The letter

to the Romans

of Paul of Tarsus

to Christians of the 3rd millennium

edited by Mario Mandras

Private literary property Printed in Italy

© Copyright 2009 by Mario Mandras

Printed on its own

Reprint 6 January 2018

S.V. Taniga s. Giacomo Medas 4 -  07100 SASSARI - Italy

tel. 079. 259 8114 – cell.  320 141 1936

ISBN 88-901541-7-9

In accordance with the current provisions on copyright and publication, any type of reproduction (photocopy, movies, etc.), manipulation, use of information technology, the content of this volume is prohibited.

Website:  www.libreriamastru.com

MASTRU

Presentation

The publication edited by prof. D. Mario Mandras, presbyter of our diocese, is placed in the context of the celebration of the Pauline Jubilee Year in which our Christian communities are invited to reflect on the Apostle's witness to faith and the missionary proclamation of the faith.

The publication - if I interpret the intention of d. Mandras - wants to put the letter at the center for a careful and interested reading, accompanying the text with summary headings and boxes to the side that highlight the main contents and messages.

The work is schematic and analytical together, with subdivisions and original titles of the curator, with extremely meticulous indices.

The publication is born as a subsidy for a training path, accompanied by the shared word and deepened in group and by personal reflection.

Evidently the letter to the Romans - the longest and one of the most important and demanding written by the Apostle Paul - is better understood in the context of the entire Pauline ministry.

In any case, in order to have a vision of the letter that facilitates the particular reading, we can keep in mind how the letter is subdivided after a brief introduction (1.1-17), into two large parts:

a) the first: the saving power of the gospel (1,18 - 11,36)

b) the second: faith expresses itself in life (12.1 - 15.13)

with a conclusion (15.14 - 16.27).

I thank d. Mario Mandras for his effort and his pastoral service, I hope that the publication will help to experience the power and salvific power of faith witnessed by the apostle Paul and help us to perceive the joy of faith welcomed and expressed in one's life.

+ Sergio Pintor

IMPRIMATUR

Ozieri, 2 feb. 2009

+  Sergio Pintor

bishop

Introduction

The word of God revealed in the Bible is the foundation and the soul of our Christian existence: our faith is founded on the revelation contained in the Holy Scriptures and our conduct must be inspired by biblical ethics. In the presentation of the volume 48 of our BIBLIC-PATRISTRY SPIRITUALITY DIARY, consecrated to the Word of God - Holy Scripture - Tradition in the Fathers (Borla, Rome 2008), I introduced myself with these expressions: "The Sacred Scriptures form the element vital, which animates the people of God: the Christian community has in the Word the propelling principle in all manifestations and expressions of its existence. The faith of the Church, the Christian dogma, the sublime and transcendent truths of the Evangelical Creed are founded in the divine revelation, contained in the Bible and handed down by the apostles to our days through their successors, the Catholic bishops. The demanding and often heroic evangelical ethics, spirituality and daily prayer of the Christian people find in the Scriptures the soul, the vital principle, the solid and secure foundation. Theology, the sacraments, the liturgy are based on the word of God, contained in the Holy Book "(page 9).

Given the vital and irreplaceable value of the biblical revelation, every commitment and every initiative, which tend to stimulate the faithful to know better the Holy Scripture, must be praised and encouraged.

The original presentation of the Letter to the Romans to the Christians of the 3rd millennium (MASTRU 2009), made by Fr Mario MANDRAS in a pastoral perspective, can help believers to better understand and accept the doctrinal and spiritual message of s. Paul of Tarsus. We are in the heart of the Pauline year; therefore the commitment to make one of the most important letters of the Apostle of the Gentiles more profoundly known is very timely.

D.Salvatore A.Panimolle

former professor of Philology and Exegesis of the New Testament at the University of Sassari

A letter for you

The letter to the Romans was written by Paul in 57-58, before going to Jerusalem, from where he intended to leave for Rome and from here to Spain.

The church of Rome had not been founded by Paul, but he had a strong desire to see the Christians of that community, to reassure himself with them and among them through the common faith.

The letter to the Romans communicates the profound need to know God in his works and in the revelation of the word.

The gratuitous gift of salvation, through the redemption effected by Jesus Christ, leads to thanksgiving and a new life in the Spirit.

The newness of life in the community of Christ is expressed in the liturgical, ecclesial, social dimension and in the experience of the Christian agape.

This first approach to the letter to the Romans, synthetically highlights the points of view of s. Paul, fundamental for daily orientation of their inner energies for the realization of their projects of knowledge, freedom, friendship that overcomes loneliness and fills one's life with strong feelings that give warmth, serenity, inner strength and desire for life. The letter to the Romans is very useful for guiding the community dialogue in the deepening of the social, political, educational, ethical themes of the religious vision of life and in the clear and concise identification of the supporting structure of the teaching and the choices of life of Jesus that he left as a legacy to his disciples and followers, in order to strengthen in knowledge and praxis, the choice of faith in God through Christ Jesus.

Mario Mandras, a graduate in philosophy, has been a teacher of psychometrics at the School for Counselor for Orientation at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan.

Become a friend of St. Paul to make known and love Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary and Son of God, to all the people you meet in your way.

If you want, signal your friendship with St. Paul to be part of the welcoming family of St. Paul's friends scattered throughout the world.

mario.mandras@outlook.it

tel. 079. 259 8114 – cell.  320 141 1936

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Chapter 1

1- To those in Rome, grace to you and peace from God

Romans 1:1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,  2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures,  3 concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh,  4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord,  5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, for His name's sake,  6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;  7 to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2- I desire to see you to refresh myself with you and among you through common faith

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.  9 For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you,  10 always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you.

I - Paul's mission

1. The 3 characteristics of Paul (Romans 1,1)

- servant (dou/loj) of Christ

- apostol for call (klhto.j avpo,stoloj)

- selected (avfwrisme,noj) for the gospel of God (eivj euvagge,lion qeou)

2. The Gospel of God (Romans 1,2)

- prompted through the prophets

- regards the Son of God

3. Jesus Christ, man and God (Romans 1,3-6)

- descendant of David

- manifest his divine sonship with the resurrection from the dead.

- donate the grace of the apostolate (ca,rin kai. avpostolh.n) for obedience to faith (u`pakoh.n pi,stewj)

4. Thanksgiving to God (euvcaristw//) (Romans 1,8)

- because the fame of the Roman faith spreads

5. The worship given to God by Paul in his spirit (Romans 1: 9-10)

- to announce the gospel of his Son

- incessant prayer to God to open the way to bring the Gospel

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11 For I long to see you in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;  12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.  13 And I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented thus far) in order that I might obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.  14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.  15 Thus, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

3- The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "But the righteous man shall live by faith."

