Study Desk

Who can bring an accusation against God's chosen people? It is God who justifies them!Isaiah 50:8-9; Revelation 12:10-11;">[xr]

Who can condemn them? Christ Jesus, who died - and more importantly, who has been raised and is seated at the right hand of God - is the one who is also interceding for us!Job 1:34:29; Mark 16:19; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 7:25; 8:1; 9:24; 12:1; 1 Peter 3:22; 1 John 2:1;">[xr]

nor anything above, nor anything below, nor anything else in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

To them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, Christ[fn] descended, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.Deuteronomy 10:15; Jeremiah 23:6; Luke 3:23; John 1:1; Acts 20:28; Romans 1:3; 11:28; Hebrews 1:8; 1 John 5:20;">[xr]

Now it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all Israelites truly belong to Israel,Numbers 23:19; John 8:39; Romans 2:28-29; 3:8; Galatians 6:16;">[xr]

What can we say, then? God is not unrighteous, is he? Of course not!Deuteronomy 32:4; 2 Chronicles 19:7; Job 1:8:3; 34:10; Psalm 92:15;">[xr]

Therefore, God's choiceit">[fn] does not depend on a person's will or effort, but on God himself, who shows mercy.

On the contrary, who are you - mere man that you are - to talk back to God? Can an object that was molded say to the one who molded it, "Why did you make me like this?"Isaiah 29:16; 45:9; 64:8;">[xr]

Now if God wants to demonstrate his wrath and reveal his power, can't he be extremely patient with the objects of his wrath that are made for destruction?1 Thessalonians 5:9; 1 Peter 2:8; Jude 1:4;">[xr]

In the very place where it was said to them,Hosea 1:10;">[xr] 'You are not my people, 'they will be called children of the living God."Hosea 1:10">[fn]

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God on behalf of the Jewson behalf of them">[fn] is that they would be saved.

For I can testify on their behalf that they have a zeal for God, but it is not in keeping with full knowledge.Acts 21:20; 22:3; Romans 9:31; Galatians 1:14; 4:17;">[xr]

For they are ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God while they try to establish their own, and they have not submitted to God's righteousness.Romans 1:17; 9:30; Philippians 3:9;">[xr]

If you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.Matthew 10:32; Luke 12:8; Acts 8:37;">[xr]

Consequently, faith comes from listening, and listening comes through the word of Christ.of God">[fn]

So I ask, "God has not rejected his people, has he?" Of course not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham from the tribe of Benjamin.1 Samuel 12:22; Jeremiah 31:37; 2 Corinthians 11:22; Philippians 3:5;">[xr]

God has not rejected his people whom he choseknew">[fn] long ago. Don't you know what the Scripture says in the story about Elijah,the story about">[fn] when he pleads with God against Israel?Romans 8:29;">[xr]

As it is written,Deuteronomy 29:4; Isaiah 6:9; 29:10; Jeremiah 5:21; Ezekiel 12:2; Matthew 13:14; John 12:40; Acts 28:26-27;">[xr] "To this day God has given them a spirit of deep sleep. Their eyes do not see, and their ears do not hear."Deuteronomy 29:4; Isaiah 29:10">[fn]

For if God did not spare the natural branches, he certainly will not spare you either.

Consider, then, the kindness and severity of God: his severity toward those who fell, but God's kindness toward you - if you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you too will be cut off.John 15:2; 1 Corinthians 15:2; Hebrews 3:6,14;">[xr]