The Holy Bible

Part 10 out of 16



6:16. Know you not that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey,
his servants you are whom you obey, whether it be of sin unto death or
of obedience unto justice.

6:17. But thanks be to God, that you were the servants of sin but have
obeyed from the heart unto that form of doctrine into which you have
been delivered.

6:18. Being then freed from sin, we have been made servants of justice.

6:19. I speak an human thing, because of the infirmity of your flesh.
For as you have yielded your members to serve uncleanness and iniquity,
unto iniquity: so now yield your members to serve justice, unto
sanctification.

6:20. For when you were the servants of sin, you were free men to
justice.

6:21. What fruit therefore had you then in those things of which you
are now ashamed? For the end of them is death.

6:22. But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, you
have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end life everlasting.

6:23. For the wages of sin is death. But the grace of God, life
everlasting in Christ Jesus our Lord.



Romans Chapter 7


We are released by Christ from the law and from the guilt of sin,
though the inclination to it still tempts us.

7:1. Know you not, brethren (for I speak to them that know the law)
that the law hath dominion over a man as long as it liveth?

As long as it liveth;. . .or, as long as he liveth.

7:2. For the woman that hath an husband, whilst her husband liveth is
bound to the law. But if her husband be dead, she is loosed from the
law of her husband.

7:3. Therefore, whilst her husband liveth, she shall be called an
adulteress, if she be with another man: but if her husband be dead, she
is delivered from the law of her husband: so that she is not an
adulteress, if she be with another man.

7:4. Therefore, my brethren, you also are become dead to the law, by
the body of Christ: that you may belong to another, who is risen again
from the dead that we may bring forth fruit to God.

7:5. For when we were in the flesh, the passions of sins, which were by
the law, did work in our members, to bring forth fruit unto death.

7:6. But now we are loosed from the law of death wherein we were
detained; so that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the
oldness of the letter.

7:7. What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? God forbid! But I do not
know sin, but by the law. For I had not known concupiscence, if the law
did not say: Thou shalt not covet.

7:8. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all
manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

Sin taking occasion. . .Sin, or concupiscence, which is called sin,
because it is from sin, and leads to sin, which was asleep before, was
weakened by the prohibition: the law not being the cause thereof, nor
properly giving occasion to it: but occasion being taken by our corrupt
nature to resist the commandment laid upon us.

7:9. And I lived some time without the law. But when the commandment
came, sin revived,

7:10. And I died. And the commandment that was ordained to life, the
same was found to be unto death to me.

7:11. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, seduced me: and by
it killed me.

7:12. Wherefore the law indeed is holy: and the commandment holy and
just and good.

7:13. Was that then which is good made death unto me? God forbid! But
sin, that it may appear sin, by that which is good, wrought death in
me: that sin, by the commandment, might become sinful above measure.

That it may appear sin, or that sin may appear, viz. . .To be the
monster it is, which is even capable to take occasion from that which
is good, to work death.

7:14. For we know that the law is spiritual. But I am carnal, sold
under sin.

7:15. For that which I work, I understand not. For I do not that good
which I will: but the evil which I hate, that I do.

I do not that good which I will, etc. . .The apostle here describes the
disorderly motions of passion and concupiscence; which oftentimes in us
get the start of reason: and by means of which even good men suffer in
the inferior appetite what their will abhors: and are much hindered in
the accomplishment of the desires of their spirit and mind. But these
evil motions, (though they are called the law of sin, because they come
from original sin, and violently tempt and incline to sin,) as long as
the will does not consent to them, are not sins, because they are not
voluntary.

7:16. If then I do that which I will not, I consent to the law, that it
is good.

7:17. Now then it is no more I that do it: but sin that dwelleth in me.

7:18. For I know that there dwelleth not in me, that is to say, in my
flesh, that which is good. For to will is present with me: but to
accomplish that which is good, I find not.

7:19. For the good which I will, I do not: but the evil which I will
not, that I do.

7:20. Now if I do that which I will not, it is no more I that do it:
but sin that dwelleth in me.

7:21. I find then a law, that when I have a will to do good, evil is
present with me.

7:22. For I am delighted with the law of God, according to the inward
man:

7:23. But I see another law in my members, fighting against the law of
my mind and captivating me in the law of sin that is in my members.

7:24. Unhappy man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this
death?

7:25. The grace of God, by Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, I myself,
with the mind serve the law of God: but with the flesh, the law of sin.



Romans Chapter 8


There is no condemnation to them that, being justified by Christ, walk
not according to the flesh, but according to the spirit. Their strong
hope and love of God.

8:1. There is now therefore no condemnation to them that are in Christ
Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh.

8:2. For the law of the spirit of life, in Christ Jesus, hath delivered
me from the law of sin and of death.

8:3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the
flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and of
sin, hath condemned sin in the flesh.

8:4. That the justification of the law might be fulfilled in us who
walk not according to the flesh, but according to the spirit.

8:5. For they that are according to the flesh mind the things that are
of the flesh: but they that are according to the spirit mind the things
that are of the spirit.

8:6. For the wisdom of the flesh is death: but the wisdom of the spirit
is life and peace.

8:7. Because the wisdom of the flesh is an enemy to God. For it is not
subject to the law of God: neither can it be.

8:8. And they who are in the flesh cannot please God.

8:9. But you are not in the flesh, but the spirit, if so be that the
Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of
Christ, he is none of his.

8:10. And if Christ be in you, the body indeed is dead, because of sin:
but the spirit liveth, because of justification.

8:11. And if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell
in you; he that raised up Jesus Christ, from the dead shall quicken
also your mortal bodies, because of his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

8:12. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh to live
according to the flesh.

8:13. For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die: but if by
the Spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live.

8:14. For whosoever are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of
God.

8:15. For you have not received the spirit of bondage again in fear:
but you have received the spirit of adoption of sons, whereby we cry:
Abba (Father).

8:16. For the Spirit himself giveth testimony to our spirit that we are
the sons of God.

The Spirit himself, etc. . .By the inward motions of divine love, and
the peace of conscience, which the children of God experience, they
have a kind of testimony of God's favour; by which they are much
strengthened in their hope of their justification and salvation; but
yet not so as to pretend to an absolute assurance: which is not usually
granted in this mortal life: during which we are taught to work out our
salvation with fear and trembling. Phil. 2.12. And that he that
thinketh himself to stand, must take heed lest he fall. 1 Cor. 10.12.
See also, Rom. 11.20, 21, 22.

8:17. And if sons, heirs also; heirs indeed of God and joint heirs with
Christ: yet so, if we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified
with him.

8:18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to
be compared with the glory to come that shall be revealed in us.

8:19. For the expectation of the creature waiteth for the revelation of
the sons of God.

The expectation of the creature, etc. . .He speaks of the corporeal
creation, made for the use and service of man; and, by occasion of his
sin, made subject to vanity, that is, to a perpetual instability,
tending to corruption and other defects; so that by a figure of speech
it is here said to groan and be in labour, and to long for its
deliverance, which is then to come, when sin shall reign no more; and
God shall raise the bodies and unite them to their souls never more to
separate, and to be in everlasting happiness in heaven.

8:20. For the creature was made subject to vanity: not willingly, but
by reason of him that made it subject, in hope.

8:21. Because the creature also itself shall be delivered from the
servitude of corruption, into the liberty of the glory of the children
of God.

8:22. For we know that every creature groaneth and travaileth in pain,
even till now.

8:23. And not only it, but ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of
the Spirit: even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the
adoption of the sons of God, the redemption of our body.

