευσαν πως δε πιστευσουσιν ου ουκ ηκουσαν πως δε ακουσουσιν χωρις κηρυσσοντος 10:15 πως δε κηρυξουσιν εαν μη αποσταλωσιν καθως γεγραπται ως ωραιοι οι ποδες των ευαγγελιζομενων ειρηνην των ευαγγελιζομενων τα αγαθα 10:16 αλλ ου παντες υπηκουσαν τω ευαγγελιω ησαιας γαρ λεγει κυριε τις επιστευσεν τη ακοη ημων 10:17 αρα η πιστις εξ ακοης η δε ακοη δια ρηματος θεου

10:18 αλλα λεγω μη ουκ ηκουσαν μενουνγε εις πασαν την γην εξηλθεν ο φθογγος αυτων και εις τα περατα της οικουμενης τα ρηματα αυτων 10:19 αλλα λεγω μη ουκ εγνω ισραηλ πρωτος μωυσης λεγει εγω παραζηλωσω υμας επ ουκ εθνει επι εθνει ασυνετω παροργιω υμας 10:20 ησαιας δε αποτολμα και λεγει ευρεθην τοις εμε μη ζητουσιν εμφανης εγενομην τοις εμε μη επερωτωσιν 10:21 προς δε τον ισραηλ λεγει ολην την ημεραν εξεπετασα τας χειρας μου προς λαον απειθουντα και αντιλεγοντα

John Dominic Crossan, In Search of Paul, p. 391

1         Philippians 3:5
3         1 Kings 19:10 & 14
4          1 Kings 19:18
8          Deuteronomy 29:4; Isaiah 29:10
9-10    Psalm 69:22-23
26        Isaiah 59:20-21
27        Isaiah 27:9
33        Isaiah 55:8
34        Isaiah 40:13
35        Job 41:11; Matthew 5:46, 6:12
36        1 Corinthians 8:6

26    St. Bernard, Fiedler on the Roof, p. 100

28-29   Stephen Mitchell, The Gospel According to Jesus, p. 92

33-36    Meister Eckhart, “Latin Sermons,” Preacher and Teacher, p. 207-211
33-36    John Elliott, “Romans Doxology,” Cry of My Heart (CD)
33-36    Robert F. Morneau, “The Mystery of God,” Gift Mystery Calling, p. 51-56

1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.  2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?  3 “Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have demolished thy altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.”  4 But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”  5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.  6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it sought. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8 as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that should not see and ears that should not hear, down to this very day.”  9 And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a pitfall and a retribution for them; 10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs for ever.”

11 So I ask, have they stumbled so as to fall? By no means! But through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.  12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!

13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.  15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?  16 If the dough offered as first fruits is holy, so is the whole lump; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the richness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast over the branches. If you do boast, remember it is not you that support the root, but the root that supports you.  19 You will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.”  20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast only through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe.  21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.  22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even the others, if they do not persist in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.  24 For if you have been cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree.

25 Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this mystery, brethren: a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles come in, 26 and so all Israel will be saved; as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; 27 “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”  28 As regards the gospel they are enemies of God, for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.  29 For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.  30 Just as you were once disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may receive mercy.  32 For God has consigned all men to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all.

33 O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!  34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory for ever. Amen.

11:1 λεγω ουν μη απωσατο ο θεος τον λαον αυτου μη γενοιτο και γαρ εγω ισραηλιτης ειμι εκ σπερματος αβρααμ φυλης βενιαμιν 11:2 ουκ απωσατο ο θεος τον λαον αυτου ον προεγνω η ουκ οιδατε εν ηλια τι λεγει η γραφη ως εντυγχανει τω θεω κατα του ισραηλ λεγων 11:3 κυριε τους προφητας σου απεκτειναν και τα θυσιαστηρια σου κατεσκαψαν καγω υπελειφθην μονος και ζητουσιν την ψυχην μου 11:4 αλλα τι λεγει αυτω ο χρηματισμος κατελιπον εμαυτω επτακισχιλιους ανδρας οιτινες ουκ εκαμψαν γονυ τη βααλ 11:5 ουτως ουν και εν τω νυν καιρω λειμμα κατ εκλογην χαριτος γεγονεν 11:6 ει δε χαριτι ουκετι εξ εργων επει η χαρις ουκετι γινεται χαρις ει δε εξ εργων ουκετι εστιν χαρις επει το εργον ουκετι εστιν εργον