4- The wrath of God against all impiety and injustice

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,  19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.  20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

6. Motivation to meet (Romans :11-15)

- give spiritual gifts

- animate each other with the faith that one has in common

- pick up some fruit preaching the gospel

II – God can be known by his works

7. Do not be ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16-17)

- because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes

- in it the justice of God is revealed

- the person who practices the justice will live by faith

8. The wrath of God (Romans 1: 18-25)

- it strikes against those who stifle the truth in injustice:

- it strikes against those who do not recognize the eternal power and divinity of the creator

- he comes down to those who substitute the glory of God with the figures of corruptible creatures

- it strikes against those who seek the lie in place of the truth of God

- it strikes against those who adore the creature instead of the creator

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21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,  23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.  24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them.  25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

5- God has abandoned them to impurity according to the desires of their hearts, slaves of infamous passions

26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural,  27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.  28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,  29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,

9. The transgression of humanity far from God (Romans 1: 26-32)

- at the mercy of infamous passions and a depraved intelligence  (eivj avdo,kimon nou/n)

- full of envy (fqo,nou) and aggression

- malicent, superb ...

- enemies of God (qeostugei/j), rebels to parents (goneu/sin avpeiqei/j)

- women and men reject (meth,llaxan) the natural (fusikh.n) relationship (crh/sin) giving life and love

and practice an inadequate relationship (ivj th.n para. Fu,sin), selfish, full of envy and precursor of death

30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,  31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;  32 and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

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Chapter 2

6- God's goodness leads to conversion

Romans 2:1 Therefore you are without excuse, every man of you who passes judgment, for in that you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.  2 And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things.  3 And do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment upon those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?  4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?  5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,  6 who will render to every man according to his deeds:  7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;  8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.  9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek,    10 but glory and honor and peace to every man who does good, to the Jew first and

also to the Greek.  11 For there is no partiality with God.

10. Judging others we condemn ourselves (Romans 2:1-3)

- if we commit the same actions

- if we are insensitive to the goodness, tolerance and patience of God

- if we show impenitent hardness and heart

11. The goodness of God leads to conversion (meta,noia,n) (Romans 2,4)

12. God judges according to truth and without partiality (Romans 2: 5-11)

- God will give to each one according to his own works:

- Eternal life and glory to those who persevere in goodness

- reprobation and anger towards those who obey injustice

- tribulation and anguish for those who do evil

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7- Those who put into practice the law, both the one written in the heart and the one revealed by God, will be justified

12 For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law; and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law;  13 for not the hearers of the Law are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.  14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves,  15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,  16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.  17 But if you bear the name "Jew," and rely upon the Law, and boast in God,  18 and know His will, and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law,  19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,  20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth,

III - God can be known by the revealed law

13. They will perish those who have sinned (Romans 2:12)

- that those who do not know the bible do not follow conscience

- those who, while knowing the bible, do not practice it

14. They will be justified before God (Romans 2: 13-16)

- the people who put the law into practice (poihtai. no,mou):

- both the law revealed for the Jews (the law of Moses)

- both the law written in the heart for the pagans

15. The law expresses the will of God (Romans 2:17-20)

- allows you to discern what is best

- contains the expression of wisdom (gnw,sewj ) and truth (avlhqei,aj )

- when it is put into practice it allows to be guide (o`dhgo.n), light (fw/j), educator (paideuth.n) and master (dida,skalon) of the others.

Page 6

21 you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one should not steal, do you steal?  22 You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?  23 You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?  24 For "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you," just as it is written.

16. Teaching oneself before others (Romans 2: 21-24)

- practice what is preached

- avoid what is prohibited

- do not offend God by breaking the law

8- Those who seek God in the interior and belong to the chosen people offer worship in the heart and in the spirit

25 For indeed circumcision is of value, if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.  26 If therefore the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?  27 And will not he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law?  28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.  29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

17. To observe the law in the interiority (Romans 2: 25-29)

- sticking to the letter of the law is not enough

- rituals (circumcision) are not so much external signs, but involve the heart and the spirit

- glory does not come from men, but from God

- the observance of the law (no,mon pra,ssh|j) has primacy over rituals

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Chapter 3

9- The belonging to the chosen people, the Jews, is a great advantage because it has been entrusted with the revelations of God

Romans 3:1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?  2 Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.  3 What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?  4 May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, "That Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, And mightest prevail when Thou art judged."  5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.)  6 May it never be! For otherwise how will God judge the world?  7 But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner?  8 And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say),    "Let us do evil that good may come "?

Their condemnation is just.

18. The importance of belonging to the people elected by God (Romans 3: 1-8)

- because God has entrusted his revelations to it

- despite the infidelity of his people and the disbelief of some, God always remains

faithful to the promise of salvation, while man is a liar

- the lack of faith on the part of the Jews highlighted the justice and mercy of God

towards the pagans; yet the wrath of God reserved itself for those who lack faith,

because God is always the just judge of all

- the glory of God, who expands his salvation, does not derive from the sin of those

who refuse him, but manifests himself in spite of the evil and the sin of some

because of the mercy of God who saves autonomously

- it does not make sense to do evil so that good comes

- the truth of God shines despite the lies of men

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10- But all peoples are under the dominion of sin

9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;  10 as it is written, "There is none righteous, not even one;  11 There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God;  12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one."  13 "Their throat is an open grave, With their tongues they keep deceiving," "The poison of asps is under their lips";  14 "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness";  15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood,  16 Destruction and misery are in their paths,  17 And the path of peace have they not known."  18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."  19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may become accountable to God;  20 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

19. The whole world is guilty before God (Romans 3: 9-20)

- by virtue of the works of the law (evx e;rgwn no,mou) no man will be justified (ouv

dikaiwqh,setai)

- through the law one has only the knowledge of sin (dia. Ga.r no,mou evpi,gnwsij a`marti,aj)

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11-  Regardless of belonging to the chosen people, the righteousness of God was manifested through faith in Jesus Christ, for all those who believe

21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,  22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;  23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;  25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;  26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

12- Man has been justified by faith regardless of the works of the law

27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.  28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.  29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,  30 since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.  31 Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.

20. God has shown his justice (Romans 3: 21-22)

- regardless of the works of the law

- as witnessed by the holy scriptures

- through faith in Jesus Christ

21. The redemption accomplished by Christ Jesus (Romans 3: 23-31)

- justifies it for free

- is an instrument of atonement through faith, in his blood

- reveals the justice of God

- justifies those who have faith in Jesus

- excludes that anyone can be proud (kau,chsij) of having conquered salvation eternal with

his own strength

- yes that man is justified by faith regardless of the works of the law

- reveals us the one God, who will justify by faith, both those belonging to the chosen people who practice

the law revealed in the Bible, and those who do not belong to the chosen people, but who follow the law written

in the heart

- the practice of the revealed law achieves its objectives through faith

- ethical life is confirmed (no,mon i`sta,nomen) and finds its fullness and reason in faith

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Chapter 4

13- Abraham had faith in God and this was credited to him as justice

Romans 4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?  2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God.  3 For what does the Scripture say? "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."  4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due.  5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness,  6 just as David also speaks of the blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works:  7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, And whose sins have been covered.  8 "Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account."

