Study Desk

For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers,

For I could almost wish to be cursed and cut off from the Messiah for the benefit of my brothers, my own flesh and blood.

But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.

For this is the statement of the promise: At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.

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

For He tells Moses: I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

For the Scripture tells Pharaoh: I raised you up for this reason so that I may display My power in you and that My name may be proclaimed in all the earth.

You will say to me, therefore, "Why then does He still find fault? For who can resist His will?"

Or has the potter no right over the clay, to make from the same lump one piece of pottery for honor and another for dishonor?

And what if God, desiring to display His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience objects of wrath ready for destruction?

And what if He did this to make known the riches of His glory on objects of mercy that He prepared beforehand for glory—

for the Lord will execute His sentence completely and decisively on the earth.

But Israel, pursuing the law for righteousness, has not achieved the righteousness of the law.

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God concerning them is for their salvation!

I can testify about them that they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

For Moses writes about the righteousness that is from the law: The one who does these things will live by them.

for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him.

For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

But all did not obey the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our message?