11:7 τι ουν ο επιζητει ισραηλ τουτο ουκ επετυχεν η δε εκλογη επετυχεν οι δε λοιποι επωρωθησαν 11:8 καθως γεγραπται εδωκεν αυτοις ο θεος πνευμα κατανυξεως οφθαλμους του μη βλεπειν και ωτα του μη ακουειν εως της σημερον ημερας 11:9 και δαυιδ λεγει γενηθητω η τραπεζα αυτων εις παγιδα και εις θηραν και εις σκανδαλον και εις ανταποδομα αυτοις 11:10 σκοτισθητωσαν οι οφθαλμοι αυτων του μη βλεπειν και τον νωτον αυτων διαπαντος συγκαμψον

11:11 λεγω ουν μη επταισαν ινα πεσωσιν μη γενοιτο αλλα τω αυτων παραπτωματι η σωτηρια τοις εθνεσιν εις το παραζηλωσαι αυτους 11:12 ει δε το παραπτωμα αυτων πλουτος κοσμου και το ηττημα αυτων πλουτος εθνων ποσω μαλλον το πληρωμα αυτων

11:13 υμιν γαρ λεγω τοις εθνεσιν εφ οσον μεν ειμι εγω εθνων αποστολος την διακονιαν μου δοξαζω 11:14 ει πως παραζηλωσω μου την σαρκα και σωσω τινας εξ αυτων 11:15 ει γαρ η αποβολη αυτων καταλλαγη κοσμου τις η προσληψις ει μη ζωη εκ νεκρων 11:16 ει δε η απαρχη αγια και το φυραμα και ει η ριζα αγια και οι κλαδοι

11:17 ει δε τινες των κλαδων εξεκλασθησαν συ δε αγριελαιος ων ενεκεντρισθης εν αυτοις και συγκοινωνος της ριζης και της πιοτητος της ελαιας εγενου 11:18 μη κατακαυχω των κλαδων ει δε κατακαυχασαι ου συ την ριζαν βασταζεις αλλ η ριζα σε 11:19 ερεις ουν εξεκλασθησαν κλαδοι ινα εγω εγκεντρισθω 11:20 καλως τη απιστια εξεκλασθησαν συ δε τη πιστει εστηκας μη υψηλοφρονει αλλα φοβου 11:21 ει γαρ ο θεος των κατα φυσιν κλαδων ουκ εφεισατο μηπως ουδε σου φεισεται 11:22 ιδε ουν χρηστοτητα και αποτομιαν θεου επι μεν τους πεσοντας αποτομιαν επι δε σε χρηστοτητα εαν επιμεινης τη χρηστοτητι επει και συ εκκοπηση 11:23 και εκεινοι δε εαν μη επιμεινωσιν τη απιστια εγκεντρισθησονται δυνατος γαρ ο θεος εστιν παλιν εγκεντρισαι αυτους 11:24 ει γαρ συ εκ της κατα φυσιν εξεκοπης αγριελαιου και παρα φυσιν ενεκεντρισθης εις καλλιελαιον ποσω μαλλον ουτοι οι κατα φυσιν εγκεντρισθησονται τη ιδια ελαια

11:25 ου γαρ θελω υμας αγνοειν αδελφοι το μυστηριον τουτο ινα μη ητε παρ εαυτοις φρονιμοι οτι πωρωσις απο μερους τω ισραηλ γεγονεν αχρις ου το πληρωμα των εθνων εισελθη 11:26 και ουτως πας ισραηλ σωθησεται καθως γεγραπται ηξει εκ σιων ο ρυομενος και αποστρεψει ασεβειας απο ιακωβ 11:27 και αυτη αυτοις η παρ εμου διαθηκη οταν αφελωμαι τας αμαρτιας αυτων 11:28 κατα μεν το ευαγγελιον εχθροι δι υμας κατα δε την εκλογην αγαπητοι δια τους πατερας 11:29 αμεταμελητα γαρ τα χαρισματα και η κλησις του θεου 11:30 ωσπερ γαρ και υμεις ποτε ηπειθησατε τω θεω νυν δε ηλεηθητε τη τουτων απειθεια 11:31 ουτως και ουτοι νυν ηπειθησαν τω υμετερω ελεει ινα και αυτοι ελεηθωσιν 11:32 συνεκλεισεν γαρ ο θεος τους παντας εις απειθειαν ινα τους παντας ελεηση

11:33 ω βαθος πλουτου και σοφιας και γνωσεως θεου ως ανεξερευνητα τα κριματα αυτου και ανεξιχνιαστοι αι οδοι αυτου 11:34 τις γαρ εγνω νουν κυριου η τις συμβουλος αυτου εγενετο 11:35 η τις προεδωκεν αυτω και ανταποδοθησεται αυτω 11:36 οτι εξ αυτου και δι αυτου και εις αυτον τα παντα αυτω η δοξα εις τους αιωνας αμην

1-2    Romans 6:12-14
3        Romans 2:17-21, 12:16
4-5    1 Corinthians 12:12
6-8    1 Corinthians 12:4-11

1-2    Thomas Cahill, How the Irish Saved Civilization, p. 141 f.

