^^Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. ^^For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die ; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. ^'^For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. *^For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear ; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ^^The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God : *7and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. ^^For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to he com- pared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ^^For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 2°For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, ^^because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ^^Yoi we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. ^^And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. ^^For we are saved by hope : but hope that is seen is not hope : for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for % 25But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 26Liij;g^ise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities : for we know not what we should pray for as we ought : but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. *7And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spi- rit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28^n(j yfQ know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
This section contains two additional arguments in support of the great theme of the chapter, the safety of all who are in Christ. The first is derived from their adoption, vs. 12 — 17, and the second from the fact that they are sustained by hope and aided by the Spirit under all their