22. The gift of faith (Romans 4: 1-8)

- does not depend on the works of the law

- it does not depend on your job

- is a free initiative of God who saves those who rely on him and asks him for forgiveness

14- Abraham with his faith found favor with God and received the sign of circumcision as a seal

9 Is this blessing then upon the circumcised, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say, "Faith was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness."  10 How then was it reckoned? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised;  11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be reckoned to them,  12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.

23. Faith justifies regardless of the rite (Romans 4: 9-11)

- the rite (circumcision) was for Abraham the seal of justice, that is, of his state of grace

with God, deriving from faith

- in this way Abraham is the father of all the uncircumcised (the pagans) who believe,

and he is the father of the circumcised (Jews) who have faith

24. The rite requires a coherent life of faith (Romans 4: 12)

- walk in the footsteps of the faith of Father Abraham

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15- Abraham was made the Father of many peoples, before the God in whom he believed

13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.  14 For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified;  15 for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, neither is there violation.  16 For this reason it is by faith, that it might be in accordance with grace, in order that the promise may be certain to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,  17 (as it is written, "A father of many nations have I made you") in the sight of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.

25. Abraham became heir of the promise for his faith in God (Romans 4: 13-15)

- you become heirs of the world (to. klhrono,mon auvto.n ei=nai ko,smou) by virtue of grace

(justice) that comes from faith

26. Heirs of the promise made to Abraham for faith in God (Romans 4: 16-17)

- those deriving from the law (evk tou/ no,mou )

- those that derive directly from the faith (evk pi,stewj ) of Abraham

- God gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that are not yet

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16-  Abraham had faith and became the father of many peoples; the Christian believes in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead and is credited to him as justice.

18 In hope against hope he believed, in order that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, "So shall your descendants be."  19 And without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb;  20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God,  21 and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform.  22 Therefore also it was reckoned to him as righteousness.  23 Now not for his sake only was it written, that it was reckoned to him,  24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be reckoned, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,  25 He who was delivered up because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.

27. Abraham hoped against all hope (Romans 4:18)

28. Abraham did not waver in faith (Romans 4: 19-22)

- in front of the impossibility of nature

- sure of the power of God

29 Faith in God, who has resurrected (hvge,rqh) Jesus, died for our sins, for our justification (dikai,wsin) (Romans 4, 23-25)

V – Jesus Christ has obtained for us the grace that liberates and saves

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Chapter 5

17- With faith we are at peace with God through Jesus Christ

Romans 5:1 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.  3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;  4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;  5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.  8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.  10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

30. With faith:

- We are at peace with God

- in the tribulations, we receive hope (evlpi,da )

- the love (avga,ph) of God dwells in our hearts, and is a gift of the Holy Spirit (Romans 5: 1-5)

31. Christ died for us enemies (Romans 5: 6-8)

32. The Christian (Romans. 5, 9-11):

- he has been reconciled with God through the death of his Son

- is saved by the life of Jesus Christ

18- The grace of God, a gift given through Jesus Christ, has poured out abundantly on all men

12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned  13 for until the Law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law.  14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

33. Sin and death have reached all men (Romans 5: 12-14)

- sin (a`marti,a) and death (o` qa,natoj) have entered the world because of one man

- death reigned from Adam to Moses

- Adam is a figure (tu,poj ) of the one who was to come

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15 But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.  16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.  17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.  18 So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.  19 For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.  20 And the Law came in that the transgression might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,  21 that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

34. The gift of grace (ca,risma) ) has been poured out in abundance upon all through Jesus

Christ (Romans 5, 15-17)

- the person who receives grace (ca,rij) and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through Jesus Christ alone

35. The obedience of Jesus Christ (Romans 5: 18-21)

- has poured out on all men the justification that gives life

- made us become righteous before God

- allowed that where sin is abundant and death reigned, now grace reigns for justice

eternal life

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Chapter 6

19 - If we died with Christ, we believe that we will live for him too

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase?  2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?  3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?  4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.  5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection,  6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin;  7 for he who has died is freed from sin.  8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,  9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.  10 For the death that He died, He died to sin, once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.  11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

36. We who died of sin, how could we live in sin? (Romans 6: 1-2)

37. With baptism in Christ (Romans 6: 3-4):

- We have been baptized in his death

- We were buried with him

- to be able to walk in a new life

38. Our complete union with Christ (Romans 6,5-11)

- with a death similar to his

- with his resurrection

- live for him

- death to the sin, but living for God, in Christ Jesus

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20- Offer yourselves to God as you come back from the dead and your members as instruments of justice for God

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts,  13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.  14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace.

39. The donation of ourselves (Romans 6:12-14)

- not to the desires of sin

- not as instruments of injustice of sin

- but to God as instruments of justice.

- We are no longer under the law, but under grace.

21- Obeying the gospel from the heart we are freed from sin and become servants of justice

15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!  16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?  17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed,  18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.  19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.

40. The path of the Christian (Romans 6: 15-19)

- from slavery to sin, from impurity and iniquity

- through the teaching

- become servants of justice to sanctify themselves

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22- Sin leads to death, being God's servants to eternal life

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.  21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death.  22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.  23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

41. The liberation of the Christian (Romans 6:20-23)

- from the fate of death under the slavery of sin

- to eternal life as servants of God

Chapter 7

23- The sacrifice of Christ has freed us from the letter of the law, from outward observance, to serve him who was raised from the dead

Romans 7:1 Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives?  2 For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband.  3 So then if, while her husband is living, she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress, though she is joined to another man.  4 Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit for God.  5 For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.  6 But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

42. With the sacrifice of Christ (Romans 7: 1-6)

- we have been freed from the burden of the law as an end in itself, the old regime of

the letter

- we give death to the sinful impulse, to the sin that is in us, overcoming the prohibition

- we have become the property of the resurrected

- we bear fruit for God, serving in the new regime of the Spirit

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24- The moral law aims to sanctify man. The sinful tendency, misrepresenting and rising against the moral norm, leads to death

7 What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, "You shall not covet."  8 But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.  9 And I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive, and I died;  10 and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me;  11 for sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me.  12 So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.  13 Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

43 The moral law (Romans 7: 7-13)

- warns against sinful behavior

- the degenerative impulse challenges the prohibition and realizes the sin

- sin, seducing, brings death into the spirit

- the law is holy and the norm is just and good, but it is incapable of leading man from

the outside

- the sin in us yearns to challenge and contravene the law and so brings death

- man needs the Spirit of God in himself to live the moral law

- for the Christian, the intimate bond with Christ becomes his only law

- the becoming of ethics and its realization is the religious vision of life

-------------- the term law has different meanings:

- the prohibition imposed from the outside seen as inhibition of their potential and impediment

of their freedom: in this case the sinful impulse finds food for the transgression

- the internalized norm whose finality is known and its foundation and usefulness for life are shared: in this case the law is anchored to vital values for individual and relational growth and a vital relationship is activated in the religious vision with the legislator, God or Jesus Christ; this leads to the new regime of the Spirit, which overcomes and abolishes the old regime of the letter of the law (Romans 7: 6) and frees man

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25- - In the very intimate one there is a deep fracture between the desire of God of the mind and the destructive impulses and of sin that lead to the death

14 For we know that the Law is spiritual; but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.  15 For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.  16 But if I do the very thing I do not wish to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that it is good.  17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which indwells me.  18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.  19 For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish.  20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not wish, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.  21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wishes to do good.  22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man,  23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?  25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.

