Deliverance from Bondage

8 Therefore there is now no ^(A)condemnation at all for those who are ^(B)in ^(C)Christ Jesus. ² For ^(D)the law of the Spirit of life ^[a]in ^(E)Christ Jesus ^(F)has set you free from the law of sin and of death. ³ For ^(G)what the Law could not do, ^[b](H)weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in ^(I)the likeness of ^[c]sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ so that the ^(J)requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who ^(K)do not walk ^[d]according to the flesh but ^[e]according to the Spirit. ⁵ For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on ^(L)the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, ^(M)the things of the Spirit. ^6 (N)For the mind ^[f]set on the flesh is ^(O)death, but the mind ^[g]set on the Spirit is life and peace, ⁷ because the mind ^[h]set on the flesh is ^(P)hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, ⁸ and those who are ^(Q)in the flesh cannot please God.

⁹ However, you are not ^(R)in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God ^(S)dwells in you. But ^(T)if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. ^10 (U)If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is ^[i]alive because of righteousness. ¹¹ But if the Spirit of Him who ^(V)raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, ^(W)He who raised ^(X)Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies ^[j]through His Spirit who dwells in you.

¹² So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— ¹³ for ^(Y)if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you are ^(Z)putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For all who are ^(AA)being led by the Spirit of God, these are ^(AB)sons and daughters of God. ¹⁵ For you ^(AC)have not received a spirit of slavery ^[k]leading to fear again, but you ^(AD)have received ^[l]a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “^(AE)Abba! ^[m]Father!” ¹⁶ The Spirit Himself ^(AF)testifies with our spirit that we are ^(AG)children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, ^(AH)heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, ^(AI)if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time ^(AJ)are not worthy to be compared with the ^(AK)glory that is to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the ^(AL)eagerly awaiting creation waits for ^(AM)the revealing of the ^(AN)sons and daughters of God. ²⁰ For the creation ^(AO)was subjected to ^(AP)futility, not willingly, but ^(AQ)because of Him who subjected it, ^[n]in hope ²¹ that ^(AR)the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation ^(AS)groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. ^23 (AT)And not only that, but also we ourselves, having ^(AU)the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves ^(AV)groan within ourselves, ^(AW)waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, ^(AX)the redemption of our body. ²⁴ For ^(AY)in hope we have been saved, but ^(AZ)hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? ²⁵ But ^(BA)if we hope for what we do not see, through perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Our Victory in Christ

²⁶ Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for ^(BB)we do not know what to pray for as we should, but ^(BC)the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with ^[o]groanings too deep for words; ²⁷ and ^(BD)He who searches the hearts knows what ^(BE)the mind of the Spirit is, because He ^(BF)intercedes for the ^[p]saints according to the will of God.

²⁸ And we know that ^[q]God ^[r]causes ^(BG)all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are ^(BH)called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For those whom He ^(BI)foreknew, He also ^(BJ)predestined to become ^(BK)conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the ^(BL)firstborn among many brothers and sisters; ³⁰ and these whom He ^(BM)predestined, He also ^(BN)called; and these whom He called, He also ^(BO)justified; and these whom He justified, He also ^(BP)glorified.

^31 (BQ)What then shall we say to these things? ^(BR)If God is for us, who is against us? ³² He who ^(BS)did not spare His own Son, but ^(BT)delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? ³³ Who will bring charges against ^(BU)God’s elect? ^(BV)God is the one who justifies; ³⁴ who is the one who ^(BW)condemns? Christ Jesus is He who ^(BX)died, but rather, was ^[s](BY)raised, who is ^(BZ)at the right hand of God, who also ^(CA)intercedes for us. ³⁵ Who will separate us from ^(CB)the love of ^[t]Christ? Will ^(CC)tribulation, or trouble, or ^(CD)persecution, or ^(CE)famine, or ^(CF)nakedness, or ^(CG)danger, or sword? ³⁶ Just as it is written:

³⁷ But in all these things we overwhelmingly ^(CI)conquer through ^(CJ)Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither ^(CK)death, nor life, nor ^(CL)angels, nor principalities, nor ^(CM)things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from ^(CN)the love of God that is ^(CO)in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Deep Concern for Israel

9 ^(CP)I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, ² that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. ³ For ^(CQ)I could ^[u]wish that I myself were ^(CR)accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my countrymen, my kinsmen ^(CS)according to the flesh, ⁴ who are ^(CT)Israelites, to whom belongs ^(CU)the adoption as sons and daughters, ^(CV)the glory, ^(CW)the covenants, ^(CX)the giving of the Law, ^(CY)the temple service, and ^(CZ)the promises; ⁵ whose are ^(DA)the fathers, and ^(DB)from whom is the ^[v]Christ according to the flesh, ^(DC)who is over all, ^(DD)God ^(DE)blessed ^[w]forever. Amen.

