Romans 1

Greeting

1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, a called to be an apostle, b separated to the gospel of God 2 c which He promised before d through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who 1 was e born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and f declared to be the Son of God with power according g to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him h we have received grace and apostleship for i obedience to the faith among all nations j for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, k called to be saints:
l Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Longing to Go to Rome

8 First, m I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that n your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For o God is my witness, p whom I serve 2 with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that q without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. 11 For I long to see you, that r I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established - 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by s the mutual faith both of you and me. 13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but t was hindered until now), that I might have some u fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. 14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. 15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

The Righteous Shall Live by Faith

16 For v I am not ashamed of the gospel 3 of Christ, for w it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, x for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For y in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, z "The just shall live by faith." 4

God's Wrath on Unrighteousness

18 a For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and b unrighteousness of men, who 5 suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because c what may be known of God is 6 manifest 7 in them, for d God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world e His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and 8 Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but f became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 g Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the h incorruptible i God into an image made like 9 corruptible man - and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 j Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, k to dishonor their bodies l among themselves, 25 who exchanged m the truth of God n for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to o vile passions. For even their 10 women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the 11 men, leaving the natural use of the 12 woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things p which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, 13 sexual immorality, wickedness, 14 covetousness, 15 maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 16 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, 17 unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, q knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things r are deserving of death, not only do the same but also s approve of those who practice them.

