Romans 1
1599 Geneva Bible
The Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Romans
1 1 He first showeth on what authority his Apostleship standeth. 15 Then he commendeth the Gospel, 16 by which God setteth out his power to those that are saved, 17 by faith, 21 but were guilty of wicked unthankfulness to God: 26 For which his wrath was worthily powered on them, 29 so that they ran headlong to all kinds of sin.
1 PAUL [a]a [b][c]servant of JESUS Christ called to be an [d]Apostle, (A)[e]put apart to preach the Gospel of God,
2 (Which he had promised afore by his Prophets in the holy Scriptures)
3 [f]Concerning his [g]Son Jesus Christ our Lord (which was [h]made of the seed of David [i]according to the flesh,
4 And [j]declared [k]mightily to be the Son of God, touching the Spirit of sanctification by the resurrection from the dead)
5 [l]By whom we have received [m]grace and Apostleship (that [n]obedience might be given unto the faith) for his name [o]among all the Gentiles,
6 Among whom ye be also the [p]called of Jesus Christ:
7 To all you that be at Rome beloved of God, called to be Saints: [q]Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 [r]First I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is [s]published throughout the [t]whole world.
9 For God is my witness (whom I serve in my [u]spirit in the [v]Gospel of his Son) that without ceasing I make mention of you.
10 Always in my prayers, beseeching that by some means, one time or other I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God, to come unto you.
11 For I long to see you, that I might bestow among you some spiritual gift, that you might be strengthened:
12 That is, that [w]I might be comforted together with you, through our mutual faith, both yours and mine.
13 Now my brethren, I would that ye should not be ignorant, how that I have oftentimes purposed to come unto you (but have been let hitherto) that I might have some fruit also among you, as I have among the other Gentiles.
14 I am debtor both to the Grecians, and to the Barbarians, both to the wise men and to the unwise.
15 Therefore, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you also that are at [x]Rome.
16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: [y]for it is the [z]power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the [aa]Grecian.
17 [ab]For by it the righteousness of God is revealed from [ac]faith to faith: [ad]as it is written, (B)The just shall live by faith.
18 [ae]For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against [af]all ungodliness, and unrighteousness of men, which withhold the [ag]truth in unrighteousness.
19 [ah]Forasmuch as that, which may be known of God, is manifest in [ai]them, for God hath showed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him, that is, his eternal power and Godhead, are seen by the creation of the world, being [aj]considered in his works, to the intent that they should be without excuse:
21 Because that when they knew God, they [ak]glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became [al]vain in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was full of darkness.
22 When they [am]professed themselves to be wise, they became fools.
23 For they turned the glory of the [an]incorruptible God to the similitude of the image of a corruptible man, and of birds, and four footed beasts, and of creeping things.
24 [ao]Wherefore [ap]also God [aq]gave them up to their hearts lusts, unto uncleanness, to defile their own bodies between themselves:
25 Which turned the truth of God unto a lie, and worshipped and served the creature, forsaking the Creator which is blessed forever, Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up to vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature.
27 And likewise also the men left the natural use of the woman, and burned in their lust one toward another, and man with man wrought filthiness, and received in themselves such [ar]recompense of their error, as was meet.
28 [as]For as they regarded not to acknowledge God, even so God delivered them up unto a [at]reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient,
29 Being full of all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, of murder, of debate, of deceit, taking all things in the evil part, whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, doers of wrong, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, [au]covenant breakers, without natural affection, such as can never be appeased, merciless.
31 Which men, though they knew the [av]Law of God, how that they which commit such things are worthy of death, yet not only do the same, but also [aw]favor them that do them.
Footnotes
- Romans 1:1 The first part of the Epistle containing a most profitable preface unto verse 16.
- Romans 1:1 He moving the Romans to give diligent ear unto him in that he showeth that he cometh not in his own name, but as God’s messenger unto the Gentiles, entreateth with them of the weightiest matter, that is promised long since by God, by many fit witnesses, and now at length performed indeed.
- Romans 1:1 A Minister, for this word servant, is not taken in this place, as set against this word, Freeman, but declareth his ministry and office.
- Romans 1:1 Whereas he said before in a general term, that he was a minister, now he cometh to a more special name, and saith that he is an Apostle, and that he took not upon him this office of his own lead, but being called of God, and therefore in this his writing to the Romans, doeth nothing but his duty.
- Romans 1:1 Appointed of God to preach the Gospel.
- Romans 1:3 By declaring the sum of the doctrine of the Gospel, he stirreth up the Romans to good consideration of the matter whereof he entreateth: So then he showeth that Christ (who is the very substance and sum of the Gospel) is the only son of God the Father, who as touching his humanity, is made of the seed of David, but touching his divine and spiritual nature, whereby he sanctified himself, is begotten of the Father from everlasting, as by his mighty resurrection manifestly appeareth.
- Romans 1:3 This is a plain testimony of the person of Christ, that he is but one, and of his two natures, and their properties.
