Mary Banks Faith Library

Course

An exposition on Romans 1

5,978 words, about 30 min read

Introduction to New Testament Study

You will find this same introduction in each of the books in this exposition. Therefore, if you have read it in another epistle, then you may skip it here and go directly to bible study. If not, I would advise you to read and study it first; as there are many valuable truths that will surely aid you in understanding the scriptures you are about to study.

This Exposition of the New Testament Epistles is written with the purpose of delivering an understanding of the New Covenant, which is the mystery of God, the mystery of Christ and/or the mystery of godliness. There are many historical channels that one could travel in such an exposition. However, I am led by the Holy Spirit to only focus on the elements of each book that will expose the mystery of our salvation.

From time to time I will provide background information that might aid in setting the perspective of certain passages. However, such information will not exceed that which can be found within the Holy Bible.

Let us be clear. My goal is to help you to understand the mystery of this great salvation we have obtained from the Father. There are many other books containing biblical history and dispensational truths, if interested, you will be able to pull from. But this exposition is an attempt to take you book by book, verse by verse, and line by line, to establish in you the revelation of the mystery of God, that has been hidden in him before the foundations of the world were laid.

The Difference Between the Old Testament and the New Testament

Many latter day scholars think it unnecessary for the church of Jesus Christ to study the Old Testament. They see it as a message for the Jews and Judaism. But this is a terrible mistake.

Setting the Perspective

If you are going to study the New Testament, then you need to know the perspective from which the scriptures are written.

ROMANS 1:1-3

Verse by Verse

VERSE

EXPOSITION

REFERENCE

A SERVANT

Romans 1:1

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,

called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Paul declares himself to be a servant of Jesus Christ. This means that he is bound to the will of Christ.

1 Corinthians 7:21-24

21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. 23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

CALLED TO BE AN APOSTLE

Romans 1:1

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,

called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

The apostle’s gift is the first in the order of government in the household of faith. It is the apostle’s gift that receives the mysteries of God that are to be taught in the Church.

THE PROMISE

Romans 1:2

(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

Promised afore by his prophets…

A Promise is a binding declaration

Holy Scripture is a Declaration of the Promise - They are written expressions of the promise. Thus the scriptures declare and/or reveal God’s intentions by putting a word in the mouth of the prophets to proclaim the coming of Christ. Because the prophets spoke by inspiration of the Father, their words bind him to perform that which they have spoken.

The Promise Binds the person making the promise; therefore the words spoken by the prophets become a law unto God.

The Declaration gives to the person to whom it is made a right to expect performance of the act

Titus 1:2

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;...

Hebrews 6:18

That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

What is the Promise?

Galatians 3:14 -15

14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

To whom was the promise made?

Galatians 3:16 -18

16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Romans 9:3-8

3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

BY THE PROPHETS

Romans 1:2

(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

Below are some scriptural prophecies that reveal the God’s promise to bring forth Jesus Christ:

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

Isaiah 9:6-9

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

SEED OF DAVID

Romans 1:3

3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

Matthew gave us the genealogy of Christ which flowed from Abraham to Mary, (Matt.1:2-16).

...The seed of David…Matthew 1:2-16

2 Abraham begat Isaac; and

Isaac begat Jacob; and

Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; 3 And

Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and

Phares begat Esrom; and

Esrom begat Aram; 4 And

Aram begat Aminadab; and

Aminadab begat Naasson; and

Naasson begat Salmon; 5 And

Salmon begat Boaz of Rachab; and

Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and

Obed begat Jesse; 6 And

Jesse begat David the king; and

David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; 7 And

Solomon begat Roboam; and

Roboam begat Abia; and

Abia begat Asa; 8 And

Asa begat Josaphat; and

Josaphat begat Joram; and

Joram begat Ozias; 9 And

Ozias begat Joatham; and

Joatham begat Achaz; and

Achaz begat Ezekias; 10 And

Ezekias begat Manasses; and

Manasses begat Amon; and

Amon begat Josias; 11 And

Josias begat

Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: 12 And after they were brought to Babylon,

Jechonias begat Salathiel; and

Salathiel begat Zorobabel; 13 And

Zorobabel begat

Abiud; and

Abiud begat Eliakim; and

Eliakim begat Azor; 14 And

Azor begat Sadoc; and

Sadoc begat Achim; and

Achim begat Eliud; 15 And

Eliud begat Eleazar; and

Eleazar begat Matthan; and

Matthan begat Jacob; 16 And

Jacob begat Joseph the husband of

Mary, of whom was born

Jesus, who is called Christ.

It is very interesting to see and understand how the Father determined and manifested the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. The scripture is clear that Jesus is the offspring of Abraham, and David, according to the flesh of his mother, Mary, who was a direct descendant of David.

GOD’S PROMISE TO DAVID

Romans 1:3

3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

1 Chronicles 17:7

Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:

…

1 Chronicles 17:11

And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.

