Beginning
4 What then shall we say about the one who according to the basar (flesh) is Avraham Avinu? What did he find to be the case?
2 For if Avraham Avinu was accounted to be YITZDAK IM HASHEM and acquitted before Hashem on the basis of ma’asim tovim (Works), he has something to boast about. But not before Hashem!
3 For what does the Torah say? Avraham Avinu had emunah (faith) in Hashem V’YACHSHEVEH-HA LO TZEDAKAH ("and it was accounted, credited, reckoned imputed to him for righteousness" Gen 15:6.)
4 Now to him who works, the loin (wages, batzalon [remuneration]) is not credited to one’s account as a favor or gift of chesed but as a choiv (debt).
5 But to the man who does not "work" but has emunah and bitachon in the One who takes the impious man lacking chasidus and accounts him to be YITZDAK IM HASHEM (justified with G-d), such a man who does not "work " but has emunah (faith), such emunah is credited to him for TZEDAKAH ("righteousness" BERESHIS 15:6).
6 As also Dovid HaMelech speaks of the me’ushar (blessedness) of the person whom Hashem reckons to be YITZDAK IM HASHEM (justified with G-d) without dependence on [zechusearning] ma’asim (works) [T.N. with merit (zechus) viewed as "pay" earned for "work" rendered‖see Ro 4:4]:
7 "Ashrey (blessed, happy) are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered over;
8 ASHREY ADAM LO YAKHSHOV HASHEM LO AVON. Blessed, happy is the one whose sin Hashem will by no means count." (Ps 32:1-2).
9 This me’ushar (blessedness), then, does it come on those of the bris milah (the circumcised) or also on those without the bris milah (the uncircumcised)? For we say, emunah "was counted, reckoned, credited" to Avraham Avinu for TZEDAKAH ("righteousness" BERESHIS 15:6).
10 When then was it "reckoned"? When Avraham Avinu had the bris milah and was in the state of circumcision? Or when Avraham Avinu did not have the bris milah and was in the state of uncircumcision?
11 Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision! And he received the ot (sign or distinguishing mark) of the milah (circumcision) as a chotam (seal) of the Tzidkat HaEmunah (the Righteousness of Faith) which he had in his uncircumcision, in order that he might be father of all who believe through uncircumcision, that to be YITZDAK IM HASHEM might be reckoned, counted to them as well,
12 And in order that he might be Av (Father) to the Nimolim (Circumcised ones), to those who are not only HaNimolim but also who follow in the footsteps of the emunah of Avraham Avinu, which he had in [his] uncircumcision.
13 For the havtachah (promise) to Avraham Avinu and his zera (seed), that he should be Yoresh HaOlam (Heir of the World), did not come through the context of law but through the Tzidkat HaEmunah (the Righteousness of Faith).
14 For if the salvation-byworks legalists are yoreshim (heirs), emunah (faith) is rendered invalid and the havtachah (the promise) is annulled,
15 for the Torah brings about the Charon Af Hashem (Ro 1:18; 3:20; SHEMOT 32:8-10), and where there is no Torah there is no peysha (transgression, rebellion, violation of the Law).
16 For this reason the havtachah (promise) is of emunah (faith), in order that it might be in accordance with unmerited Chen v’Chesed Hashem, that the havtachah might be certain to all the zera (seed), not to him who is of the Torah only, but also to bnei emunat Avraham (the sons of the faith of Avraham Avinu, to those who are of the faith of Abraham). Avraham Avinu is the father of us all,
17 as it is written, AV HAMON GOYIM N’TATICHA ("I have made you father of many nations" BERESHIS 17:5). This was in the sight of Hashem in whom "he believed," G-d who gives Chayyim to the Mesim and calls things which have no existence into existence.
18 Against tikvah (hope), in tikvah "he believed," in order that he might become AV HAMON GOYIM ("father of many nations" BERESHIS 17:5) in accordance with what had been said, "So shall your ZERA ("seed’) be" BERESHIS 15:5.
