Five Scriptures for Holiness

Coming out of Carnality and Coming into Spirituality in order to be Holy. The scripture portions below are a technically literal translation which is grammatically correct. At the bottom of this page you will find a link to a lengthy explanation of the meaning of these texts. At the bottom of the explanation page you will find a link to return to these scriptures or use your back button. Both of these pages have a link back to the Home page

Ephesians 4:22-24. With respect to your former way of life, be renewing the spirit of your mind, and take off of yourself the old man -- the one being corrupted after the fashion of deceitful lusts. Also put on yourself the new man -- the one being created after God in true righteousness and holiness.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15. 14 For the sacrificial loving care of Christ is exercising a constraining influence over us, having discerned this: that since One has died in the furtherance and maintenance of all (believers), then all (believers) have died (with Christ); 15 and he has died in the furtherance and maintenance of all (believers), so that those (believers), living, may live/are living no more/no longer for themselves, but for the One having died, and having been raised up again, for them alone.

Galatians 2:19-21. 19 For through the Law I died to the Law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ with the present result that I am dead; I am no longer living, but Christ is living in me; and what I am presently living in flesh, I am living by faith for the Son of God -- the One caring for me and delivering himself up in my stead. 21 I am not violating the grace of God; for if justification (is) through the Law, then Christ has died in vain.

Galatians 5:13-26. 13 Indeed, brothers, you all were called with a view toward liberating freedom, only (use) not that liberating freedom as an opportunity or occasion for the flesh, but by means of/on account of/for the sake of self-sacrificial loving-care, you all continually slave for and be subject to one another. 14 For the entire Law is being realized and fully performed through one doctrine: through the (teaching), "Thou shalt lovingly care for your neighbor as (you would) yourself." 15 But if you all are continually vexing and injuring one another, you all watch out/take heed: you all could be ruined at the hands of one another.

16 I am saying, then, you all continually and habitually walk with/by/in spirituality, and you all will not ever carry out into full operation carnal desire. 17 For the carnal nature is always desiring in the face of the Spirit, and the Spirit in the face of the carnal nature, and these are themselves averse/opposed to one another so that/in order that whatever (illegitimacies) you all might/may be regularly inclining/intending/desiring (to do), you would not be causing these (things) to be. 18 But if with/by spirituality you all are being habitually led, you all are not under (the) Law.

19 Now the deeds of the flesh are conspicuous: whatsoever is adultery, fornication, lewd, obscene and indecent lasciviousness, outrageous and unrestrained sexual license, 20 worship of idols, recreational drug abuse, alienating conflicts, hostile and contentious altercations, malicious jealousies, passionately angry uprisings, party-spirited dispositions, implacable and divisive dissentions, creating of factions, 21 envy motivated spites, murders, drunkenness, gluttonous feastings, and things like these; I am telling you all in advance, even as I already said before, that those habitually and continually practicing such things will not obtain God's kingdom by inheritance (cf. 1^stCo. 6:9-11).

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is a devotedly generous loving-care, a blissful inner gladness, a tranquillizing inner peace, a patiently enduring tolerance, a beneficially utilitarian kindness, a virtuous goodness, a faithful integrity, a forbearing meekness, a disciplined self-control -- against things of this sort no law is existing; 24 and those of the Christ (have) crucified the flesh, together with (its) passionate emotions and irregular, violent, cupidinous desires.

25 If we are continually living with/by/in spirituality, we should also be continually acting and behaving with/by/in spirituality. 26 We should never become vainglorious, provoking one another with irritating feelings of rivalry, envying each other.

Romans chapters 6,7 and 8. 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue a relationship with/to linger on with/to adhere to, the sin nature, in order that the grace (of God) can broadly increase/abound/be augmented? 2 May that never happen! We who died (with reference) to the sin nature -- how shall we live for/exist for/be possessed by/controlled by it any longer? 3 Or are you all unaware that as many as/all who were baptized into/identified with Christ Jesus were immersed into/identified with his death? 4 Therefore, we were buried with him through/by means of the baptism/immersion into that death, so that just as Christ was raised up out of death by means of the glorious working of the Father, so we also should (likewise) maintain a walk within (the parameters of) newness of life (cf. 8:2). 5 Now since we have become attached to/united with the likeness/similitude of that death of his, moreover we ourselves shall also be (attached to/united with the likeness/similitude) of the resurrection (of his) -- 6 always knowing this: that the old man of ours was crucified (with him), so that the embodiment of the sin nature can be prevented/neutralized/rendered inoperative; we (are) no more/no longer to continue the slaving for the sin nature. 7 For the one having died has been completely and lastingly liberated from the agency/instrumentality of the sin nature.

