I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
Parallel translations
- WEB I tell the truth in Christ. I am not lying, my conscience testifying with me in the Holy Spirit,
- BSB I speak the truth in Christ; I am not lying, as confirmed by my conscience in the Holy Spirit.
- ESV I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—
- NKJV I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,
- NASB I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit,
- NLT With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul solemnly affirms before God that he is telling the truth, with his conscience confirming it in the Holy Spirit. He prepares to express deep grief over Israel's unbelief.
Overview
Turning from the heights of chapter 8 to the painful question of Israel's rejection of Christ, Paul opens with a triple assurance of sincerity. He speaks the truth in Christ, does not lie, and his Spirit-led conscience bears witness. This earnest oath underscores how genuine his coming sorrow is and refutes any charge that he is indifferent to his own people.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- 1 Tim 2:7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
- Rom 1:9For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
- Gal 1:20Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
- 2 Cor 11:10As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
- Phil 1:8For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
- 1 Tim 1:5Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
- 2 Cor 12:19Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
- 2 Cor 1:12For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
- Rom 8:16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
- 1 Th 2:5For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
- 1 Tim 5:21I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
- 1 Jn 3:19–21And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
- 2 Cor 11:31The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
- Rom 2:15Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
- 2 Cor 1:23Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
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Christ at the center
Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.
How Romans 9:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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