Study Desk

now if your brother be endanger'd by your eating, you violate the obligations of love: for such a matter as eating, will you risk his life, for whom Christ died?

for the gospel dispensation does not consist in meats and drinks, but in piety and peace, and spiritual joy.

for he that thus pays his allegiance to Christ, is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

do not for such a thing as meat, pull down what God has been raising. all things indeed are pure; but they become evil to him who by eating giveth offence.

for he that makes a difference, is self-condemn'd, if he eats against his own persuasion: for every action of that kind is sin .

for even Christ did not consult his own satisfaction; but as it is written , "the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me."

now whatever was heretofore writ, was writ for our instruction; that we through patience and the comfortable promises of the scriptures might have hope.

May the God of patience and consolation, make you equally concern'd for one another, according to the example of Christ Jesus,

for I tell you, that Jesus Christ was a minister to the Jews, to manifest the veracity of God in fulfilling the promises made to the fathers:

and you Gentiles ought to glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, "for this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name ."

for I will not offer to mention any thing, but what Christ has wrought by me, to make the Gentiles christians, both in profession and practice:

I have effectually preached the gospel of Christ: yet so as studiously to avoid preaching it where Christ was owned, lest I should build upon another man's foundation; for,

but now there being no further occasion for me in these parts, and having had a great desire these many years to visit you;

when I take my journey into Spain, I hope to see you in my way, and be forwarded by you to that place, after having for some time enjoy'd the pleasure of your company.

for those of Macedonia and Achaia, have thought fit to make a contribution for the poor converts at Jerusalem.

they have thought fit, I say, and they owed them as much. for if the Gentiles have participated of their spirituals, they are bound on their side to minister to them in their temporals.

in the mean time, I conjure you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the spirit, that you join with me in earnest prayers to God for me;

that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea; and that the charitable service which I am employed about, for the converts at Jerusalem, may be acceptable to them:

I recommend to you Phebe our sister, who is a deaconess of the church at Kenchrea; receive her for Christ's sake,

as becometh christians, and assist her in every thing her business requires: for she hath assisted many besides my self.