God’s Good News for Rome

Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and singled out for God’s good news—

For God, whom I serve with my spirit in telling the good news about His Son, is my witness that I constantly mention you,

So I am eager to preach the good news to you also who are in Rome.

eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality;

but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.

And why not say, just as some people slanderously claim we say, “Let us do what is evil so that good may come”? Their condemnation is deserved!

All have turned away; all alike have become useless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one.

For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die.

So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good.

The Problem of Sin in Us

Therefore, did what is good cause my death? Absolutely not! On the contrary, sin, in order to be recognized as sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that through the commandment, sin might become sinful beyond measure.

And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good.

For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it.

For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do.

So I discover this principle: When I want to do what is good, evil is with me.

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand—

And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things!

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Christian Ethics

Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good.

Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval.

For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.

Therefore, do not let your good be slandered,

Each one of us must please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

From Jerusalem to Illyricum

My brothers, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.