Greetings to the Saints in Rome
1Paul,a servantof JesusChrist,called[to be] an apostle,separateduntothe gospelof God,2(Whichhe had promised aforebyhisprophetsinthe holyscriptures,)3ConcerninghisSonJesusChristourLord,whichwas madeofthe seedof Davidaccordingto the flesh;4And declared[to be] the Sonof Godwithpower,accordingto the spiritof holiness,bythe resurrectionfrom the dead:5Bywhomwe have receivedgraceandapostleship,forobedienceto the faithamongallnations,forhisname:6Amongwhomareyealsothe calledof JesusChrist:
7To allthat beinRome,belovedof God,called[to be] saints:Graceto youandpeacefromGodourFather,andthe LordJesusChrist.
Paul's Desire to Visit Rome
(1 Thessalonians 2:17-20)
8First,I thankmyGodthroughJesusChristforyouall,thatyourfaithis spokenof throughoutthe wholeworld.9ForGodismywitness,whomI servewithmyspiritinthe gospelof hisSon,thatwithout ceasingI makementionof youalwaysinmyprayers;10Making request,if by any meansnowat lengthI might have a prosperous journeybythe willof Godto comeuntoyou.11ForI longto seeyou,thatI may impartunto yousomespiritualgift,to the endyemay be established;12Thatis,that I may be comforted togetherwithyoubythe mutualfaithbothof youandme.13NowI wouldnothaveyouignorant,brethren,thatoftentimesI purposedto comeuntoyou,(butwas lethitherto,) thatI might havesomefruitamongyoualso,even asamongotherGentiles.14I amdebtorbothto the Greeks,andto the Barbarians;bothto the wise,andto the unwise.15So,as much asin me is,I am readyto preach the gospelto youthat are atRomealso.
I am Not Ashamed of the Gospel
16ForI amnotashamedof the gospelof Christ:forit isthe powerof Goduntosalvationto every onethat believeth;to the Jewfirst,andalsoto the Greek.17Forthereinisthe righteousnessof Godrevealedfromfaithtofaith:asit is written,The justshall livebyfaith.
God's Wrath against Sin
(Jeremiah 6:10-21;Jeremiah 25:15-33;Jonah 1:4-10;Acts 27:13-26)
18Forthe wrathof Godis revealedfromheavenagainstallungodlinessandunrighteousnessof men,who holdthe truthinunrighteousness;19Becausethat which may be knownof Godismanifestinthem;forGodhath shewed[it] unto them.20Forthe invisible thingsof himfromthe creationof the worldare clearly seen,being understoodby the things that are made,[even]hiseternalpowerandGodhead;sothat theyarewithout excuse:21Becausethat, when they knewGod,they glorified[him] notasGod,neitherwere thankful;butbecame vainintheirimaginations,andtheirfoolishheartwas darkened.22Professing themselvesto bewise,they became fools,23Andchangedthe gloryof the uncorruptibleGodintoan imagemade liketo corruptibleman,andto birds,andfourfooted beasts,andcreeping things.
24WhereforeGodalsogavethemuptouncleannessthroughthe lustsof their ownhearts,to dishonourtheir ownbodiesbetweenthemselves:25Whochangedthe truthof Godintoa lie,andworshippedandservedthe creaturemore thanthe Creator,whoisblessedforever.Amen.
26Forthiscause Godgavethemupuntovileaffections:foreventheirwomendid changethe naturaluseintothat which is againstnature:27Andlikewisealsothe men,leavingthe naturaluseof the woman,burnedintheirlustone toward another;menwithmenworkingthat which is unseemly,andreceivinginthemselvesthat recompenceof theirerrorwhichwas meet.
28Andeven asthey didnotliketo retainGodin[their] knowledge,Godgavethemovertoa reprobatemind,to dothose things which arenotconvenient;29Being filled withallunrighteousness,fornication,wickedness,covetousness,maliciousness;fullof envy,murder,debate,deceit,malignity;whisperers,30Backbiters,haters of God,despiteful,proud,boasters,inventorsof evil things,disobedientto parents,31Without understanding,covenantbreakers,without natural affection,implacable,unmerciful:32Whoknowingthe judgmentof God,thatthey which commitsuch thingsareworthyof death,notonlydothe same,buthave pleasurein them that dothem.
