Romans 15:17 Cross References - JMNT

¹⁷ I have and continuously hold, then, the boast (the glorying; the exulting) within Christ Jesus (or: in union with Anointed Jesus) about the things facing toward (or: with a view to; face-to-face with) God.

² You see, if Abraham was rightwised, placed in right relationship, and declared just and in accord with the Way, from out of [his] works (or: made right, turned in the right direction and justified by actions; = included in covenant from [his] deeds), he yet holds something to boast about (a ground or right for boasting), but not toward (or: face to face with) God.

¹⁴ Now grace and favor [are] in, with and by God – in, by and with the One constantly causing us to triumph (or: progressively leading us in a triumphal procession) at all times, within and in union with the Christ (the Anointed One; = the Messiah), and progressively (or: habitually) setting in clear light (manifesting) the fragrance (aroma; odor; perfume) of His intimate knowledge (or: of the experience of intimacy and insight which has its source in knowing Him; or: the knowledge and gnosis which is Him) through us in every place, ¹⁵ because within (or: by) God, we continuously exist being Christ's sweet fragrance (or: because we are an aroma of well-being for God which has it source in Christ; or: because by God we continue being an odor of ease, and a smell of goodness, which is Christ) within and among those being progressively delivered (habitually rescued; continuously made whole and returned to their original state and condition) – yet also within and among those being progressively loosed-away (or: habitually destroying themselves; or: repeatedly being lost): ¹⁶ to (in; for; with) these [latter ones], a stench from out of Death, [leading] into death (or: from the midst of [one] death on into [another, or, more] death); yet to (in; for; with) those [former ones] a fragrance from out of Life, [leading] into life (or: from out of the midst of [one Life] on into [another, or, more] life). So who [is] adequate, sufficient or qualified [in facing or approaching] toward these matters?

⁴ Now through the Christ we continuously possess (or: So, by means of the Anointing we progressively have and hold) this sort of persuaded trust and faith-based confidence [directed and leading] toward God (or: face to face with God) ⁵ – not that we are competent (adequately enough; sufficiently qualified) from ourselves to logically evaluate or count anything as it were forth from out of ourselves – but to the contrary, our competency (adequacy; sufficiency; qualification) [is] forth from out of the midst of (having its source in) God, ⁶ Who also adequately qualifies us (or: made us fit, competent and sufficient) [to be] attending servants and dispensers of an arrangement that is new in quality (or: pertaining to a new kind of covenant that has a different character and is fresh and effective) – not of [the] letter (or: not pertaining to the result of that which is written down; not having its source in the effect of a written text), but in contrast, of a Breath-effect (or: pertaining to the result of [the] Spirit; having its source in and being the effect of spirit and attitude), for the effect of letter habitually kills (or: the result of writing something into a text repeatedly puts away in death), yet the Spirit (or: the spirit; the breath-effect; the Attitude) continuously gives life (or: repeatedly makes alive; progressively forms life; habitually creates life)!

⁴ [There is] much freedom of speech, frankness, outspokenness and boldness in me, toward you folks. [There is] much boasting in me, over (in regard to) you! I have been filled full so that I am stuffed with relief, encouragement and comfort – I continue overflowing from the progressive flood of superabundance which encircles me in joy – which tops all our pressure and tribulation (or: by the joy upon every squeezing, ordeal, affliction and oppression).