8:24. For we are saved by hope. But hope that is seen is not hope. For
what a man seeth, why doth he hope for?

8:25. But if we hope for that which we see not, we wait for it with
patience.

8:26. Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity. For, we know not
what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit himself asketh for
us with unspeakable groanings,

Asketh for us. . .The Spirit is said to ask, and desire for the saints,
and to pray in us; inasmuch as he inspireth prayer, and teacheth us to
pray.

8:27. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what the Spirit
desireth: because he asketh for the saints according to God.

8:28. And we know that to them that love God all things work together
unto good: to such as, according to his purpose, are called to be
saints.

8:29. For whom he foreknew, he also predestinated to be made
conformable to the image of his Son: that he might be the Firstborn
amongst many brethren.

He also predestinated, etc. . .That is, God hath preordained that all
his elect should be conformable to the image of his Son. We must not
here offer to pry into the secrets of God's eternal election; only
firmly believe that all our good, in time and eternity, flows
originally from God's free goodness; and all our evil from man's free
will.

8:30. And whom he predestinated, them he also called. And whom he
called, them he also justified. And whom he justified, them he also
glorified.

8:31. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who is
against us?

8:32. He that spared not even his own Son, but delivered him up for us
all, how hath he not also, with him, given us all things?

8:33. Who shall accuse against the elect of God? God is he that
justifieth:

8:34. Who is he that shall condemn? Christ Jesus that died: yea that is
risen also again, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh
intercession for us.

8:35. Who then shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall
tribulation? Or distress? Or famine? Or nakedness? Or danger? Or
persecution? Or the sword?

8:36. (As it is written: For thy sake, we are put to death all the day
long. We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.)

8:37. But in all these things we overcome, because of him that hath
loved us.

8:38. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor
might,

I am sure. . .That is, I am persuaded; as it is in the Greek, pepeismai.

8:39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.



Romans Chapter 9


The apostle's concern for the Jews. God's election is free and not
confined to their nation.

9:1. I speak the truth in Christ: I lie not, my conscience bearing me
witness in the Holy Ghost:

9:2. That I have great sadness and continual sorrow in my heart.

9:3. For I wished myself to be an anathema from Christ, for my
brethren: who are my kinsmen according to the flesh:

Anathema;. . .A curse. The apostle's concern and love for his countrymen
the Jews was so great, that he was willing to suffer even an anathema,
or curse, for their sake; or any evil that could come upon him, without
his offending God.

9:4. Who are Israelites: to whom belongeth the adoption as of children
and the glory and the testament and the giving of the law and the
service of God and the promises:

9:5. Whose are the fathers and of whom is Christ, according to the
flesh, who is over all things, God blessed for ever. Amen.

9:6. Not as though the word of God hath miscarried. For all are not
Israelites that are of Israel.

All are not Israelites, etc. . .Not all, who are the carnal seed of
Israel, are true Israelites in God's account: who, as by his free
grace, he heretofore preferred Isaac before Ismael, and Jacob before
Esau, so he could, and did by the like free grace, election and mercy,
raise up spiritual children by faith to Abraham and Israel, from among
the Gentiles, and prefer them before the carnal Jews.

9:7. Neither are all they that are the seed of Abraham, children: but
in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

9:8. That is to say, not they that are the children of the flesh are
the children of God: but they that are the children of the promise are
accounted for the seed.

9:9. For this is the word of promise: According to this time will I
come. And Sara shall have a son.

9:10. And not only she. But when Rebecca also had conceived at once of
Isaac our father.

9:11. For when the children were not yet born, nor had done any good or
evil (that the purpose of God according to election might stand):

Not yet born, etc. . .By this example of these twins, and the preference
of the younger to the elder, the drift of the apostle is, to shew that
God, in his election, mercy and grace, is not tied to any particular
nation, as the Jews imagined; nor to any prerogative of birth, or any
forgoing merits. For as, antecedently to his grace, he sees no merits
in any, but finds all involved in sin, in the common mass of
condemnation; and all children of wrath: there is no one whom he might
not justly leave in that mass; so that whomsoever he delivers from it,
he delivers in his mercy: and whomsoever he leaves in it, he leaves in
his justice. As when, of two equally criminal, the king is pleased out
of pure mercy to pardon one, whilst he suffers justice to take place in
the execution of the other.

9:12. Not of works, but of him that calleth, it was said to her: The
elder shall serve the younger.

9:13. As it is written: Jacob I have loved: but Esau I have hated.

9:14. What shall we say then? Is there injustice with God? God forbid!

9:15. For he saith to Moses: I will have mercy on whom I will have
mercy. And I will shew mercy to whom I will shew mercy.

9:16. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth,
but of God that sheweth mercy.

Not of him that willeth, etc. . .That is, by any power or strength of
his own, abstracting from the grace of God.

9:17. For the scripture saith to Pharao: To this purpose have I raised
thee, that I may shew my power in thee and that my name may be declared
throughout all the earth.

To this purpose, etc. . .Not that God made him on purpose that he should
sin, and so be damned; but foreseeing his obstinacy in sin, and the
abuse of his own free will, he raised him up to be a mighty king, to
make a more remarkable example of him: and that his power might be
better known, and his justice in punishing him, published throughout
the earth.

9:18. Therefore he hath mercy on whom he will. And whom he will, he
hardeneth.

He hardeneth. . .Not by being the cause or author of his sin, but by
withholding his grace, and so leaving him in his sin, in punishment of
his past demerits.

9:19. Thou wilt say therefore to me: Why doth he then find fault? For
who resisteth his will?

9:20. O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing
formed say to him that formed it: Why hast thou made me thus?

9:21. Or hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump, to
make one vessel unto honour and another unto dishonour?

The potter. . .This similitude is used only to shew that we are not to
dispute with our Maker, nor to reason with him why he does not give as
much grace to one as to another; for since the whole lump of our clay
is vitiated by sin, it is owing to his goodness and mercy, that he
makes out of it so many vessels of honor; and it is no more than just,
that others, in punishment of their unrepented sins, should be given up
to be vessels of dishonor.

9:22. What if God, willing to shew his wrath and to make his power
known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath, fitted for
destruction,

9:23. That he might shew the riches of his glory on the vessels of
mercy which he hath prepared unto glory?

9:24. Even us, whom also he hath called, not only of the Jews but also
of the Gentiles.

9:25. As in Osee he saith: I will call that which was not my people, my
people; and her that was not beloved, beloved; and her that had not
obtained mercy; one that hath obtained mercy.

9:26. And it shalt be in the place where it was said unto them: you are
not my people; there they shall be called the sons of the living God.

9:27. And Isaias cried out concerning Israel: If the number of the
children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved.

A remnant. . .That is, a small number only of the children of Israel
shall be converted and saved. How perversely is this text quoted for
the salvation of men of all religions, when it speaks only of the
converts of the children of Israel!

9:28. For he shall finish his word and cut it short in justice: because
a short word shall the Lord make upon the earth.

9:29. And Isaias foretold: Unless the Lord of Sabbath had left us a
seed, we had been made as Sodom and we had been like unto Gomorrha.

9:30. What then shall we say? That the Gentiles who followed not after
justice have attained to justice, even the justice that is of faith.

9:31. But Israel, by following after the law of justice, is not come
unto the law of justice.

9:32. Why so? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were of
works. For they stumbled at the stumblingstone.

9:33. As it is written: Behold I lay in Sion a stumbling-stone and a
rock of scandal. And whosoever believeth in him shall not be
confounded.



