Give credit where credit is due department: The motivation to write this commentary (and many to follow) comes from the Through The Bible radio ministry.  There are few ministries left today that teach sound verse-by-verse doctrine.  Dr. J. Vernon McGee went home to glory 12/01/88 but has left a legacy of bible study resources through his ministry which continues to feed many thousands of listeners across the world through Trans World Radio !  Please understand that although McGee was dispensational, there is little evidence that would suggest that he emphasized the distinctive ministry of grace as taught in Lighthouse Mystery Ministries. He did embrace water baptism (which we strongly reject) as well as other beliefs that we would have to "agree to disagree" on.  However, his verse-by-verse, 5 year through the bible, commentary leaves much to glean from with the above considered.

This commentary will be the first of many verse-by-verse bible studies in order to provide believers with another resource for their personal study of the word of God! This study will be a "work-in-progress" so that friends can study incrementally as I am able to add on. From time to time, I will inject audio clips as another resource which will be indicated as such.

Directions: This particular page will be an all inclusive study so just click on the chapter of interest!

It is my hope and prayer that believers will be enlightened, encouraged and edified as they learn about the distinctive message of grace according to the revelation of the mystery which was "hid in God" but now revealed to us, through Paul, by the risen, Great God and Lord of Glories, Jesus Christ! 

Who wrote Romans, and who was it to? Written by Paul “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

When was Romans written? Romans was written between 55 A.D. and 60 A.D.

What is this book about? Main themes include:

• Justification   - Chapters 1 through 5
• Sanctification - Chapters 6 through 8
• Dispensation  - Chapters 9 through 11
• Application     - Chapters 10 through 12

Romans 1

1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Witness to the Gentiles (verses 1 through 7)

In verse 1 we read that Paul is a servant of Jesus Christ (GK – doulos) or one who gives himself to another's will whose service is used of Christ. It also means that one will be devoted to another while disregarding one’s own interest. This is interesting terminology when you think about it because in order to be where we are today, we had to "renew our mind" in regards to what God says about things! In essence, we had to "disregard our own interests" in exchange for the truth.

The bible says that Paul is called to be an apostle; a messenger, delegate or one sent forth with orders  separated unto the “gospel of God”.

In verses 2 through 5, Paul testifies of the lineage of Christ as was promised before by the prophets of God. Opponents of the "grace message" and those who would refer to us as "ultra-dispensationalists" or "hyper-dispensationalists" would argue this verse as saying that "the mystery" was spoken of by the prophets of God in the Old Testament. However, this is not what Paul was testifying to. Instead he was speaking of Jesus Christ; who was promised before by His prophets in the holy scriptures concerning His incarnation through the lineage of David who is declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead!
 

Notice in verse 5 how Paul includes himself with other believers as those "by whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name". Paul clearly identifies the phrase "the faith" several times and makes reference to it here as specific instruction to "the nations" which points out his Gentile ministry:

• It is through Christ we have received grace and apostleship or one with released gifts:
  • As part of an expedition
  • Consuls of an army
  • Or the sending off of a fleet

The apostle clearly addresses who this letter is to, their position in Christ and the peace they have from God The Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ in the closing verses of 6 and 7!

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might 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 gift, to the end ye may be established; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

The Witness of God (verses 8 through 17)

Verses 8 and 9 show the reader the thankfulness that we should have towards God for each other. Paul continues to thank God through Christ for their faith "that is spoken of throughout the world".  This is accomplished through God as evidenced later in this chapter.
God is Paul’s witness (Gk – martus) as stated in verse 9.
    -In a legal sense
    -In a historical sense
    -In an ethical sense
    -In a testimonial sense (through His vicarious death)
And it is Paul who states that he is the servant of God, through the Holy Spirit in the gospel (good news) of His Son!

