Following the general statements of the last episode, Paul gives detailed teaching about the practicalities of serving God. It should be done with humility, faith and love. He lists several gifts of the Holy spirit to build up the church.

Following on Jesus' teaching, Paul also encourages the Christian community to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’. Our neighbour is people in the church community who need help which we can give. He introduces a sense of urgency in the light of the Second Coming of Jesus and the question of how we have used our opprtunities.

Paul uses the imagery of slavery to show what was the old life but compares it to the freedom of the new life. We are obligated to please God in response to God’s generous love towards us. We choose to follow God.

Paul is aware of tensions between the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians in the church in Rome and some of the Gentiles questioning the importance of the Jews at that time. Paul explains the Jewish historical heritage which remains important. Jesus, the Messiah was a Jew and Paul himself.

Jesus directly criticises the Jewish leaders for their love of money and social standing, for their legalism and leading the crowd astray.

Jesus tells this parable in response to a trick question. He challenges the Jewish concept of loving fellow Jews as neighbours and encourages mercy for anyone who has need.

Again Jesus challenges the Jewish teaching about enemies. The Old Testament phrase has been corrupted. Jesus' disciples are to love and pray for their enemies.