Study Desk

it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God;

that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

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.

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

Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

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.

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.

to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

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

This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants.

So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy.

But who indeed are you, a human being, to argue with God? Will what is molded say to the one who molds it, "Why have you made me like this?"

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;

"And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,' there they shall be called children of the living God."

Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.

I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened.

For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God's righteousness.