Romans Chapter 10


The end of the law is faith in Christ. which the Jews refusing to
submit to, cannot be justified.

10:1. Brethren, the will of my heart, indeed and my prayer to God is
for them unto salvation.

10:2. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal of God, but not
according to knowledge.

10:3. For they, not knowing the justice of God and seeking to establish
their own, have not submitted themselves to the justice of God.

The justice of God. . .That is, the justice which God giveth us through
Christ; as on the other hand, the Jews' own justice is, that which they
pretended to by their own strength, or by the observance of the law,
without faith in Christ.

10:4. For the end of the law is Christ: unto justice to everyone that
believeth.

10:5. For Moses wrote that the justice which is of the law: The man
that shall do it shall live by it.

10:6. But the justice which is of faith, speaketh thus: Say not in thy
heart: Who shall ascend into heaven? That is to bring Christ down;

10:7. Or who shall descend into the deep? That is, to bring up Christ
again from the dead.

10:8. But what saith the scripture? The word is nigh thee; even in thy
mouth and in thy heart. This is the word of faith, which we preach.

10:9. For if thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in
thy heart that God hath raised him up from the dead, thou shalt be
saved.

Thou shalt be saved. . .To confess the Lord Jesus, and to call upon the
name of the Lord (ver. 13) is not barely the professing a belief in the
person of Christ; but moreover, implies a belief of his whole doctrine,
and an obedience to his law; without which, the calling him Lord will
save no man. St. Matt. 7.21.

10:10. For, with the heart, we believe unto justice: but, with the
mouth, confession is made unto salvation.

10:11. For the scripture saith: Whosoever believeth in him shall not be
confounded.

10:12. For there is no distinction of the Jew and the Greek: for the
same is Lord over all, rich unto all that call upon him.

10:13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be
saved.

10:14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?
Or how shall they believe him of whom they have not heard? And how
shall they hear without a preacher?

10:15. And how shall they preach unless they be sent, as it is written:
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, of
them that bring glad tidings of good things?

Unless they be sent. . .Here is an evident proof against all new
teachers, who have all usurped to themselves the ministry without any
lawful mission, derived by succession from the apostles, to whom Christ
said, John 20.21, As my Father hath sent me, I also send you.

10:16. But all do not obey the gospel. For Isaias saith: Lord, who hath
believed our report?

10:17. Faith then cometh by hearing; and hearing by the word of Christ.

10:18. But I say: Have they not heard? Yes, verily: Their sound hath
gone forth into all the earth: and their words unto the ends of the
whole world.

10:19. But I say: Hath not Israel known? First, Moses saith: I will
provoke you to jealousy by that which is not a nation: by a foolish
nation I will anger you.

10:20. But Isaias is bold, and saith: I was found by them that did not
seek me. I appeared openly to them that asked not after me.

10:21. But to Israel he saith: All the day long have I spread my hands
to a people that believeth not and contradicteth me.



Romans Chapter 11


God hath not cast off all Israel. The Gentiles must not be proud but
stand in faith and fear.

11:1. I say then: Hath God cast away his people? God forbid! For I
also am an Israelite of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

11:2. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Know you not
what the scripture saith of Elias, how he calleth on God against
Israel?

11:3. Lord, they have slain thy prophets, they have dug down thy
altars. And I am left alone: and they seek my life.

11:4. But what saith the divine answer to him? I have left me seven
thousand men that have not bowed their knees to Baal.

Seven thousand, etc. . .This is very ill alleged by some, against the
perpetual visibility of the church of Christ; the more, because however
the number of the faithful might be abridged by the persecution of
Jezabel in the kingdom of the ten tribes, the church was at the same
time in a most flourishing condition (under Asa and Josaphat) in the
kingdom of Judah.

11:5. Even so then, at this present time also, there is a remnant saved
according to the election of grace.

11:6. And if by grace, it is not now by works: otherwise grace is no
more grace.

It is not now by works, etc. . .If salvation were to come by works, done
by nature, without faith and grace, salvation would not be a grace or
favour, but a debt; but such dead works are indeed of no value in the
sight of God towards salvation. It is not the same with regard to works
done with, and by, God's grace; for to such works as these, he has
promised eternal salvation.

11:7. What then? That which Israel sought, he hath not obtained: but
the election hath obtained it. And the rest have been blinded.

11:8. As it is written: God hath given them the spirit of
insensibility; eyes that they should not see and ears that they should
not hear, until this present day.

God hath given them, etc. . .Not by his working or acting in them; but
by his permission, and by withdrawing his grace in punishment of their
obstinacy.

11:9. And David saith: Let their table be made a snare and a trap and a
stumbling block and a recompense unto them.

11:10. Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see: and bow down
their back always.

11:11. I say then: Have they so stumbled, that they should fall? God
forbid! But by their offence salvation is come to the Gentiles, that
they may be emulous of them.

That they should fall. . .The nation of the Jews is not absolutely and
without remedy cast off for ever; but in part only, (many thousands of
them having been at first converted,) and for a time; which fall of
theirs, God has been pleased to turn to the good of the Gentiles.

11:12. Now if the offence of them be the riches of the world and the
diminution of them the riches of the Gentiles: how much more the
fulness of them?

11:13. For I say to you, Gentiles: As long indeed as I am the apostle
of the Gentiles, I will honour my ministry,

11:14. If, by any means, I may provoke to emulation them who are my
flesh and may save some of them.

11:15. For if the loss of them be the reconciliation of the world, what
shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

11:16. For if the firstfruit be holy, so is the lump also: and if the
root be holy, so are the branches.

11:17. And if some of the branches be broken and thou, being a wild
olive, art ingrafted in them and art made partaker of the root and of
the fatness of the olive tree:

11:18. Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest
not the root: but the root thee.

11:19. Thou wilt say then: The branches were broken off that I might be
grafted in.

11:20. Well: because of unbelief they were broken off. But thou
standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear.

Thou standest by faith: be not highminded, but fear. . .We see here that
he who standeth by faith may fall from it; and therefore must live in
fear, and not in the vain presumption and security of modern sectaries.

11:21. For if God hath not spared the natural branches, fear lest
perhaps also he spare not thee.

11:22. See then the goodness and the severity of God: towards them
indeed that are fallen, the severity; but towards thee, the goodness of
God, if thou abide in goodness. Otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

Otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. . .The Gentiles are here
admonished not to be proud, nor to glory against the Jews: but to take
occasion rather from their fall to fear and to be humble, lest they be
cast off. Not that the whole church of Christ can ever fall from him;
having been secured by so many divine promises in holy writ; but that
each one in particular may fall; and therefore all in general are to be
admonished to beware of that, which may happen to any one in
particular.

11:23. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be
grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.

11:24. For if thou were cut out of the wild olive tree, which is
natural to thee; and, contrary to nature, wert grafted into the good
olive tree: how much more shall they that are the natural branches be
grafted into their own olive tree?

11:25. For I would not have you ignorant, brethren, of this mystery
(lest you should be wise in your own conceits) that blindness in part
has happened in Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles should come
in.

11:26. And so all Israel should be saved, as it is written: There shall
come out of Sion, he that shall deliver and shall turn away ungodliness
from Jacob.

11:27. And this is to them my covenant: when I shall take away their
sins.

11:28. As concerning the gospel, indeed, they are enemies for your
sake: but as touching the election, they are most dear for the sake of
the fathers.

11:29. For the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance.

