xii. 1), acceptable unto God, being sanctified by 17 the Holy Ghost. I have therefore ground of glorying in Christ Jesus with respect to those things which pertain to God, even the souls which He has given me from among the Gentiles. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought, but only of those which He hath wrought by me, for the bringing of the Gentiles to obey the Gospel both 19 in word and deed, by mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem and round about unto Illyricum I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ. 20 Yea, it is my study to preach the Gospel where Christ has never been heard of, lest I should build upon another man's foundation and boast of other men's labours. (See 2 Cor. x. 15, 16.) 21 But my preaching is according to Isaiah's prophecy of Messiah's kingdom, "To whom He was not spoken of they shall see; and they that have not heard shall understand."

22

And this wish to restrict my preaching to those places where Christ has not before been preached, has been the chief reason which has 23 hindered me from coming to you. But now, having fulfilled my ministry in these parts and having for many years longed to visit you (i. 11), 24 whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I hope to see you in passing, and to be forwarded on my way thither by you, when I have in some measure 25 enjoyed the pleasure of your company. But now I am on my road to Jerusalem, to minister 26 unto the saints. For the churches of Macedonia

and Achaia have been pleased to make a collec27 tion for the poor Christians at Jerusalem. They have been pleased, I say; and indeed they owe them a debt of gratitude: for if the Gentiles

H

their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal 28 things. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by 29 you into Spain. And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

30

Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to 31 God for me; that I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judæa; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be 32 accepted of the saints; that I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with 33 you be refreshed. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

16 I COMMEND unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at 2 Cenchrea: that ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in 4 Christ Jesus: who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house.

Salute my wellbeloved Epenetus, who is the

have been made partakers of their spiritual things and received from them the invaluable blessings of the Gospel, they ought also to 28 minister to them in temporal things. When therefore I have finished this business and have faithfully delivered this fruit to them, I will 29 come back by you into Spain. And I feel sure that when I come to you, I shall come with the abundant blessing of Christ.

30

Now I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit which binds us to each other, that ye labour fervently together with me in your prayers to God in my 31 behalf; that I may be delivered from the malice of the unbelieving Jews in Judæa, and that the alms which I carry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, and contribute to remove the prejudices which they entertain towards the 32 Gentile Christians; that so, if God will, I may come to you with joy, and together with you may 33 be refreshed. (i. 12.) In the mean time may

the God of peace be with you all. Amen. 16 I COMMEND to your care our sister Phoebe, who is a servant or deaconess of the Church 2 which is at Cenchrea (sce 1 Tim. v. 9, 10); that you may receive her as Christians ought to receive a disciple of our Lord, and assist her in whatever business she may need your good offices: for she also hath been a helper of many, and of myself also.

3

Greet Priscilla and her husband Aquila, my 4 fellow-labourers in Christ Jesus: who for my life have put their own in jeopardy; to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of 5 the Gentiles, whose apostle I am. Likewise greet the Church that assembles in their house. Salute my beloved Epenetus, who was the first

6 firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. Greet Mary, 7 who bestowed much labour on us. Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

8

Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. 9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys 10 my beloved. Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.

11

Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which 12 are in the Lord. Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his 14 mother and mine. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon,

Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren 15 which are with them. Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.

16

17

Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid 18 them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts 19 of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise

Salute Mary who

6 Christian convert in Achaia. 7 bestowed much labour on us. Salute Andronicus and Junia my kinsmen, and formerly prisoners with me for the sake of the Gospel, who are highly esteemed amongst the apostles and were also in Christ before me.

8

Salute Amplias my beloved in the Lord. 9 Salute Urbanus our helper in the Gospel of 10 Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Salute Apelles, that tried Christian. Salute the brethren who are of the family of Aristobulus.

11

Salute Herodion, my kinsman. Salute those members of the family of Narcissus who are con12 verted to Christianity. Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the service of the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, who hath laboured much in promoting the cause of Christ.

13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother, and, because of her affection to me, 14 mine. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas,

Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are 15 with them. Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the Christians who are with them.

16 Salute ye one another with an holy kiss. (1 Pet. v. 14.) The Churches of Christ in these parts salute you.

17

Now I charge you, brethren, mark those who cause divisions in the Church and occasions of stumbling to others, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned of me: from such withdraw 18 yourselves. For they that are such, notwithstanding all their professions, are no servants of Christ, but slaves of their own appetites, and by good words and fair speeches beguile the hearts 19 of the simple and unwary. For your obedience and the readiness with which you received the Gospel is spoken of throughout the whole world.