Romans 16;17-20 17.  I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine, which you have been taught; avoid them.18.  For such persons, do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by fair and flattering words, they deceive...

Romans 16;1-16 1.  I commend to you, our sister Phoebe, a deaconess of the church at Cenchre-ae,2.  That you may receive her in the Lord as benefits the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a helper of many and of myself as...

Romans 15;25-29 25.  At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem with aid for the saints. 26.  For Macedonia and Achaea have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem;27.  they were pleased to do it, and indeed they are in debt to them, for if the Gentiles...

Romans 15;22-24 22.  This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you.23.  But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you,24.  I hope to see you in passing...

Romans 15;17-21 17.  In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.18.  I will not venture to speak of anything, except what Christ has wrought through me to win obedience from the gentiles, by word and deed, 19.  by power of signs and wonders, by the power...

Romans 15;14-16 14.  I myself, am satisfied about you, my brethren, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.15.  But on some points, I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God16.  to...

Romans 15;8-13 8.  For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcise to show God‘s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,9.  and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.  As it is written, “Therefore, I will praise thee among the...

Romans 15;7 7. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. As we receive one another, Christ by the Holy Spirit is actually at work in and through us. We are living in an age and culture which is terribly fragmented, fractured, and divided.  Identity politics is...

Romans 15;4-6 4. For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness, and by the encouragement of the scriptures, we might have hope. Notice how the written Word of God actually is our source of Truth, not our feelings.Emotions can fluctuate, the Word of God is...

Romans 15;1-3 1.  We who are strong to bear with the failings of the week, and not to please ourselves;2.  Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him.3.  For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached thee...

Romans 14;19- 19.  Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.20.  Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make others fall by what he eats;21.  It is right not to eat...

Romans 14;13-18 13.  Then let us no more past judgment on one another, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.14.  I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who...

Romans 14;10-12 10.  Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? 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...

Romans 14;9 9.  For to this end, Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. The dead are not even dead to God.   Our souls are immortal, they continue after the flesh is dust in the grave.  We are not our bodies.  Our bodies...

Romans 14;4-6 4.  Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Master is able to make him stand.5.  One man  esteems one day as better than another, while another man...

Romans 14;1-3 1. As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions.2.  One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables.3.  Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains past judgment on him who...

Romans 13;14 14.  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (We read this same verse yesterday, but I did not address the last half of the verse.) To ‘make provision’ means to plan to serve the flesh or obey it as authoritative over...

Romans 13;11-14 11. Besides this, you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now, than when we first believed;12.  the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works...

Romans 13;8-10 8.  Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.9.  The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,”  and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence, “You shall...

Romans 13;5–7 5.  Therefore one must be subject, (to governing authorities) not only to avoid God‘s wrath, but also for the sake of conscience.6.  For the same reason, you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.7.  Pay all of them their dues, taxes, to...

Roman’s 13;3&4 3.  For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of him who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,4.  for he is God‘s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be...

Romans 13;1&2 1.  Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.2.  Therefore, he who resists the authorities, resist what God has appointed, and those who resist will encourage judgment. Luther teaches that all earthly authority...

Romans 12;12-21 12.  Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.13.  Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.14.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.15.  Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.16.  Live in Harmony with one another;...

Romans 12;9-11 9.  Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;10.  love one another with brotherly affection;  outdo one another in showing honor.  11.  Never flag in zeal, be a glow with the Spirit, serve the Lord.  What an amazing and wondrous little word: “let.” It means, ‘allow’ or...

Romans 12;6-8 6.  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;7.  if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching;8.  he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid,...

Romans 12;3-5 3.  For by the grace given to me I bid everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to you think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith which God has assigned him.4.  For as in one body,...

Remans 12;2 2.  Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. The world ‘presses,’ ‘pressures,’ ‘crushes’ us to outwardly be like itself.The living Word of God internally...

Romans 12;1 1.  I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living, sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. What are, “the mercies of God”?This is best understood to be read, “I appeal to you brethren, ‘in view of...

Romans 11;25-36 Today’s reading is by necessity rather lengthy.  That is because it encapsulates and sums up the mystery of the ‘New Israel.’  Those born of water and Spirit, not of the flesh.  This New Israel is made up of both Jews and Gentile Believers.  Somehow, in God’s mysterious plan, the Lord...

Romans 11;22-24 22.  Note then the kindness and severity of God: severity towards those who have fallen, but God‘s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off. This verse reminds us of how Luther in the Small Catechism, begins the explanation of the meaning of each...

Romans 11;17-21 17.  But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the richness of the olive tree,18.  do not boast over the branches.  If you boast, remember it is not you that support the root, but the root that supports...