44. The desire for good and the drift of evil (Romans 7: 14-23)

- in our intimate lives two antagonistic tendencies: the desire for good and the urge to

do evil

- the desire for good finds support in the law, which is recognized as good by the mind

(tou/ noo,j )

- we lack the ability to implement the good glimpsed

- our action, linked to the body, is under the rule of evil

- in our members the law of sin dominates (evn tw/| no,mw| th/j a`marti,aj )

45. Man is a wretched man (talai,pwroj) (Romans 7, 24)

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Chapter 8

26- The desires of the flesh lead to death, while the desires of the Spirit lead to life and peace

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.  3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,  4 in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.  5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,  7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so;  8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.  9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.  10 And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.  11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you.  12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh--  13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

VI – the new life of the saved in the Holy Spirit

46. Walking according to the Spirit (Romans 8: 1-13)

-- it is the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ

- when he dwells in us he becomes the law of the Spirit who gives life in Christ Jesus

- by following the Spirit we are freed from the law of sin and death

- live according to the Spirit to taste life (zwh. ) and peace (eivrh,nh )

- The Spirit of Christ who dwells in us makes us his property and will also give life to

our mortal bodies

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27 The Christian is co-heir of Christ, if he participates in his sufferings to participate in his glory

14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"  16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,  17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.

28- All creation hopes to be freed from the slavery of corruption, to enter into the freedom of the children of God

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.  19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.  20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope  21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.  22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.  23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.  24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees?  25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.  26 And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;  27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

47. The Spirit of God (Romans 8: 14-17)

- it makes us children (te,kna ) of God

- allows us to shout: Father! (abba o` path,r)

- makes us heirs (klhrono,moi) of God and co-heirs of Christ

- allows us to participate in the glory of Christ, if we truly participate in his sufferings (sumpa,scomen)

48. The sufferings of the present (Romans 8: 18-27)

- they are not comparable to future glory

- the sufferings are the inner moan (stena,zomen ) for the expectation of adoption as sons and for

the redemption of the body

- they push us to hope and perseverance for God's plan

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29- In the design of God, Christ is the firstborn among many brothers

28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren;  30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

49. God in his design (Romans 8: 28-30)

- He called us

- He has always known us

- He has predestined us to conform to his Son

- He has justified as and destined for glory

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30- Nothing can separate the Christian from the love of Christ

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?  32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?  33 Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;  34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.  35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  36 Just as it is written, "For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered."  37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,  39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

50. The love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8: 31-37)

- He gives us everything

- justifies us

- removes from us every sentence of condemnation

- it makes us winners in tribulation, in anguish in danger

51. No creature can ever separate us from the love of God, in Christ Jesus (Romans 8: 38-39)

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Chapter 9

31. Paul's great sorrow for the unbelief of his fellow Israelites

Romans 9:1 I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,  2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.  3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,  4 who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises,  5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

VII – God fulfills the promise and awaits the return of the distant

52. Paul's great sorrow (Romans 9: 1-3)

- he would need to be separated from Christ for the benefit of her fellow Israelites who did not recognize Christ

53. Benefits of the Israelites (Romans 9: 4-5)

- adoption to be her children

- legislation

- the cult

- the promises, the covenants

- the patriarchs

- the birth of Christ

32- The freedom of God in choosing his children

6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;  7 neither are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "through Isaac your descendants will be named."  8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.  9 For this is a word of promise: "At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son."  10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac;  11 for though the twins were not yet born, and had not done anything good or bad, in order that God's purpose according to His choice might stand, not because of works, but because of Him who calls,  12 it was said to her, "The older will serve the younger."  13 "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

54. Children of the flesh and children of the promise (Romans 9: 6-13)

- the sons of the flesh (sarko.j ) are the descendants who boast human origins from

Abraham,

- the sons of the promise (evpaggeli,aj) are those who, through their father

Abraham, find their origin in the free design (pro,qesij) of God's salvation

Page 25

33- God uses mercy with whom He wants and hardens those He wants

14 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be!  15 For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."  16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.  17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth."  18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.  19 You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?"  20 On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it?  21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use, and another for common use?  22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?  23 And He did so in order that He might make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,  24 even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.

55. The free and merciful act of God (Romans 9: 14-24)

- Man's achievements and efforts do not determine God's will

- God's mercy (evleei/) is for those who accept his project

- God uses patience with those who take the road to perdition, to make known the richness

of his glory to those to whom he uses mercy

Paeg 26

34- The faithful pagans who did not know Christ, were saved by him, while the Israelites who demanded the justification from their works, did not obtain it

25 As He says also in Hosea, "I will call those who were not My people, 'My people,' And her who was not beloved, 'beloved.'"  26 "And it shall be that in the place where it was said to them, 'you are not My people,' There they shall be called sons of the living God."  27 And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, "Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that will be saved;  28 for the Lord will execute His word upon the earth, thoroughly and quickly."  29 And just as Isaiah foretold, "Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left to us a posterity, We would have become as Sodom, and would have resembled Gomorrah."  30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith;  31 but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.  32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 just as it is written, "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed."

56. Justice that derives from the law and justice that derives from faith (Romans 9: 25-33)

- Justice is the fruition of God's saving mercy

- Israel seeking a law to achieve justice, did not come to the practice of the law, that is

to salvation

- The pagans who did not seek justice, who did not claim salvation for belonging to

a people or for external facts, but who trusted and entrusted to God, had the justice

that comes from faith (dikaiosu,nhn de. th.n evk pi,stewj)

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Chapter 10

35 - To save oneself one must submit to the justice of God, which is achieved by anyone who believes in Christ

Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.  2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.  3 For not knowing about God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.  4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

57. The term (te,loj) of the law is Christ (Romans 10: 1-4)

- the law revealed by God has as its objective Christ, the center of God's plan of salvation

- zeal for God must not be closed in the search for an autonomous and self-sufficient

salvation

- it is necessary to accept and subjugate oneself (u`peta,ghsan) to justice that comes from God (h/| dikaiosu,nh|

tou/ qeou/)

- through Christ justice is given to anyone who believes

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36- Anyone who invokes the name of the Lord will be saved

5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.  6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks thus, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down),  7 or 'Who will descend into the abyss?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)."  8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart "-- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,  9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved;  10 for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.  11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed."  12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him;  13 for "Whoever will call upon the name of the LORD will be saved."

