Therefore what advantage does the Jew have, or what is the value of circumcision?

What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who has ever resisted his will?”

For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?

Or who has first given to God, that God needs to repay him?

But who indeed are you – a mere human being – to talk back to God? Does what is molded say to the molder, “Why have you made me like this?”

But you who eat vegetables only – why do you judge your brother or sister? And you who eat everything – why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh, has discovered regarding this matter?

What shall we say then? Are we to remain in sin so that grace may increase?

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Absolutely not!

Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

What shall we say then? Is there injustice with God? Absolutely not!

or “Who will descend into the abyss?” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).

What then? If some did not believe, does their unbelief nullify the faithfulness of God?

What then? Are we better off? Certainly not, for we have already charged that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin,

For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

So what benefit did you then reap from those things that you are now ashamed of? For the end of those things is death.

What shall we say then? – that the Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness obtained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith,

Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but (as if it were possible) by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,