Romans, 1
He commends the faith of the Romans, whom he longs to see. The philosophy of the heathens, being void of faith and humility, betrayed them into shameful sins.
[1] Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God. •
[2] Which he had promised before, by his prophets, in the holy scriptures, •
[3] Concerning his Son, who was made to him of the seed of David, according to the flesh, •
[4] Who was predestinated 1 the Son of God in power, according to the spirit of sanctification, by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead: •
Predestinated: Christ as man, was predestinated to be the Son of God: and declared to be so (as the apostle here signifies) first, by power, that is, by his working stupendous miracles; secondly, by the spirit of sanctification, that is, by his infinite sanctity; thirdly, by his ressurection, or raising himself from the dead.
[5] By whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith, in all nations, for his name: •
[6] Among whom are you also the called of Jesus Christ: •
[7] To all that are at Rome, the beloved of God, called to be saints. Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. •
[8] First, I give thanks to my God, through Jesus Christ, for you all: because your faith is spoken of in the whole world. •
[9] For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make a commemoration of you: •
[10] Always in my prayers making request, if by any means now at length I may have a prosperous journey, by the will of God, to come unto you.
[11] For I long to see you that I may impart unto you some spiritual grace, to strengthen you:
[12] That is to say, that I may be comforted together in you by that which is common to us both, your faith and mine.
[13] And I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that I have often purposed to come unto you (and have been hindered hitherto) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
[14] To the Greeks and to the barbarians, to the wise and to the unwise, I am a debtor. •
[15] So (as much as is in me) I am ready to preach the gospel to you also that are at Rome. •
[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel. For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth: to the Jew first and to the Greek. •
[17] For the justice of God is revealed therein, from faith unto faith, as it is written: The just man liveth by faith. •
[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and injustice of those men that detain the truth of God in injustice: •
[19] Because that which is known of God is manifest in them. For God hath manifested it unto them. •
[20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made. His eternal power also and divinity: so that they are inexcusable. •
[21] Because that, when they knew God, they have not glorified him as God or given thanks: but became vain in their thoughts. And their foolish heart was darkened. •
[22] For, professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.
[23] And they changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of the image of a corruptible man and of birds, and of fourfooted beasts and of creeping things. •
[24] Wherefore, God gave them up to the desires of their heart, unto uncleanness: to dishonour their own bodies among themselves. •
[25] Who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
[26] For this cause, God delivered them up 1 to shameful affections. For their women have changed the natural use into that use which is against nature. •
God delivered them up: Not by being author of their sins, but by withdrawing his grace, and so permitting them, in punishment of their pride, to fall into those shameful sins.
[27] And, in like manner, the men also, leaving the natural use of the women, have burned in their lusts, one towards another: men with men, working that which is filthy and receiving in themselves the recompense which was due to their error. •
[28] And as they liked not to have God in their knowledge, God delivered them up to a reprobate sense, to do those things which are not convenient.
[29] Being filled with all iniquity, malice, fornication, avarice, wickedness: full of envy, murder, contention, deceit, malignity: whisperers, •
[30] Detractors, hateful to God, contumelious, proud, haughty, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, •
[31] Foolish, dissolute: without affection, without fidelity, without mercy. •
[32] Who, having known the justice of God, did not understand that they who do such things, are worthy of death: and not only they that do them, but they also that consent to them that do them. •