58. Justice that comes from the law (Romans 10: 5)

- who practice (poih,saj) the law will live by the law itself

59. Justice that comes from faith (Romans 10: 6-13)

- if you confess (o`mologh,sh|j) with your mouth (sto,mati,) that Jesus is the Lord,

and you will believe with your heart | (kardi,a) that God raised him (h;geiren) from the dead, you will be saved

37- Salvation does not derive from belonging to a particular people, but faith derives from believing in

preaching performed for the word of Christ

14 How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?  15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!"

60. Times leading to faith (Romans 10: 14-15)

- listen to (h;kousan) the gospel

- from who announces it (khru,ssontoj)

- after having been sent (avpostalw/sin) for this happy announcement

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16 However, they did not all heed the glad tidings; for Isaiah says, "LORD, who has believed our report?"  17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.  18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world."  19 But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? At the first Moses says, "I will make you jealous by that which is not a nation, By a nation without understanding will I anger you."  20 And Isaiah is very bold and says, "I was found by those who sought Me not, I became manifest to those who did not ask for Me."  21 But as for Israel He says, "All the day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people."

61. The stages of faith (Romans 10: 16-17)

- Preaching (evx avkoh/j)

- who fulfills the word (dia. R`h,matoj) of Christ

62. The word was heard but not accepted (Romans 10: 18-21)

- but God was not sought (mh. Zhtou/sin)

- and disobedience and rebellion were chosen (avpeiqou/nta kai. Avntile,gonta)

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Chapter 11

38- God has not repudiated his people, but he continued to carry out his projects with those who remained faithful, with "the rest"

Romans 11:1 I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.  2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?  3 "Lord, they have killed Thy prophets, they have torn down Thine altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life."  4 But what is the divine response to him? "I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal."  5 In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice.  6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.  7 What then? That which Israel is seeking for, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;  8 just as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, Eyes to see not and ears to hear not, Down to this very day."  9 And David says, "Let their table become a snare and a trap, And a stumbling block and a retribution to them.  10 "Let their eyes be darkened to see not, And bend their backs forever."

63. God has not repudiated his people (Romans 11: 1-6)

- In the history of Israel, God continued to realize his plan of salvation by using a part, the remnant (lei/mma) that his mercy had chosen by grace (ca,riti)

64. The elected and hardened (Romans 11: 7-10)

- the elect (evklogh.), through faith, have obtained salvation

- the others have been hardened (evpwrw,qhsan)

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39- If the refusal of the Israelites has marked the reconciliation of the world, what will be their re-admission, if not a resurrection from the dead?

11 I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.  12 Now if their transgression be riches for the world and their failure be riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!  13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,  14 if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them.  15 For if their rejection be the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

65. The readmission of those who have been unfaithful (Romans 11: 11-15)

- the refusal (avpobolh.) of the Israelites prompted Paul to be an apostle of the Gentiles

(evqnw/n avpo,stoloj )

- thus trying to arouse jealousy (parazhlw,sw) of his countrymen to save some of them

- the re-admission of the Israelites will be a resurrection from the dead (zwh. evk nekrw/n)

66. The holy root and the grafting of new branches (Romans 11: 16-18)

- the root and the sap of the olive tree (evlai,aj) represent the people that God has chosen

- the branches cut off from the olive tree represent the Israelites who have failed in the

covenant

- the new branches of the wild olive tree (avgrie,laioj), grafted in place of the cut branches,

are those saved by faith in Christ

- now it is not the new grafts that carry the root, but the root brings the new grafts

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40- The new peoples saved by God must not be considered superior to the chosen people, but fear God

16 And if the first piece of dough be holy, the lump is also; and if the root be holy, the branches are too.  17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree,  18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.  19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in."  20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear;  21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you.  22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.  23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again.  24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more shall these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?

67 The goodness and the severity of God (Romans 11: 19-24)

- the severity (avpotomi,an) of God cuts the dry branches

- the goodness (rhsto,thta) of God is able to graft the faithful branches

- the power (dunato.j) of God again is still able to graft on his olive tree the person who does not continue in his disbelief (avpisti,a)

- the grafted branch should not mount in pride, but fear (fobou) of God

41- God will extend his salvation also to Israel to use mercy to all

25 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles has come in;  26 and thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob."  27 "And this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins."  28 From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers;  29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.  30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience,  31 so these also now have been disobedient, in order that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy.  32 For God has shut up all in disobedience that He might show mercy to all.

68. God uses mercy towards all people (Romans 11: 25-32)

- in the design of God, all Israel will be saved

- the experience of disobedience to God allows us an eternal thanksgiving for the mercy

that God has given us

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42- The depth of the riches, the wisdom and the science of God!

33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!  34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?  35 Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again?  36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

69. God is the first to give (Romans 11: 33-36)

- the great mystery of God: his depth (ba,qoj), his richness (plou,tou), his wisdom (sofi,aj), his science (gnw,sewj), his ability to give himself (proe,dwken)

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Chapter 12

43- The spiritual cult of the Christian is the offering of one's body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God

Romans 12:1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

VIII – The new life in the community of Christ:

a)      liturgical life

70. Spiritual worship (logikh.n latrei,an) (Romans 12: 1-2)

- is the offer (parasth/sai)  of one's body as a sacrifice (qusi,an) living, holy and pleasing

to God

- do not conform himself (mh. Suschmati,zesqe) to the mentality of this century

- transform himself (metamor-fou/sqe) renewing the mind

- discerning the will of God: that which is good, pleasing and perfect to him

44- In Christian communities: to flee evil with horror, to cling to goodness, to love one another with fraternal affection, to compete in esteeming each other

3 For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.  4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,  5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

VIII – the new life in the community of Christ:

b) ecclesial life

71. Lifestyle of the Christian (Romans 12: 3-5)

- realistic evaluation (swfronei/n) of itsel

- recognition of the gift given by God

- considering ourselves to be part of the one body of Christ, even though we are many brothers

- consider oneself, as followers of Christ, individually members (me,lh) of each other

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6 And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;  7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;  8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

72. The diversity of gifts according to the grace received (Romans 12: 6-8)

- exercise the gift received

- towards other people every Christian must have simplicity ( a`plo,th-ti), diligence (spoudh/|), joy (i`laro,thti)

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.  10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;  11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;  12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

73. The orientations of Christians (Romans 12: 9-13)

- a love be without hypocrisy

- b fraternal affection

- c give preference to one another in honor

- d fervent in spirit

- e happy in hope

- f persevering in the tribulation

- g devotees in prayer

- h contributing to the needs of the saints

- i contributing to the needs of the saints

- l serving the Lord

45- Do not let yourselves be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not.  15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.  16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.  17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.  18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.  19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.  20 "But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head."  21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

74. The daily gospel (Romans 12: 14-21)

- 1 bless and curse not

- 2 rejoice with those who rejoice

- 3 weep with those who weep

- 4 osmosis of feelings

- 5 live in humility

- 6 do not make bad for bad

- 7 live in peace with everyone

- 8 leave to God to do justice

- 9 do not let yourself be overcome by evil

- 10 win evil with good

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Chapter 13

46- Everyone is subject to the established authorities; since there is no authority except from God

Romans 13:1 Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.  2 Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.  3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same;  4 for it is a minister of God to you for good.

