A. The Law of Love
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty;
only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh,
but through love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this:
"You shall love your neighbour as yourself"
B. The opposite to the law of love
15 but if you
bite and devour one another
beware lest you be consumed by one another
C. Walk in the Spirit
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
D. War with the desires of the flesh
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh;
and these are contrary to one another
so that you do not do the things that you wish
E. Living by the Spirit is not about following rules
18. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under rules.
F. The works of the flesh and the Spirit
19-21. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are:
adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissentions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
F’. The works of the flesh and the Spirit
22-23a. But the fruit of the Spirit is:
love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
E’. Living by the Spirit is not about following rules
23b. Regarding such things there is no set of rules.
D’. War with the desires of the flesh
24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh
with its lusts and desires.
C’. Walk in the Spirit
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
B’. The opposite to the law of love
26 Let us not become conceited,
provoking one another
envying one another
A’. The Law of Love
6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual
restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness,
considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
6:2 Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.
[6:3-5 continues this theme]