19 Without weakening in emunah (in personal faith, bitachon, trust) he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead vi-bahlt (since) he was about one hundred years old, and also the deadness of Sarah’s womb.
20 He did not, in disbelief, doubt the havtachah of Hashem (the promise of G-d), but was strengthened in emunah (faith), giving kavod (glory) to Hashem,
21 Being fully convinced that what Hashem had promised He also was able to do.
22 Therefore, V’YACHSHEVEH-HA LO TZEDAKAH ("it [his faith in G-d] was accounted, credited to him for righteousness" BERESHIS 15:6).
23 Nor was it written down for his sake alone that "it was reckoned to him,"
24 But also for us, to whom it is to be reckoned, who believe in Him who raised Yehoshua Adoneinu from the mesim (dead ones),
25 Who was handed over for PEYSHA’EINU (our transgressions, YESHAYAH 53:5) and made to stand up in his Techiyas HaMoshiach that we be YITZDAK IM HASHEM (be justified with G-d, that we have our justification, our acquittal, vindication see Ro 5:18).
5 Therefore, having been acquitted and declared not guilty, declared to be YITZDAK IM HASHEM (IYOV 25:4) on the yesod (basis) of our emunah (faith), we have shalom (peace) in relation to Hashem though Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua Adoneinu,
2 Through whom also we have HaSha’ar laHashem (gate to appoach G-d’s presence, access of the Tzaddikim TEHILLIM 118:20) by emunah into this unmerited Chen v’Chesed in which we stand and glory in tikvah of the kavod Eloheinu.
3 Not only so, but we also glory in tzoros (troubles, afflictions), knowing that tzarah (trouble) produces zitzfleisch (patience),
4 Zitzfleisch produces tested character and midos, and tested character and midos produce tikvah.
5 And tikvah does not in the end lead to our being meyayesh (despairing) in disillusionment and bushah (shame) (TEHILLIM 25:3), because the Ahavas Hashem (G-d’s love) has been poured out in our levavot through the Ruach Hakodesh given to us.
6 For while we were still helpless, Moshiach died for the resha’im (the unrighteous persons, the wicked), doing so at the appointed time [DANIEL 9:24-26]!
7 For only rarely will someone die for a tzaddik (righteous man); though efsher (perhaps) it is shayach (conceivable) that someone will dare to die for the tzaddik.
8 But Hashem demonstrates His ahavah for us in that while we were still chote’im, Moshiach died for us.
9 How much more then, having now been acquitted and pronounced to be YITZDAK IM HASHEM (IYOV 25:4) on the basis of the Moshiach’s DAHM (blood) and sacrificial death (YESHAYAH 53:11-12), how much more then shall we be delivered through him from the eschatological Charon Af Hashem (burning anger of G-d)!
10 For if when we were [G-d’s] oyevim (enemies) we were reconciled to Hashem through the histalkus (passing), the mavet (death, YESHAYAH 53:12; DANIEL 9:26) of the Ben HaElohim [Moshiach], how much more, having been reconciled and no longer oyevim, shall we be delivered by his [Techiyah (Resurrection)] Chayyim!
11 Not only so, but we also glory in Hashem though Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua Adoneinu, through whom we have now received the ritztzuy (reconciliation, cessation of enmity, hostility between a wrathful holy G-d and sinful men).
12 Therefore, just as through one Adam (one man, humanity, Adam), Chet (Sin) entered into the Olam Hazeh and, through Chet (Sin), entered Mavet (Death); and so Mavet (Death) passed through to kol B’nei Adam (all Mankind, all the sons of Adam), because all sinned.
13 For before (the epoch of) the Torah (Law), Chet (Sin, Chet Kadmon, original sin) was in HaOlam (HaZeh, the world). But Chet (Sin) is not accounted, recorded [to make charges for death penalties] in the absence of Torah [i.e., no Law, no violation, death penalty].