For the gifts and the calling of God are without. . .his repenting
himself of them; for the promises of God are unchangeable, nor can he
repent of conferring his gifts.

11:30. For as you also in times past did not believe God, but now have
obtained mercy, through their unbelief:

11:31. So these also now have not believed, for your mercy, that they
also may obtain mercy.

11:32. For God hath concluded all in unbelief, that he may have mercy
on all.

Concluded all in unbelief. . .He hath found all nations, both Jews and
Gentiles, in unbelief and sin; not by his causing, but by the abuse of
their own free will; so that their calling and election is purely owing
to his mercy.

11:33. O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of
God! How incomprehensible are his judgments, and how unsearchable his
ways!

11:34. For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his
counsellor?

11:35. Or who hath first given to him, and recompense shall be made
him?

11:36. For of him, and by him, and in him, are all things: to him be
glory for ever. Amen.



Romans Chapter 12


Lessons of Christian virtues.

12:1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercy of God, that you
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing unto God, your
reasonable service.

12:2. And be not conformed to this world: but be reformed in the
newness of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and the
acceptable and the perfect will of God.

12:3. For I say, by the grace that is given me, to all that are among
you, not to be more wise than it behoveth to be wise, but to be wise
unto sobriety and according as God hath divided to every one the
measure of faith.

12:4. For as in one body we have many members, but all the members have
not the same office:

12:5. So we, being many, are one body in Christ; and every one members
one of another:

12:6. And having different gifts, according to the grace that is given
us, either prophecy, to be used according to the rule of faith;

12:7. Or ministry, in ministering; or he that teacheth, in doctrine;

12:8. He that exhorteth, in exhorting; he that giveth, with simplicity;
he that ruleth, with carefulness; he that sheweth mercy, with
cheerfulness.

12:9. Let love be without dissimulation. Hating that which is evil,
cleaving to that which is good,

12:10. Loving one another with the charity of brotherhood: with honour
preventing one another.

12:11. In carefulness not slothful. In spirit fervent. Serving the
Lord.

12:12. Rejoicing in hope. Patient in tribulation. Instant in prayer.

12:13. Communicating to the necessities of the saints. Pursuing
hospitality.

12:14. Bless them that persecute you: bless, and curse not.

12:15. Rejoice with them that rejoice: weep with them that weep.

12:16. Being of one mind one towards another. Not minding high things,
but consenting to the humble. Be not wise in your own conceits.

12:17. To no man rendering evil for evil. Providing good things, not
only in the sight of God but also in the sight of all men.

12:18. If it be possible, as much as is in you, have peace with all
men.

12:19. Revenge not yourselves, my dearly beloved; but give place unto
wrath, for it is written: Revenge is mine, I will repay, saith the
Lord.

12:20. But if the enemy be hungry, give him to eat; if he thirst, give
him to drink. For, doing this, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his
head.

12:21. Be not overcome by evil: but overcome evil by good.



Romans Chapter 13


Lessons of obedience to superiors and mutual charity.

13:1. Let every soul be subject to higher powers. For there is no power
but from God: and those that are ordained of God.

13:2. Therefore, he that resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of
God. And they that resist purchase to themselves damnation.

13:3. For princes are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil.
Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good: and
thou shalt have praise from the same.

13:4. For he is God's minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that
which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is
God's minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil.

13:5. Wherefore be subject of necessity: not only for wrath, but also
for conscience' sake.

13:6. For therefore also you pay tribute. For they are the ministers of
God, serving unto this purpose.

13:7. Render therefore to all men their dues. Tribute, to whom tribute
is due: custom, to whom custom: fear, to whom fear: honour, to whom
honour.

13:8. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another. For he that loveth
his neighbour hath fulfilled the law.

13:9. For: Thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not kill: Thou
shalt not steal: Thou shalt not bear false witness: Thou shalt not
covet. And if there be any other commandment, it is comprised in this
word: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

13:10. The love of our neighbour worketh no evil. Love therefore is the
fulfilling of the law.

13:11. And that, knowing the season, that it is now the hour for us to
rise from sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed.

13:12. The night is passed And the day is at hand. Let us, therefore
cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light.

13:13. Let us walk honestly, as in the day: not in rioting and
drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and
envy.

13:14. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ: and make not provision for
the flesh in its concupiscences.



Romans Chapter 14


The strong must bear with the weak. Cautions against judging and giving
scandal.

14:1. Now him that is weak in faith, take unto you: not in disputes
about thoughts.

14:2. For one believeth that he may eat all things: but he that is
weak, let him eat herbs.

Eat all things. . .Viz., without observing the distinction of clean and
unclean meats, prescribed by the law of Moses: which was now no longer
obligatory. Some weak Christians, converted from among the Jews, as we
here gather from the apostle, made a scruple of eating such meats as
were deemed unclean by the law; such as swine's flesh, etc., which the
stronger sort of Christians did eat without scruple. Now the apostle,
to reconcile them together, exhorts the former not to judge or condemn
the latter, using their Christian liberty; and the latter, to take care
not to despise or scandalize their weaker brethren, either by bringing
them to eat what in their conscience they think they should not, or by
giving them such offence, as to endanger the driving them thereby from
the Christian religion.

14:3. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not: and he that
eateth not, let him not judge him that eateth. For God hath taken him
to him.

14:4. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? To his own lord
he standeth or falleth. And he shall stand: for God is able to make him
stand.

14:5. For one judgeth between day and day: and another judgeth every
day. Let every man abound in his own sense.

Between day, etc. . .Still observing the sabbaths and festivals of the
law.

14:6. He that regardeth the day regardeth it unto the Lord. And he that
eateth eateth to the Lord: for he giveth thanks to God. And he that
eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not and giveth thanks to God.

14:7. For none of us liveth to himself: and no man dieth to himself.

14:8. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord: or whether we die, we
die unto the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or whether we die, we are
the Lord's.

14:9. For to this end Christ died and rose again: that he might be Lord
both of the dead and of the living.

14:10. But thou, why judgest thou thy brother? Or thou, why dost thou
despise thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of
Christ.

14:11. For it is written: As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall
bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God.

14:12. Therefore every one of us shall render account to God for
himself.

14:13. Let us not therefore judge one another any more. But judge this
rather, that you put not a stumblingblock or a scandal in your
brother's way.

14:14. I know, and am confident in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is
unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean,
to him it is unclean.

14:15. For if, because of thy meat, thy brother be grieved, thou
walkest not now according to charity. Destroy not him with thy meat,
for whom Christ died.

14:16. Let not then our good be evil spoken of.

14:17. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink: but justice and
peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

14:18. For he that in this serveth Christ pleaseth God and is approved
of men.

14:19. Therefore, let us follow after the things that are of peace and
keep the things that are of edification, one towards another.

14:20. Destroy not the work of God for meat. All things indeed are
clean: but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

14:21. It is good not to eat flesh and not to drink wine: nor any thing
whereby thy brother is offended or scandalized or made weak.

14:22. Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Blessed is he
that condemneth not himself in that which he alloweth.

14:23. But he that discerneth, if he eat, is condemned; because not of
faith. For all that is not of faith is sin.

Discerneth. . .That is, distinguisheth between meats, and eateth against
his conscience, what he deems unclean. Of faith. . .By faith is here
understood judgment and conscience: to act against which is always a
sin.



Romans Chapter 15


He exhorts them to be all of one mind and promises to come and see
them.

15:1. Now, we that are stronger ought to bear the infirmities of the
weak and not to please ourselves.