VIII - the new life in the community of Christ:

c) social and political life

75. The relationship with authority (Romans 13: 1-4)

- being subjugated to the authorities (evxousi,a) constituted

- the rulers (a;rcontej) are necessary for the order (diatagh/|) social, established by God

- do good not to fear authority

- authority must feel at the service of God even for the just condemnation of those who

work evil

But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil.  5 Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience ' sake.  6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.  7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

76. Submission to authority (Romans 13: 4-7)

- a for reasons of conscience (sunei,dhsin)

- b pay the taxes

- c give everyone what is due to him (ovfeila,j)

- d have respect (timh,n)

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47- Have no debt with anyone except that of mutual love

8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.  9 For this, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

VIII– the new life in the community of Christ:

d) Christian agape

77. Love full fulfillment of the law (Romans 13: 8-10)

- the only debt: mutual love (avllh,louj avgapa/n )

- summary of the commandments: you will love your neighbor as yourself

48- Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and do not follow the flesh in its desires.

11 And this do, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.  12 The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.  13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.  14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts

78. It is time to wake up from sleep (Romans 13: 11-14)

1- Salvation and the day are close

2- Put on the armor of light

3- Let us behave properly

4- not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy

5- But put on (evndu,sasqe)  the Lord Jesus Christ

6- make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts

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Chapter 14

49- In Christian communities we avoid criticisms, judgments, scandals, but we live in justice, peace and joy

Romans 14:1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.  2 One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.  3 Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him.  4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

79. To welcome those who are weak in faith (Romans 14: 1-4)

- not to comment (mh. Eivj diakri,seij) the fragility of others

- weak Christians are welcomed (prosela,beto) by God and belong to him

- Do not judge a servant who is not yours

5 One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind.  6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.  7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;  8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.  9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.  10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God."

80. Living with the diversity of practices and evaluations (Romans 14: 5-11)

- deepen (plhroforei,sqw) and verify their convictions

- You give thanks to God in diversity

- whether we live, whether we die, we are of the Lord

- Christ is the Lord of the living and the dead

- why judge (kri,neij) and despise (evxouqenei/j) the brother?

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12 So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.  13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this-- not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.  14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.  15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.  16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil;  17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.

81 Do not judge or be a cause of stumbling (Romans 14: 12-18)

- everyone will account to God for himself

- charity leads us to avoid legitimate behaviors, but which disturb the ethics of others

- Christ is also dead for fragile people

19 So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.  20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense.  21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.  22 The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.  23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

82. Seek peace and mutual building up (Romans 14: 19-23)

- we do not destroy the work of God for secondary matters

- it is good not to eat meat, nor to drink wine, nor anything else for which your brother

can be scandalized

- preserve faith which you have before God

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Chapter 15

50 - Each one tries to please the neighbor, to his edification

Romans 15:1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.  2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.  3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached Thee fell upon Me."  4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.  5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus;  6 that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

83. The strong must endure the infirmity of the weak (Romans 15: 1-6)

- Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification

- through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope

- to give glory to God in the community with a single soul and a single voice

51- Accept one another, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God

7 Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.  8 For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers,  9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, "Therefore I will give praise to Thee among the Gentiles, And I will sing to Thy name."  10 And again he says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people."  11 And again, "Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, And let all the peoples praise Him."  12 And again Isaiah says, "There shall come the root of Jesse, And He who arises to rule over the Gentiles, In Him shall the Gentiles hope."  13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

84. Christ, meeting point between the chosen people and the nations (Romans 15: 7-13)

- fulfilled the promises of the fathers

- through him the mercy of God is glorified in the pagan nations

- Christians must welcome each other

- the God of hope fills the communities with all joy and peace in the faith

- the Holy Spirit feeds our hope

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52- Paul is proud to be a minister of Jesus Christ among the pagans, so that they may become a welcome oblation, sanctified by the Holy Spirit

14 And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able also to admonish one another.  15 But I have written very boldly to you on some points, so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God,  16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, that my offering of the Gentiles might become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.  17 Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.  18 For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, 19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

85. Paul's ministry among the pagans (Romans 15: 14-19)

- recognizes the goodness, the knowledge and the capacity for fraternal correction of

the Church of Rome, to which he writes with audacity

- exercises the sacred office of the gospel of God to lead the pagans to obedience

with words, deeds, signs and with the power of the Holy Spirit

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20 And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another man's foundation;  21 but as it is written, "They who had no news of Him shall see, And they who have not heard shall understand."

86. Paul pioneer of Christ (Romans 15: 20-21)

- he has always looked for the most abandoned and most distant beaches to announce

the gospel

- was respectful of the foundation built by others

53- Paul exhorts his brothers to fight with him in the prayers addressed to God

22 For this reason I have often been hindered from coming to you;  23 but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I have had for many years a longing to come to you  24 whenever I go to Spain-- for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while--  25 but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints.  26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.  27 Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.  28 Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain.  29 And I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ.  30 Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,  31 that I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints;  32 so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company.  33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

87. Projects of evangelization of Paul (Romans 15: 22-25)

- after having brought a collection made by the new communities of Greece for the poor of Jerusalem,

he will go to Spain from Rome

88. Paul's forthcoming presence in Rome (Romans 15, 26-33)

- will come with the fullness of Christ's blessing

- called to the brothers of Rome to fight with him in prayer to overcome the obstacles

he will find in Judea and to be accepted in Jerusalem

- hopes to find joy and serenity in the community of Rome

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Chapter 16

54- Greet one another with the holy kiss

Romans 16:1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea;  2 that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.  3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,  4 who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles;  5 also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.  6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.  7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.  8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.  9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.  10 Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.  11 Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.  12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord.  13 Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them.  15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.  16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

89. The great embrace of Paul to the Christians of Rome (Romans 16: 1-16)

- calls for welcome, and assistance for needy Christians

- sends greetings to the people he knows

- invites Christians to greet each other with the holy kiss (evn filh,mati a`gi,w|)

- send greetings from all the churches of Christ

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55- Stay away from people who cause divisions and obstacles against the doctrine you have learned

17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.  18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.  19 For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good, and innocent in what is evil.  20 And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

90. Paul's recommendations (Romans 16: 17-20)

- the brothers must stay away from the people who cause divisions (dicostasi,aj) and hindrances (ska,ndala) that are against the teaching they have learned

- those who think of their appetites and their smooth and flattering discourse are not servants of Christ, they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting

- the brothers to be wise in what is good and immune from evil

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56- Timothy my collaborator greets you

21 Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.  22 I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother. 24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

91.  Greetings from Paul's collaborators (Romans 16: 21-24)

57- To god that alone is sapient, through Jesus Christ, the glory for ever and ever

25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past,  26 but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith;  27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.

