Study Desk

For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen?

But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.

And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else?

Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.

As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered."

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh.

It is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all Israelites truly belong to Israel,

and not all of Abraham's children are his true descendants; but "It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you."

For this is what the promise said, "About this time I will return and Sarah shall have a son."

For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

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."

You will say to me then, "Why then does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?"

Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one object for special use and another for ordinary use?

What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the objects of wrath that are made for destruction;