8 Now since we died together with Christ, we are also continually believing that we shall coexist in life with him, 9 having known perfectly that Christ, having been raised up out of death, is dying no longer; death is no longer exercising sway over him. 10 For the (death) he died, he died (with reference) to the sin nature once for all (cf. 8:3-4); but the (life) he is ever living, he is ever living for God. 11 Thus you all also: continually reckon/regard/deem/consider yourselves to indeed be dead to/no longer under the influence of/nor devoted to the (indwelling) sin nature, but continuously living for God through/possessed by/controlled by (the indwelling Holy Spirit of) Christ Jesus our Lord.

12 Therefore, do not be allowing the sin nature (to have) continual, prevalent, controlling sway/rule over your mortal body/dead carcass with a view toward continuing to heed/obey it in (cooperation) with its impulses toward cupidity; 13 neither be presenting/providing/devoting your body-parts (as) implements of iniquity to the sin nature; but devote/present yourselves to God as if living/functioning out of/from (the realm of) death, and (be presenting/providing/devoting) your body-parts to God (as) implements of godliness/piety/virtue. 14 For Sin shall not be you all's master, because you all are not under Law, but under Grace (cf. 5:20-21).

15 What now? Can/Should/May we sin because we are no longer under Law but under Grace? May that never happen! 16 Haven't you all perfectly understood that to whom you all are presenting/providing/devoting yourselves as slaves with respect to obedience, you all are slaves to whom you are continually obeying -- whether of Sin on toward death, or of submissive, compliant obedience (to the Spirit) on toward godliness/piety/virtue? 17 But thank God that you all used to be slaves of the sin nature, yet (now) from within (the) heart you all submissively obeyed that (Gospel) formula of teaching to which you all were committed/entrusted. 18 And having been freed (from the domination) of the sin nature, you all were devoted to godliness/piety/virtue. 19 I am speaking analogous to humanity on account of the disadvantage of your carnal nature: for, just/like as you all presented/provided/devoted your body-parts (as) slaves to impure lewdness, and to breaking the Law, so in this (same) way, you all present/provide/devote your body-parts (as) slaves to godliness/piety/virtue on to sanctified moral purity. 20 For when you all were slaves of the sin nature, you all were free with regard to godliness/piety/virtue: 21 consequently, what fruit were you all realizing then/at that time for/over which you all are now ashamed of yourselves? For the end/result/realization of those (things is) death. 22 But now, having been freed from (the domination) of the sin nature, and having become devoted to the service of/enslaved to God, you all are retaining your fruit on to sanctified moral purity, and the end/result/realization -- life eternal. 23 For the stipend/remuneration/reward of the sin nature (is) death, but the free grace gift of God (is) life eternal in/through Christ Jesus our Lord.

7:1 Or are you all unaware, brothers -- for I am speaking experientially to those knowing law -- that the Law is in charge of a person for as long a time as they are alive? 2 For the woman married to a man has been bound by Law to the living husband. But if ever the husband should die, she has been released/freed/dissevered from the Law regarding the husband. 3 So then -- (while) the husband is living -- if ever she were to change herself to another husband, she will be designated an adulteress. But if ever the husband should die, she is exempt from that Law -- so that she (is) not to be (designated) an adulteress (after) having been changed to another husband (cf. 6:1-4). 4 Therefore, my brothers, even you were killed dead (with reference) to the Law through/by means of the body of Christ for the intent/purpose that you all were to be born/converted/changed to another -- to the One having been raised up out of death -- so that we can bring forth fruit for God. 5 For when we were possessed by the carnal nature, the passionate arousals of those sins (springing up/arising) through/by means of the Law, were themselves an active power/principle within our body-parts so as to bring forth the fruit for death. 6 But (as of) now, we were freed/released/dissevered from the agency/instrumentality of the Law, having died to that by which we were being held captive or bound (through obligation), in order for us to continually be subservient to a newness of spirituality, and not to an oldness of a written code.

7 What shall we say then? The Law (is) a wrong/an error/a failure? May that never be! On the contrary I knew/identified/recognized not the sinful nature except through/by means of a law: for even the (sin of) covetousness I would have not known/identified/recognized but that the Law was saying, "Thou shalt not covet" (cf. 3:20). 8 But having taken opportune advantage, the sin nature itself produced within me as a result -- by means of that commandment -- every cupidinous desire. For apart from Law, Sin (is) without life. 9 Now, I once was living apart from Law, but the commandment having come, the sin nature sprang to life -- and I died. 10 Then it was evident/made clear to me that the commandment intended for life -- this caused death. 11 For the sin nature, having taken opportune advantage through/by means of the commandment, deceived/beguiled me thoroughly, and killed me by way/means of it. 12 Therefore, the Law (is) indeed distinctly ethical/awesomely judicial/worthy of respect, and the commandment (is) functionally dedicated/morally right/set apart for success, and (it is) equitable/fair/just, and (it is) good/profitable/beneficial.