15:2. Let every one of you Please his neighbour unto good, to
edification.

15:3. For Christ did not please himself: but, as it is written: The
reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me.

15:4. For what things soever were written were written for our
learning: that, through patience and the comfort of the scriptures, we
might have hope.

15:5. Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one
mind, one towards another, according to Jesus Christ:

15:6. That with one mind and with one mouth you may glorify God and the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15:7. Wherefore, receive one another, as Christ also hath received you,
unto the honour of God.

15:8. For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for
the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

Minister of the circumcision. . .That is, executed his office and
ministry towards the Jews, the people of the circumcision.

15:9. But that the Gentiles are to glorify God for his mercy, as it is
written: Therefore will I confess to thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles
and will sing to thy name.

15:10. And again he saith: rejoice ye Gentiles, with his people.

15:11. And again: praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles: and magnify him,
all ye people.

15:12. And again, Isaias saith: There shall be a root of Jesse; and he
that shall rise up to rule the Gentiles, in him the Gentiles shall
hope.

15:13. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in
believing: that you may abound in hope and in the power of the Holy
Ghost.

15:14. And I myself also, my brethren, am assured of you that you also
are full of love, replenished with all knowledge, so that you are able
to admonish one another.

15:15. But I have written to you, brethren, more boldly in some sort,
as it were putting you in mind, because of the grace which is given me
from God,

15:16. That I should be the minister of Christ Jesus among the
Gentiles: sanctifying the gospel of God, that the oblation of the
Gentiles may be made acceptable and sanctified in the Holy Ghost.

15:17. I have therefore glory in Christ Jesus towards God.

15:18. For I dare not to speak of any of those things which Christ
worketh not by me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,

15:19. By the virtue of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy
Ghost, so that from Jerusalem round about, as far as unto Illyricum, I
have replenished the gospel of Christ.

15:20. And I have so preached this gospel, not where Christ was named,
lest I should build upon another man a foundation.

15:21. But as it is written: They to whom he was not spoken of shall
see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

15:22. For which cause also, I was hindered very much from coming to
you and have been kept away till now.

15:23. But now, having no more place in these countries and having a
great desire these many years past to come unto you,

15:24. When I shall begin to take my journey into Spain, I hope that,
as I pass, I shall see you and be brought on my way thither by you: if
first, in part, I shall have enjoyed you.

15:25. But now I shall go to Jerusalem, to minister unto the saints.

15:26. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a
contribution for the poor of the saints that are in Jerusalem.

15:27. For it hath pleased them: and they are their debtors. For, if
the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they
ought also in carnal things to minister to them.

15:28. When therefore I shall have accomplished this and consigned to
them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

15:29. And I know that when I come to you I shall come in the abundance
of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

15:30. I beseech you therefore, brethren, through our Lord Jesus Christ
and by the charity of the Holy Ghost, that you help me in your prayers
for me to God,

15:31. That I may be delivered from the unbelievers that are in Judea
and that the oblation of my service may be acceptable in Jerusalem to
the saints.

15:32. That I may come to you with joy, by the will of God, and may be
refreshed with you.

15:33. Now the God of peace be with, you all. Amen.



Romans Chapter 16


He concludes with salutations, bidding them beware of all that should
oppose the doctrine they had learned.

16:1. And I commend to you Phebe, our sister, who is in the ministry of
the church, that is in Cenchrae:

16:2. That you receive her in the Lord as becometh saints and that you
assist her in whatsoever business she shall have need of you. For she
also hath assisted many, and myself also.

16:3. Salute Prisca and Aquila, my helpers, in Christ Jesus

16:4. (Who have for my life laid down their own necks: to whom not I
only give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles),

16:5. And the church which is in their house. Salute Epenetus, my
beloved: who is the firstfruits of Asia in Christ.

16:6. Salute Mary, who hath laboured much among you.

16:7. Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and fellow prisoners:
who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

16:8. Salute Ampliatus, most beloved to me in the Lord.

16:9. Salute Urbanus, our helper in Christ Jesus and Stachys, my
beloved.

16:10. Salute Apellas, approved in Christ.

16:11. Salute them that are of Aristobulus' household. Salute Herodian,
my kinsman. Salute them that are of Narcissus' household, who are in
the Lord.

16:12. Salute Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute
Persis, the dearly beloved, who hath much laboured in the Lord.

16:13. Salute Rufus, elect in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

16:14. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes: and the
brethren that are with them.

16:15. Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and
Olympias: and all the saints that are with them.

16:16. Salute one another with an holy kiss. All the churches of Christ
salute you.

16:17. Now I beseech you, brethren, to mark them who make dissensions
and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned and avoid
them.

16:18. For they that are such serve not Christ our Lord but their own
belly: and by pleasing speeches and good words seduce the hearts of the
innocent.

16:19. For your obedience is published in every place. I rejoice
therefore in you. But I would have you to be wise in good and simple in
evil.

16:20. And the God of peace crush Satan under your feet speedily. The
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

16:21. Timothy, my fellow labourer, saluteth you: and Lucius and Jason
and Sosipater, my kinsmen.

16:22. I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.

16:23. Caius, my host, and the whole church saluteth you. Erastus, the
treasurer of the city, saluteth you: and Quartus, a brother.

16:24. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

16:25. Now to him that is able to establish you, according to my gospel
and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the
mystery which was kept secret from eternity;

16:26. (Which now is made manifest by the scriptures of the prophets,
according to the precept of the eternal God, for the obedience of
faith) known among all nations:

16:27. To God, the only wise, through Jesus Christ, to whom be honour
and glory for ever and ever. Amen.




THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS



St. Paul, having planted the faithful in Corinth, where he had preached
a year and a half and converted a great many, went to Ephesus. After
being there three years, he wrote this first Epistle to the Corinthians
and sent it by the same persons, Stephanus, Fortunatus and Achaicus,
who had brought their letter to him. It was written about twenty-four
years after our Lord's Ascension and contains several matters
appertaining to faith and morals and also to ecclesiastical discipline.



1 Corinthians Chapter 1


He reproveth their dissensions about their teachers. The world was to
be saved by preaching of the cross, and not by human wisdom or
eloquence.

1:1. Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
and Sosthenes a brother,

1:2. To the church of God that is at Corinth, to them that are
sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that invoke
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place of theirs and ours.

1:3. Grace to you and peace, from God our father and from the Lord
Jesus Christ.

1:4. I give thanks to my God always for you, for the grace of God that
is given you in Christ Jesus:

1:5. That in all things you are made rich in him, in all utterance and
in all knowledge;

1:6. As the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you,

1:7. So that nothing is wanting to you in any grace, waiting for the
manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1:8. Who also will confirm you unto the end without crime, in the days
of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1:9. God is faithful: by whom you are called unto the fellowship of his
Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1:10. Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that there be no schisms
among you: but that you be perfect in the same mind and in the same
judgment.

1:11. For it hath been signified unto me, my brethren, of you, by them
that are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

1:12. Now this I say, that every one of you saith: I indeed am of Paul;
and I am of Apollo; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

1:13. Is Christ divided? Was Paul then crucified for you? Or were you
baptized in the name of Paul?

1:14. I give God thanks, that I baptized none of you but Crispus and
Caius:

1:15. Lest any should say that you were baptized in my name.

1:16. And I baptized also the household of Stephanus. Besides, I know
not whether I baptized any other.

1:17. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not
in wisdom of speech, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.

1:18. For the word of the cross, to them indeed that perish, is
foolishness: but to them that are saved, that is, to us, it is the
power of God.