14 Nevertheless, Mavet (Death) reigned supreme from (the epoch of) Adam until (the epoch of) Moshe Rabbeinu, even over those who did not sin in the very same manner of Adam’s averah (transgression, disobedience, commandment rebelled against and recorded for death penalty)‖that is, Adam who is a tipus (pattern, prophetic type), a demut he’atid (a future figure) of Hu HaBah ("He who comes," Moshiach the Coming One, the Coming Go’el Redeemer) [YESHAYAH 59:20; IYOV 19:25].
15 But the averah (transgression) was not like the effect of unmerited chesed (grace). For if by the averah of the one, the rabbim (many) died, how much more the unmerited Chen v’Chesed Hashem (grace of G-d) and the matnat hachesed (free gift of grace) of the Adam HaEchad (one Man) Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua have overflowed LARABBIM (to the many, YESHAYAH 53:11).
16 And the mattanah (free gift) is not like the effect of that one Adam’s averah (BERESHIS 3:6). For the mishpat (judgment) is from one averah (transgression) to the gezar din (verdict) of ashem (guilty), to harsha’ah (condemnation as guilty); but the effect of the unmerited Chen v’Chesed Hashem is from rabbim (many) averot (transgressions) to zikkuy (acquittal), to that of being YITZDAK IM HASHEM ("justified with G-d" IYOV 25:4, i.e., acquittal, justification with Hashem of the Many, YESHAYAH 53:11).
17 For if by the averah (transgression) of the one, Mavet (Death) reigned supreme through the one Adam, how much more those, who receive the abundance of unmerited Chen v’Chesed Hashem (grace) and of the Matnat HaTzedakah (the gift of righteousness), shall reign in life through the one Adam, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua.
18 So, then, as through one Averah (transgression) [of Adam] to kol Bnei Adam to harsha’ah (condemnation as guilty), so also through one Mitzvah (righteous or worthy deed) [of Moshiach] to kol Bnei Adam to justification unto Chayei [Olam].
19 For as through the disobedience of the one Adam, the many were made chote’im (sinners), so also through the mishma’at (obedience) of the one Adam [Moshiach], the many will be made tzaddikim (righteous ones) [YESHAYAH 53:11].
20 The (epoch of the) Torah came to increase the averah (transgression); but where Chet (Sin, Chet Kadmon) increased, unmerited Chen v’Chesed Hashem overflowed in abundance,
21 In order that as Chet (Sin) reigned in Mavet (Death), so also Chesed might reign through Tzedek Olamim to Chayyei Olam through Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua Adoneinu [DANIEL 9:24].
6 What then shall we say? Are we to persist in Chet (sin) in order that the unmerited Chen v’Chesed Hashem might increase?
2 Chas v’shalom! Vi-bahlt (since) we have died to Chet, how can we still live in it?
3 Or do you lack da’as that all we who were given a mikveh mayim tevilah into Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua were given a tevilah into Moshiach’s histalkus, into his mavet (death)?
4 So then we were co-buried, buried together with KIVRO (Moshiach’s kever, YESHAYAH 53:9) through a tevilah into mavet, in order that, just as Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach was given the Techiyah (Resurrection) from HaMesim (the Dead ones) through the Kavod HaAv, so we also should have a halakhah (walk [lifnei Hashem]) in hitkhadshut (renewal, regeneration), in Chayyim Chadashim (New Life).
5 For if we have become grown together with the very likeness of his histalkus, his mavet (death), we shall certainly also be grown together with the very likeness of his Techiyah from HaMesim (Resurrection).
6 Having da’as of this, that, with Moshiach, our old humanity (in Adam) has been put to death on Moshiach’s Etz (Tree [the Etz HaKelelat Hashem, the Tree of the Curse of G-d—DEVARIM 21:23]) in order that the etsem HaAdam HaChet (the essence of the sinful human condition) might be done away with, so that we might no longer serve Chet (sin) (cf.Ro 6:23].