13 Now, has the Good become death for/to me? May that never be! On the contrary, so that the sin nature could be brought to light/might be exposed/can be seen for what it is -- Sin -- (it was) always bringing out death for/to me by means of the Good, so that the sin nature by means of the commandment might/could itself be made/become extremely sinful. 14 For we have known absolutely that the Law is always spiritual; yet I am carnal, having been completely sold out/devoted to the sin nature. 15 For I do not know/understand/realize what I myself am producing as a result, because what I will, this I am not always practicing; but what I am detesting, this I am always doing. 16 Now, if what I do not will, this I am always doing, I am in accord/agreement that the Law (is) good/profitable/beneficial; 17 but now, no longer am I (the one) working it out, but (it is) the sin nature dwelling within me. 18 For I absolutely know that good is not dwelling in me -- that is in my carnal nature (cf. 7:25). For the inclination to will is itself always present with me, but the inclination to bring about the good I am not always finding. 19 For what good I will, I am not always doing; but what evil I will not, this I am always practicing. 20 And if what I will not, I am always doing, I myself am no longer doing it, but the sin nature dwelling within me. 21 I am then continually discovering/recognizing this axiom/maxim: that for me -- the willing -- (when) doing the good, that evil is itself ever present with me. 22 For I continually delight myself with the Law of God according to the inner man; 23 but I (also) note/discern/perceive another law in/within my body-parts contravening/opposing/setting itself against the command of my intellect, and leading me captive/subjecting me to the rule/control/compulsive coercion of the sin nature -- the (one) existing within my body-parts. 24 I (am) a wretched, miserably afflicted man! Who will drag/rescue/save/deliver me from/out of the embodiment of this death (cf. 6:6; 8:18-23)? 25 I am always giving thanks to God because of/on account of Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself, on the one hand, am continually subservient to/slaving for God's Law with the mind/intellect, (yet) on the other hand, (subservient to/slaving for) Sin's law with the carnal nature.

8:1 Therefore (there is) now in time no condemnation (cf. 5:16, 18) to/for the (ones residing) in Christ Jesus, (who are) not habitually walking/maintaining a walk according to carnality, but according to spirituality (cf. 6:4). 2 For the principle of spiritual living in Christ Jesus (cf. 7:6) liberated you/me from the Law of sin and death (cf. 5:12,14; 6:9-11). 3 For the impotence of the Law, in that it was inefficient because of/on account of the carnal nature (cf. 7:23, 25b), God (addressed) -- having sent/dispatched his own Son into a corresponding likeness of sinful flesh; and because of/on account of sin -- he condemned the sin nature in that flesh (cf. 7:4) 4 in order that the decree of the Law can be fulfilled for us (cf. Mt. 5:17-18, 20, 48; Col. 2:14; Gal. 3:21-26) -- those (of us) not habitually walking/maintaining a walk according to carnality, but according to spirituality. 5 For those existing in carnality are inclining towards the (things) of the carnal nature, but those (existing) in spirituality (are inclining towards) the (things) of the spiritual nature. 6 For the inclination/frame of thought/mindset of the carnal (one is) death, but the inclination/frame of thought/mindset of the spiritual (one is) life and peace (cf. 5:1). 7 Therefore, the inclination/frame of thought/mindset of the carnal (one is) a state of enmity against God, for it never renders obedience/submits itself to the Law/Rule/Standard of God, for it is itself inherently unable to; 8 and those existing for carnality are unable to please God. 9 But, you all are not in carnality, but in spirituality, if it be/is so that God's (Holy) Spirit is dwelling/living/residing within you all. Yet if anyone is not possessing/affected by/subject to Christ's (Holy) Spirit, this (one) is not of him. 10 But if Christ (is) within you all, on the one hand, the body (is) dead because of sin, on the other hand, the spirit (is) alive because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of the (One) having raised up Jesus out of death is dwelling/living/residing within you all, the (One) having raised up the Christ out of death will also vivify/quicken/make alive all of your mortal bodies through/by means of his Spirit dwelling/living/residing within you all.

12 So therefore, brothers, we are never under obligation/bound in any way to the carnal nature, to continue living according to carnality. 13 For if you all are habitually living according to carnality, you all are going/intending to die; but if for spirituality you all regularly prevent/subdue/put to death the (carnal) operations/ways/practices of the body (cf. 6:6; 7:24), you all will live (cf. Gal. 5:13-25); 14 for as many as are being habitually led by God's Spirit, these are always (mature) sons/daughters of God. 15 For you all did not receive a spirit of thralldom to fear further, but you all received a Spirit of sonship with/by Whom we are continually crying, "Daddy! Father!." 16 The Spirit itself is always testifying/bearing witness together with our spirit that we are (forever) children of God. 17 And if children, then heirs -- on the one hand, heirs of God -- on the other hand, co-heirs with Christ, if it be/is so that we are enduring corresponding sufferings, so that we can experience mutual glorification.