1-2    Stephanie Coontz, The Way We Never Were, p. 277 (quoted by Gary Gunderson in Deeply Woven Roots, p. 26)

1-2    Alfred Corn, “Living Sacrifices”

1-2    Louis Menand, “That’s Entertainment,” The New Yorker (November 22, 1993), p. 123

1-2    Paul H. Ray and Sherry Ruth Anderson, Cultural Creatives, p. 127

1-2    Oscar Romero, The Violence of Love, p. 100 f.
1-2    Helmut Thielicke, “Do Not Be Conformists!,” Faith: The Great Adventure, p. 35-41
1        Richard Foster, “Body Prayer,” Prayers from the Heart, p. 57

2        Walter Brueggemann, Interpretation and Obedience, l. 456-459, 475-482

2        Hayden Carruth, “The Camps,” Scrambled Eggs and Whiskey, p. 59

2        David Dark, The Sacredness of Questioning Everything, p. 31

2       Stephen Jay Gould, “Age-Old Fallacies of Thinking and Stinking,” I Have Landed, p. 355

2           E. Glenn Hinson, “Horizonal Persons,” Weavings (March/April 1995), p. 22-29
2           Martin Luther King, Jr., “Transformed Non-conformist,” Strength to Love, p. 17-25
3           Carla De Sola, “ ‘Tis a Gift to be Simple,” The Spirit Moves, p. 120
4-12     Walter J. Burghardt, S.J., “Let Love Be Genuine,” Lovely in Eyes Not His, p. 168-172
5           John Dominic Crossan, In Search of Paul, p. 282

5       Imaging the Word, Vol. 2, p. 262-265

1 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

3 For by the grace given to me I bid every one among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith which God has assigned him.  4 For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

12:1 παρακαλω ουν υμας αδελφοι δια των οικτιρμων του θεου παραστησαι τα σωματα υμων θυσιαν ζωσαν αγιαν ευαρεστον τω θεω την λογικην λατρειαν υμων 12:2 και μη συσχηματιζεσθαι τω αιωνι τουτω αλλα μεταμορφουσθαι τη ανακαινωσει του νοος υμων εις το δοκιμαζειν υμας τι το θελημα του θεου το αγαθον και ευαρεστον και τελειον

12:3 λεγω γαρ δια της χαριτος της δοθεισης μοι παντι τω οντι εν υμιν μη υπερφρονειν παρ ο δει φρονειν αλλα φρονειν εις το σωφρονειν εκαστω ως ο θεος εμερισεν μετρον πιστεως 12:4 καθαπερ γαρ εν ενι σωματι μελη πολλα εχομεν τα δε μελη παντα ου την αυτην εχει πραξιν 12:5 ουτως οι πολλοι εν σωμα εσμεν εν χριστω ο δε καθ εις αλληλων μελη 12:6 εχοντες δε χαρισματα κατα την χαριν την δοθεισαν ημιν διαφορα ειτε προφητειαν κατα την αναλογιαν της πιστεως 12:7 ειτε διακονιαν εν τη διακονια ειτε ο διδασκων εν τη διδασκαλια 12:8 ειτε ο παρακαλων εν τη παρακλησει ο μεταδιδους εν απλοτητι ο προισταμενος εν σπουδη ο ελεων εν ιλαροτητι

William Stafford, “An Introduction to Some Poems,” The Way It Is, p. 132

9          Psalm 37:27, 97:10
11         Romans 10:2
14         Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28; 1 Corinthians 4:12-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:15, 1 Peter 3:9
16         Proverbs 3:7; Romans 2:17-21, 12:3
17-21    Hosea 4:2b
19         Deuteronomy 32:35
20         Genesis 42:25-28; 2 Kings 6:21-23; Proverbs 25:21-22

11          David H. C. Read, “Christian Maintenance,” I Am Persuaded, p. 166-175
14          Madeleine L’Engle, The Irrational Season, p. 102 ff.
14-21    Gouverneur Morris, “National Greatness,” Lend Me Your Ears, p. 40

17-21     Wendell Berry, Collected Poems, p. 109

17-21    R. H. Blyth, Haiku, Vol. 2, p. 582

17-21    Thomas Merton, The Wisdom of the Desert, p. 18, 37, 53f.

