There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
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 sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
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.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
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.
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
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.
Romans 8 is a cornerstone of Christian theology, a chapter brimming with hope, assurance, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. It follows the struggle described in Romans 7, where Paul grapples with the conflict between his desire to do good and his inability to overcome sin on his own. Romans 8 bursts forth as a triumphant declaration of freedom and security for those united with Christ Jesus.
No Condemnation
Romans 8:1-4 opens with a resounding declaration: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." This "therefore" connects directly to the resolution Paul finds in Romans 7:25 – "Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!". Because of what God has done through His Son, believers stand before Him free from condemnation. This doesn't mean we won't struggle with sin, but it does mean that our identity is secure in Christ, and our salvation is not based on our performance. This is the essence of the gospel: God's good news about His Son's life, death, and resurrection, which fulfills the law's demands and provides justice for human sin. Those who embrace this truth live according to the Spirit, not according to the flesh.
The contrast between living "according to the flesh" and "according to the Spirit" is crucial. To live according to the flesh is to live according to our own desires, prioritizing self above all else. This mindset is hostile to God and incapable of pleasing Him. In contrast, those who are in Christ are empowered by the Holy Spirit, who enables them to live in obedience to God.
The Spirit's Power
Romans 8:5-11 highlights the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in every believer. If someone doesn't possess the Spirit, they are not truly a Christian. The Spirit is not merely a force, but the very presence of God, the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. This same Spirit will also give life to our mortal bodies. This is not achieved by simply trying harder or becoming more religious, but by allowing the Spirit to do in us what He did for Jesus. The Spirit is like an engine within us, ready to take us where God wants us to go. Too often, we try to push the car of life ourselves, when God desires us to let the engine do the work.
Adoption into God's Family
Romans 8:12-17 explores the profound truth of our adoption into God's family. The Spirit we receive is not a spirit of slavery, compelling us to obey, but a spirit of adoption, making us sons and daughters of God. Through the Spirit, we can cry out to God as "Abba, Father," a term of intimacy and endearment akin to "Papa" or "Daddy." This reveals a deeply personal and loving relationship with God. We are not merely servants, but beloved children and heirs of God, destined to share in His glory with Christ.
However, being co-heirs with Christ also means sharing in His suffering. This suffering can include the everyday challenges of living in a fallen world.
Suffering and Glory
Romans 8:18-25 acknowledges the reality of suffering in this present life, but places it in the context of eternal glory. Paul assures us that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." This glory is not just greater than our present suffering; it is so much greater that, from the perspective of eternity, our earthly trials will seem insignificant.
Our suffering is not unique; it mirrors the suffering of all creation, which groans as it eagerly awaits the revealing of God's children and the restoration of all things. Creation itself is bound to decay because of human sin. The sanctification of believers is tied to the perfection of the created order. This means that creation will be set free from its bondage to decay when God's children experience their own glorious freedom.
We, too, groan inwardly as we await the redemption of our bodies, the completion of our adoption. This groaning is akin to labor pains, a sign that something new and glorious is about to be born.
The Spirit's Intercession and God's Purpose
Romans 8:26-30 offers comfort and assurance in the midst of our waiting. We are not alone in our weakness; the Holy Spirit helps us. He intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words, translating our heartfelt cries into prayers that align with God's will. Even when we don't know how to pray, the Spirit knows the language of prayer like God does, acting as our translator in this unknown territory.
Moreover, we can be confident that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." This doesn't mean that everything that happens to us is good in itself, but that God, in His sovereignty, can use even difficult circumstances to accomplish His good purposes in our lives.
God's ultimate purpose is to conform us to the image of His Son, to make us more like Christ in character and conduct. Therefore, the promise of Romans 8:28 is conditional. If believers are not loving God and progressively being conformed to the image of Christ, they will not see things working together for good.
God's Unbreakable Love
Romans 8:31-39 culminates in a powerful declaration of God's unwavering love and our absolute security in Christ. If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God—and is interceding for us.
Paul then poses a series of rhetorical questions: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? The answer, resounding and unequivocal, is NO! Nothing—neither earthly trials nor spiritual powers, neither the present nor the future, nor any created thing—can ever separate us from God's love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Even in the midst of terrible situations, we emerge more than conquerors. With God’s love, we don’t just get by. We overwhelmingly conquer.
Romans 8 is a testament to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the unwavering love of God. It offers hope in the midst of suffering, assurance in the face of doubt, and the promise of a glorious future for all who are in Christ Jesus. This chapter reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles, but that God is with us, working all things for our good, and that nothing can ever separate us from His love.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
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 sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
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.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
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.
