Study Desk

But if the rest of the world's people were helped so much by Israel's sin and loss, they will be helped even more by their full return.

But don't think you are better than the branches that were cut away. Just remember that you are not supporting the roots of that tree. Its roots are supporting you.

That's true enough. But they were cut away because they did not have faith, and you are where you are because you do have faith. So don't be proud, but be afraid.

Now you see both how kind and how hard God can be. He was hard on those who fell, but he was kind to you. And he will keep on being kind to you, if you keep on trusting in his kindness. Otherwise, you will be cut away too.

The people of Israel are treated as God's enemies, so that the good news can come to you Gentiles. But they are still the chosen ones, and God loves them because of their famous ancestors.

At one time you Gentiles rejected God. But now Israel has rejected God, and you have been shown mercy.

All people have disobeyed God, and that's why he treats them as prisoners. But he does this, so that he can have mercy on all of them.

Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.

That's how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another.

Don't mistreat someone who has mistreated you. But try to earn the respect of others,

Don't let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good.

But you should obey the rulers because you know it is the right thing to do, and not just because of God's anger.

In the Law there are many commands, such as, "Be faithful in marriage. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not want what belongs to others." But all of these are summed up in the command that says, "Love others as much as you love yourself."

But you should not criticize others for eating or for not eating. After all, God welcomes everyone.

Some of the Lord's followers think one day is more important than another. Others think all days are the same. But each of you should make up your own mind.

The Lord Jesus has made it clear to me that God considers all foods fit to eat. But if you think some foods are unfit to eat, then for you they are not fit.

Don't let your appetite destroy what God has done. All foods are fit to eat, but it is wrong to cause problems for others by what you eat.

But if you do have doubts about what you eat, you are going against your beliefs. And you know that is wrong, because anything you do against your beliefs is sin.

Even Christ did not try to please himself. But as the Scriptures say, "The people who insulted you also insulted me."

But I have spoken to you plainly and have tried to remind you of some things. God was so kind to me!