7 For he who has died is declared niftar (freed, deceased) from Chet.
8 But if we have died with Moshiach, we believe that we shall also live with him,
9 Having da’as that Moshiach, having been given the Techiyah (Resurrection) from the Mesim (Dead ones), no longer dies, Mavet (death) and Histalkus no longer exercise control over him.
10 For the Mavet Moshiach died, he died to Chet (sin) once and for all; but the Chayyim Moshiach lives, he lives to Hashem.
11 So also you must reckon yourselves mesim (dead ones) to Chet (Sin) but Chayyim l’Hashem baMoshiach Yehoshua (alive to G-d in Messiah Yehoshua).
12 Therefore, do not let Chet (Sin) reign in your mortal body to obey its ta’avot [Ro 5:17, 21],
13 And do not give Chet (sin) control of your natural capacities as neshek (weapons) of peysha (unrighteousness, transgression), but present yourselves to Hashem as ones alive from the Mesim and present to Hashem your natural capacities as neshek (weapons) of Tzedek Olamim.
14 For Chet (sin) shall not exercise bailus (sovereignty, ownership, dominion) over you; for you are not under the epoch of Torah but under the epoch of Chesed (grace).
15 What then? Should we commit averah, because we are not under the epoch of Torah but under the epoch of Chesed? Chas v’shalom!
16 Do you not know that when you give control of yourselves as someone’s avadim (slaves) to obey him, you are the avadim (slaves) of the one you obey, whether of Chet (Sin) resulting in mavet (death), or of Lishmo’a b’kol Hashem (Listening to the voice of Hashem, mishma’at, obedience) resulting in Tzedek Olamim?
17 But Baruch Hashem (Blessed be G-d) that you used to be avadim (slaves) of [slave master] Chet, but you gave your mishma’at shebalev (obedience from the heart) to the pattern of Torah (the pnimiyus Torah of Moshiach YESHAYAH 42:4) to which you were handed over.
18 Having been set free from [slave master] Chet (sin), you became an eved of the Tzidkat Hashem (the righteousness of G-d).
19 I speak in human terms on acount of the weakness of your frail fallen humanity. For just as you handed over your natural capacities as avadim (slaves) to tum’a (uncleanness) and to lawlessness which results in lawlessness, so now hand over your natural capacities as servants of Tzidkat Hashem which results in kedushah (holiness).
20 For when you were avadim (slaves) of Chet, you were free in relation to Tzedek Olamim.
21 What p’ri for Hashem did you produce then? Things for which you now have bushah (shame), for the end result of those things is mavet (death).
22 But now, having been set free from [slave master] Chet (sin) and having been made an eved Hashem (a servant of G-d), you have your p’ri for Hashem, resulting in kedushah, and the end is Chayyei Olam (Eternal Life).
23 For the loin (wages) that [slave master] Chet (Sin) pays out of its own payroll is mavet (death); however, the gracious matnat hachesed Hashem (the gift of the grace of G-d) is Chayyei Olam baMoshiach Yehoshua Adoneinu.
7 Do you not have da’as, Achim b’Moshiach, for I speak to those who know the Torah, that the Torah exercises marut (authority, rule) over a man so long as he lives?
2 For the agunah (woman whose husband’s whereabouts are unknown) is bound by the Torah to her husband while he lives; but in the case that her husband’s death can be confirmed, she is no longer an agunah and is released from the Torah of her husband.
3 Accordingly she will be named no’eh-fet (adulteress) if, while her husband lives, she becomes another man’s. But if her ba’al (husband) dies, she is free from the Torah, so that she is no no’ehfet (adulteress) if she becomes another man’s.
4 So then, Achim b’Moshiach, you also were put to death in relation to the Torah through the basar of Moshiach (TEHILLIM 16:9-10 ), in order that you might become another’s, bound to Moshiach who was given Techiyah (Resurrection) from the Mesim, so that we might bear p’ri for Hashem.
