Study Desk

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of ^(C1)those without strength, and not just please ourselves.

Each of us is to ^(C1)please his neighbor ^(F1)for his good, to his ^(C2)edification.

For even ^(C1)Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: "^(C2)THE TAUNTS OF THOSE WHO TAUNT YOU HAVE FALLEN ON ME."

For ^(C1)whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Now may the ^(C1)God ^(F1)who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you ^(C2)to be of the same mind with one another, according to Christ Jesus,

so that with one purpose and one ^(F1)voice you may glorify ^(C1)the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, ^(F1)(C1)accept one another, just as Christ also accepted ^(F2)us, for the glory of God.

For I say that Christ has become a servant to ^(C1)the circumcision in behalf of the truth of God, to confirm ^(C2)the promises given to the fathers,

and for ^(C1)the Gentiles to ^(C2)glorify God for His mercy; as it is written: "^(C3)THEREFORE I WILL ^(F1)GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES, AND I WILL SING PRAISES TO YOUR NAME."

Again he says, "^(C1)REJOICE, YOU GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE."

And again, "^(C1)PRAISE THE LORD ALL YOU GENTILES, AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM."

Again Isaiah says, "^(C1)THERE SHALL COME ^(C2)THE ROOT OF JESSE, AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES, ^(C3)IN HIM WILL THE GENTILES HOPE."

Now may the God of hope fill you with all ^(C1)joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope ^(C2)by the power of the Holy Spirit.

And concerning you, my brothers and sisters, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of ^(C1)goodness, filled with ^(C2)all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.

But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of ^(C1)the grace that was given to me ^(F1)from God,

to be ^(C1)a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the ^(C2)gospel of God, so that my ^(C3)offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found ^(C1)reason for boasting in ^(C2)things pertaining to God.

^(C1)For I will not presume to speak of anything ^(F1)except what ^(C2)Christ has accomplished through me, ^(F2)resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed,

in the power of ^(F1)(C1)signs and wonders, ^(C2)in the power of the Spirit; so that ^(C3)from Jerusalem and all around as ^(C4)far as Illyricum I have ^(F2)fully preached the gospel of Christ.

And in this way I aspired to ^(C1)preach the gospel, not where Christ was already known by name, ^(C2)so that I would not build on another person's foundation;

but just as it is written: "^(C1)THEY WHO HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD ABOUT HIM WILL SEE, AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD WILL UNDERSTAND."

For this reason ^(C1)I have often been prevented from coming to you;

but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I ^(C1)have had for many years a longing to come to you

whenever I ^(C1)go to Spain—for I hope to see you in passing, and to be ^(C2)helped on my way there by you, when I have first ^(C3)enjoyed your company ^(F1)for a while—

but now, ^(C1)I am going to Jerusalem, ^(C2)serving the ^(F1)saints.

For ^(C1)Macedonia and ^(C2)Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the ^(F1)saints in Jerusalem.

For they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For ^(C1)if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to do them a service also in material things.

Therefore, when I have finished this, and ^(C1)have ^(F1)put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will ^(C2)go on by way of you to Spain.

I know that when ^(C1)I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by ^(C1)the love of the Spirit, to ^(C2)strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,

that I may be ^(C1)rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my ^(C2)service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the ^(F1)(C3)saints;

so that ^(C1)I may come to you in joy by ^(C2)the will of God and relax in your company.

Now ^(C1)the God of peace be with you all. Amen.