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
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.
Romans 8 is a cornerstone of Christian theology, a chapter brimming with hope, assurance, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. It follows the struggle described in Romans 7, where Paul grapples with the conflict between his desire to do good and his inability to overcome sin on his own. Romans 8 bursts forth as a triumphant declaration of freedom and security for those united with Christ Jesus.
No Condemnation
Romans 8:1-4 opens with a resounding declaration: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." This "therefore" connects directly to the resolution Paul finds in Romans 7:25 – "Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!". Because of what God has done through His Son, believers stand before Him free from condemnation. This doesn't mean we won't struggle with sin, but it does mean that our identity is secure in Christ, and our salvation is not based on our performance. This is the essence of the gospel: God's good news about His Son's life, death, and resurrection, which fulfills the law's demands and provides justice for human sin. Those who embrace this truth live according to the Spirit, not according to the flesh.
The contrast between living "according to the flesh" and "according to the Spirit" is crucial. To live according to the flesh is to live according to our own desires, prioritizing self above all else. This mindset is hostile to God and incapable of pleasing Him. In contrast, those who are in Christ are empowered by the Holy Spirit, who enables them to live in obedience to God.
The Spirit's Power
Romans 8:5-11 highlights the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in every believer. If someone doesn't possess the Spirit, they are not truly a Christian. The Spirit is not merely a force, but the very presence of God, the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. This same Spirit will also give life to our mortal bodies. This is not achieved by simply trying harder or becoming more religious, but by allowing the Spirit to do in us what He did for Jesus. The Spirit is like an engine within us, ready to take us where God wants us to go. Too often, we try to push the car of life ourselves, when God desires us to let the engine do the work.
Adoption into God's Family
Romans 8:12-17 explores the profound truth of our adoption into God's family. The Spirit we receive is not a spirit of slavery, compelling us to obey, but a spirit of adoption, making us sons and daughters of God. Through the Spirit, we can cry out to God as "Abba, Father," a term of intimacy and endearment akin to "Papa" or "Daddy." This reveals a deeply personal and loving relationship with God. We are not merely servants, but beloved children and heirs of God, destined to share in His glory with Christ.
However, being co-heirs with Christ also means sharing in His suffering. This suffering can include the everyday challenges of living in a fallen world.
Suffering and Glory
Romans 8:18-25 acknowledges the reality of suffering in this present life, but places it in the context of eternal glory. Paul assures us that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." This glory is not just greater than our present suffering; it is so much greater that, from the perspective of eternity, our earthly trials will seem insignificant.
Our suffering is not unique; it mirrors the suffering of all creation, which groans as it eagerly awaits the revealing of God's children and the restoration of all things. Creation itself is bound to decay because of human sin. The sanctification of believers is tied to the perfection of the created order. This means that creation will be set free from its bondage to decay when God's children experience their own glorious freedom.
We, too, groan inwardly as we await the redemption of our bodies, the completion of our adoption. This groaning is akin to labor pains, a sign that something new and glorious is about to be born.
The Spirit's Intercession and God's Purpose
Romans 8:26-30 offers comfort and assurance in the midst of our waiting. We are not alone in our weakness; the Holy Spirit helps us. He intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words, translating our heartfelt cries into prayers that align with God's will. Even when we don't know how to pray, the Spirit knows the language of prayer like God does, acting as our translator in this unknown territory.
Moreover, we can be confident that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." This doesn't mean that everything that happens to us is good in itself, but that God, in His sovereignty, can use even difficult circumstances to accomplish His good purposes in our lives.
God's ultimate purpose is to conform us to the image of His Son, to make us more like Christ in character and conduct. Therefore, the promise of Romans 8:28 is conditional. If believers are not loving God and progressively being conformed to the image of Christ, they will not see things working together for good.
God's Unbreakable Love
Romans 8:31-39 culminates in a powerful declaration of God's unwavering love and our absolute security in Christ. If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God—and is interceding for us.
Paul then poses a series of rhetorical questions: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? The answer, resounding and unequivocal, is NO! Nothing—neither earthly trials nor spiritual powers, neither the present nor the future, nor any created thing—can ever separate us from God's love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Even in the midst of terrible situations, we emerge more than conquerors. With God’s love, we don’t just get by. We overwhelmingly conquer.
Romans 8 is a testament to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the unwavering love of God. It offers hope in the midst of suffering, assurance in the face of doubt, and the promise of a glorious future for all who are in Christ Jesus. This chapter reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles, but that God is with us, working all things for our good, and that nothing can ever separate us from His love.