¹⁹ I am using an example from everyday life^(A) 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^(B) leading to holiness.

² As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires,^(A) but rather for the will of God. ³ For you have spent enough time in the past^(B) doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.^{(C) 4} They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.^(D)

⁵ Put to death,^(A) therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:^(B) sexual immorality,^(C) impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,^(D) which is idolatry.^{(E) 6} Because of these, the wrath of God^(F) is coming.^{[a] 7} You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.^(G)

¹³ Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness,^(A) but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.^(B)

² in which you used to live^(A) when you followed the ways of this world^(B) and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,^(C) the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.^{(D) 3} All of us also lived among them at one time,^(E) gratifying the cravings of our flesh^[a](F) and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

⁵ But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly,^(A) what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)^(B)

¹¹ And that is what some of you were.^(A) But you were washed,^(B) you were sanctified,^(C) you were justified^(D) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

¹⁶ Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey^(A)—whether you are slaves to sin,^(B) which leads to death,^(C) or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? ¹⁷ But thanks be to God^(D) that, though you used to be slaves to sin,^(E) you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching^(F) that has now claimed your allegiance.

The Law and the Promise

¹⁵ Brothers and sisters,^(A) let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case.