19        Dante, “Canto 17,” Paradiso, p. 158

24-26   Ivan Steiger, Ivan Steiger Sees the Bible, p. 265

9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.  11 Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord.  12 Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  13 Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.  15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.  16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited.  17 Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.  18 If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all.  19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”  20 No, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.”  21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

12:9 η αγαπη ανυποκριτος αποστυγουντες το πονηρον κολλωμενοι τω αγαθω 12:10 τη φιλαδελφια εις αλληλους φιλοστοργοι τη τιμη αλληλους προηγουμενοι 12:11 τη σπουδη μη οκνηροι τω πνευματι ζεοντες τω αβδουλευοντες 12:12 τη ελπιδι χαιροντες τη θλιψει υπομενοντες τη προσευχη προσκαρτερουντες 12:13 ταις χρειαις των αγιων κοινωνουντες την φιλοξενιαν διωκοντες

12:14 ευλογειτε τους διωκοντας υμας ευλογειτε και μη καταρασθε 12:15 χαιρειν μετα χαιροντων και κλαιειν μετα κλαιοντων 12:16 το αυτο εις αλληλους φρονουντες μη τα υψηλα φρονουντες αλλα τοις ταπεινοις συναπαγομενοι μη γινεσθε φρονιμοι παρ εαυτοις 12:17 μηδενι κακον αντι κακου αποδιδοντες προνοουμενοι καλα ενωπιον παντων ανθρωπων 12:18 ει δυνατον το εξ υμων μετα παντων ανθρωπων ειρηνευοντες 12:19 μη εαυτους εκδικουντες αγαπητοι αλλα δοτε τοπον τη οργη γεγραπται γαρ εμοι εκδικησις εγω ανταποδωσω λεγει κυριος 12:20 εαν ουν πεινα ο εχθρος σου ψωμιζε αυτον εαν διψα ποτιζε αυτον τουτο γαρ ποιων ανθρακας πυρος σωρευσεις επι την κεφαλην αυτου 12:21 μη νικω υπο του κακου αλλα νικα εν τω αγαθω το κακον

6-7    Matthew 22:21; Mark 12:17; Luke 20:25

1-7    John Dominic Crossan, In Search of Paul, p. 394

1-7    Bishop John. Quoted by Richard Fletcher, The Barbarian Conversion, p. 314

1-7    Martin Luther, from “The Freedom of a Christian,” Three Treatises, p. 307-308
1-7    Howard Thurman, Jesus and the Disinherited, p. 32

7-8    Blaise Pascal, “# 332,” Pensées, p. 93

14      Meister Eckhart, “German Sermons,” Preacher and Teacher, p. 284-286

1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.  2 Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.  3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of him who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; he is the servant of God to execute his wrath on the wrongdoer.  5 Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.  6 For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.  7 Pay all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.

8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.  9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

11 Besides this you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; 12 the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy.  14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

13:1 πασα ψυχη εξουσιαις υπερεχουσαις υποτασσεσθω ου γαρ εστιν εξουσια ει μη υπο θεου αι δε ουσαι εξουσιαι υπο του θεου τεταγμεναι εισιν 13:2 ωστε ο αντιτασσομενος τη εξουσια τη του θεου διαταγη ανθεστηκεν οι δε ανθεστηκοτες εαυτοις κριμα ληψονται 13:3 οι γαρ αρχοντες ουκ εισιν φοβος των αγαθων εργων αλλα των κακων θελεις δε μη φοβεισθαι την εξουσιαν το αγαθον ποιει και εξεις επαινον εξ αυτης 13:4 θεου γαρ διακονος εστιν σοι εις το αγαθον εαν δε το κακον ποιης φοβου ου γαρ εικη την μαχαιραν φορει θεου γαρ διακονος εστιν εκδικος εις οργην τω το κακον πρασσοντι 13:5 διο αναγκη υποτασσεσθαι ου μονον δια την οργην αλλα και δια την συνειδησιν 13:6 δια τουτο γαρ και φορους τελειτε λειτουργοι γαρ θεου εισιν εις αυτο τουτο προσκαρτερουντες 13:7 αποδοτε ουν πασιν τας οφειλας τω τον φορον τον φορον τω το τελος το τελος τω τον φοβον τον φοβον τω την τιμην την τιμην

13:8 μηδενι μηδεν οφειλετε ει μη το αγαπαν αλληλους ο γαρ αγαπων τον ετερον νομον πεπληρωκεν 13:9 το γαρ ου μοιχευσεις ου φονευσεις ου κλεψεις [ου ψευδομαρτυρησεισ] ουκ επιθυμησεις και ει τις ετερα εντολη εν τουτω τω λογω ανακεφαλαιουται εν τω αγαπησεις τον πλησιον σου ως σεαυτον 13:10 η αγαπη τω πλησιον κακον ουκ εργαζεται πληρωμα ουν νομου η αγαπη

