Heirs with Christ

Paul names the obligation that follows from the previous section. It is not owed to the flesh. If the flesh is fed, death; if the deeds of the body are put to death by the Spirit, life.

T¹²herefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. ¹³For 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.

Those led by the Spirit are God’s sons. They have not received a returning spirit of slavery, but the Spirit of adoption, by whom they cry ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit confirms them as children and therefore heirs — co-heirs with Christ, who suffered before he was glorified.

¹⁴For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. ¹⁵For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” ¹⁶The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ — if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.