Study Desk

because the creation was subjected to frustration, though not by its own choice. The one who subjected it did so in the hopeGenesis 3:19; Romans 8:22;">[xr]

Yet before their childrenthey">[fn] had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God's plan of election might continue to operateRomans 4:17; 8:28;">[xr]

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]

So it is at the present time: there is a remnant, chosen by grace.Romans 9:27;">[xr]

Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,Psalm 69:23;">[xr] and keep their backs forever bent."Psalm 69:22-23; 35:8">[fn]

And so I ask, "They have not stumbled so as to fall, have they?" Of course not! On the contrary, because of their stumbling, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make the Jewsthem">[fn] jealous.Acts 13:46; 18:6; Romans 10:19;">[xr]

If the first part of the dough is holy, so is the whole batch. If the root is holy, so are the branches.Leviticus 23:10; Numbers 15:18-21;">[xr]

Then you will say, "Branches were cut off so that I could be grafted in."

For I do not want you to be ignorant of this secret, brothers, so that you will not claim to be wiser than you are. A partial hardening has come on Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.Luke 21:24; Romans 12:7,16; 2 Corinthians 3:14; Revelation 7:9;">[xr]

in order they too have disobeyed in the present so that they maymay now">[fn] receive mercy because of the mercy shown to you.

For God has locked all people in the prison of their own disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.Romans 3:9; Galatians 3:22;">[xr]

Do not be conformed to this world, but continually be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God's will is - what is proper,good">[fn] pleasing, and perfect.Ephesians 1:18; 4:23; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Peter 1:14; 1 John 2:15;">[xr]

We have different gifts based on the grace that was given to us. So if your gift is prophecy, use your giftIf prophecy">[fn] in proportion to your faith.Acts 11:27; Romans 4:3; 1 Corinthians 12:4,10, 28; 13:2; 1 Peter 4:10-11;">[xr]

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live in peace with all people.Mark 9:50; Romans 14:19; Hebrews 12:14;">[xr]

so that whoever resists the authorities opposes what God has established, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.Titus 3:1;">[xr]

If we live, we live to honor the Lord; and if we die, we die to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

For this reason Christ died and returned to life, so that he might become the Lord of both the dead and the living.Acts 10:36; 2 Corinthians 5:15;">[xr]

For everything that was written long ago was written for our instruction, so that we might have hope through the endurance and encouragement that the Scriptures give us.of the Scriptures">[fn]Romans 4:23-24; 1 Corinthians 9:9-10; 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17;">[xr]

so that with one mind and one voice you might glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.Acts 4:24,32;">[xr]

so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,Psalm 18:49; John 10:16; Romans 9:23;">[xr] "That is why I will praiseconfess">[fn] you among the Gentiles; I will sing praises to your name."Psalm 18:49">[fn]