Forbearance towards Scruples

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

But him that is weak in faith receive ye, yet

14 not 'for decision of scruples. 2 One man hath

faith to eat all things: but he that is weak eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth set at nought him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4 Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lord hath power to make him stand. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord: and he that eateth, eateth unto the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, unto the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and none dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or thou again, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgmentseat of God.

11 For it is written,

3

As I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow,

And every tongue shall 'confess to God.

12 So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother's way, or an occasion of falling.

1 Or, to doubtful disputations

2 Gr. household-servant. 3 Is. xlv. 23. 4 Or, give praise

Self-denial on behalf of Others. Mutual Helpfulness enjoined 14 I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: save that to him who accounteth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 For if because of meat thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer in love. Destroy not with thy meat him for whom Christ died. 16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men. 19 So then 1let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another. 20 Overthrow not for meat's sake the work of God. All things indeed are clean; howbeit it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. 21 It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth2. 22 The faith which thou hast, have thou to thyself before God. Happy is he that judgeth not himself in that which he approveth. 23 But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin1.

15 Now we that are strong ought to bear the in

firmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto edifying. 3 For Christ also pleased not himself; but, as it is written, "The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me. 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through "patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope. 5 Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus: 6 that with one accord ye may with one mouth glorify the

1 Many ancient authorities read we follow. 2 Many ancient authorities add or is offended, or is weak. 3 Or, putteth to the test 4 Many authorities, some ancient, insert here ch. 16. 25-27. 5 Ps. Ixix. 9. 6 Or, stedfastness 7 Or, God and the Father So 2 Cor. 1. 3; 11. 31; Eph. 1. 3; 1 Pet. 1. 3.

Matters Personal

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Wherefore receive ye one another, even as Christ also received 1you, to the glory of God. 8 For I say that Christ hath been made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given unto the fathers, 9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written,

2Therefore will I give praise unto thee among the *Gentiles,

And sing unto thy name. 10 And again he saith,

"Rejoice, ye 'Gentiles, with his people. 11 And again,

"Praise the Lord, all ye "Gentiles;
And let all the peoples praise him.

12 And again, Isaiah saith,

"There shall be the root of Jesse,

And he that ariseth to rule over the Gentiles;

On him shall the 'Gentiles hope.

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15 But I write the more boldly unto you in some measure, as putting you again in remembrance, because of the grace that was given me of God, 16 that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus unto the 'Gentiles, ministering the 'gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 I have therefore my glorying in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any 10things save those which Christ

1 Some ancient authorities read us.

4 Gr. nations. Comp. Mt. 4. 15.
8 Gr. ministering in sacrifice.
which Christ wrought not through me.

2 Ps. xviii. 49 (or 2 S. xxii. 50). 3 Or, confess 5 Dt. xxxii. 43. 6 Ps. cxvii. 1. 7 Is. xi. 10. 9 See marginal note on ch. 1. 1. 10 Gr. of those things

Paul asks their Prayers

wrought through me, for the obedience of the 'Gentiles, by word and deed, 19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and round about even unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ; 20 yea, making it my aim so to "preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another man's foundation; 21 but, as it is written,

"They shall see, to whom no tidings of him came, And they who have not heard shall understand. 22 Wherefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you: 23 but now, having no more any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come unto you, 24 whensoever I go unto Spain (for I hope to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first in some measure I shall have been satisfied with your company) ---25 but now, I say, I go unto Jerusalem, ministering unto the saints. 26 For it hath been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints that are at Jerusalem. 27 Yea, it hath been their good pleasure; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to minister unto them in carnal things. 28 When therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by you unto Spain. 29 And I know that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ.

30 Now I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; 31 that be delivered from them that are disobedient in

I

may

Comp. Mt. 4. 15.

1 Gr. nations. One reads the Spirit. 5 Gr. being ambitious. Is. lii. 15.

2 Many ancient 3 Gr. fulfilled. Comp. Col. 1. 25. 2 Cor. 5. 9; 1 Thess. 4. 11.

authorities read the Spirit of God.

4 See marginal note on ch. 1. 1. 6 See marginal note on ch. 1. 15.

Commends Phoebe unto them.

Divers Salutations

Judæa, and that my ministration which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints; 32 that I may come unto you in joy through the will of God, and together with you find rest. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

16 I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a

1servant of the church that is at Cenchreæ: 2 that ye receive her in the Lord, worthily of the saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever matter she may have need of you: for she herself also hath been a helper of many, and of mine own self.

3 Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who for my life laid down their own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles: 5 and salute the church that is in their house. Salute Epænetus my beloved, who is the firstfruits of Asia unto Christ. 6 Salute Mary, who bestowed much labor on you. 7 Salute Andronicus and 2Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me. 8 Salute Ampliatus my beloved in the Lord. 9 Salute Urbanus our fellowworker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10 Salute Apelles the approved in Christ. Salute them that are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Salute them of the household of Narcissus, that are in the Lord. 12 Salute Tryphæna and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord. 13 Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren that are with them. 15 Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints that are with them. 16 Salute