18 For I myself conclude that the sufferings/afflictions of the present time (are) not worthy of comparison with the impending glory to be revealed to/in us (II Cor. 4:17); 19 for the eager anticipation of the creation is: looking for the revelation of the (mature) sons/daughters of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to a futility/frustration in hope -- not willingly, but by the subjecting One. 21 For even the creation itself will be set free from the slavery of perishable mortality in accordance with the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know absolutely that all the creation is groaning and travailing together on to the present. 23 Not only that, but ourselves having the first-fruit of the Spirit also: even we ourselves are groaning within ourselves awaiting adoption/realizing adult-son-placing -- the deliverance of our body procured by the payment of ransom. 24 For we were saved in hope; yet hope being realized is not hope; for why is one yet hoping for what one is already realizing? 25 But if we are hoping for what we are realizing not, we ourselves are awaiting with perseverance. 26 And likewise, even the Spirit is supporting/helping/aiding our ineptitudes: for that which we ourselves shall pray, according as is required, we know not how; but the Spirit itself is interceding on our behalf with inexpressible aspirations. 27 And the One searching hearts has known absolutely what the frame of thought (is) of the Spirit; because it is ever interceding on behalf of holy ones before God. 28 And we know absolutely that God is always working all together for good -- for those loving God -- for those being called according to a predetermined purpose. 29 For (those) whom he foreknew, he also predestined (to) assimilation of his Son's likeness, in order for him to be the preeminent One among many brothers. 30 And whom he predestined, these he also called; and whom he called, these he also justified; and whom he justified, these he also glorified.

31/32 What then shall we say of these? Since God (is) for us -- Who in fact spared not his own Son, but gave him up on behalf of us all -- who (is) against us? How shall he not also with him, himself freely give/grant to us the totality? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? God (is) the One justifying! 34 Who (is) the one condemning? Christ (is) the One having died -- yea rather having been raised up, and who is ever at God's right hand, and who is ever interceding on our behalf! 35 What shall sever us from the self-sacrificial loving-care of Christ? Tribulation? Or dire straits? Or persecution? Or famine? Or nakedness? Or danger? Or sword? 36 How it has been written!

"For your sake we are being exposed to imminent death all day long; we were accounted as slaughtered sheep."

37 But in/within/through all these we are prevailing mightily victorious through/by means of the One having self-sacrificially loved us. 38 For I have been persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor authorities, nor having a present, nor having a future, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will itself be able to sever us from the self-sacrificial loving-care of God -- that within Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 12:1-2. I urge you therefore, brothers, by the compassionate mercies of God, to once and for all consecrate, dedicate and present your bodies a living sacrifice -- acceptably holy and set apart from that which is common or profane -- well-pleasing to God, which is your spiritually reasonable, rationally logical and sacrificially worshipful service. And do not allow yourselves to be affectionately conformed to or assimilated into the present order of this age: but undergo transformation by the renovative renewal of your mind, with the express purpose being that you are to prove to yourself what the good, perfect and well-pleasing will of God is.

James 4:4-10. (Spiritual) adulterers and adulteresses! Don't you all absolutely know that the inordinate regard of the world with affection is an antipathy of God? Therefore, whoever has been disposed to be a congenial associate of the world is being rendered a hater of God. Or do you all imagine that the Scripture is saying for no reason, "The Spirit who took residence within us strongly tends toward jealousy?" Yet he is exhibiting extraordinary graciousness. Therefore (the Scripture) is saying, "God is himself averse to arrogance, but is granting acceptance to humility." Therefore, you all be submissive toward God; then you all resist the Devil and he will flee on account of you all. You all draw near to God and he will draw near to you. All you sinners! Cleanse hands. All you fickle: purge hearts. Suffer/endure compunction. Lament, mourn and weep. Change your joyous laughter into a sad grief, and happiness into dejection. Be humble/contrite in the presence/sight of the Lord and he will exalt you all.

2 Corinthians 5:9-10. 9 On this account, therefore, we are earnestly endeavoring, using utmost effort, whether dwelling at home (in the body) or traveling (to the Lord), to be well-pleasing, grateful and acceptable to him. 10 For we all must be laid bare and appear in true character in front of the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one separately can receive/obtain for himself the things (earned) while in the state of the body, according to and in conformity with what he has practiced, done, or performed, whether profitable or unprofitable.