So now there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus set you/me free from the Law of sin and of death. 3 For what was impossible for the Law, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, having sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh[fn]This is a reference specifically to the fact that Jesus was crucified as an imposter and threat to the peace of Israel, alongside other outlaws. He appeared to be a sinner. It is not a statement of incarnational metaphysics.[/fn] and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, those walking not according to flesh but according to spirit.[fn]It is only incidental to Paul’s argument here that some Gentiles also walk according to the Spirit. This is primarily about how Israel is being saved.[/fn] 5 For those being according to flesh think the things of the flesh, those according to spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For the thinking of the flesh is death, but the thinking of the Spirit life and peace; 7 therefore the thinking of the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to the Law of God, for it cannot; 8 and those being in flesh are unable to please God.
9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this one is not of him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the spirit of the one having raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one having raised Christ [Jesus] from the dead will make-alive also your mortal bodies through his spirit indwelling in you. 12 So then, brothers,[fn]Rhetorically speaking, Paul is still addressing his Jewish “brothers… who know the Law” (Rom. 7:1).[/fn] we are debtors, not to the flesh to live according to the flesh, 13 for if according to the flesh you live, you are destined to die; but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, those are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery again for fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. 17 And if children, also heirs; heirs of God on the one hand, on the other heirs-together of Christ, if indeed we suffer-together in order that we might be glorified-together.[fn]All who have the Spirit are “heirs of God,” but only those who suffer as Christ suffered—that is, only the martyrs—will share in Christ’s inheritance.[/fn]
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy in relation to the glory which is to be revealed in/to us. 19 For the eager expectation of the creation awaits the revealing of the sons of God 20 (for the creation was subjected to the futility, not willingly but because of the one who subjected it) 21 in the hope that the creation itself will be set free from the slavery of decay to the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans-together and is in travail-together until now. 23 And not only that, but also we ourselves having the first-fruits of the Spirit, indeed we ourselves in ourselves groan awaiting adoption, the redemption of our body.
24 For in the hope we were saved; but hope seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, through steadfastness we wait. 26 Likewise also the Spirit helps in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with wordless groans; 27 and the one searching the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because in God’s way he intercedes for the saints. 28 We know that to those who love God everything works together for good, to those being called according to fore-purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also foredestined conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be firstborn among many brothers; 30 and those whom he foredestined, these also he called; and those whom he called, these also he justified; and those whom he justified, these also he glorified.
31 What then shall we say about this? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but for us all gave him up, how will he not also give graciously with him all things to us? 33 Who shall accuse against the chosen of God? God is the one who justifies. 34 Who will condemn? Christ (Jesus) is the one who died, rather was raised up, who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of the Christ? Affliction or distress or harassment or hunger or nakedness or peril or sword? 36 As it has been written: “On account of you we are being put to death all day long, we are reckoned as sheep of slaughter.” 37 But in all these things we are more than conquerors through the one who loved us. 38 For I have been persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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