1:19. For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise: and the
prudence of the prudent I will reject.

1:20. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of
this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

1:21. For, seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world, by wisdom, knew
not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of our preaching, to save
them that believe.

1:22. For both the Jews require signs: and the Greeks seek after
wisdom.

1:23. But we preach Christ crucified: unto the Jews indeed a
stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness:

1:24. But unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the
power of God and the wisdom of God.

1:25. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men: and the weakness of
God is stronger than men.

The foolishness, etc. . .That is to say, what appears foolish to the
world in the ways of God, is indeed most wise; and what appears weak is
indeed above all the strength and comprehension of man.

1:26. For see your vocation, brethren, that there are not many wise
according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble.

1:27. But the foolish things of the world hath God chosen, that he may
confound the wise: and the weak things of the world hath God chosen,
that he may confound the strong.

1:28. And the base things of the world and the things that are
contemptible, hath God chosen: and things that are not, that he might
bring to nought things that are:

1:29. That no flesh should glory in his sight.

1:30. But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us
wisdom and justice and sanctification and redemption:

1:31. That, as it is written: He that glorieth may glory in the Lord.



1 Corinthians Chapter 2


His preaching was not in loftiness of words, but in spirit and power.
And the wisdom he taught was not to be understood by the worldly wise
or sensual man, but only by the spiritual man.

2:1. And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not in loftiness of
speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of Christ.

2:2. For I judged not myself to know anything among you, but Jesus
Christ: and him crucified.

2:3. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling.

2:4. And my speech and my preaching was not in the persuasive words of
human wisdom. but in shewing of the Spirit and power:

2:5. That your faith might not stand on the wisdom of men, but on the
power of God.

2:6. Howbeit we speak wisdom among the perfect: yet not the wisdom of
this world, neither of the princes of this world that come to nought.

2:7. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, a wisdom which is
hidden, which God ordained before the world, unto our glory:

2:8. Which none of the princes of this world knew. For if they had
known it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory.

2:9. But, as it is written: That eye hath not seen, nor ear heard:
neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath
prepared for them that love him.

2:10. But to us God hath revealed them by his Spirit. For the Spirit
searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

2:11. For what man knoweth the things of a man, but the spirit of a man
that is in him? So the things also that are of God, no man knoweth, but
the Spirit of God.

2:12. Now, we have received not the spirit of this world, but the
Spirit that is of God: that we may know the things that are given us
from God.

2:13. Which things also we speak: not in the learned words of human
wisdom, but in the doctrine of the Spirit, comparing spiritual things
with spiritual.

2:14. But the sensual man perceiveth not these things that are of the
Spirit of God. For it is foolishness to him: and he cannot understand,
because it is spiritually examined.

The sensual man--the spiritual man. . .The sensual man is either he who
is taken up with sensual pleasures, with carnal and worldly affections;
or he who measureth divine mysteries by natural reason, sense, and
human wisdom only. Now such a man has little or no notion of the things
of God. Whereas the spiritual man is he who, in the mysteries of
religion, takes not human sense for his guide: but submits his judgment
to the decisions of the church, which he is commanded to hear and obey.
For Christ hath promised to remain to the end of the world with his
church, and to direct her in all things by the Spirit of truth.

2:15. But the spiritual man judgeth all things: and he himself is
judged of no man.

2:16. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct
him? But we have the mind of Christ.



1 Corinthians Chapter 3


They must not contend about their teachers, who are but God's ministers
and accountable to him. Their works shall be tried by fire.

3:1. And I, brethren, could not speak to you as unto spiritual, but as
unto carnal. As unto little ones in Christ.

3:2. I gave you milk to drink, not meat: for you were not able as yet.
But neither indeed are you now able: for you are yet carnal.

3:3. For, whereas there is among you envying and contention, are you
not carnal and walk you not according to man?

3:4. For while one saith: I indeed am of Paul: and another: I am of
Apollo: are you not men? What then is Apollo and what is Paul?

3:5. The ministers of him whom you have believed: and to every one as
the Lord hath given.

3:6. I have planted, Apollo watered: but God gave the increase.

3:7. Therefore, neither he that planteth is any thing, nor he that
watereth: but God that giveth the increase.

3:8. Now he that planteth and he that watereth, are one. And every man
shall receive his own reward, according to his own labour.

3:9. For we are God's coadjutors. You are God's husbandry: you are
God's building.

3:10. According to the grace of God that is given to me, as a wise
architect, I have laid the foundation: and another buildeth thereon.
But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

3:11. For other foundation no man can lay, but that which is laid:
which is Christ Jesus.

3:12. Now, if any man build upon this foundation, gold, silver,
precious stones, wood, hay, stubble:

Upon this foundation. . .The foundation is Christ and his doctrine: or
the true faith in him, working through charity. The building upon this
foundation gold, silver, and precious stones, signifies the more
perfect preaching and practice of the gospel; the wood, hay, and
stubble, such preaching as that of the Corinthian teachers (who
affected the pomp of words and human eloquence) and such practice as is
mixed with much imperfection, and many lesser sins. Now the day of the
Lord, and his fiery trial, (in the particular judgment immediately
after death,) shall make manifest of what sort every man's work has
been: of which, during this life, it is hard to make a judgment. For
then the fire of God's judgment shall try every man's work. And they,
whose works, like wood, hay, and stubble, cannot abide the fire, shall
suffer loss; these works being found to be of no value; yet they
themselves, having built upon the right foundation, (by living and
dying in the true faith and in the state of grace, though with some
imperfection,) shall be saved yet so as by fire; being liable to this
punishment, by reason of the wood, hay, and stubble, which was mixed
with their building.

3:13. Every man's work shall be manifest. For the day of the Lord shall
declare it, because it shall be revealed in fire. And the fire shall
try every man's work, of what sort it is.

3:14. If any man's work abide, which he hath built thereupon, he shall
receive a reward.

3:15. If any mans work burn, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall
be saved, yet so as by fire.

3:16. Know you not that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit
of God dwelleth in you?

3:17. But if any man violate the temple of God, him shall God destroy.
For the temple of God is holy, which you are.

3:18. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seem to be wise
in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

3:19. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is
written: I will catch the wise in their own craftiness.

3:20. And again: The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they
are vain.

3:21. Let no man therefore glory in men.

3:22. For all things are yours, whether it be Paul or Apollo or Cephas,
or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come.
For all are yours.

3:23. And you are Christ's. And Christ is God's.



1 Corinthians Chapter 4


God's ministers are not to be judged. He reprehends their boasting of
their preachers and describes the treatment the apostles every where
met with.

4:1. Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and the
dispensers of the mysteries of God.

4:2. Here now it is required among the dispensers that a man be found
faithful.

4:3. But to me it is a very small thing to be judged by you or by man's
day. But neither do I judge my own self.

4:4. For I am not conscious to myself of anything. Yet am I not hereby
justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

4:5. Therefore, judge not before the time: until the Lord come, who
both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make
manifest the counsels of the hearts. And then shall every man have
praise from God.

4:6. But these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to
myself and to Apollo, for your sakes: that in us you may learn that one
be not puffed up against the other for another, above that which is
written.

4:7. For who distinguisheth thee? Or what hast thou that thou hast not
received, and if thou hast received, why dost thou glory, as if thou
hadst not received it?

4:8. You are now full: you are now become rich: you reign without us;
and I would to God you did reign, that we also might reign with you.

4:9. For I think that God hath set forth us apostles, the last, as it
were men appointed to death. We are made a spectacle to the world and
to angels and to men.

