1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus {Christos Iesous, Risen Messiah}, summoned as an apostle, marked out for the gospel of God {Theos, Source Of Gospel}.
2 This gospel is what He {Theos, Faithful Promise Giver} pledged in advance, through His prophets {propheton: inspired spokesmen}, in the holy Scriptures.
3 It is about His {Theos, Covenant Promise Maker} Son, who came from David’s seed according to the flesh {sarx: true human nature}.
4 He was declared to be the Son of God {huios theou, Revealed in Power} in power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead—Jesus Christ our Lord {Kyrios Iesous Christos, Risen Sovereign}.
5 Through whom {Christos, Gracious Mediator} grace and apostleship were granted to us to bring about obedience {hypakoē: responsive submission} that springs from faith among all the nations, for the sake of His name.
6 And you are also among those called {kletoi: divinely summoned} by Jesus Christ {Iesous Christos, Calling Lord}.
7 To all who are in Rome—beloved of God {Theos, Source of Grace and Peace}, called to be saints {hagiois: consecrated people}: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ {Kyrios Iesous Christos, Giver of Blessing}.
8 First, I give thanks to my God {Theos, Recipient of Thanksgiving} through Jesus Christ {Iesous Christos, Gracious Mediator} for all of you, because your faith is being reported across the whole world.
9 God {Theos, All-Seeing Witness} is my witness: I serve Him in my spirit in the gospel of His Son {huios: Exalted Messiah}, and I keep remembering you without ceasing.
10 In my prayers I always ask that, if somehow now at last I may be granted a successful journey by the will of God {Theos, Ruler Of Journeys}, I may come to you {hymas: believers in Rome}.
11 For I deeply desire to see you, so that I may share with you some spiritual gift {charisma: divine favor}, and so that you may be established {sterichthēnai: firmly set}.
12 That is, that I may be encouraged {symparaklethenai: mutually strengthened} together in your midst, through the faith {pisteos: shared reliance} we share—both yours and mine.
13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers {adelphoi: spiritual family}, that I have often purposed to come to you but have been hindered until now, so that I might have some fruit {karpos: ministry results} among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.
14 I stand indebted to both Greeks {Hellesin: Greek-speaking peoples} and to barbarians {barbarois: foreign nations}, to the wise as well as to the foolish.
15 So, for my part, there is a readiness {prothymon: eager willingness} to proclaim the good news {euangelisasthai: gospel message} to you also who are in Rome.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel {euangelion: royal good news}; it is the power of God {Theos, Source Of Salvation} leading to salvation for everyone who believes—first for the Jew, and also for the Greek.
17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God {Theos, Supreme Judge} is revealed, from faith to faith, just as it is written: “But the righteous {dikaios: justified person} will live by faith.”
18 For the wrath of God {Theos, Righteous Judge} is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness {asebeia: irreverent defiance} and unrighteousness of those who suppress the truth through their wrongdoing.
20 For His {Theos, Invisible Creator} unseen realities from the creation of the world are clearly perceived, being understood through the works, which are both His eternal power and divine nature, so that they are without excuse {anapologetous: legally defenseless}.
21 For although they knew God {Theos, Rightful Recipient of Honor}, they did not glorify Him as God or give thanks; instead they became futile {emataiothesan: spiritually empty} in their reasonings, and their unintelligent heart was darkened.
22 While claiming to be wise {sophoi: possessing real insight}, they became fools {emoranthesan: rendered senseless}.
23 And they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God {Theos, Incorruptible Majesty} for the likeness of an image of corruptible man and of birds and of four-footed animals and of creeping things {herpeton: crawling creatures}.
24 Therefore, God {Theos, Sovereign Judge} handed them over to the longings {epithymiai: intense yearnings} of their hearts to uncleanness, so that their bodies would be dishonored among themselves.
25 They exchanged the truth of God {Theos, Rejected Creator} for the lie, and worshiped and served what was created instead of the Creator, who is blessed forever {aiōnas: unending ages}. Amen.
26 Because of this, God {Theos, Righteous Judge} gave them over to degrading passions {pathe: intense impulses}; for even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
27 Likewise, the men, having left the natural use of the woman, were inflamed in their desire for one another—men with men committing what is shameful {askhemosune: disgraceful act}, and receiving in themselves the recompense {antimisthia: due penalty} that was necessary for their error.
28 And just as they did not consider it worthwhile to have God {Theos, Sovereign Judge} in their knowledge {epignosis: full recognition}, God gave them over to an unapproved mind, to do the things that are not fitting.
29 They have been filled with every form of unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, and malice—full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and evil character {kakoetheia: deeply rooted malicious nature}; they are whisperers {psithyristes: secret slanderers}.
30 Slanderers {katalalous: malicious speakers}, haters of God {Theos, Despised Ruler}, insolent, arrogant, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents.
31 They lack discernment {asynetous: morally senseless}, violate covenants {asynthetous: betraying agreements}, show no natural affection, and remain unmerciful.
32 Although they have known the righteous decree of God {Theos, Righteous Judge}—that those who practice such things are worthy of death {thanatou: judicial execution}—they not only do them but also give approval to those who practice them.