In verses 9 through 11, the apostle continues; that through the spirit, he is able to make continual mention of them in his prayers and that God would grant him a prosperous journey to the extent that he would be able to see them again.
Why????
Paul lovingly desires to see them in order to impart or give them some spiritual gift in order that they would be established! Today friends, I find it quite amazing how in many, many churches across the world pastors, priests and other leaders would rather have their followers not established in the hopes of fostering dependency on man or its building fund. Here Paul wants believers to be "sterizo"! It is where we get the English word for steroids.
sterizo - Gk.  stay-rid' -zo
1) to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix
2) to strengthen, make firm
3) to render constant, confirm, one's mind

If you are a church leader today, only you and God know the truth of your motivation to serve. Is it money, prestige or power? Do you really want believers to be established or are you handing them out lethal doses of addictive law in the hopes they will return to your personal ministry? How can you renew your mind you might ask? Teach the riches of the grace of God, independent bible study and the distinctiveness of Paul's message under this glorious dispensing of God's grace! Thank God He is so forgiving!

In this particular set of passages, Paul closes this thought in verse 12 by saying that he wants to establish believers so that he himself could be comforted together with them. How? By the mutual faith of both you and me! I don't know about you friend but I have very, very few people with which I can discuss the revelation of the mystery of grace with. But when I am able to discuss this "mutual faith", I am indeed comforted. It really makes me appreciate the people in my life that have embraced this glorious, distinctive message. I thank God for that! 

13 Now 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. 14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

It was not only Paul's desire that believers be comforted in Christ, but also that they understood his reason for coming to them! In brotherly love, he frequently desired to come before them to share what the risen Christ had revealed to him. For various reasons not disclosed n this passage, Paul was hindered from coming to them sooner.

His desire was that his work and ministry would be evident among other Gentile believers throughout the region. Verses 14 and 15 are key in that they point out Paul's primary ministry to the Gentiles:

• He is a debtor to the Greeks
• He is a debtor to the Barbarians
• He is a debtor to the wise and unwise
• He is ready to preach glad tidings or good news to those at Rome  

Paul uses the Greek word "euaggelizo" which sounds very much like the English word "evangelism". In any case and as much as Paul was able to offer he was ready and willing to preach the gospel of the grace of God.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Friends, I suspect that Paul's boldness in his statement of not being ashamed to preach the gospel had little to do with the deity and person of Jesus Christ which should have already be understood and assumed! Instead, I believe his "boldness" had more to do with the content of what he preached under  "the gospel of Christ". Personally, preaching the distinct gospel of grace requires much boldness that only God can provide. Why you may ask? Because it is not a popular message. And friends, you get a double-barrel shotgun blast from unbelievers and believers alike. Grace is an offensive message to man who is always looking to offer his "fig leaves" in order to help God. The "churched" will have only embrace the salvation part of grace while leaving God out of their walk. Instead of relying on the Holy Spirit tabernacling in us, most would rather find their strength in the tabernacling of man. This is why daily church attendance is pushed on congregations. I am having a tough time believing its not about money.

"Church bell's ringing, pass the plate around; The choir is singing as the leader falls to the ground. Please mister prophet man tell me which way to go I gave my last dollar, can I still come to your show ?" - Creed 

The apostle continues to remind believers that not only is he not ashamed, but this wonderful gospel is the "dunamis" or dynamite of God unto salvation to everyone that believes. Notice that the condition for salvation is not: build an ark, bring an offering, get water baptized, sell your liquor store, not working on Sunday's but instead believing in the gospel of Christ!

This wonderful message is to the Jew first and likewise to the Gentile. In no way does this imply that we are to minister to the Jew first! Many ministries err in this belief. How can there be no national  distinction under God's dispensing of grace (which is offered to all mankind) but still taught (and believed) that we are to go to the Jew first?? This reasoning flies in the face of God for we know that due to Israel's unbelief as a nation, God divorced her and set her aside for a future time as described below:

Romans 9:30-33 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Romans 10:1-4 1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Romans 11:11-13  11 Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? 13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

I have been accused of teaching anti-Semitism in Christian circles but in fact it is more anti-Semitic to teach that the Body of Christ has replaced Israel! Although no ministry, pastor or church leader would claim to be endorsing this replacement theology, that is exactly what they are doing; some intentional others by negligence.  As indicated in the verses above, God is not finished with Israel and in time future, God will restore His people and their land according to His eternal promise to them!