- Romans 1:3 Which took flesh of the virgin, David’s daughter.
- Romans 1:3 As he is man: for this word Flesh, by the figure Synecdoche, is taken for man.
- Romans 1:4 Showed and made manifest.
- Romans 1:4 The divine and mighty power is set against the weakness of the flesh, for that overcame death.
- Romans 1:5 Of whom.
- Romans 1:5 This marvelous liberal and gracious gift, which is given me, the least of all the Saints, to preach, etc., Eph. 3:8.
- Romans 1:5 That men through faith might obey God.
- Romans 1:5 For his Name’s sake.
- Romans 1:6 Which through God’s goodness, are Christ’s.
- Romans 1:7 God’s free good will: by peace, the Hebrews mean a prosperous success in all things.
- Romans 1:8 He procureth their favorable patience, in that he reckoneth up their true commendation, and his true Apostolic good will toward them, confirmed by taking God himself to witness.
- Romans 1:8 Because your faith is such, that it is commended in all Churches.
- Romans 1:8 In all Churches.
- Romans 1:9 Very willingly and with all my heart.
- Romans 1:9 In preaching his Son.
- Romans 1:12 Though Paul were never so excellent, yet by teaching the Church, he might be instructed by it.
- Romans 1:15 He meaneth all them that dwelt in Rome, though some of them were not Romans, see the end of the epistle.
- Romans 1:16 The second part of the Epistle unto the beginning of Chap. 9. Now the whole end and purpose of the disputation is this: that is to say: to show that there is but one way to attain unto salvation (which is set forth unto us of God in the Gospel, without any difference of nations) and that is Jesus Christ apprehended by faith.
- Romans 1:16 God’s mighty and effectual instrument to save men by.
- Romans 1:16 When this word Grecian, is set against this word Jew, then doth it signify a Gentile.
- Romans 1:17 The confirmation of the former proposition: we are taught in the Gospel that we are justified before God by faith which increaseth daily: and therefore also saved.
- Romans 1:17 From faith which increaseth daily.
- Romans 1:17 The proof as well of the first as the second proposition, out of Habakkuk, who attributeth and giveth unto faith both justice and life before God.
- Romans 1:18 Another confirmation of that principal question: All men being considered in themselves or without Christ, are guilty both of [ungodliness], and also unrighteousness, and therefore are subject to condemnation: Therefore must they needs seek righteousness in some other.
- Romans 1:18 Against all kinds of ungodliness.
- Romans 1:18 By truth, Paul meaneth all the light that is left in man since his fall, not as though they being led thereby were able to come into favor with God, but that their own reason might condemn them of wickedness both against God and man.
- Romans 1:19 Their ungodliness he proveth hereby, that although all men have a most clear and evident glass wherein to behold the everlasting and almighty nature of God, even in his creatures, yet have they fallen away from those principles to most foolish and sound devices of their own brains, in consituting and appointing the service of God.
- Romans 1:19 In their hearts.
- Romans 1:20 Thou seest not God, and yet thou acknowledgest him as God by his works, Cicero.
- Romans 1:21 They did not honor him with that honor, and service, which was meet for his everlasting power and Godhead.
- Romans 1:21 As if he said, became so mad of themselves.
- Romans 1:22 Or thought themselves.
- Romans 1:23 For the true God they took another.
- Romans 1:24 The unrighteousness of men he setteth forth first, in this, that even against nature following their lusts, they defiled themselves one with another, by the just judgment of God.
- Romans 1:24 The contempt of religion, is the fountain of all mischief.
- Romans 1:24 As a just judge.
- Romans 1:27 A meet reward for their deserts.
- Romans 1:28 He proveth the unrighteousness of man by a large rehearsal of many kinds of wickedness, from which (if not from all, yet at the least from many of them) no man is altogether free.
- Romans 1:28 Into a mad and froward mind, whereby it cometh to pass, that the conscience being once put out, and having almost no more remorse of sin, men run headlong into all kinds of mischief.
- Romans 1:30 Unmindful of their covenants and bargains.
- Romans 1:31 By the Law of God he meaneth that which the Philosophers called the Law of nature, and the Lawyers themselves termed the Law of nations.
- Romans 1:31 Are fellows and partakers with them in their wickedness, and besides that, commend them which do amiss.
Romans 1
New King James Version
Greeting
1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, (A)called to be an apostle, (B)separated to the gospel of God 2 (C)which He promised before (D)through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who [a]was (E)born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and (F)declared to be the Son of God with power according (G)to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him (H)we have received grace and apostleship for (I)obedience to the faith among all nations (J)for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, (K)called to be saints:
(L)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Desire to Visit Rome
8 First, (M)I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that (N)your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For (O)God is my witness, (P)whom I serve [b]with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that (Q)without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. 11 For I long to see you, that (R)I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by (S)the mutual faith both of you and me.
13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but (T)was hindered until now), that I might have some (U)fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. 14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. 15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.