4:10. We are fools for Christs sake, but you are wise in Christ: we are
weak, but you are strong: you are honourable, but we without honour.

4:11. Even unto this hour we both hunger and thirst and are naked and
are buffeted and have no fixed abode.

4:12. And we labour, working with our own hands. We are reviled: and we
bless. We are persecuted: and we suffer it.

4:13. We are blasphemed: and we entreat. We are made as the refuse of
this world, the offscouring of all, even until now.

4:14. I write not these things to confound you: but I admonish you as
my dearest children.

4:15. For if you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many
fathers. For in Christ Jesus, by the gospel, I have begotten you.

4:16. Wherefore, I beseech you, be ye followers of me as I also am of
Christ.

4:17. For this cause have I sent to you Timothy, who is my dearest son
and faithful in the Lord. Who will put you in mind of my ways, which
are in Christ Jesus: as I teach every where in every church.

4:18. As if I would not come to you, so some are puffed up.

4:19. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will: and will know,
not the speech of them that are puffed up, but the power.

4:20. For the kingdom of God is not in speech, but in power.

4:21. What will you? Shall I come to you with a rod? Or in charity and
in the spirit of meekness?



1 Corinthians Chapter 5


He excommunicates the incestuous adulterer and admonishes them to purge
out the old leaven.

5:1. It is absolutely heard that there is fornication among you and
such fornication as the like is not among the heathens: that one should
have his father's wife.

5:2. And you are puffed up and have not rather mourned: that he might
be taken away from among you that hath done this thing.

5:3. I indeed, absent in body but present in spirit, have already
judged, as though I were present, him that hath so done,

5:4. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, you being gathered together
and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus:

5:5. To deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh,
that the spirit may be saved in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

5:6. Your glorying is not good. Know you not that a little leaven
corrupteth the whole lump?

5:7. Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new paste, as you are
unleavened. For Christ our pasch is sacrificed.

5:8. Therefore, let us feast, not with the old leaven, nor with the
leaven of malice and wickedness: but with the unleavened bread of
sincerity and truth.

9. I wrote to you in an epistle not to keep company with fornicators.

5:10. I mean not with the fornicators of this world or with the
covetous or the extortioners or the servers of idols: otherwise you
must needs go out of this world.

5:11. But now I have written to you, not to keep company, if any man
that is named a brother be a fornicator or covetous or a server of
idols or a railer or a drunkard or an extortioner: with such a one, not
so much as to eat.

5:12. For what have I to do to judge them that are without? Do not you
judge them that are within?

5:13. For them that are without, God will judge. Put away the evil one
from among yourselves.



1 Corinthians Chapter 6


He blames them for going to law before unbelievers. Of sins that
exclude from the kingdom of heaven. The evil of fornication.

6:1. Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to be judged
before the unjust: and not before the saints?

6:2. Know you not that the saints shall judge this world? And if the
world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest
matters?

6:3. Know you not that we shall judge angels? How much more things of
this world?

6:4. If therefore you have judgments of things pertaining to this
world, set them to judge who are the most despised in the church.

6:5. I speak to your shame. Is it so that there is not among you any
one wise man that is able to judge between his brethren?

6:6. But brother goeth to law with brother: and that before
unbelievers.

6:7. Already indeed there is plainly a fault among you, that you have
law suits one with another. Why do you not rather take wrong? Why do
you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

A fault. . .Lawsuits can hardly ever be without a fault, on the one side
or the other; and oftentimes on both sides.

6:8. But you do wrong and defraud: and that to your brethren.

6:9. Know you not that the unjust shall not possess the kingdom of God?
Do not err: Neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers:

6:10. Nor the effeminate nor liers with mankind nor thieves nor
covetous nor drunkards nor railers nor extortioners shall possess the
kingdom of God.

6:11. And such some of you were. But you are washed: but you are
sanctified: but you are justified: in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
and the Spirit of our God.

6:12. All things are lawful to me: but all things are not expedient.
All things are lawful to me: but I will not be brought under the power
of any.

All things are lawful, etc. . .That is, all indifferent things are
indeed lawful, inasmuch as they are not prohibited; but oftentimes they
are not expedient; as in the case of lawsuits, etc. And much less would
it be expedient to be enslaved by an irregular affection to any thing,
how indifferent soever.

6:13. Meat for the belly and the belly for the meats: but God shall
destroy both it and them. But the body is not for fornication, but for
the Lord: and the Lord for the body.

6:14. Now God hath raised up the Lord and will raise us up also by his
power.

6:15. Know you not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I
then take the members of Christ and make them the members of an harlot?
God forbid!

6:16. Or know you not that he who is joined to a harlot is made one
body? For they shall be, saith he, two in one flesh.

6:17. But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit.

6:18. Fly fornication. Every sin that a man doth is without the body:
but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

6:19. Or know you not that your members are the temple of the Holy
Ghost, who is in you, whom you have from God: and you are not your own?

6:20. For you are bought with a great price. Glorify and bear God in
your body.



1 Corinthians Chapter 7


Lessons relating to marriage and celibacy. Virginity is preferable to a
married state.

7:1. Now concerning the things whereof you wrote to me: It is good for
a man not to touch a woman.

7:2. But for fear of fornication, let every man have his own wife: and
let every woman have her own husband.

Have his own wife. . .That is, keep to his wife, which he hath. His
meaning is not to exhort the unmarried to marry: on the contrary, he
would have them rather continue as they are. (Ver. 7:8.) But he speaks
here to them that are already married; who must not depart from one
another, but live together as they ought to do in the marriage state.

7:3. Let the husband render the debt to his wife: and the wife also in
like manner to the husband.

7:4. The wife hath not power of her own body: but the husband. And in
like manner the husband also hath not power of his own body: but the
wife.

7:5. Defraud not one another, except, perhaps, by consent, for a time,
that you may give yourselves to prayer: and return together again, lest
Satan tempt you for your incontinency.

7:6. But I speak this by indulgence, not by commandment.

By indulgence. . .That is, by a condescension to your weakness.

7:7. For I would that all men were even as myself. But every one hath
his proper gift from God: one after this manner, and another after
that.

7:8. But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them
if they so continue, even as I.

7:9. But if they do not contain themselves, let them marry. For it is
better to marry than to be burnt.

If they do not contain, etc. . .This is spoken of such as are free, and
not of such as, by vow, have given their first faith to God; to whom if
they will use proper means to obtain it, God will never refuse the gift
of continency. Some translators have corrupted this text, by rendering
it, if they cannot contain.

7:10. But to them that are married, not I, but the Lord, commandeth
that the wife depart not from her husband.

7:11. And if she depart, that she remain unmarried or be reconciled to
her husband. And let not the husband put away his wife.

7:12. For to the rest I speak, not the Lord. If any brother hath a wife
that believeth not and she consent to dwell with him: let him not put
her away.

I speak, not the Lord. . .Viz., by any express commandment, or
ordinance.

7:13. And if any woman hath a husband that believeth not and he consent
to dwell with her: let her not put away her husband.

7:14. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the believing wife:
and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the believing husband.
Otherwise your children should be unclean: but now they are holy.

Is sanctified. . .The meaning is not, that the faith of the husband or
the wife is of itself sufficient to put the unbelieving party, or their
children, in the state of grace and salvation; but that it is very
often an occasion of their sanctification, by bringing them to the true
faith.

7:15. But if the unbeliever depart, let him depart. For a brother or
sister is not under servitude in such cases. But God hath called us in
peace.

