The Life-Giving Spirit

Therefore, there is now no condemnation(A) for those in(B) Christ Jesus,[a](C) because the law[b] of the Spirit of life(D) in Christ Jesus has set you[c] free from the law[d] of sin and death.(E) For what the law could not do(F) since it was weakened by the flesh,(G) God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh(H) as a sin offering,[e](I) in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled(J) in us who do not walk according to the flesh(K) but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh,(L) but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. Now the mindset of the flesh(M) is death,(N) but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace. The mindset of the flesh is hostile(O) to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so. Those who are in the flesh(P) cannot please God.

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Footnotes

  1. 8:1 Other mss add who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit
  2. 8:2 Or principle
  3. 8:2 Other mss read me
  4. 8:2 Or principle
  5. 8:3 Or for sin

Set free by the Spirit

So now there isn’t any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. God has done what was impossible for the Law, since it was weak because of selfishness. God condemned sin in the body by sending his own Son to deal with sin in the same body as humans, who are controlled by sin. He did this so that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us. Now the way we live is based on the Spirit, not based on selfishness. People whose lives are based on selfishness think about selfish things, but people whose lives are based on the Spirit think about things that are related to the Spirit. The attitude that comes from selfishness leads to death, but the attitude that comes from the Spirit leads to life and peace. So the attitude that comes from selfishness is hostile to God. It doesn’t submit to God’s Law, because it can’t. People who are self-centered aren’t able to please God.

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