13:11 και τουτο ειδοτες τον καιρον οτι ωρα ημας ηδη εξ υπνου εγερθηναι νυν γαρ εγγυτερον ημων η σωτηρια η οτε επιστευσαμεν 13:12 η νυξ προεκοψεν η δε ημερα ηγγικεν αποθωμεθα ουν τα εργα του σκοτους και ενδυσωμεθα τα οπλα του φωτος 13:13 ως εν ημερα ευσχημονως περιπατησωμεν μη κωμοις και μεθαις μη κοιταις και ασελγειαις μη εριδι και ζηλω 13:14 αλλ ενδυσασθε τον κυριον ιησουν χριστον και της σαρκος προνοιαν μη ποιεισθε εις επιθυμιας

John Dominic Crossan, In Search of Paul, p. 395-397
Martin Luther, from “The Freedom of a Christian,” Three Treatises, p. 310-313

1-6     Colossians 2:16
10      2 Corinthians 5:10
11      Isaiah 45:23
14      Mark 7:14-19; Acts 10:9-16

7       Albert Schweitzer, A Place for Revelation, p. 13-21
10     John Wesley, “The Great Assize,” Fifty-Three Sermons, p. 688-704
12     Albert Schweitzer, A Place for Revelation, p. 53-57
13     Dan Damon, “The Love of God Receives Us,” The Sound of Welcome, p. 15
13     Søren Kierkegaard, “Despair is Sin,” The Sickness unto Death

1 As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions.  2 One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables.  3 Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him.  4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Master is able to make him stand.

5 One man esteems one day as better than another, while another man esteems all days alike. Let every one be fully convinced in his own mind.  6 He who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. He also who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; while he who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.

7 None of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself.  8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.  9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.”  12 So each of us shall give account of himself to God.

13 Then let us no more pass judgment on one another, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.  14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for any one who thinks it unclean.  15 If your brother is being injured by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died.  16 So do not let your good be spoken of as evil.  17 For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit; 18 he who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.  19 Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.  20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for any one to make others fall by what he eats; 21 it is right not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother stumble.  22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God; happy is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves.  23 But he who has doubts is condemned, if he eats, because he does not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

14:1 τον δε ασθενουντα τη πιστει προσλαμβανεσθε μη εις διακρισεις διαλογισμων 14:2 ος μεν πιστευει φαγειν παντα ο δε ασθενων λαχανα εσθιει 14:3 ο εσθιων τον μη εσθιοντα μη εξουθενειτω και ο μη εσθιων τον εσθιοντα μη κρινετω ο θεος γαρ αυτον προσελαβετο 14:4 συ τις ει ο κρινων αλλοτριον οικετην τω ιδιω κυριω στηκει η πιπτει σταθησεται δε δυνατος γαρ εστιν ο θεος στησαι αυτον

14:5 ος μεν κρινει ημεραν παρ ημεραν ος δε κρινει πασαν ημεραν εκαστος εν τω ιδιω νοι πληροφορεισθω 14:6 ο φρονων την ημεραν κυριω φρονει και ο μη φρονων την ημεραν κυριω ου φρονει και ο εσθιων κυριω εσθιει ευχαριστει γαρ τω θεω και ο μη εσθιων κυριω ουκ εσθιει και ευχαριστει τω θεω

14:7 ουδεις γαρ ημων εαυτω ζη και ουδεις εαυτω αποθνησκει 14:8 εαν τε γαρ ζωμεν τω κυριω ζωμεν εαν τε αποθνησκωμεν τω κυριω αποθνησκομεν εαν τε ουν ζωμεν εαν τε αποθνησκωμεν του κυριου εσμεν 14:9 εις τουτο γαρ χριστος και απεθανεν και ανεστη και εζησεν ινα και νεκρων και ζωντων κυριευση

14:10 συ δε τι κρινεις τον αδελφον σου η και συ τι εξουθενεις τον αδελφον σου παντες γαρ παραστησομεθα τω βηματι του χριστου 14:11 γεγραπται γαρ ζω εγω λεγει κυριος οτι εμοι καμψει παν γονυ και πασα γλωσσα εξομολογησεται τω θεω 14:12 αρα ουν εκαστος ημων περι εαυτου λογον δωσει τω θεω