THE CURSE OF JECONIAH

Romans 1:3

3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

The virgin birth. Jesus only had one human parent, Mary. His mother was of David’s line, but not through Jeconiah (Luke 3:31). Joseph was Jesus’ legal father, but not His physical one. Thus, Jesus was of royal blood through Mary, but the curse of Jeconiah stopped with Joseph and was not passed on to Jesus.

The Curse of Jechonias

Jeremiah 22:30

30 Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.

Jeremiah 22:24-30

24 As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence; 25 And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them whose face thou fearest, even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans. 26 And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country, where ye were not born; and there shall ye die. 27 But to the land whereunto they desire to return, thither shall they not return. 28 Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not? 29 O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD. 30 Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.

THE LINE OF KINGS

Romans 1:3

3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

I also want you to understand that the kingdom of Israel was divided into two kingdoms after the reign of Solomon. His son, Jeroboam, led the secession of the 10 tribes away from Judah and Benjamin. Therefore the nation was Israel to the North (10 tribes), and Judah to the South, (2 tribes). Thus, I have listed for you the kings of the two kingdoms.

Note that the line of kings ended in Judah with the captivity into Babylon, while the line of kings in the northern kingdom, (Israel), ended with the captivity into Assyria. The nation would never be a united nation again until May 1948. God would fulfill his promise to bring them back to their homeland. In this we see the absoluteness of God’s word.

THE KINGS AND THE PROPHETS

Kings Before Division of Kingdom

  • Saul: First King of Israel; son of Kish; father of Ish-Bosheth, Jonathan and Michal.
  • Ish-Bosheth (or Eshbaal): King of Israel; son of Saul.
  • David: King of Judah; later of Israel; son of Jesse; husband of Abigail, Ahinoam, Bathsheba, Michal, etc.; father of Absalom, Adonijah, Amnon, Solomon, Tamar, etc.
  • Solomon: King of Israel and Judah; son of David; father of Rehoboam.

Some of the prophets during the reign of the kings.

Kings of Israel (Northern Kingdom)

THE PROMISE FULFILLED

Romans 1:2-3

2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

The same is mentioned in Acts 13:32-33,...

And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, 33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

God Speaks to Abraham…

Genesis 22:18

And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

DECLARED THE SON OF GOD

Romans 1:4

And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

The heart of the gospel is that Jesus Christ is the son of the Living God, who came to the earth in a human body, (the seed of Abraham), died for the sins of the world, (thus paying the penalty for all sin); was resurrected from the dead and the same power (the spirit of holiness), that raised him from the dead, has begotten us, that we too, might be called the sons of God.

Hebrews 1:5-6

5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

WE HAVE RECEIVED GRACE

Romans 1:5

5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

we have received grace…

This is where the distinction between the Old Testament and the New Testament is made. It is here in this verse of scripture that the unique construction of the church is pronounced. By the power of his resurrection we have received grace. The obvious question would be, “What is this power, and what is this grace. Is it the unmerited favor as it is defined in the Old Covenant? Or is it something more?” Nevertheless, it seems to be the substance of sonship.

Right here, I want to remind you of how important it is to stick with the rules of biblical interpretation: “the scripture interprets scripture.” If we search out the New Covenant, we will find that Paul was very consistent in his definition of the gospel.

I want you to look at the scriptures below and see how they begin to define grace for the New Covenant.

John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,

Now is this statement literal or figurative? Did the second personage of the Godhead actually come to earth and take on a human body? Or, does this simply mean that the man Jesus kept the commandments of the Father? No. The second personage of the Godhead literally took on flesh and dwelt among men on the earth.

(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Psalms 8:4-5

4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him?

and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels,

and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

John 1:17-18

17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

1 John 4:17-18

17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Romans 8:11

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Zechariah 12:9-10

9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

the spirit of grace and of supplications: (the act of asking or begging for something humbly. God will humble the remnant and cause them to cry out to him at the end of the Great Tribulation. The remnant will beg God for mercy and forgiveness; after which he will pour out the Holy Ghost to them as he did on the day of Pentecost)

and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced,

and they shall mourn for him,

Romans 1:5

By whom we have received grace…

1 Peter 1:2-3

2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Hebrews 10:29

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Hebrews 2:9

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Galatians 1:11-12

11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:47

The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

1 Timothy 2:5

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

WHAT IS THE FAITH?

for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

The Faith is the life of Jesus lived out in our fleshy bodies; and can only be manifested by the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.

CALLED FROM AMONG THE NATIONS

Romans 1:6

Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

Verse 6 references the fact that the people of God are called from among the nations of the world (vs.5).

A call is an invitation or a beckoning. It is also an election wherein God has chosen the church of Jesus Christ before he laid the foundations of the earth.