¹⁶ I say again, no one should presume to imagine or suppose me to be a senseless fellow (a fool; one devoid of intellect; an imprudent man). Still – if not in fact – even if as senseless (foolish; idiotic; imprudent), accept and receive me, so that I myself also can boast of something! ¹⁷ What I am presently speaking I am speaking not down from or in accord with [the] Lord (Master; Owner; [= Christ or Yahweh]), but to the contrary, as within senselessness (foolishness; imprudence) – within this assumed position as a basis for boasting: ¹⁸ since many folks are habitually boasting – according to the flesh (or: = on the level of the natural being; or: = in the sphere of estranged humanity) – I myself should also boast, ¹⁹ for with pleasure you folks – continuously being intelligent, sensible and prudent folks! – habitually put up with the senseless (foolish; idiotic; imprudent) people! ²⁰ In fact, you constantly put up with anyone if he is progressively bringing you down to slavery (or: is completely enslaving you as his habit) – if someone is repeatedly devouring; if someone is constantly taking [you] in hand; if someone is progressively elevating himself or lifting himself up upon [you]; if someone is continuously bringing the lash into your face (flaying you with a whip so as to remove the skin and eat into the face)! (= you folks constantly tolerate tyranny, abusive insults, pride and arrogance, as well as being drained of resources, being manipulated and being restrained.) ²¹ I am saying [this] down from dishonor (or: in accord with being devalued), seeing that we, ourselves, have been weak [among you]. Yet in whatever anyone is habitually daring – I say this in senselessness (I’m talking foolishly and unreasonably) – I, too, am habitually daring! ²² Are they Hebrews? So [am] I! Are they Israelites? So [am] I! Are they a seed of Abraham? So [am] I! [comment: this is the "boasting on the level of flesh" in vs. 18, above] ²³ Are they Christ's attending servants? – I am speaking as one being beside himself (or: insane) – I [am] over and above [them] (or: I, more so; = I surpass [them])! In toilsome labors and weariness more exceedingly; in prisons and jails more often; in blows (stripes or beatings) surpassingly; in deaths many times (= in near-death situations often). ²⁴ Five times by Jews I received forty [stripes; lashes], less one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked – I have done night and day within the midst of the depth [of the sea], even hitting bottom; ²⁶ on journeys often (many times); in dangers (perils) of rivers (or: floods); in dangers of robbers (perils of plunderers); in dangers from out of [my] race (kindred); in dangers from out of the multitudes of ethnic groups ([the] nations); in dangers within city; in dangers within a desolate place (wilderness); in dangers at sea; in dangers among false-brothers (= pseudo-believers; or: = Family members who lie and deal falsely); ²⁷ in exhaustive labor and wearisome toil; in lack of sleep (or: sleeplessness; or: vigils) often; in hunger (or: scarcity of food; or: famine) and in thirst – in situations of deprivation or need of food (or: in fastings), many times; in cold and in lack of sufficient clothing (or: nakedness); ²⁸ apart from these external matters (or: apart from those things [just mentioned] – besides the outside –) [there is] the thing rushing in on me and giving cares (the pressure) from day to day: the anxiety, concern and divided distraction pertaining to all the called-out folks (or: summoned-forth communities): ²⁹ Who is continuing weak and I am not proceeding to be weak (= sharing their weakness)? Who is habitually snared and caused to stumble or be entrapped, and I, myself, am not being repeatedly made fiery hot (or: caused to be incensed)? ³⁰ If (or: Since) it is necessary to boast, I will boast concerning the things pertaining to my weakness.

¹ It is necessary for one to boast from time to time – though indeed not beneficial or expedient – so I will proceed in coming unto [the subject of] visions and unveilings of [the] Lord (or: = from Christ or Yahweh). (or: [other MSS: If (or: Since) it is necessary to continue boasting, {it}; still other MSS: Now to repeatedly boast] indeed does not normally bring [people] together, so I will continue moving on to sights, apparitions and appearances, as well as revelations and disclosures, whose source and origin are [the] Lord, or, which are [the] Lord).

