Romans 8
CHAPTER 8
Flesh and spirit
There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for a sin offering, condemned sin, in the flesh. 4 That the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind of the flesh is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be. 8 And they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies- through His Spirit that dwells in you.
12 So then brothers, we are debtors- but not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live.
The wonder of being God’s children
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit, that we are children of God. 17 And if children, then heirs- heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. If so be that we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation awaits the revealing of the God’s children. 20 For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as children and the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope were we saved; but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, then we with patience wait for it.
Amazing encouragement
26 And in like manner the Spirit also helps our infirmity. For we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that to them that love God, to them that are called according to His purpose- all things work together for good. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also foreordained to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many other children. 30 And whom He foreordained, those He also called, and whom He called, these He also justified, and who He justified, these He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not His own Son but delivered him up for us all, how shall He not also with him freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's chosen ones? It is God that justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? It is Christ Jesus that died, yes rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God; who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Even as it is written: For your sake we are killed all the day long, we were deemed sheep for the slaughter. 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Commentary
8:1 We must give these wonderful words their true weight and not skim read them. If we are “in Christ” by faith and baptism into Him, then we will not be condemned at the day of judgment. This is a good news almost too good to be believed by many.
8:3 The identity of Jesus with human nature and sinners is clearly taught here. He wasn’t God in person, for God is Spirit and not flesh. Jesus condemned sin, in the flesh- because He had our nature yet didn’t sin, He overcame sin.
8:11 If we are spiritually minded now, if Christ’s thinking dwells within us, then this is the basis upon which we will be resurrected to eternal life when Christ returns.
8:15 We have been adopted, and yet we await full adoption as God’s children when Jesus returns (v. 23). This is an example of the ‘Now but not yet’ paradox- we in one sense are saved, in another sense we await the physical revelation of that salvation when Christ returns.
8:17 The symbolism of baptism, dying and resurrecting with Christ (6:3-5), is lived out in our lives; insofar as we share in His sufferings, we will share in the joy and power of His new life, both now and at the resurrection of the body.
8:23 Bodies- Note the emphasis upon the salvation of the body in this chapter. The idea of an immortal soul going to Heaven isn’t Biblical. Instead, we hope for the resurrection of the body, just as Christ rose literally from the dead.
8:27 Jesus intercedes for us in Heaven (v. 34). We should remember this when we offer prayers to God in Jesus’ Name.
8:34 The judge and counsel for the defence are on our side; and in Christ, no accusation can be brought against us. And so in the court of Divine justice, we are acquitted. This reality is so wonderful that all earthly problems (verses 35-39) should mean little to us.