Hebrews 5:1

For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

ESCAPED THE CORRUPTION

…ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

Indeed the Church are those who have been delivered from the lust and pride that dwells in the world. This calling was fulfilled by adoption into the Royal Family, that we might be called the children of God.

The escape is to enter the Kingdom of God.

Via baptism into the kingdom of God the people of God are placed in a heavenly place.

2 Peter 1:10-11

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, (add to your faith virtue, knowledge kindness, charity.) ye shall never fall:

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

However, an entrance into the Kingdom is one that must be ministered. It is only by the preaching of the gospel that one may come into the knowledge of salvation. Thus, the preaching of the gospel is the voice of Jesus Christ, calling His sheep out of the world and reconciling them to the Kingdom of God.

2 Peter 1:3-5

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Luke 10:19

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

John 18:36

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Colossians 2:20

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

TO ALL THAT BE IN ROME

Romans 1:7

To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul specifies here that this epistle is sent to the Church at Rome. Nevertheless, the principles outlined are ministering to the Church at large even today. He makes mention that the members of this church even as others were called by Jesus Christ to be members of the Body of Christ.

GRACE AND PEACE TO YOU

…Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Here Paul prays that the Grace of God will influence the heart of the people in such a way that it will create peace. Thus, the operation of His apostolic gift is for the purpose of dispensing God’s grace in the heart of the people.

Due to his discernment of the people’s disposition, the words He is about to write will address their spiritual location. Thus the grace of God will flow from Paul to the hearts of the readers, influencing them into obedience, and by their adherence peace will be created in their hearts.

Romans 1:11

For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

Romans 1:8

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, …

that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

This is something that is often missed in the reading of the scriptures, simple greetings that hold the mystery of Christ.

…I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all...

The apostle understood and referenced the fact that his life was hidden with Christ in God. Therefore all utterance, even his greetings must be through Jesus Christ.

Here too is another factor that is sometimes overlooked in our study;

Again the mystery of Christ is referenced here….Jesus said, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24). Now Paul reveals that his servitude is with his spirit. Hence, salvation manifests the fact that his spirit was placed in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; which simply means he lives in the Holy Ghost. wherein he now serves. This is the definition of oneness. His spirit has been made one with the Spirit of God. Thus, it is with the Spirit that Paul is able to serve the Lord.

This is an example of being obedient to every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (Luke 18:1).

Paul’s prayer for the saints at Ephesus is an example of the way he prayed for the saints.

Ephesians 1:15-19

15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

This prayer is also an example of the sentiments all leaders ought to have and pray for those they lead.

It was always Paul’s desire to fellowship with the people of God. But being the apostle he was, he was always thinking in terms of being able to do something that would aid in the perfecting of the saints. It should be in the heart of all who serve the gospel, to impart that which they have been impacted with, to those they serve.

But here Paul is very specific. He makes mention of imparting some spiritual gift that would help to establish or anchor them in the faith. Note that he goes on to confirm that their faith and his were one and the same, (mutual). He wanted to make sure they had received all they needed to maintain a walk that was pleasing unto God. In this, he would be comforted.

Here the apostle confesses that there were many times he wanted to come to Rome, but was ‘let’ or hindered.

He also acknowledges that he desired to

Colossians 3:3-5

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

OCTOBER 31 - ROMANS 1:13-17

Romans 1:13

Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

It is important for me to establish first that the word “let” means “prevented.” Note that Paul had purposed in his heart to do visit the church at Rome, however, it was not yet the time according to the will of God. It is God who should ultimately have the final say in the things we do and say. Let us remember that our bodies belong to God, thus, it is God’s choice where He wants our bodies to be at any given time. We must allow the Holy Spirit to order our steps.

Notice too the intent of the apostle’s heart. His desire was to produce fruit among the people. This comes to prove that Paul’s life was totally given to ministry. He allowed the Holy Spirit to use Him at all time, and He shared the same intent and purpose of the Holy Spirit. Our will must be to build the Kingdom and to strengthen the Body.

Romans 1:14-15

14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

Once again Paul is revealing his ministry. He sees himself as a servant of men, stating that he is a debtor to the Gentiles. He had fully accepted his purpose and had no shadow of turning in departing from his calling.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Here is the mystery of the gospel. The gospel is the power of God that brings about the saving and preserving of the soul. Without the power of God at work there is no salvation. The power of God is the presence of God that sanctifies the body, soul and spirit of the believer. Thus, when the gospel is preached our belief must be to the point where it motivates God to move and by His power sanctify us and making us His children.

Romans 1:17

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

The gospel reveals the righteousness of God. It reveals who God is, and it reveals how the saints of God become the righteousness of God.

When one provides their natural faith (belief), God will in turn work the faith of the operation of the Holy Ghost.

2 Corinthians 5:21

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Romans 1:13

Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:17

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.