¹¹ I have become unreasonable (senseless; imprudent; foolish) – you, yourselves, compel me (press and force me; = drive me to it!) – for I myself ought to have been being constantly recommended (placed together with and commended) by you folks, because not even in one thing did I come behind (or: am I deficient from or inferior to) the "very-overly" [pretentious and condescending] emissaries (or: representatives), even though I am nothing (or: since I also exist being nothing!). ¹² Indeed, the signs of the emissary (the sent-forth representative) were produced and accomplished [by me] among you folks in every [situation] of humbly remaining under to give support (or: in all patient endurance) – as well as by signs and wonders (portents; marvels) and powers (or: in abilities and capabilities). ¹³ So what is there in which you folks were treated as inferior, or made worse off, above (= more than) the rest of the called-out folks (or: communities), except that for myself, I myself was not a "dead weight" for (= and idle encumbrance, hence, a financial burden to) you folks? Give grace to me for this unfairness (wrong; injustice)! ¹⁴ Look (or: Consider)! This third time I continue holding [myself] ready and prepared to come to (or: go toward) you folks – and I will not proceed in being "dead weight" (an encumbrance or burden), for I am not habitually seeking your "things" (your possessions), but to the contrary, you. For the children ought not to be habitually storing up and accumulating [material resources] for the parents, but rather, the parents [should do this] for the children. ¹⁵ So I myself most gladly shall spend (pay the expenses) – even be completely spent (exhausted; bankrupted) – over (on behalf of) your souls. Even if I am constantly loving you excessively, I am habitually being loved less. (or: And since I am continuously loving you more abundantly {or: too much}, am I being loved less?) ¹⁶ Yet, let it continue to be. I myself do not (or: did not) overburden or weigh you down. Nonetheless, being inherently ready to do anything and capable for every work, [you say that] I caught you, taking you by bait (as used for fish)! ¹⁷ Not anyone whom I have sent off to you folks [did this]! Did I take advantage of you through him? ¹⁸ I called Titus alongside, urged [him] and sent [him] off, together with the (or: [his]) brother (or: = fellow believer and member of the Family), as an emissary (sent-off representative). Surely Titus did not take advantage of you! Do we not walk about in the same Spirit (or: = Do we not live and order our lives with the same attitude)? Not in the same footprints? ¹⁹ All this time [other MSS: Again] do you folks continue thinking (supposing; presuming) that we are repeatedly making a verbal defense to you? Down [here] in God's stead and place, we are constantly speaking within Christ and in union with [the] Anointing. And the whole (all [these] things), beloved ones, [is (are)] over (on behalf of) your edification (your upbuilding; the construction of your house). ²⁰ So you see, I continue being afraid, lest somehow – on coming – I may not find you folks such as I habitually intend (purpose; desire) – and I myself may be found by you [to be one] such as you folks continue not desiring – lest somehow [I may find] strife (contention; quarreling), jealousy, outbursts of emotions or swellings of anger, selfish ambition and factious rivalry, backbitings (down-babblings; slanderous conversations), whisperings (occasions of malicious gossiping), situations of puffing up (inflations of pride), disorders (situations of unrest; turbulences; losses of tranquility; instabilities). ²¹ My God will [other MSS: may] not again be repeatedly humbling me toward you folks, at my coming, and yet I may mourn and grieve over many of those having before failed (missed the target; sinned) – continuing thus – and not even once repenting or changing their views upon the uncleanness and fornication (sexual immorality; prostitution) and loose conduct (blatant licentiousness) which they practice.

³ For you see, we ourselves are (exist being) The Circumcision: the people (or: those) continuously rendering sacred service in a spirit of God (or: by God's Breath-effect; to God's Spirit; with God's breath; [some MSS: service to God in spirit; p46 omits "God," so simply: serving in spirit]) and constantly making our boast (being loud-tongued, vaunting and exulting) within, and in union with, Christ Jesus; even folks (or: those) being people having been persuaded and thus continuing to put no confidence within flesh (= having no reliance upon what is physical: e.g., religious works or natural heritage; or: the estranged human nature; [comment: this could be a reference to animal sacrifices]).

¹⁷ Wherefore, He was indebted (or: obliged) to be assimilated by (or: made like or similar to) the brothers in accord with all things (or: concerning everything; = in every respect; or: in correlation to all people), so that He might become a merciful and a faithful (or: loyal) Chief Priest (Leading, Ruling or Beginning Priest) [in regard to] the things toward God, into the [situation] to be repeatedly and continuously overshadowing the failures (mistakes; errors; misses of the target; sins) of the People with a gentle, cleansing shelter and covering.

¹ Now you see, every chief priest being taken forth from men, on behalf of men, is being placed down (set and established) in the things directed toward (or: with a view to, pertaining to and facing) God, so that he may be bringing both gifts and sacrifices over [situations of] and in behalf of failures (mistakes; sins; errors; times of missing the target),