³ concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David^[a](A) according to the flesh^(B)

Abraham Justified by Faith

4 What then can we say that Abraham, our physical ancestor,^[a](A) has found?

⁴ in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished^(A) in us who do not walk according to the flesh^(B) but according to the Spirit. ⁵ For those who live^[a] according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh,^(C) but those who live^[b] according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit’s Ministries

¹² So then, brothers, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, ¹³ for 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,^(A) you will live.

³ For I could almost wish^(A) to be cursed^(B) and cut off^[a] from the Messiah for the benefit of my brothers, my own flesh and blood.

⁵ The ancestors are theirs,^(A) and from them, by physical descent,^[a] came the Messiah,^(B) who is God^(C) over all,^(D) praised forever.^[b](E) Amen.

Boasting Only in the Lord

²⁶ Brothers, consider your calling: Not many are wise from a human perspective,^[a] not many powerful,^(A) not many of noble birth.

¹⁸ Look at the people of Israel.^[a] Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in what is offered on the altar?^(A)

¹⁷ So when I planned this, was I irresponsible? Or what I plan, do I plan in a purely human^[a](A) way so that I say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” simultaneously?