  1. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:1
    Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother.
    1 Corinthians 9:1
    Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?
    1 Corinthians 15:9
    For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
    2 Corinthians 1:1
    Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
    1 Timothy 1:11
    According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.
  2. Cross References
    Acts 9:15
    But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
    Acts 13:2
    As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
    Galatians 1:15
    But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace.
  3. Cross References
    Acts 26:6
    And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers.
  4. Cross References
    Galatians 3:8
    And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed.
  5. Cross References
    2 Samuel 7:12
    When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
    1 Chronicles 17:11
    And it shall be, when your days are fulfilled, when you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom.
    Isaiah 9:7
    Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
    Jeremiah 23:5
    Behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
    Galatians 4:4
    But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law.
  6. Cross References
    Psalms 2:7
    I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.
    Acts 9:20
    Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
    Acts 13:33
    "God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.'
    Hebrews 1:2
    Has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.
  7. Cross References
    Psalms 16:10
    For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
    Hebrews 9:14
    How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
  8. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:8
    To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.
  9. Cross References
    Acts 6:7
    Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
    Romans 16:26
    But now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith -
  10. Cross References
    Acts 9:15
    But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
  11. Cross References
    Acts 9:13
    Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
    Romans 8:28
    And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
    1 Corinthians 1:2
    To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
    1 Corinthians 1:24
    But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
  12. Cross References
    Numbers 6:25
    The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be g...
    1 Corinthians 1:3
    Grace to you and peace from God our Father and ...
    2 Corinthians 1:2
    Grace to you and peace from God our Father and ...
    Galatians 1:3
    Grace to you and peace from God the Father and ...
    Ephesians 1:2
    Grace to you and peace from God our Father and ...
    Philippians 1:2
    Grace to you and peace from God our Father and ...
    Colossians 1:2
    To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ w...
    1 Thessalonians 1:1
    Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of t...
    2 Thessalonians 1:2
    Grace to you and peace from God our Father and ...
  13. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:4
    I thank my God always concerning you for the gr...
    Ephesians 1:15
    Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith i...
    Philippians 1:3
    I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.
    Colossians 1:3
    We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lor...
    1 Thessalonians 1:2
    We give thanks to God always for you all, makin...
    1 Thessalonians 2:13
    For this reason we also thank God without ceasi...
  14. Cross References
    Acts 28:22
    "But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere."
    Romans 16:19
    For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.
  15. Cross References
    Romans 9:1
    I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit.
  16. Cross References
    Acts 27:23
    For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve.
  17. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 3:10
    Night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?
  18. Cross References
    Romans 15:29
    But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
  19. Cross References
    Titus 1:4
    To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
  20. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 2:18
    Therefore we wanted to come to you - even I, Paul, time and again - but Satan hindered us.
  21. Cross References
    Philippians 4:17
    Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.
  22. Cross References
    Psalms 40:9
    I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness In the great assembly; Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O LORD, You Yourself know.
    Psalms 40:10
    I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth From the great assembly.
  23. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:18
    For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
    1 Corinthians 1:24
    But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
  24. Cross References
    Luke 2:30
    For my eyes have seen Your salvation
    Acts 3:26
    "To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities."
    Romans 2:9
    Tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek.
  25. Cross References
    Romans 3:21
    But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets.
    Romans 9:30
    What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith.
    Philippians 3:9
    And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.
  26. Cross References
    Habakkuk 2:4
    Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.
    Galatians 3:11
    But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith.
    Hebrews 10:38
    Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.
  27. Cross References
    Acts 17:30
    Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.
  28. Cross References
    Romans 6:13
    And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
    2 Thessalonians 2:10
    And with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
    2 Peter 2:13
    And will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you.
    1 John 5:17
    All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.
  29. Cross References
    Acts 14:17
    "Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."
    Acts 17:24
    God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.
  30. Cross References
    John 1:9
    That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
  31. Cross References
    Job 12:7 - 9
    But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; And the birds of the air, and they will tell you.
    Psalms 19:1 - 6
    The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.
    Jeremiah 5:22
    Do you not fear Me?' says the LORD. 'Will you not tremble at My presence, Who have placed the sand as the bound of the sea, By a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass beyond it? And though its waves toss to and fro, Yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it.
  32. Cross References
    2 Kings 17:15
    And they rejected His statutes and His covenant that He had made with their fathers, and His testimonies which He had testified against them; they followed idols, became idolaters, and went after the nations who were all around them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them that they should not do like them.
    Jeremiah 2:5
    Thus says the LORD: "What injustice have your fathers found in Me, That they have gone far from Me, Have followed idols, And have become idolaters?
    Ephesians 4:17
    This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind.
  33. Cross References
    Jeremiah 10:14
    Everyone is dull-hearted, without knowledge; Every metalsmith is put to shame by an image; For his molded image is falsehood, And there is no breath in them.
    1 Corinthians 1:20
    Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
  34. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:17
    Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
    1 Timothy 6:15
    Which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
    1 Timothy 6:16
    Who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.
  35. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 4:16 - 18
    Lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female.
    Psalms 106:20
    Thus they changed their glory Into the image of an ox that eats grass.
    Jeremiah 2:11
    Has a nation changed its gods, Which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory For what does not profit.
    Acts 17:29
    Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising.
  36. Cross References
    Psalms 81:12
    So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, To walk in their own counsels.
    Acts 7:42
    Then God turned and gave them up to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the Prophets: 'Did you offer Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
    Ephesians 4:18
    Having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.
    Ephesians 4:19
    Who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
  37. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 6:18
    Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
  38. Cross References
    Leviticus 18:22
    You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.
  39. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 1:9
    For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.
  40. Cross References
    Isaiah 44:20
    He feeds on ashes; A deceived heart has turned him aside; And he cannot deliver his soul, Nor say, " Is there not a lie in my right hand?
    Jeremiah 10:14
    Everyone is dull-hearted, without knowledge; Every metalsmith is put to shame by an image; For his molded image is falsehood, And there is no breath in them.
    Jeremiah 13:25
    This is your lot, The portion of your measures from Me," says the LORD, "Because you have forgotten Me And trusted in falsehood.
    Jeremiah 16:19
    O LORD, my strength and my fortress, My refuge in the day of affliction, The Gentiles shall come to You From the ends of the earth and say, "Surely our fathers have inherited lies, Worthlessness and unprofitable things.
  41. Cross References
    Leviticus 18:22
    You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.
    Ephesians 5:12
    For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.
  42. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:4
    Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
  43. Cross References
    Romans 2:2
    But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.
  44. Cross References
    Romans 6:21
    What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
  45. Cross References
    Psalms 50:18
    When you saw a thief, you consented with him, And have been a partaker with adulterers.
    Hosea 7:3
    They make a king glad with their wickedness, And princes with their lies.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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