Study Desk

But Paul said, "I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking the sober truth.

For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak freely; for I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this was not done in a corner.

And Paul said, "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am--except for these chains."

For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."

I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish:

so I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel: it is the power of God for salvation to every one who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

But if through my falsehood God's truthfulness abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner?

I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once yielded your members to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now yield your members to righteousness for sanctification.

Do you not know, brethren--for I am speaking to those who know the law--that the law is binding on a person only during his life?

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit,

as it is written, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make them fall; and he who believes in him will not be put to shame."

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.

"Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have demolished thy altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life."

Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry

I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for any one who thinks it unclean.

I myself am satisfied about you, my brethren, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.