⁶ But it is not as though ^(DF)the word of God has failed. ^(DG)For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; ⁷ nor are they all children ^(DH)because they are Abraham’s ^[x](DI)descendants, but: “^[y](DJ)through Isaac your ^[z]descendants shall be named.” ⁸ That is, it is not the children of the flesh ^[aa]who are ^(DK)children of God, but the ^(DL)children of the promise are regarded as ^[ab](DM)descendants. ⁹ For this is the word of promise: “^(DN)At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.” ^10 (DO)And not only that, but there was also ^(DP)Rebekah, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; ¹¹ for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that ^(DQ)God’s purpose according to His choice would ^[ac]stand, not ^[ad]because of works but ^[ae]because of Him who calls, ¹² it was said to her, “^(DR)The older will serve the younger.” ¹³ Just as it is written: “^(DS)Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”

^14 (DT)What shall we say then? ^(DU)There is no injustice with God, is there? ^[af](DV)Far from it! ¹⁵ For He says to Moses, “^(DW)I will have mercy on whomever I have mercy, and I will show compassion to whomever I show compassion.” ¹⁶ So then, it does not depend on the person who ^[ag]wants it nor the one who ^[ah](DX)runs, but on ^(DY)God who has mercy. ¹⁷ For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “^(DZ)For this very reason I raised you up, in order to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed ^[ai]throughout the earth.” ¹⁸ So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He ^(EA)hardens whom He desires.

^19 (EB)You will say to me then, “^(EC)Why does He still find fault? For ^(ED)who has resisted His will?” ²⁰ On the contrary, who are you, ^[aj](EE)you foolish person, who ^(EF)answers back to God? ^(EG)The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? ²¹ Or does the potter not have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one object ^[ak]for honorable use, and another ^[al]for common use? ^22 [am]What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with great ^(EH)patience objects of wrath ^(EI)prepared for destruction? ²³ And He did so to make known ^(EJ)the riches of His glory upon ^(EK)objects of mercy, which He ^(EL)prepared beforehand for glory, ²⁴ namely us, whom He also ^(EM)called, ^(EN)not only from among Jews, but also from among Gentiles, ²⁵ as He also says in Hosea:

²⁷ Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “^(ER)Though the number of the sons of Israel may be ^(ES)like the sand of the sea, only ^(ET)the remnant will be saved; ^28 (EU)for the Lord will execute His word on the earth, ^[an]thoroughly and ^[ao]quickly.” ²⁹ And just as Isaiah foretold:

^30 (EZ)What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, but ^(FA)the righteousness that is ^[as]by faith; ³¹ however, Israel, ^(FB)pursuing a law of righteousness, did not ^(FC)arrive at that law. ³² Why? Because they did not pursue it ^[at]by faith, but as though they could ^[au]by works. They stumbled over ^(FD)the stumbling stone, ³³ just as it is written:

Sonship in Christ

4 Now I say, as long as the heir is a ^[a]child, he does not differ at all from a slave, although he is ^[b]owner of everything, ² but he is under guardians and ^[c]managers until the ^[d]date set by the father. ³ So we too, when we were children, were held ^(A)in bondage under the ^[e](B)elementary principles of the world. ⁴ But when ^(C)the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, ^(D)born of a woman, born ^(E)under ^[f]the Law, ⁵ so that He might redeem those who were under ^[g]the Law, that we might receive the adoption as ^(F)sons and daughters. ⁶ Because you are sons, ^(G)God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “^(H)Abba! ^[h]Father!” ⁷ Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and ^(I)if a son, then an heir ^[i]through God.

⁸ However at that time, ^(J)when you did not know God, you were ^(K)slaves to ^(L)those which by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be ^(M)known by God, ^(N)how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless ^[j](O)elementary principles, to which you want to be enslaved all over again? ¹⁰ You ^(P)meticulously observe days and months and seasons and years. ¹¹ I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored ^[k]over you in vain.