92. Glory to God (Romans 16, 25-27)

- only God can confirm (sthri,xai) in the gospel

- only God is wise

- through Jesus Christ, glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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Index of chapters

-  p =page

-The Notes, in all 92, have the heading highlighted in red

I - The mission of Paul page 2

Chapter 1 page 2

1- To those in Rome, grace to you and peace from God page 2

Note 1. The 3 characteristics of Paul ( Romans 1,1) p 2

Note 2. The Gospel of God ( Romans 1: 2) p 2

Note 3. Jesus Christ man and God ( Romans 1,3-6) p 2

2 - I desire to see you to refresh myself with you and among you through faith

common p 2

Note 4. Thanksgiving to God (euvcaristw) ( Romans 1,8) p 2

Note 5. The worship given to God by Paul in his spirit (Rom Romans 1: 9) p 2

Note 6. Motivation to meet (Rm Romans 1,11-15) p 3

II - God can be known by his works p 3

3- The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of anyone who believes p 3

Note 7. Do not be ashamed of the gospel ( Romans 1: 16-17) p 3

4- The wrath of God against all impiety and injustice p 3

Note 8. The wrath of God ( Romans 1: 18-25) p 3

5- God has abandoned them to impurity according to the desires of their hearts, slaves of

infamous passions p 4

Note 9. The misfortune of humanity far from God ( Romans 1: 26-32) p 4

Chapter 2 p 5

6- God's goodness leads to conversion p 5

Note 10. Judging others we condemn ourselves ( Romans 2: 1-3) p 5

Note 11. The goodness of God leads to conversion (meta,noia,n) ( Romans 2,4) p 5

Note 12. God judges according to truth and without partiality ( Romans 2,5-11) p 5

III - God can be known by the revealed law p 6

7- Those who put into practice the law, both written in the heart, will be justified

both that revealed by God p 6

Note 13. They will perish those who sinned ( Romans 2:12) p 6

Note 14. They will be justified before God ( Romans 2: 13-16) p 6

Note 15. The law expresses the will of God ( Romans 2: 17-20) p 6

Note 16. Teaching oneself before others ( Romans 2: 21-24) p 7

8- Those who seek God in the interior and belong to the chosen people worship in him

heart and spirit p 7

Note 17. Observe the law in the interiority ( Romans 2: 25-29) p 7

Chapter 3 p 7

9 - The belonging to the chosen people, the Jews, is a great advantage because of it

the revelations of God have been entrusted p 8

Note 18. The importance of belonging to the chosen people ( Romans 3, 1-8) p 8

10- But all peoples are under the dominion of sin p 9

Note 19. The whole world is guilty before God ( Romans 3: 9-20) p 9

IV - God saves through faith by virtue of redemption p10

11 - Regardless of belonging to the chosen people, the

justice of God through faith in Jesus Christ, for all those who believe

p 10

Note 20. God has shown his righteousness ( Romans 3: 21-22) p 10

Note 21. The redemption accomplished by Christ Jesus ( Romans 3: 23-31) p 10

12- Man has been justified by faith regardless of the works of the

law p 10

Chapter 4 p 10

13- Abraham had faith in God and this was credited to him as justice p11

Note 22. The gift of faith ( Romans 4: 1-8) p 11

14 - Abraham with his faith found grace with God and received the sign of

circumcision as a seal p 11

Note 23. Faith justifies regardless of the rite ( Romans 4: 9-11) p 11

Note 24. The rite requires a coherent life of faith ( Romans 4: 12) p 12

15 Abraham was made the Father of many peoples, before the God in whom he believed

p 12

Note 25. Abraham became heir of the promise for his faith in God

( Romans 4, 13-15) p 12

Note 26. Heirs of Abraham's promise for faith in God ( Romans 4: 16-17) p 12

16 Abraham had faith and became the father of many peoples; the Christian believes in him

who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead and is credited with him

justice p 13

Note 27. Abraham hoped against all hope ( Romans 4:18) p 13

Note 28. Abraham did not waver in faith ( Romans 4: 19-22) p 13

Note 29. Faith in God, who has resurrected (hvge,rqh) Jesus, who died for our own

sins, for our justification (dikai,wsin) ( Romans 4: 23-25) p 13

V - Jesus Christ has obtained for us the grace that liberates and saves p 13

Chapter 5 p 13

17- With faith we are at peace with God through Jesus Christ p 13

Note 30. With faith (Romans . 5, 1-5) p 14

Note 31. Christ died for us enemies (RomRomans . 5, 6-8) p 14

Note 32. The Christian (Rom Romans 5: 9-11) p 14

18- The grace of God, a gift given through Jesus Christ, has been poured into

abundance on all men p 14

Note 33. Sin and death have reached all men ( Romans 5: 12-14) p 14

Note 34. The gift of grace has been poured out abundantly upon all by means of

Jesus Christ (RomRomans . 5, 15-17) p 15

Note 35. Obedience of Jesus Christ (Romans . 5, 18-21) p 15

Chapter 6 p 16

19- If we are dead with Christ, we believe that we will also live for him p16

Note 36. We who died of sin, how could we live in sin?

( Romans 6, 1-2) p 16

Note 37. With baptism in Christ (Romans . 6, 3-4) p 16

Note 38. Our complete union with Christ ( Romans 6: 5-11) p 16

20- Offer yourselves to God as you come back from the dead and your members like

instruments of justice for God p 17

Note 39. The donation of ourselves ( Romans 6,12-14) p 17

21- Obeying the gospel from the heart we are freed from sin and become servants

of justice p 17

Note 40. The path of the Christian (Rom Romans 6,15-19) p 17

22- Sin leads to death, being God's servants to eternal life p 18

Note 41. The liberation of the Christian (Romans 6,20-23) p 18

Chapter 7 p 18

23- The sacrifice of Christ has freed us from the letter of the law, from observance

exterior, to serve the one who was raised from the dead p 18

Note 42. With the sacrifice of Christ ( Romans 7: 1-6) p 18

24 - The moral law aims to sanctify man. The sinful tendency,

misrepresenting and rising against the moral norm, leads to death p 19

Note 43. The moral law ( Romans 7: 7-13) p 19

25 - In the intimate one there is a deep fracture between the desire of God of the mind and

the destructive and sinful impulses that lead to death p 20

Note 44. The desire for good and the drift of evil ( Romans 7: 14-23) p 20

Note 45. Man is a wretched man (talai,pwroj) ( Romans 7, 24) p 20

VI - The new life of the saved in the Holy Spirit p 21

Chapter 8 p 21

26. The desires of the flesh lead to death, while the desires of the Spirit bring

to life and peace p 21

Note 46. Walking according to the Spirit ( Romans 8: 1-13) p 21

27- The Christian is co-heir of Christ, if he participates in his sufferings to participate

