Study Desk

I speak the truth in Christ^(a)—I am not lying; my conscience is testifying to me with the Holy Spirit^[a]—

that I have intense sorrow and continual anguish in my heart.

For I could almost wish^(b) to be cursed^(c) and cut off^[b] from the Messiah for the benefit of my brothers, my own flesh and blood.

They are Israelites,^(d) and to them belong the adoption,^(e) the glory,^(f) the covenants,^(g) the giving of the law,^(h) the temple service,⁽ⁱ⁾ and the promises.^(j)

The ancestors are theirs,^(k) and from them, by physical descent,^[c] came the Messiah,^(l) who is God^(m) over all,⁽ⁿ⁾ praised forever.^[d](o) Amen.

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

Neither are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants.^[e](r) On the contrary, your offspring will be traced ^[f] through Isaac. ^(s)[g]

That is, it is not the children by physical descent^[h] who are God's children,^(t) but the children of the promise^(u) are considered to be the offspring.

For this is the statement of the promise: At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a son. ^(v)[i]

And not only that,^(w) but also Rebekah received a promise when she became pregnant^[j](x) by one man, our ancestor Isaac.

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

not from works but from the One who calls—she was told: The older will serve the younger. ^(z)[k]

As it is written: I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau. ^(aa)[l]

What should we say then?^(ab) Is there injustice with God?^(ac) Absolutely not!^(ad)

For He tells Moses: I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. ^(ae)[m]