King James Bible
"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."
Paul warns that a lifestyle governed by sinful human nature leads to spiritual death—eternal separation from God. The 'flesh' refers not to the physical body itself, but to the corrupt nature that rebels against God's will. The alternative path requires the Holy Spirit's power to actively 'put to death' sinful actions. This mortification is an ongoing process where believers consciously reject sin's control, emphasizing that sanctification is both divine enablement and human responsibility. This promise extends beyond mere survival to abundant spiritual life now and eternal life hereafter. Paul contrasts this true life with the death mentioned earlier, showing that how we respond to the Spirit determines our ultimate destiny.