5 For when we were in the basar (in the fallen condition of the old humanity), through the Torah, the ta’avat besarim, the sinful passions (i.e., Chet Kadmon’s yetzer harah of the fallen human condition) were working in our natural capacities, so as to bear p’ri for mavet (death) [cf. Ro 4:15].
6 But now we have become niftar (freed, deceased) from the dominating ownership of the Torah, having died to that by which we were confined, so that we might serve in the Ruach Hakodesh of hitkhadshut and newness and not in the yoshen (oldness) of chumra (legalism, strict adherence to the letter of the law) (Ro 2:29).
7 What then shall we say? That the Torah is considered as chet (sin)? Chas v’shalom! Nevertheless, I would not have experienced chet (sin) except through the Torah; for I would not have known chamdanut (covetousness, greediness) if the Torah had not said, LO TACHMOD ("Thou shalt not covet" SHEMOT 20:17).
8 But Chet (Sin), seizing its opportunity through the mitzvoh (commandment), stirred up all manner of chamdanut (covetousness) in me. For in the absence of the Torah, Chet (Sin) is dead.
9 And in the absence of the Torah I was once alive. But when the mitzvoh (commandment) came [BERESHIS 2:16-17), Chet (Sin) became alive,
10 and I died. The mitzvoh (commandment) intended as the Derech L’Chayyim (Way to Life) proved for me a means to mavet (death).
11 For Chet (Sin), seizing its opportunity through the mitzvoh (commandment), deceived me and, through the mitzvoh (commandment), killed me [BERESHIS 3:1-6].
12 So that the Torah is kedoshah (holy) and the mitzvoh (commandment) is kedoshah and yasharah and tovah.
13 Did that which is good, then, become mavet (death) to me? Chas v’shalom! But Chet (Sin), it was Chet, working mavet (death) in me through that which is tovah, in order that Chet might be shown as Chet (Sin), and in order that Chet through the mitzvoh (commandment) might become chata’ah gedolah ad m’od (utterly sinful).
14 For we have da’as that the Torah is Ruchanit (Spiritual, of the Ruach Hakodesh); but I am of the basar (fallen humanity) sold under the power of (slave master Chet Kadmon) Chet.
15 For I do not have da’as what I do. For that which I commit is not what I want; no, it is what I hate that I do!
16 But if that which I do is what I do not want, I agree with the Torah that the Torah is good.
17 But now it is no longer I doing this, but [the power of] Chet (Sin) which dwells within me.
18 For I have da’as that there dwells in me, that is, in my basar (my fallen humanity enslaved to Chet Kadmon) no good thing; for the wish [to do what is right] lies ready at hand for me, but to accomplish the good is not.
19 For I fail to do good as I wish, but HaRah (The Evil) which I do not wish is what I commit.
20 But if what I do not wish is that which I do, it is no longer I doing it but [the power of] Chet (Sin, Chet Kadmon, Original Sin) which dwells within me (cf. Ro 8:7-8).
21 I find then it be a law that for me who wishes to do HaTov (The Good), that for me HaRah (The Evil) lies ready at hand.
22 For I rejoice, I have simcha Torah in the Torah of Hashem, so far as the inner man is concerned,
23 But I see another Chok (decree, law) in my natural capacities at milchamah (war) with the Torah of my mind and making me a prisoner to the Chok (law) of Chet (Sin) which is [a power] in my natural capacities.
24 Wretched man am I! Who will deliver me from the body of this mavet (death)?
25 Hodu l’Hashem (thanks be to G-d) baMoshiach Yehoshua Adoneinu. So then I myself with my mind serve the Torah of Hashem and with my basar I serve the Chok of Chet (the Law of Sin). [T.N. The total spiritual turnaround here described is when the conviction of the intellect, emotion, and will "obey from the heart the form of doctrine laid out here in Scripture" as we are born anew in the humanity of the new Man and die to the old depraved Adam.]
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