14:13 μηκετι ουν αλληλους κρινωμεν αλλα τουτο κρινατε μαλλον το μη τιθεναι προσκομμα τω αδελφω η σκανδαλον 14:14 οιδα και πεπεισμαι εν κυριω ιησου οτι ουδεν κοινον δι αυτου ει μη τω λογιζομενω τι κοινον ειναι εκεινω κοινον 14:15 ει δε δια βρωμα ο αδελφος σου λυπειται ουκετι κατα αγαπην περιπατεις μη τω βρωματι σου εκεινον απολλυε υπερ ου χριστος απεθανεν 14:16 μη βλασφημεισθω ουν υμων το αγαθον 14:17 ου γαρ εστιν η βασιλεια του θεου βρωσις και ποσις αλλα δικαιοσυνη και ειρηνη και χαρα εν πνευματι αγιω 14:18 ο γαρ εν τουτοις δουλευων τω χριστω ευαρεστος τω θεω και δοκιμος τοις ανθρωποις 14:19 αρα ουν τα της ειρηνης διωκωμεν και τα της οικοδομης της εις αλληλους 14:20 μη ενεκεν βρωματος καταλυε το εργον του θεου παντα μεν καθαρα αλλα κακον τω ανθρωπω τω δια προσκομματος εσθιοντι 14:21 καλον το μη φαγειν κρεα μηδε πιειν οινον μηδε εν ω ο αδελφος σου προσκοπτει η σκανδαλιζεται η ασθενει 14:22 συ πιστιν εχεις κατα σεαυτον εχε ενωπιον του θεου μακαριος ο μη κρινων εαυτον εν ω δοκιμαζει 14:23 ο δε διακρινομενος εαν φαγη κατακεκριται οτι ουκ εκ πιστεως παν δε ο ουκ εκ πιστεως αμαρτια εστιν

John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. Reed, Excavating Jesus, p. 41-43 (Acts 21)

3            Psalm 69:9; Matthew 5:10-12
9-13      Hebrews 2:12-13
10           Deuteronomy 32:43
11           Psalm 117:1
12           Isaiah 11:10
16           Isaiah 66:20
21           Isaiah 52:15
22           Romans 1:13
25-26    1 Corinthians 16:1-4
27           1 Corinthians 9:11

13     Ivan Steiger, Ivan Steiger Sees the Bible, p. 267
24     Martin Luther King, Jr., “Shattered Dreams,” Strength to Love, p. 86-95

1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; 2 let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him.  3 For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me.”  4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.  5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.  8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise thee among the Gentiles, and sing to thy name”; 10 and again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people”; 11 and again, “Praise the Lord, all Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him”; 12 and further Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse shall come, he who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles hope.”  13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brethren, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.  15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.  17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.  18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has wrought through me to win obedience from the Gentiles, by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Holy Spirit, so that from Jerusalem and as far round as Illyr’icum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ, 20 thus making it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on another man’s foundation, 21 but as it is written, “They shall see who have never been told of him, and they shall understand who have never heard of him.”

22 This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you.  23 But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, 24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be sped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a little.  25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem with aid for the saints.  26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem; 27 they were pleased to do it, and indeed they are in debt to them, for if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. 28 When therefore I have completed this, and have delivered to them what has been raised, I shall go on by way of you to Spain; 29 and I know that when I come to you I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ.

30 I appeal to you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.  33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

15:1 οφειλομεν δε ημεις οι δυνατοι τα ασθενηματα των αδυνατων βασταζειν και μη εαυτοις αρεσκειν 15:2 εκαστος ημων τω πλησιον αρεσκετω εις το αγαθον προς οικοδομην 15:3 και γαρ ο χριστος ουχ εαυτω ηρεσεν αλλα καθως γεγραπται οι ονειδισμοι των ονειδιζοντων σε επεπεσον επ εμε 15:4 οσα γαρ προεγραφη εις την ημετεραν διδασκαλιαν προεγραφη ινα δια της υπομονης και δια της παρακλησεως των γραφων την ελπιδα εχωμεν 15:5 ο δε θεος της υπομονης και της παρακλησεως δωη υμιν το αυτο φρονειν εν αλληλοις κατα χριστον ιησουν 15:6 ινα ομοθυμαδον εν ενι στοματι δοξαζητε τον θεον και πατερα του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου

15:7 διο προσλαμβανεσθε αλληλους καθως και ο χριστος προσελαβετο υμας εις δοξαν θεου 15:8 λεγω δε χριστον ιησουν διακονον γεγενησθαι περιτομης υπερ αληθειας θεου εις το βεβαιωσαι τας επαγγελιας των πατερων 15:9 τα δε εθνη υπερ ελεους δοξασαι τον θεον καθως γεγραπται δια τουτο εξομολογησομαι σοι εν εθνεσιν και τω ονοματι σου ψαλω 15:10 και παλιν λεγει ευφρανθητε εθνη μετα του λαου αυτου 15:11 και παλιν αινειτε τον κυριον παντα τα εθνη και επαινεσατε αυτον παντες οι λαοι 15:12 και παλιν ησαιας λεγει εσται η ριζα του ιεσσαι και ο ανισταμενος αρχειν εθνων επ αυτω εθνη ελπιουσιν 15:13 ο δε θεος της ελπιδος πληρωσαι υμας πασης χαρας και ειρηνης εν τω πιστευειν εις το περισσευειν υμας εν τη ελπιδι εν δυναμει πνευματος αγιου