Paul emphasizes that the righteousness of God is manifested from "faith to faith". What he means here is that God revealed His requirements to man concerning how he should respond through all of God's dispensings (from faith to faith):

• Abel's "faith" was that he offered a blood sacrifice to God as his death testified of his response to God.
• Enoch's "faith" was that he responded to God in that he was pleasing to Him.
• Noah's "faith" was that he moved with fear in response to God's command to build an ark.
• Please review Hebrews 9 for the rest of the Heroes of Faith!!

The just shall live by faith! My friends, how are we to respond to our "faith"? Jesus Christ is our expression of faith for we have no blood to bring, no ark to build or no testimony to bring to the table that will establish our righteousness!!

For I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me..........

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed 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, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

The Witness of Creation (verses 18 through 23)

Paul can indeed be bold in his proclamation of “the faith”. In the proceeding verses, Paul spoke of his boldness in preaching the gospel of grace to believers (or those who understood God’s past revelations or “faiths”). But starting in verse 18, Paul speaks of God’s revelation to unregenerate man. Man is quite aware of the power and potential wrath that God can bring.  Man certainly understands his own depravity and wretchedness; it’s just a matter of what he wants to hold as truth; what he believes or what God believes!  

The bible tells us in verses 19 through 24 that not only are the truths of God manifest (or revealed) in man, but great spiritual truths are made known outside of man in the world that he lives in as well. 

“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them.” –Romans 1:19

The verse above is the beginning of man’s guilt in regards to his responsibility towards God’s revelation or manifestation to him! The bible tells us that the knowledge of God is in man. Man in his rebellion against God, claims ignorance when in fact he is really subscribing to Satan’s plan of evil for this age.

Paul continues his assault on unregenerate man when he re-affirms that the “tri-unity” of God is revealed to man.  In addition, the bible tells us that man:

·                    Sees thoroughly;

·                    Perceives clearly;

·                    Fully understands

God The Father, God The Son and God The Holy Spirit have been revealed to man so that he is without excuse!

One may ask; how are these things understood???  I knew a man about 15 years ago who drove an hour to work each way and was usually up by around sunrise. Each day, The Holy Spirit would convict this man through the glory of the sun lit sky. The pinks, purples, grays and oranges each day were an overwhelming witness on the manifestation of God. My friends, that man writes to you now as God showed me my worthlessness apart from Him. He spoke to me through the quietness of His greatness. Similarly, a dear brother of mine experienced the same conviction when he and his new bride went to the Grand Canyon on their honeymoon.  Years later, he reflected back on this experience as he was about to embrace the message of the grace of God. At this time, I thought; well, if I just started witnessing to him, I will know for sure whether or not he is saved. There are a couple of problems with this type of thinking:

·        God already did the witnessing

·       This fellow didn’t ask about anything else and did not ask my “spiritual” opinion up until that point....

As it turned out, I did not say a word. I just thanked God and hoped this person would be receptive if in God’s plan he asked me some more poignant questions. In times past, I would have yapped all over this person, probably scared him and then he would have deemed me another C2 (Crazy Christian)! It was wonderful to yield to the Spirit and allow God to do what He would have me to do there…..keep quiet.  The result: another saint destined for the heavenly realm and a close brother in Christ!

Over the last several years, I have begun to meditate on doctrine concerning evangelism under this glorious dispensing of grace. I believe that God requires us to "renew our minds" concerning the traditional, fundamental approach in reaching the lost. Unfortunately today, there has been less and less emphasis on the ministry of the Holy Spirit concerning this issue.

