Romans · Literal Standard Version
Romans 1 Literal Standard Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, having been separated to the good news of God,
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Good News of God,
2 which He announced before through His prophets in holy writings,
2 which he promised before through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
3 concerning His Son—who has come of the seed of David according to the flesh,
3 concerning his Son, who was born of the offspring of David according to the flesh,
4 who is marked out [as the] Son of God in power, according to the Spirit of sanctification, by the resurrection from the dead—Jesus Christ our Lord;
4 who was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
5 through whom we received grace and apostleship, for obedience of faith among all the nations, in behalf of His Name;
5 through whom we received grace and apostleship for obedience of faith among all the nations for his name’s sake;
6 among whom are also you, the called of Jesus Christ;
6 among whom you are also called to belong to Jesus Christ;
7 to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called holy ones: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
7 to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 First, indeed, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is proclaimed in the whole world;
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world.
9 for God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the good news of His Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you,
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the Good News of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers,
10 always in my prayers imploring, if by any means now at length I will have a prosperous journey, by the will of God, to come to you,
10 requesting, if by any means now at last I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you.
11 for I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, that you may be established;
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established;
12 and that is, that I may be comforted together among you, through faith in one another, both yours and mine.
12 that is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
13 And I do not wish you to be ignorant, brothers, that many times I purposed to come to you—and was hindered until the present time—that some fruit I might have also among you, even as also among the other nations.
13 Now I don’t desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you (and was hindered so far), that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.
14 Both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to wise and to thoughtless, I am a debtor,
14 I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish.
15 so, as much as in me is, I am ready also to you who [are] in Rome to proclaim good news,
15 So as much as is in me, I am eager to preach the Good News to you also who are in Rome.
16 for I am not ashamed of the good news of the Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone who is believing, both to Jew first, and to Greek.
16 For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.
17 For the righteousness of God in it is revealed from faith to faith, according as it has been written: “And the righteous one will live by faith,”
17 For in it is revealed God’s righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, “But the righteous shall live by faith.”
18 for the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven on all impiety and unrighteousness of men, holding down the truth in unrighteousness.
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 of God is revealed among them, for God revealed [it] to them,
19 because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them.
20 for the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world, by the things made being understood, are plainly seen, both His eternal power and Godhead—to their being inexcusable;
20 For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity, that they may be without excuse.
21 because, having known God they did not glorify [Him] as God, nor gave thanks, but were made vain in their reasonings, and their unintelligent heart was darkened,
21 Because knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, and didn’t give thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.
22 professing to be wise, they were made fools,
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and of quadrupeds, and of reptiles.
23 and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, four-footed animals, and creeping things.
24 For this reason also God gave them up, in the desires of their hearts, to uncleanness, to dishonor their bodies among themselves;
24 Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves;
25 who changed the truth of God into the lie, and honored and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for all ages. Amen.
25 who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 Because of this God gave them up to dishonorable affections, for even their females changed the natural use into that against nature;
26 For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature.
27 and in like manner also the males having left the natural use of the female, burned in their longing toward one another; males with males working shame, and the repayment of their error that was fit, in themselves receiving.
27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error.
28 And according as they did not approve of having God in knowledge, God gave them up to a disapproved mind, to do the things not seemly;
28 Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
29 having been filled with all unrighteousness, whoredom, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil dispositions; whisperers,
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers,
30 evil-speakers, God-haters, insulting, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 unintelligent, faithless, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful;
31 without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful;
32 who the righteous judgment of God having known—that those practicing such things are worthy of death—not only do them, but also have delight with those practicing them.
32 who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Jesus
The Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary (Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:35): the promised Son of David and Son of Abraham, 'the Word became flesh.' Joseph,…
Cited in the guide: Matt. 1:1, 16-17; Luke 3:23-38; John 1:14; Rom. 1:3
Places
Rome
The empire's heart. Paul wrote his great letter to the church here before arriving in chains, then ministered under guard while awaiting trial before Caesar.
