Study Desk

As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

So it depends not upon man's will or exertion, but upon God's mercy.

But who are you, a man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me thus?"

even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?

but that Israel who pursued the righteousness which is based on law did not succeed in fulfilling that law.

Why? Because they did not pursue it through faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,

I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened.

But the righteousness based on faith says, Do not say in your heart, "Who will ascend into heaven?" (that is, to bring Christ down)

But what does it say? The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach);

But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?

But they have not all obeyed the gospel; for Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?"

But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."

But of Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people."

But what is God's reply to him? "I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Ba'al."

But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

What then? Israel failed to obtain what it sought. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened,

So I ask, have they stumbled so as to fall? By no means! But through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.

For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the richness of the olive tree,

do not boast over the branches. If you do boast, remember it is not you that support the root, but the root that supports you.