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: John 16:7,8

The above verses are from the gospel of John. We know that it was written to Israel under the dispensing of the law. We also know at a minimum that Jesus Christ was talking to the 12 apostles about The Comforter, The Holy Spirit who would soon come. We also know by these verses that part of His responsibility is to reprove the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment. Therefore in addition to His leading, teaching and guiding for believers under this dispensing of grace, He is the witness to the lost! Today, the Holy Spirit’s ministry is misunderstood and minimized by the eyes of most of our church leaders today. Worse, man now attempts to deify himself by unintentionally (or in many cases intentionally) putting himself in the forefront when witnessing to the lost. In addition, “The Great Commission” becomes entangled by well-meaning grace teachers who also preach missions and encourage believers to span the globe. The point is this; as stewards of what is God’s, we certainly can go wherever we want to go friends. But to teach that we are required to fly across the world so that Jimijawa the Pygmy gets saved, flies in the face of what we just read in Romans! Beloved, what is your motivation? If you have a desire to live in the jungles of South America, great, you certainly have the liberty to do so. While you are there, it is our God-given responsibility to tell Jimijawa about the riches of God’s grace should you strike up a friendship with him! But for someone to tell you that if you don’t go to South America because the pygmy will perish gives man an importance in God’s plan that was not meant for him! Nowhere in Paul’s letters will you read anything about saints being required to go to distant lands in order to “reach the lost”. Further, there is nothing to suggest that witnessing in this way is even a “cross-dispensational” truth.

The Witness of Sin (verses 24 through 32)

 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

In verse 24, Paul continues to reveal the plight of man as he describes how God eventually would "give man up" to the wickedness of his own desires. Man is lustful and impure and he proves this (and has proved it throughout secular history as well....) by his profligate lifestyle!

Man would not stop here beloved, he would digress to the point of "dishonoring their own bodies between themselves". Mankind would degenerate himself to lust after what is forbidden by God! He would lust within his own "heart" which indicates a deep, mindful thought in what he or she is choosing to take part in.

In this sense as indicated in verse 25, man would now be changing the truth of God into a lie. This is done by those making normalcy and acceptance of what God forbids.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Friends, it is no coincidence here that in verses 26 and 27 Paul speaks specifically of homosexuality and lesbianism here for this is the by product of mankind's rebellion against his own body! This was the path that man took in his rebellion against God and little has changed today friends. These Gentiles (prior to God calling out Abram) did not keep hold, consider or regard the will and or knowledge of God. In turn, God gave them over to what they wanted. An excellent example of this principal was described as allowing fruit to ripen.

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

• unrighteousness - unrighteousness of heart and life
• fornication - GK - porneia (does the English word sound familiar??) - illicit sexual intercourse such as relations with animals, close relatives, homosexuality and adultery
• wickedness - depravity, iniquity, wickedness, malicious with evil purpose and desire
• covetousness - a greedy desire to have more
• maliciousness - wickedness, depravity, a desire to injure and or break the law
• full of envy - resentment, defiled, corrupt in thinking, discontent
• murder - slaughter
• debate - contention, strife, wrangling
• deceit - craft, deceit, guile, subtlety 
• malignity - bad character, depravity of heart and life
• whisperers - a whisperer, secret slanderer, detractor

These verses deeply trouble me because this is what man is about friends. Whether or not we want to admit it, this is the best that we can offer God apart from Him. Let us thank God for the righteous standing we have in Christ Jesus! 

Allowing them full reign to do as he pleases, Romans 1:29-32 describes what man is truly about; "being filled with all" GK - pleroo (play-ro'-o) or complete in:

3 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? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

As Paul continues his indictment against "all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men", like a clever lawyer he asks rhetorical questions and after examination, his readers should be able to point to man's guilt and realize what he has rejected.

The first three chapters of Romans can be broken down by:

• Romans 1 - Creation (the testimony of God in creation)
• Romans 2 - Conscience (his God-given conscience that tells him right from wrong )
• Romans 3 - Christ (the righteousness of God which is through the faith of Jesus Christ)

5 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; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God. 12 For as 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; 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Indictment against the Jew (verses 17 through 29)

17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, 18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; 19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, 20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. 21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. 25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. 26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? 27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? 28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But 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.

TO BE CONTINUED........

Romans 3

1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. 5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) 6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? 7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. 9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Romans 4

1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. 9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11 And he received 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: 12 And the father of circumcision to 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. 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore 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, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Romans 5

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 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. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if 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. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore 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. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.