Freedom in Christ

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.^(A) Stand firm,^(B) then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.^(C)

Life by the Spirit

¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.^(A) But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[a];^(B) rather, serve one another^(C) humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^{[b](D) 15} If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’ Opponents Are

³¹ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching,^(A) you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”^(B)

³³ They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants^(C) and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

³⁴ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.^{(D) 35} Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.^{(E) 36} So if the Son sets you free,^(F) you will be free indeed. ³⁷ I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me,^(G) because you have no room for my word. ³⁸ I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence,^(H) and you are doing what you have heard from your father.^[a]”^(I)

³⁹ “Abraham is our father,” they answered.

“If you were Abraham’s children,”^(J) said Jesus, “then you would^[b] do what Abraham did.