Romans

16 chapters

Chapter summaries

The Douay-Rheims’ own argument for each chapter. Tap a number above to read.

1. 1The foundation of his Apostleship being laid, 8 he highly commendeth the Romans, and protesteth his affection towards them. and so coming to the matter, saith, our Christian Catholic doctrine (that teacheth all to believe) to be the way to salvation: 18 because the Gentiles (first of all) could not be saved by their Philosophy, whereby they knew God, for so much as they did not serve him, but Idols: he therefore justly permitting them to fall into all kind of most damnable sin.
2. 2Now also he sheweth that neither the Jews could be saved by the knowledge of the Law, of the which they did so much brag against the Gentiles, seeing they did notwithstanding sin as the Gentiles did. 14 And therefore that the true Jew is the Christian (though he be a Gentile) who by grace in his heart doeth the good works that the Law commandeth.
3. 3He granteth that the Jews did pass the Heathen Gentiles, in God's benefits, 9 but not in their own works, concluding, that he hath shewed, both Jew and Gentile to be sinners: 18 and therefore (inferring) that there must be some other way to Salvation, indifferent to both, which is to believe in JESUS CHRIST, that for his sake their sins may be forgiven them.
4. 4That Abraham was not justified by his own power, but by God's grace, in whom he believed (6 which is a way for the sinner also to come to justice.) 9 And thus, seeing he was not as then circumcised, not only the circumcised Jew, but also the uncircumcised Gentile may by believing the Christian faith, come to justice, as Abraham did :11 specially considering also, that Abraham was promised to be Father of the whole world, and not only of the Jews, to whom only the Law was given: and thus, not to fulfil the promise, but for another cause.
5. 5Having therefore through faith in Christ, obtained the beginning, he showeth what great cause we have to hope for the accomplishment. 12 And then he proceedeth in his arguing, and showeth that as by one, all were made sinners, so by one, all must be made just.
6. 6He exhorteth us, now after Baptism, to live no more in sin, but to walk in good works: because there we died to the one, and rose again to the other 14 (grace also giving us sufficient strength) 16 and were made free to the one, and servants to the other, 21 and specially because of the fruit here, and the end afterward, both of the one and of the other.
7. 7Our former husband (sin) with his law, is dead in Baptism: and now we are married to an other husband (to Christ) to bring forth children to God, that is, good works. 7 And how the Law being good, was yet to us the law of sin and death, because concupiscence reigned in us. 17 But now by Baptism, grace reigneth in us, though also concupiscence doth remain and tempt us still.
8. 8That now after Baptism we are no more in state of damnation, because by the grace which we have received, we are able to fulfil the Law: unless we do wilfully give the dominion again to concupiscence. 18 Then (because of the persecutions that they were in) he comforteth and exhorteth them with many reasons.
9. 9With a protestation of his sorrow for it (lest they should think him to rejoice in their perdition) he insinuateth the Jews to be reprobate, although they come of Abraham's flesh, 6 saying, to be the sons of God, goeth not by that, but by God's grace: 19 considering that all were one damned mass. 20 by which grace the Gentiles to be made his people, and so the prophets to have foretold of them both. 30 And the cause hereof to be, that the Gentiles submit themselves to the faith of Christ, which the Jews will not.
10. 10The Law was not (as the Jews' ignorant zeal supposed) for them to justify themselves by it (considering that they could not justify it:) but to bring them to Christ to believe in him, and so for his sake to be justified by the grace of God: 5 according to Moyses' saying, and the Apostle's preaching: 11 that so the Gentiles also (according to the Prophets) hearing and believing might come to justice: the Jews in the mean time (though inexcusably) remaining incredulous.
11. 11Not all the Jews were reprobate, but some elect: and they by grace obtained justice, the rest (according to the Prophets) being excecated. 11 Against whom notwithstanding the Christian Gentiles (to whom by that occasion Christ is come) must not insult: but rather fear every man himself to be likewise cut off the tree (which is the Catholic Church) 21 and know that when all the Gentiles are brought into the Church, then (about the end of the world) shall the multitude of the Jews also come in: according to the disposition of the wonderful wisdom of God.
12. 12He exhorteth them to mortification of the body, 2 to renovation of the mind, 5 to keeping of unity by humility, 6 to the right using of their gifts and functions, 9 to many other good actions, 17 and specially to loving of their enemies.
13. 13To yield obedience and all other duties unto Potestates: 8 to love their neighbour which is the fulfilling of the Law: 11 and specially to consider, that now being the time of grace, we must do nothing that may not beseem day light.
14. 14Like a moderator and peacemaker between the firm Christians (who were the Gentiles) and the infirm (who were the Christian Jews, having yet a scruple to cease from keeping the ceremonial meats and days of Moyses' Law) he exhorteth the Jew not to condemn the Gentile using his liberty: and the Gentile again, not to condemn the scrupulous Jew: but rather to abstain from using his liberty, then offending the Jew, to be an occasion unto him of apostatizing.
15. 15He proceedeth to make peace between the Christian Gentiles and Jews. 8 with this resolution, that the Jews' vocation is of promise indeed, but the Gentiles also of mercy, and foretold by the Scriptures. 14 Then drawing to an end, he excuseth himself to the Romans for writing thus unto them, 21 hoping now at length to see them, after that he hath been at Hierusalem, 29 whereunto also he requesteth their prayers.
16. 16He commendeth the bearer Phœbe to the Romans, 3 and himself to many there by name. 17 he declareth the doctrine which the Romans had learned, to be the touchstone to know Seducers. 21 he doth unto them the commendations of all the Churches and of certain persons by name: 25 and concludeth.