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.

¹⁶ Live as free people,^(A) but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;^(B) live as God’s slaves.^(C)

Paul’s Use of His Freedom

¹⁹ Though I am free^(A) and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,^(B) to win as many as possible.^(C)

⁹ Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block^(A) to the weak.^(B)

15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak^(A) and not to please ourselves. ² Each of us should please our neighbors for their good,^(B) to build them up.^(C)

¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^[a](A)

Instructions for Christian Households^(A)

²¹ Submit to one another^(B) out of reverence for Christ.

¹⁸ You have been set free from sin^(A) and have become slaves to righteousness.^(B)

¹⁹ I am using an example from everyday life^(C) because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness^(D) leading to holiness. ²⁰ When you were slaves to sin,^(E) you were free from the control of righteousness.^{(F) 21} What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!^{(G) 22} But now that you have been set free from sin^(H) and have become slaves of God,^(I) the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.^(J)

² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.^(A)