Study Desk

Because those of whom he had knowledge before they came into existence, were marked out by him to be made like his Son, so that he might be the first among a band of brothers:

He who did not keep back his only Son, but gave him up for us all, will he not with him freely give us all things?

But we are able to overcome all these things and more through his love.

Before the children had come into existence, or had done anything good or bad, in order that God's purpose and his selection might be effected, not by works, but by him whose purpose it is,

So then, at his pleasure he has mercy on a man, and at his pleasure he makes the heart hard.

But you will say to me, Why does he still make us responsible? who is able to go against his purpose?

Or has not the potter the right to make out of one part of his earth a vessel for honour, and out of another a vessel for shame?

What if God, desiring to let his wrath and his power be seen, for a long time put up with the vessels of wrath which were ready for destruction:

And to make clear the wealth of his glory to vessels of mercy, which he had before made ready for glory,

For the Lord will give effect to his word on the earth, putting an end to it and cutting it short.

And the Jew is not different from the Greek: for there is the same Lord of all, who is good to all who have hope in his name:

So I say, Has God put his people on one side? Let there be no such thought. For I am of Israel, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

God has not put away the people of his selection. Or have you no knowledge of what is said about Elijah in the holy Writings? how he says words to God against Israel,

See then that God is good but his rules are fixed: to those who were put away he was hard, but to you he has been good, on the condition that you keep in his mercy; if not, you will be cut off as they were.

Because God's selection and his mercies may not be changed.

For God has let them all go against his orders, so that he might have mercy on them all.

O how deep is the wealth of the wisdom and knowledge of God! no one is able to make discovery of his decisions, and his ways may not be searched out.

Who has knowledge of the mind of the Lord? or who has taken part in his purposes?

But if one who has hate for you is in need of food or of drink, give it to him, for in so doing you will put coals of fire on his head.

For he is the servant of God to you for good. But if you do evil, have fear; for the sword is not in his hand for nothing: he is God's servant, making God's punishment come on the evil-doer.