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THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE

ROMANS.

Paul salutes the

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PAUL, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an 1 Roman Church. apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, ' (which he 2 had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) concerning 3 his Son Jesus Christ our Lord,--(who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God with power, ac: cording to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: by whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: among whom are ye also the called of 6 Jesus Christ :)--to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be 7 saints: Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

He expresses an earnest desire to

preach to them the gospel.

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FIRST, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you 8 all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my 9 spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; making request (if by any means now at 10 length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God) to come

unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spir- 11 itual gift, to the end ye may be established, ' that is, that I may be com- 12 forted together with you, by the mutual faith both of you and me. Now 13 I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (but was let hitherto) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. I am debtor both to the Greeks, 14 and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise; so, as much as 15 in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. FOR I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it 16 Justification by faith, is the sum of the is the power of God unto salvation to every one that begospel. lieveth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. FOR 17 THEREIN IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD REVEALED FROM FAITH TO FAITH AS IT IS WRITTEN, "THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."

GENTILES, with

only the light of nature, have had such a knowledge of 'the perfections and will

of God, as renders their sins inexcus

FOR the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against 18 all ungodliness, and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Because that which may be 19 known of God, is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them: (for the invisible things of him from 20 able. A picture of the creation of the world are clearly seen, being underthe heathen world. stood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that when they 21 knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 'Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the 22 glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Where- 24 fore God also gave them up to uncleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: who 25 changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the crea

ture more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever! Amen. For this 26 cause God gave them up unto vile affections. For even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise 27 also the men, leaving the natural use of the women, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God 28 gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wicked- 29 ness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, 30 boasters, inventers of evil things, disobedient to parents, without under- 31 standing, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful who knowing the judgment of God, (that they which commit such 32 things are worthy of death;) not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

THE JEWS have incurred greater

tiles, for they have

neglected the revealed will of God.

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THEREFORE thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever 2 thou art, that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, guilt than the Gen- thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest, doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of 2 God is according to truth, against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and forbearance, 4 and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? but after thy hardness and impenitent heart, treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his deeds to them who by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, and honor, and immortality; eternal life: but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness; indignation and wrath, ' tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that 9 doeth evil; of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile: but glory, honor, 10 and peace, to every man that worketh good; to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile; 'for there is no respect of persons with God. For as 11 many as have sinned without law, shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law, shall be judged by the law,--(for not 13 the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by 14 nature the things contained in the law, these having not the law, are a law unto themselves, which show the work of the law written in their 15 hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing, or else excusing one another ;)--in the day when God 16 shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. BEHOLD, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, 17 nies (e. g. circumci- and makest thy boast of God, and knowest his will, and 18 approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law, 'and art confident that thou thy- 19 self art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, 'an 20 instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge, and of the truth in the law: thou therefore which teachest 21 another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest, a man should not stel, dost thou steal? thou that sayest, a man should not commit adul- 22 tery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? thou that makest thy boast of the law, through break- 23 ing the law dishonorest thou God? "For the name of God is blas- 24

Forms and ceremo

sion) cannot profit

without inward

piety.

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phemed among the Gentiles, through you;" as it is written. For cir- 25 cumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law; but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Therefore, if the 26 uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? And shall not uncircumcision which 27 is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? For he is not a Jew, which is one out- 28 wardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flech: but 29 he is a Jew which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

The Jews have possessed not a few privileges, yet they

are under the guilt

of sin.

WHAT advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is 3 there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because 2 that unto them were committed the oracles of God. For 3 what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but 4 every man a liar; as it is written, "That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged." But if our 5 unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man,) 'God 6 forbid for then how shall God judge the world? For if the truth of 7 God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? And not rather (as we be slanderously report- 8 ed, and as some affirm that we say) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

ALL MEN there

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WHAT then? are we better than they? No, in no fore are obnoxious wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, to divine wrath. The Hebrew scriptures that they are all under sin; as it is written, "There is 10 testify to this. none righteous, no, not one: there is none that under- 11 standeth, there is none that seeketh after God,' they are all gone out of 12 the way, they are together become unprofitable: there is none that doeth good, no, not one: their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues 13 they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: whose 14 mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed 15 blood, 'destruction and misery are in their ways: and the way of peace 16 have they not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes." 18 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who 19 are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law, there 20 shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

The method of di

BUT now the righteousness of God without the law is 21 vine justification is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; for Jew and Gentile. even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Je- 22 i. e. by FAITH IN sus Christ unto all, and upon all them that believe; for

the same, therefore,

CHRIST. there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come 23 short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace, through 24 the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; whom God hath set forth to be a 25 propitiation, through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God: to 26 declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? 27 It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay; but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude, that a man is justified by faith without the deeds 28 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the GEN- 29 TILES? Yes, of the Gentiles also: seeing it is one God which shall jus- 30

of the law.

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tify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

acceptance with

ABRAHAM, DA

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No other method of WHAT shall we then say that Abraham our father, as 4 God, has ever been pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham 2 known; for by faith were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory, but not "AbraVID, and all saints before God. For what saith the Scripture? have been justified. ham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." Now to him that worketh, is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, ' saying, "Blessed are they 7 whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin." Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncir- 10 cumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he re- 11 ceived the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised, (that righteousness might be imputed unto them also,) and the father of circumcision to 12 them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. For the promise that he should be the heir of the world was 13 not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is 14 made void, and the promise made of none effect. Because the law 15 worketh wrath for where no law is there is no transgression. There- 16 fore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed: not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, (as it is written, "I have made thee a father of many nations") before 17 him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not, as though they were. Who against hope be- 18 lieved in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; (according to that which was spoken ; "So shall thy seed be,") and being 19 not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb; he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but 20 was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded, that 21 what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it 22 was imputed to him for righteousness.

Now, it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 23 but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that 24 raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered for our of 25 fences, and was raised again for our justification.

The blessings which

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THEREFORE being justified by faith, we have peace 5 belong to ALL who with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also are justified. we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; ' and patience, experience; and experience, hope and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without

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For scarcely for a a good man some

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strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, 9 being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the 10 death of his Son; much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God, through our Lord Jesus 11 Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Why should not the

way of salvation through Christ be open to ALL, (Jews

and Gentiles,) since by the sin of ADAM, ALL his posterity, were brought under

the curse.

WAS TO COME.

WHEREFORE as by ONE MAN sin entered into the world, 12 and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for

For if 15

that all have sinned. For until the law, sin was in the 13 World; but sin is not imputed when there is no law, nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even 14 over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression; WHO IS THE FIGURE OF HIM THAT 'But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 'And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift. For 16 the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man's offence, death reigned 17 by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore, 18 as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made 19 sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 'Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where 20 sin abounded, grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned 21 unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord.

justification con

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Though we are jus- WHAT shall we say then? Shall we continue in 6 tified by FAITH, sin, that grace may abound? God forbid: how shall we, and not by obedience, yet the method of that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye 3 firms the obligation not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, to obedience. were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried 4 with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his 5 death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: knowing this, 6 that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is 7 freed from sin. Now, if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, 9 dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he 10 died, he died unto sin once; but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive 11 unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in 12 your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither 13 yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God: for sin shall 14 not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under

grace.

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