to his glory p 22

Note 47. The Spirit of God (Rom Romans 8: 14-17) p 22

28. All creation hopes to be freed from the slavery of corruption, for

enter the freedom of the children of God p 22

Note 48. The sufferings of the present ( Romans 8: 18-27) p 22

29 - In the design of God, Christ is the firstborn among many brothers p 23

Note 49. God in his design ( Romans 8: 28-30) p 23

30- Nothing can separate the Christian from the love of Christ p 24

Note 50. The love of God in Christ Jesus ( Romans 8: 31-37) p 24

Note 51. No creature can ever separate us from the love of God,

in Christ Jesus ( Romans 8, 38-39) p 24

VII - God fulfills the promise and awaits the return of the distant p 25

Chapter 9 p 25

31- Paul's great sorrow for the unbelief of the Israelites his brothers p 25

Note 52. Paul's great sorrow ( Romans 9: 1-3) p 25

Note 53. Benefits of the Israelites ( Romans 9: 4-5) p 25

32- God's freedom in choosing his children p 25

Note 54. Children of the flesh and children of the promise ( Romans 9: 6-13) p 25

33- God uses mercy with whoever wants and hardens whoever wants p 26

Note 55. The free and merciful act of God ( Romans 9: 14-24) p 26

34- The faithful pagans who did not know Christ, were saved by him, while

the Israelites who demanded justification from their works do not have it

achieved p 27

Note 56. Justice that derives from the law and justice that comes from faith

p 27

Chapter 10 p 28

35 - To save oneself one must submit to the justice of God, which is achieved by

whoever believes in Christ p 28

Note 57. The term (te,loj) of the law is Christ ( Romans 10, 1-4) p 28

36. Anyone who invokes the name of the Lord will be saved p 29

Note 58. Justice that comes from the law ( Romans 10: 5) p 29

Note 59. Justice that comes from faith ( Romans 10: 6-13) p 29

37- Salvation does not derive from belonging to a particular people, but faith derives from believing                                       in preaching performed for the word of Christ p 29

Note 60. Times leading to faith (Romans 10, 14-15) p 29

Note 61. The stages of faith (Rm Romans 10, 16-17) p 30

Note 62. The word was heard but not accepted ( Romans 10: 18-21) p 30

Chapter 11 p 31

38- God has not repudiated his people, but has continued to carry out his projects

with those who remained faithful, with "the rest" p 31

Note 63. God did not renounce his people ( Romans 11: 1-6) p 31

Note 64. The elect and the hardened ( Romans 11, 7-10) p 31

39. If the refusal of the Israelites has marked the reconciliation of the world, what will it be

never their readmission, if not a resurrection from the dead? p 32

Note 65. The readmission of those who have been unfaithful ( Romans 11: 11-15) p 32

40. The new peoples saved by God must not be considered superior to the chosen people, but fear God p 32

Note 66. The holy root and the grafting of new branches ( Romans 11: 16-18) p 32

Note 67. The goodness and severity of God (Rom. 11, 19-24) p 33

41 - God will extend his salvation also to Israel to use mercy to all

p 33

Note 68. God uses all mercy ( Romans 11: 25-32) p 33

42- The depth of the riches, the wisdom and the science of God!  p 34

Note 69. God is the first to give ( Romans 11: 33-36) p 34

VIII - The new life in the community of Christ: a) liturgical life p 35

Chapter 12 p 35

43- The spiritual cult of the Christian is the offering of one's body as a sacrifice

living, holy and pleasing to God p 35

Note 70. Spiritual worship (logikh.n latrei,an) ( Romans 12, 1-2) p 35

VIII - the new life in the community of Christ: b) ecclesial life p 35

44- In the Christian communities: to flee evil with horror, to cling to goodness, to love each other

with fraternal affection, to compete in each other's esteem p 35

Note 71. Lifestyle of the Christian ( Romans 12, 3-5) p 35

Note 72. The diversity of gifts according to the grace received ( Romans 12: 6-8) p 36

Note 73. The orientations of Christians ( Romans 12, 9-13) p 36

45- Do not let yourselves be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good p 36

Note 74. The Daily Gospel ( Romans 12: 14-21) p 36

VIII - The new life in the community of Christ: c) social and political life p 37

Chapter 13 p 37

46- Everyone is subject to the established authorities; since there is no authority if not

from God p 37

Note 75. The relationship with authority ( Romans 13, 1-4) p 37

Note 76. Submission to authority ( Romans 13, 4-7) p 37

VIII - The new life in the community of Christ: d) Christian agape p 38

47. Have no debt with anyone except that of a love mutual p 38

Note 77. Love, full fulfillment of the law ( Romans 13: 5-10) p 38

48- Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and do not follow the flesh in his

wishes p 38

Note 78. It is time to wake up from sleep ( Romans 13: 11-14) p 38

Chapter 14 p 39

49- In the Christian communities everyone avoids the criticisms, the judgments, the scandals, but alive

in justice, in peace and in joy p 39

Note 79. To welcome those who are weak in faith ( Romans 14, 1-4) p 39

Note 80. Living with the diversity of practices and evaluations ( Romans 14, 5-11) p 39

Note 81. Do not judge or be a cause for stumbling ( Romans 14: 12-18) p 40

Note 82. Seek peace and mutual building ( Romans 14: 19-23) p 40

Chapter 15 p 41

50 - Each one tries to please the neighbor, to his edification p 41

Note 83. The strong must endure the infirmity of the weak ( Romans 15, 1-6) p 41

51- Accept one another, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God p 41

Note 84. Christ the meeting point between the chosen people and the nations                                                                                                                    (Romans 15, 7-13)   p 41

52- Paul is proud of being a minister of Jesus Christ among the pagans, because

become a welcome oblation, sanctified by the Holy Spirit p 42

Note 85. Paul's ministry among the pagans ( Romans 15, 14-19) p 42

Note 86. Paul pioneer of Christ ( Romans 15, 20-21) p 43

53- Paul exhorts his brothers to fight with him in the prayers addressed to God p 43

Note 87. Paul's Evangelization Projects ( Romans 15, 22-25) p 43

Note 88. Paul's forthcoming presence in Rome ( Romans 15, 26-32) p 43

Chapter 16 p 44

54- Greet one another with the holy kiss p 44

Note 89. The great embrace of Paul to the Christians of Rome ( Romans 16: 1-16) p 44

55- Stay away from people who cause divisions and obstacles against the doctrine you have learned p 45

Note 90. Paul's recommendations ( Romans 16, 17-20) p 45

56 - Timothy my collaborator greets you p 46

Note 91. Greetings from Paul's collaborators (Rom Romans 16: 21-23) p 46

57. To God who alone is wise, through Jesus Christ, the glory in the centuries of centuries p 46

Note 92. Glory to God ( Romans 16, 25-27) p 46

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