7:16. For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy
husband? Or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

7:17. But as the Lord hath distributed to every one, as God hath called
every one: so let him walk. And so in all churches I teach.

7:18. Is any man called, being circumcised? Let him not procure
uncircumcision. Is any man called in uncircumcision? Let him not be
circumcised.

7:19. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing: but the
observance of the commandments of God.

7:20. Let every man abide in the same calling in which he was called.

7:21. Wast thou called, being a bondman? Care not for it: but if thou
mayest be made free, use it rather.

7:22. For he that is called in the Lord, being a bondman, is the
freeman of the Lord. Likewise he that is called, being free, is the
bondman of Christ.

7:23. You are bought with a price: be not made the bondslaves of men.

7:24. Brethren, let every man, wherein he was called, therein abide
with God.

7:25. Now, concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord: but I
give counsel, as having obtained mercy of the Lord, to be faithful.

7:26. I think therefore that this is good for the present necessity:
that it is good for a man so to be.

7:27. Art thou bound to a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed
from a wife? Seek not a wife.

7:28. But if thou take a wife, thou hast not sinned. And if a virgin
marry, she hath not sinned: nevertheless, such shall have tribulation
of the flesh. But I spare you.

7:29. This therefore I say, brethren: The time is short. It remaineth,
that they also who have wives be as if they had none:

7:30. And they that weep, as though they wept not: and they that
rejoice, as if they rejoiced not: and they that buy as if they
possessed not:

7:31. And they that use this world, as if they used it not. For the
fashion of this world passeth away.

7:32. But I would have you to be without solicitude. He that is without
a wife is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord: how he may
please God.

7:33. But he that is with a wife is solicitous for the things of the
world: how he may please his wife. And he is divided.

7:34. And the unmarried woman and the virgin thinketh on the things of
the Lord: that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she that
is married thinketh on the things of the world: how she may please her
husband.

7:35. And this I speak for your profit, not to cast a snare upon you,
but for that which is decent and which may give you power to attend
upon the Lord, without impediment.

7:36. But if any man think that he seemeth dishonoured with regard to
his virgin, for that she is above the age, and it must so be: let him
do what he will. He sinneth not if she marry.

Let him do what he will; he sinneth not, etc. . .The meaning is not, as
libertines would have it, that persons may do what they will and not
sin, provided they afterwards marry; but that the father, with regard
to the giving his virgin in marriage, may do as he pleaseth; and that
it will be no sin to him if she marry.

7:37. For he that hath determined, being steadfast in his heart, having
no necessity, but having power of his own will: and hath judged this in
his heart, to keep his virgin, doth well.

7:38. Therefore both he that giveth his virgin in marriage doth well:
and he that giveth her not doth better.

7:39. A woman is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth: but if
her husband die, she is at liberty. Let her marry to whom she will:
only in the Lord.

7:40. But more blessed shall she be, if she so remain, according to my
counsel. And I think that I also have the spirit of God.



1 Corinthians Chapter 8


Though an idol be nothing, yet things offered up to idols are not to be
eaten, for fear of scandal.

8:1. Now concerning those things that are sacrificed to idols: we know
we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up: but charity edifieth.

Knowledge puffeth up, etc. . .Knowledge, without charity and humility,
serveth only to puff persons up.

8:2. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he hath not yet
known as he ought to know.

8:3. But if any man love God, the same is known by him.

8:4. But as for the meats that are sacrificed to idols, we know that an
idol is nothing in the world and that there is no God but one.

8:5. For although there be that are called gods, either in heaven or on
earth (for there be gods many and lords many):

Gods many, etc. . .Reputed for such among the heathens.

8:6. Yet to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all
things, and we unto him: and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all
things, and we by him.

8:7. But there is not knowledge in every one. For some until this
present, with conscience of the idol, eat as a thing sacrificed to an
idol: and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

8:8. But meat doth not commend us to God. For neither, if we eat, shall
we have the more: nor, if we eat not, shall we have the less.

8:9. But take heed lest perhaps this your liberty become a
stumblingblock to the weak.

8:10. For if a man see him that hath knowledge sit at meat in the
idol's temple, shall not his conscience, being weak, be emboldened to
eat those things which are sacrificed to idols?

8:11. And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom
Christ hath died?

8:12. Now when you sin thus against the brethren and wound their weak
conscience, you sin against Christ.

8:13. Wherefore, if meat scandalize my brother, I will never eat flesh,
lest I should scandalize my brother.

If meat scandalize. . .That is, if my eating cause my brother to sin.



1 Corinthians Chapter 9


The apostle did not make use of his power of being maintained at the
charges of those to whom he preached, that he might give no hindrance
to the gospel. Of running in the race and striving for the mastery.

9:1. Am I not I free? Am not I an apostle? Have not I seen Christ Jesus
our Lord? Are not you my work in the Lord?

9:2. And if unto others I be not an apostle, but yet to you I am. For
you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

9:3. My defence with them that do examine me is this.

9:4. Have not we power to eat and to drink?

9:5. Have we not power to carry about a woman, a sister as well as the
rest of the apostles and the brethren of the Lord and Cephas?

A woman, a sister. . .Some erroneous translators have corrupted this
text by rendering it, a sister, a wife: whereas, it is certain, St.
Paul had no wife (chap. 7 ver. 7, 8) and that he only speaks of such
devout women, as, according to the custom of the Jewish nation, waited
upon the preachers of the gospel, and supplied them with necessaries.

9:6. Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to do this?

9:7. Who serveth as a soldier, at any time, at his own charges? Who
planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Who feedeth
the flock and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

9:8. Speak I these things according to man? Or doth not the law also
say; these things?

9:9. For it is written in the law of Moses: Thou shalt not muzzle the
mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for
oxen?

9:10. Or doth he say this indeed for our sakes? For these things are
written for our sakes: that he that plougheth, should plough in hope
and he that thrasheth, in hope to receive fruit.

9:11. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter
if we reap your carnal things?

9:12. If others be partakers of this power over you, why not we rather?
Nevertheless, we have not used this power: but we bear all things, lest
we should give any hindrance to the gospel of Christ.

9:13. Know you not that they who work in the holy place eat the things
that are of the holy place; and they that serve the altar partake with
the altar?

9:14. So also the Lord ordained that they who preach the gospel should
live by the gospel.

9:15. But I have used none of these things. Neither have I written
these things, that they should be so done unto me: for it is good for
me to die rather than that any man should make my glory void.

9:16. For if I preach the gospel, it is no glory to me: for a necessity
lieth upon me. For woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel.

It is no glory. . .That is, I have nothing to glory of.

9:17. For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against
my will, a dispensation is committed to me.

9:18. What is my reward then? That preaching the gospel, I may deliver
the gospel without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

9:19. For whereas I was free as to all, I made myself the servant of
all, that I might gain the more.

9:20. And I became to the Jews a Jew, that I might gain the Jews:

9:22. To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak. I became
all things to all men, that I might save all.

9:23. And I do all things for the gospel's sake, that I may be made
partaker thereof.

9:24. Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but
one receiveth the prize. So run that you may obtain.

9:25. And every one that striveth for the mastery refraineth himself
from all things. And they indeed that they may receive a corruptible
crown: but we an incorruptible one.

9:26. I therefore so run, not as at an uncertainty: I so fight, not as
one beating the air.

9:27. But I chastise my body and bring it into subjection: lest
perhaps, when I have preached to others, I myself should become a


 


Back to Full Books