15:14 πεπεισμαι δε αδελφοι μου και αυτος εγω περι υμων οτι και αυτοι μεστοι εστε αγαθωσυνης πεπληρωμενοι πασης γνωσεως δυναμενοι και αλλους νουθετειν 15:15 τολμηροτερον δε εγραψα υμιν αδελφοι απο μερους ως επαναμιμνησκων υμας δια την χαριν την δοθεισαν μοι υπο του θεου 15:16 εις το ειναι με λειτουργον ιησου χριστου εις τα εθνη ιερουργουντα το ευαγγελιον του θεου ινα γενηται η προσφορα των εθνων ευπροσδεκτος ηγιασμενη εν πνευματι αγιω 15:17 εχω ουν καυχησιν εν χριστω ιησου τα προς τον θεον 15:18 ου γαρ τολμησω λαλειν τι ων ου κατειργασατο χριστος δι εμου εις υπακοην εθνων λογω και εργω 15:19 εν δυναμει σημειων και τερατων εν δυναμει πνευματος θεου ωστε με απο ιερουσαλημ και κυκλω μεχρι του ιλλυρικου πεπληρωκεναι το ευαγγελιον του χριστου 15:20 ουτως δε φιλοτιμουμενον ευαγγελιζεσθαι ουχ οπου ωνομασθη χριστος ινα μη επ αλλοτριον θεμελιον οικοδομω 15:21 αλλα καθως γεγραπται οις ουκ ανηγγελη περι αυτου οψονται και οι ουκ ακηκοασιν συνησουσιν

15:22 διο και ενεκοπτομην τα πολλα του ελθειν προς υμας 15:23 νυνι δε μηκετι τοπον εχων εν τοις κλιμασιν τουτοις επιποθιαν δε εχων του ελθειν προς υμας απο πολλων ετων 15:24 ως εαν πορευωμαι εις την σπανιαν ελευσομαι προς υμας ελπιζω γαρ διαπορευομενος θεασασθαι υμας και υφ υμων προπεμφθηναι εκει εαν υμων πρωτον απο μερους εμπλησθω 15:25 νυνι δε πορευομαι εις ιερουσαλημ διακονων τοις αγιοις 15:26 ευδοκησαν γαρ μακεδονια και αχαια κοινωνιαν τινα ποιησασθαι εις τους πτωχους των αγιων των εν ιερουσαλημ 15:27 ευδοκησαν γαρ και οφειλεται αυτων εισιν ει γαρ τοις πνευματικοις αυτων εκοινωνησαν τα εθνη οφειλουσιν και εν τοις σαρκικοις λειτουργησαι αυτοις 15:28 τουτο ουν επιτελεσας και σφραγισαμενος αυτοις τον καρπον τουτον απελευσομαι δι υμων εις την σπανιαν 15:29 οιδα δε οτι ερχομενος προς υμας εν πληρωματι ευλογιας του ευαγγελιου του χριστου ελευσομαι

15:30 παρακαλω δε υμας αδελφοι δια του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου και δια της αγαπης του πνευματος συναγωνισασθαι μοι εν ταις προσευχαις υπερ εμου προς τον θεον 15:31 ινα ρυσθω απο των απειθουντων εν τη ιουδαια και ινα η διακονια μου η εις ιερουσαλημ ευπροσδεκτος γενηται τοις αγιοις 15:32 ινα εν χαρα ελθω προς υμας δια θεληματος θεου και συναναπαυσωμαι υμιν 15:33 ο δε θεος της ειρηνης μετα παντων υμων αμην

3      Acts 18:2
13    Mark 15:21
21    Acts 16:1
23    Acts 19:29; 1 Corinthians 1:14; 2 Timothy 4:20

1-15    John Dominic Crossan, “Equal (and More) in the Apostolate,” In Search of Paul, p. 114-116

1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may receive her in the Lord as befits the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a helper of many and of myself as well.

3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I but also all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks; 5 greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ.  6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard among you.  7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners; they are men of note among the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.  8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.  9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys.  10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobu’lus.  11 Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus.  12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.  13 Greet Rufus, eminent in the Lord, also his mother and mine.  14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.  16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

17 I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them.  18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by fair and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded.  19 For while your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I would have you wise as to what is good and guileless as to what is evil; 20 then the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosip’ater, my kinsmen.

