12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.(A) 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die;(B) but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body,(C) you will live.(D)

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God(E) are the children of God.(F) 15 The Spirit(G) you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again;(H) rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.”(I) 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit(J) that we are God’s children.(K) 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs(L)—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings(M) in order that we may also share in his glory.(N)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:15 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture; also in verse 23.
  2. Romans 8:15 Aramaic for father

12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are obligated, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.(A) 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.(B) 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba![a] Father!”(C) 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness[b] with our spirit that we are children of God,(D) 17 and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if we in fact suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. 8.15 Aramaic for Father
  2. 8.16 Or . . . a spirit of adoption, by which we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit itself bears witness