Study Desk

As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."

God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—

because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—

because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!

I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.

because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.

because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."

Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone."

Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.

Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.

Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.