22 I Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord.

23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret for long ages 26 but is now disclosed and through the prophetic writings is made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith -27 to the only wise God be glory for evermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

16:1 συνιστημι δε υμιν φοιβην την αδελφην ημων ουσαν διακονον της εκκλησιας της εν κεγχρεαις 16:2 ινα αυτην προσδεξησθε εν κυριω αξιως των αγιων και παραστητε αυτη εν ω αν υμων χρηζη πραγματι και γαρ αυτη προστατις πολλων εγενηθη και αυτου εμου

16:3 ασπασασθε πρισκαν και ακυλαν τους συνεργους μου εν χριστω ιησου 16:4 οιτινες υπερ της ψυχης μου τον εαυτων τραχηλον υπεθηκαν οις ουκ εγω μονος ευχαριστω αλλα και πασαι αι εκκλησιαι των εθνων 16:5 και την κατ οικον αυτων εκκλησιαν ασπασασθε επαινετον τον αγαπητον μου ος εστιν απαρχη της αχαιας εις χριστον 16:6 ασπασασθε μαριαμ ητις πολλα εκοπιασεν εις ημας 16:7 ασπασασθε ανδρονικον και ιουνιαν τους συγγενεις μου και συναιχμαλωτους μου οιτινες εισιν επισημοι εν τοις αποστολοις οι και προ εμου γεγονασιν εν χριστω 16:8 ασπασασθε αμπλιαν τον αγαπητον μου εν κυριω 16:9 ασπασασθε ουρβανον τον συνεργον ημων εν χριστω και σταχυν τον αγαπητον μου 16:10 ασπασασθε απελλην τον δοκιμον εν χριστω ασπασασθε τους εκ των αριστοβουλου 16:11 ασπασασθε ηρωδιωνα τον συγγενη μου ασπασασθε τους εκ των ναρκισσου τους οντας εν κυριω 16:12 ασπασασθε τρυφαιναν και τρυφωσαν τας κοπιωσας εν κυριω ασπασασθε περσιδα την αγαπητην ητις πολλα εκοπιασεν εν κυριω 16:13 ασπασασθε ρουφον τον εκλεκτον εν κυριω και την μητερα αυτου και εμου 16:14 ασπασασθε ασυγκριτον φλεγοντα ερμαν πατροβαν ερμην και τους συν αυτοις αδελφους 16:15 ασπασασθε φιλολογον και ιουλιαν νηρεα και την αδελφην αυτου και ολυμπαν και τους συν αυτοις παντας αγιους 16:16 ασπασασθε αλληλους εν φιληματι αγιω ασπαζονται υμας αι εκκλησιαι του χριστου

16:17 παρακαλω δε υμας αδελφοι σκοπειν τους τας διχοστασιας και τα σκανδαλα παρα την διδαχην ην υμεις εμαθετε ποιουντας και εκκλινατε απ αυτων 16:18 οι γαρ τοιουτοι τω κυριω ημων ιησου χριστω ου δουλευουσιν αλλα τη εαυτων κοιλια και δια της χρηστολογιας και ευλογιας εξαπατωσιν τας καρδιας των ακακων 16:19 η γαρ υμων υπακοη εις παντας αφικετο χαιρω ουν το εφ υμιν θελω δε υμας σοφους μεν ειναι εις το αγαθον ακεραιους δε εις το κακον 16:20 ο δε θεος της ειρηνης συντριψει τον σαταναν υπο τους ποδας υμων εν ταχει η χαρις του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου μεθ υμων

16:21 ασπαζονται υμας τιμοθεος ο συνεργος μου και λουκιος και ιασων και σωσιπατρος οι συγγενεις μου

16:22 ασπαζομαι υμας εγω τερτιος ο γραψας την επιστολην εν κυριω

16:23 ασπαζεται υμας γαιος ο ξενος μου και της εκκλησιας ολης ασπαζεται υμας εραστος ο οικονομος της πολεως και κουαρτος ο αδελφος 16:24 η χαρις του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου μετα παντων υμων αμην

16:25 [14:24] τω δε δυναμενω υμας στηριξαι κατα το ευαγγελιον μου και το κηρυγμα ιησου χριστου κατα αποκαλυψιν μυστηριου χρονοις αιωνιοις σεσιγημενου 16:26 [14:25] φανερωθεντος δε νυν δια τε γραφων προφητικων κατ επιταγην του αιωνιου θεου εις υπακοην πιστεως εις παντα τα εθνη γνωρισθεντος 16:27 [14:26] μονω σοφω θεω δια ιησου χριστου αβη δοξα εις τους αιωνας αμην