Study Desk

Abraham's son from the slave woman was born in the normal human way. But the son from the free woman was born because of the promise God made to Abraham.

But the heavenly Jerusalem, which is above, is like the free woman. She is our mother.

It is written in the Scriptures: "Be happy, Jerusalem. You are like a woman who never gave birth to children. Start singing and shout for joy. You never felt the pain of giving birth, but you will have more children than the woman who has a husband." Isaiah 54:1

But what does the Scripture say? "Throw out the slave woman and her son. The son of the slave woman should not inherit anything. The son of the free woman should receive it all."

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

But we have the true hope that comes from being made right with God, and by the Spirit we wait eagerly for this hope.

But I trust in the Lord that you will not believe those different ideas. Whoever is confusing you with such ideas will be punished.

My brothers and sisters, God called you to be free, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do what pleases your sinful self. Serve each other with love.

But if the Spirit is leading you, you are not under the law.

But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Brothers and sisters, if someone in your group does something wrong, you who are spiritual should go to that person and gently help make him right again. But be careful, because you might be tempted to sin, too.

If they plant to satisfy their sinful selves, their sinful selves will bring them ruin. But if they plant to please the Spirit, they will receive eternal life from the Spirit.

When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.

Those who are circumcised do not obey the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised so they can brag about what they forced you to do.

God has put Christ over all rulers, authorities, powers, and kings, not only in this world but also in the next.

But God's mercy is great, and he loved us very much.

But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away from God are brought near through the blood of Christ's death.

Christ himself is our peace. He made both Jewish people and those who are not Jews one people. They were separated as if there were a wall between them, but Christ broke down that wall of hate by giving his own body.

The Jewish law had many commands and rules, but Christ ended that law. His purpose was to make the two groups of people become one new people in him and in this way make peace.

Now you who are not Jewish are not foreigners or strangers any longer, but are citizens together with God's holy people. You belong to God's family.