The Just Live by Faith
16 For (V)I am not ashamed of the gospel [c]of Christ, for (W)it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, (X)for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For (Y)in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, (Z)“The just shall live by faith.”
God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness
18 (AA)For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and (AB)unrighteousness of men, who [d]suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because (AC)what may be known of God is [e]manifest [f]in them, for (AD)God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world (AE)His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [g]Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but (AF)became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 (AG)Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the (AH)incorruptible (AI)God into an image made like [h]corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 (AJ)Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, (AK)to dishonor their bodies (AL)among themselves, 25 who exchanged (AM)the truth of God (AN)for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to (AO)vile passions. For even their [i]women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the [j]men, leaving the natural use of the [k]woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things (AP)which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, [l]sexual immorality, wickedness, [m]covetousness, [n]maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 [o]undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, [p]unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, (AQ)knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things (AR)are deserving of death, not only do the same but also (AS)approve of those who practice them.
Footnotes
- Romans 1:3 came
- Romans 1:9 Or in
- Romans 1:16 NU omits of Christ
- Romans 1:18 hold down
- Romans 1:19 evident
- Romans 1:19 among
- Romans 1:20 divine nature, deity
- Romans 1:23 perishable
- Romans 1:26 Lit. females
- Romans 1:27 Lit. males
- Romans 1:27 Lit. female
- Romans 1:29 NU omits sexual immorality
- Romans 1:29 greed
- Romans 1:29 malice
- Romans 1:31 without understanding
- Romans 1:31 NU omits unforgiving
Romans 1
International Standard Version
Greetings from Paul
1 From:[a] Paul, a servant of Jesus the Messiah,[b] called to be an apostle and set apart for God’s gospel, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding[c] his Son. He was a descendant of David with respect to his humanity 4 and was declared by the resurrection from the dead to be the powerful Son of God according to the spirit[d] of holiness—Jesus the Messiah,[e] our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and a commission as an apostle to bring about faithful obedience among all the gentiles for the sake of his name. 6 You, too, are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus the Messiah.[f]
7 To: Everyone in Rome,[g] loved by God and called to be holy.[h]
May grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[i] be yours!
Paul’s Prayer and Desire to Visit Rome
8 First of all, I thank my God through Jesus the Messiah[j] for all of you, because the news about your faith is being reported throughout the world. 9 For God, whom I serve with my spirit by preaching the gospel about his Son, is my witness how constantly I mention you 10 in my prayers at all times, asking that somehow by God’s will I may at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I am longing to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong, 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now), so that I might reap a harvest among you, just as I have among the rest of the gentiles. 14 Both to Greeks and to barbarians,[k] both to wise and to foolish people, I am a debtor. 15 That is why I am so eager to proclaim the gospel to you who live in Rome,[l] too.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel,[m] because it is God’s power for the salvation of everyone who believes, of the Jew first and of the Greek as well. 17 For in the gospel[n] God’s righteousness is being revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, “The righteous will live by faith.”[o]
God’s Wrath against Sinful Humanity
18 For God’s wrath is being revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness and wickedness of those who in their wickedness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God himself has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s[p] invisible attributes—his eternal power and divine nature—have been understood and observed by what he made, so that people[q] are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him. Instead, their thoughts turned to worthless things,[r] and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Though claiming to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images that looked like mortal human beings, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.
24 For this reason, God delivered them to sexual impurity as they followed the lusts[s] of their hearts and dishonored their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged God’s truth for a lie and worshipped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason, God delivered them to degrading passions as their females exchanged their natural sexual function for one that is unnatural. 27 In the same way, their males also abandoned their natural sexual function toward females and burned with lust toward one another. Males committed indecent acts with males, and received within themselves the appropriate penalty for their perversion.[t]
28 Furthermore, because they did not think it worthwhile to keep knowing God fully, God delivered them to degraded minds to perform acts that should not be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, quarreling, deceit, and viciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, haughty, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to their parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, and ruthless. 32 Although they know God’s just requirement—that those who practice such things deserve to die—they not only do these things but even applaud others who practice them.
Footnotes
- Romans 1:1 The Gk. lacks From
- Romans 1:1 Or Christ; other mss. read of the Messiah Jesus
- Romans 1:3 Lit. About
- Romans 1:4 Or Spirit
- Romans 1:4 Or Christ
- Romans 1:6 Or Christ
- Romans 1:7 Other mss. lack in Rome
- Romans 1:7 Or saints
- Romans 1:7 Or Christ
- Romans 1:8 Or Christ
- Romans 1:14 I.e. uncultured people
- Romans 1:15 Other mss. lack who live in Rome
- Romans 1:16 Other mss. read gospel of the Messiah
- Romans 1:17 Lit. in it
- Romans 1:17 Cf. Hab 2:4
- Romans 1:20 Lit. his
- Romans 1:20 Lit. they
- Romans 1:21 Lit. they became worthless in their thoughts
- Romans 1:24 Lit. to impurity in the lusts
- Romans 1:27 Or deviation
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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