¹² I beg of you, ^(Q)brothers and sisters, ^(R)become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong; ¹³ but you know that it was because of a ^[l]bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the ^[m]first time; ¹⁴ and you did not despise that which was a trial to you in my ^[n]bodily condition, nor express contempt, but ^(S)you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. ¹⁵ Where then is ^[o]that sense of blessing you had? For I testify about you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ So have I become your enemy ^(T)by ^[p]telling you the truth? ¹⁷ They eagerly seek you, not ^[q]in a commendable way, but they want to shut you out so that you will seek them. ¹⁸ But it is good always to be eagerly sought ^[r]in a commendable way, and ^(U)not only when I am present with you. ^19 (V)My children, with whom ^(W)I am again in labor until ^(X)Christ is formed in you— ²⁰ but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone of voice, for ^(Y)I am at a loss about you!

Slave and Free

²¹ Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not ^(Z)listen to the Law? ²² For it is written that Abraham had two sons, ^(AA)one by the slave woman and ^(AB)one by the free woman. ²³ But ^(AC)the son by the slave woman ^[s]was born according to the flesh, and ^(AD)the son by the free woman through the promise. ^24 [t](AE)This is speaking allegorically, for these women are two covenants: one coming from ^(AF)Mount Sinai giving birth to children ^[u]who are to be ^(AG)slaves; ^[v]she is Hagar. ²⁵ Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is enslaved with her children. ²⁶ But ^(AH)the Jerusalem above is free; ^[w]she is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written:

²⁸ And you, brothers and sisters, ^(AJ)like Isaac, are ^(AK)children of promise. ²⁹ But as at that time ^(AL)the son who was born according to the flesh ^(AM)persecuted the one who was born according to the Spirit, ^(AN)so it is even now. ³⁰ But what does the Scripture say?

³¹ So then, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave woman, but of the free woman.

The Blessings of Redemption

1 Paul, ^(A)an apostle of ^(B)Christ Jesus ^[a](C)by the will of God,

To the ^[b](D)saints who are ^[c]at ^(E)Ephesus and ^(F)are faithful in ^(G)Christ Jesus: ^2 (H)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

^3 (I)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in ^(J)the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴ just as ^(K)He chose us in Him before ^(L)the foundation of the world, that we would be ^(M)holy and blameless before ^[d]Him. ^(N)In love ^5 [e]He ^(O)predestined us to ^(P)adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, ^(Q)according to the good pleasure of His will, ^6 (R)to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in ^(S)the Beloved. ^7 (T)In ^[f]Him we have ^(U)redemption ^(V)through His blood, the ^(W)forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to ^(X)the riches of His grace ⁸ which He ^[g]lavished on ^[h]us. In all wisdom and insight ⁹ He ^[i](Y)made known to us the mystery of His will, ^(Z)according to His good pleasure which He ^(AA)set forth in Him, ¹⁰ regarding His plan of ^(AB)the fullness of the times, ^(AC)to bring all things together in Christ, things ^[j]in the heavens and things on the earth. ^11 [k]In Him we also ^(AD)have obtained an inheritance, having been ^(AE)predestined ^(AF)according to the purpose of Him who works all things ^(AG)in accordance with the plan of His will, ¹² to the end that ^[l]we who were the first to hope in the ^[m]Christ would be ^(AH)to the praise of His glory. ¹³ In ^[n]Him, ^[o]you also, after listening to ^(AI)the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also ^[p]believed, you were ^(AJ)sealed in ^[q]Him with ^(AK)the Holy Spirit of the promise, ¹⁴ who is a ^(AL)first installment of ^(AM)our inheritance, in regard to the ^(AN)redemption of ^(AO)God’s own possession, ^(AP)to the praise of His glory.

¹⁵ For this reason I too, ^(AQ)having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and ^[r]your love for ^(AR)all the ^[s]saints, ^16 (AS)do not cease giving thanks for you, ^(AT)while making mention of you in my prayers; ¹⁷ that the ^(AU)God of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^(AV)the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of ^(AW)wisdom and of ^(AX)revelation in the ^[t]knowledge of Him. ¹⁸ I pray that ^(AY)the eyes of your heart ^[u]may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the ^(AZ)hope of His ^(BA)calling, what are ^(BB)the riches of the glory of ^(BC)His inheritance in ^(BD)the ^[v]saints, ¹⁹ and what is the ^[w]boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe. ^(BE)These are in accordance with the working of the ^(BF)strength of His might ²⁰ which He brought about in Christ, when He ^(BG)raised Him from the dead and ^(BH)seated Him at His right hand in ^(BI)the heavenly places, ²¹ far above ^(BJ)all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every ^(BK)name that is named, not only in ^(BL)this age but also in the one to come. ²² And He ^(BM)put all things in subjection under His feet, and made Him ^(BN)head over all things to the church, ²³ which is His ^(BO)body, the ^(BP)fullness of Him who ^(BQ)fills ^(BR)all in all.