Cited in the guide: Acts 28:16; Romans 1:7; Acts 19:21
Cross references (32)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Acts 9:15; Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 1:1; Jeremiah 1:5; Colossians 1:1
- 2 Titus 1:2; Luke 1:70; Romans 3:21; Romans 16:26; Romans 3:2
- 3 Galatians 4:4; Matthew 1:1; Jeremiah 23:5–6; John 1:14; Luke 1:31–33
- 4 Hebrews 5:5–6; Hebrews 9:14; Ephesians 1:19–23; 2 Corinthians 13:4; Acts 13:33–35
- 5 Acts 9:15; Romans 16:26; Acts 6:7; Malachi 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:10
- 6 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 17:14; 2 Peter 1:10; Hebrews 3:1; 1 Corinthians 1:9
- 7 Colossians 1:2; Jude 1–2; Ephesians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Thessalonians 1:1
- 8 Romans 16:19; 1 Corinthians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:8–9; Romans 6:17; Philippians 1:3
- 9 Ephesians 6:18; Ephesians 1:16–19; Romans 9:1; 2 Timothy 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:23
- 10 Romans 15:30–32; Acts 18:21; James 4:15; Philemon 22; 1 Thessalonians 3:10–11
- 11 2 Peter 1:12; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Romans 16:25; Romans 15:29; 2 Peter 3:17–18
- 12 1 Thessalonians 3:7–10; 3 John 3–4; Romans 15:32; 2 Corinthians 7:4–7; Titus 1:4
- 13 Acts 19:21; Philippians 4:17; 2 Timothy 4:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:13
- 14 1 Corinthians 9:16–23; Acts 9:15; Colossians 3:11; Acts 26:17–18; James 3:17–18
- 15 Romans 15:20; Isaiah 6:8; 1 Corinthians 9:17; 2 Corinthians 10:15–16; Matthew 9:38
- 16 Mark 8:38; 2 Timothy 1:8; 1 Peter 4:16; 2 Timothy 1:12; Psalm 40:9–10
- 17 Habakkuk 2:4; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38; Philippians 3:9; Hebrews 11:6–7
- 18 Ephesians 5:6; 1 Timothy 4:1–2; Romans 1:32; Colossians 3:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:10
- 19 Acts 14:16–17; Psalm 19:1–6; Romans 1:20; Acts 17:23–30; Isaiah 40:26
- 20 Romans 1:19; Isaiah 40:26; Psalm 19:1–6; Psalm 8:3; Psalm 33:6–9
- 21 Ephesians 4:17–18; 2 Kings 17:15; Jeremiah 2:5; 2 Timothy 3:2; Psalm 50:23
- 22 1 Corinthians 1:19–21; Proverbs 26:12; Romans 11:25; Proverbs 25:14; Jeremiah 8:8–9
- 23 Psalm 106:20; Jeremiah 2:11; Acts 17:29; 1 Peter 4:3; Psalm 115:5–8
- 24 Psalm 81:11–12; Acts 7:42; Acts 14:16; Matthew 15:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:10–12
- 25 Habakkuk 2:18; Jeremiah 13:25; 1 John 2:15–16; Isaiah 44:20; Amos 2:4
- 26 Jude 7; 1 Timothy 1:10; Leviticus 18:22–28; Romans 1:24; 1 Corinthians 6:9
- 27 Leviticus 20:13; Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:23–24
- 28 2 Thessalonians 2:10–12; Romans 1:21; Titus 1:16; Jeremiah 9:6; Romans 1:24
- 29 2 Corinthians 12:20; Proverbs 16:28; Psalm 41:7; Proverbs 26:20
- 30 2 Timothy 3:2; Jude 16; 2 Peter 2:18; Titus 3:3; Romans 8:7–8
- 31 2 Timothy 3:3; Proverbs 18:2; Romans 3:11; Isaiah 33:8; Jeremiah 4:22
- 32 Romans 1:21; Romans 2:1–5; Romans 6:21; Psalm 50:18; Romans 1:18
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
Moses having written five books, has nowhere put his own name to them, neither have they who after him put together the history of events after him, no nor yet has Matthew, nor John, nor Mark, nor Luke; but the blessed Paul everywhere in his Epistles sets his own name. Now why was this?
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 11 (1889)
… the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was made to Him of the seed of David according to the flesh, who was predestinated the Son of God with power through the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead of our Lord Jesus Christ." And again, writing to the Romans about Israel, he says: "Whose are the fathers, and …
… wickedly against their own souls; and iniquity gives itself the lie, either by corrupting or perverting their nature, which Thou hast made and ordained, or by an immoderate use of things permitted, or in "burning" in things forbidden to that use which is against nature; or when convicted, raging with heart and voice against Thee, kicking against the pricks; or …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)
And, "That the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness, and unrighteousness of men," and, "indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile." And yet countless were the evils which the Gentiles have suffered in this world, and this is declared alike …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
Paul also saith, Remember Jesus Christ raised from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my Gospel: and in the beginning of the Epistle to the Romans he saith, Which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)