²¹ To those not having the law I became like one not having the law^(A) (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law),^(B) so as to win those not having the law.

¹² All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law^(A) will be judged by the law.

² I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit^(A) by the works of the law,^(B) or by believing what you heard?^(C)

¹⁴ (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law,^(A) they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law.

The Fulfillment of the Law

¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.^{(A) 18} For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.^{(B) 19} Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands^(C) and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.^(D)

¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing.^(A) Keeping God’s commands is what counts. ²⁰ Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.^(B)

²¹ Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. ²² For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person;^(C) similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.^(D)

² Teach the older men^(A) to be temperate,^(B) worthy of respect, self-controlled,^(C) and sound in faith,^(D) in love and in endurance.

³ Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers^(E) or addicted to much wine,^(F) but to teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can urge the younger women^(G) to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled^(H) and pure, to be busy at home,^(I) to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands,^(J) so that no one will malign the word of God.^(K)

⁶ Similarly, encourage the young men^(L) to be self-controlled.^{(M) 7} In everything set them an example^(N) by doing what is good.^(O) In your teaching show integrity, seriousness ⁸ and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.^(P)

⁹ Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything,^(Q) to try to please them, not to talk back to them, ¹⁰ and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior^(R) attractive.^(S)

¹¹ For the grace^(T) of God has appeared^(U) that offers salvation to all people.^{(V) 12} It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions,^(W) and to live self-controlled,^(X) upright and godly lives^(Y) in this present age,

Living to Please God

4 As for other matters, brothers and sisters,^(A) we instructed you how to live^(B) in order to please God,^(C) as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. ² For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.^{(A) 2} “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”^[a](B)