Verse 39 is a continuation of the thought in 38, but also serves as the transition from the wo section to the blessing section. Verse 39 specifically contrasts the life/death dichotomy.
The paralleled set is in the last sentence, with carnally-minded being oppositionally paired with spiritually-minded. These two sets are used as the definitional poles of existence, with the carnally-minded representative of those who would not repent, and the spiritually-minded representative of those who will repent and follow the gospel plan.