Read the Bible

The Life-Giving Spirit

¹ Therefore, there is now no condemnation^(C1) for those in^(C2) Christ Jesus,^{(F1)(C3) 2} because the law of the Spirit of life^(C1) in Christ Jesus has set you^(F1) free from the law of sin and death.^{(C2) 3} What the law could not do^(C1) since it was weakened by the flesh,^(C2) God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh^(C3) as a sin offering,^{(F1)(C4) 4} in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled^(C1) in us who do not walk according to the flesh^(C2) but according to the Spirit. ⁵ For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh,^(C1) but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. ⁶ Now the mind-set of the flesh^(C1) is death,^(C2) but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind-set of the flesh is hostile^(C1) to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so. ⁸ Those who are in the flesh^(C1) cannot please God. ⁹ You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.^(C1) If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ,^(C2) he does not belong to him. ¹⁰ Now if Christ is in you,^(C1) the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit^(F1) gives life^(F2) because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead^(C1) lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through^(F1) his Spirit who lives in you.

The Holy Spirit’s Ministries

¹² So then, brothers and sisters, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, ¹³ because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body,^(C1) you will live. ¹⁴ For all those led by God’s Spirit^(C1) are God’s sons.^{(C2) 15} For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear.^(C1) Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption,^(C2) by whom we cry out, “Abba,^(F1) Father!” ^{(C3) 16} The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit^(C1) that we are God’s children, ¹⁷ and if children, also heirs^(C1)—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him^(C2) so that we may also be glorified with him.

From Groans to Glory

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing^(C1) with the glory^(C2) that is going to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation^(C1) for God’s sons^(C2) to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected^(C1) to futility^(C2)—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it^(C3)—in the hope ²¹ that the creation itself^(C1) will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. ²² For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains^(C1) until now. ²³ Not only that,^(C1) but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits^(C2)—we also groan within ourselves,^(C3) eagerly waiting for adoption,^(C4) the redemption of our bodies.^{(C5) 24} Now in this hope^(C1) we were saved, but hope^(C2) that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵ Now if we hope for what we do not see,^(C1) we eagerly wait for it with patience.

²⁶ In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should,^(C1) but the Spirit himself intercedes for us^(F1)(C2) with unspoken groanings. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts^(C1) knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

²⁸ We know that all things work together^(F1) for the good^(F2) of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.^{(C1) 29} For those he foreknew he also predestined^(C1) to be conformed to the image of his Son,^(C2) so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.^{(C3) 30} And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified;^(C1) and those he justified, he also glorified.^(C2)

The Believer’s Triumph

³¹ What then are we to say about these things?^(C1) If God is for us, who is against us?^{(C2) 32} He did not even spare his own Son^(C1) but offered him up for us all.^(C2) How will he not also with him grant us everything? ³³ Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect?^(C1) God is the one who justifies.^{(C2) 34} Who is the one who condemns?^(C1) Christ Jesus is the one who died,^(C2) but even more, has been raised;^(C3) he also is at the right hand of God^(C4) and intercedes for us.^{(C5) 35} Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction^(C1) or distress or persecution^(C2) or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors^(C1) through him who loved us.^{(C2) 38} For I am persuaded that neither death nor life,^(C1) nor angels nor rulers,^(C2) nor things present nor things to come,^(C3) nor powers, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God^(C1) that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.^(C2)