Romans 8

Romans 8 stands as one of the most uplifting and spiritually rich chapters in the New Testament. Paul shifts from the struggles with sin described in Romans 7 to the life in the Spirit, which marks the life of a believer in Jesus Christ. This chapter unfolds the assurance and hope of the Gospel, detailing the work of the Holy Spirit, the promise of future glory, and the inseparability of God's love. The key themes include life through the Spirit, the nature of sonship with God, and the ultimate victory believers have in Christ over sin and death.

Verse 1:
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

In this explanation, condemnation can be understood as the condition of being condemned by sin itself rather than by God. Sin, by its nature, brings condemnation because it enslaves and corrupts individuals, leading them away from the life that God intended. Before coming to Christ, people are under the power of sin, which leads to a life of guilt, shame, and ultimately, spiritual death.

However, when a person is in Christ, they are no longer slaves to sin. Through the power of the Holy Spirit - the Spirit of Christ, they are freed from the dominion of sin, and their identity is no longer that of a sinner but of someone who is righteous in Christ. This transformation means that sin no longer has the power to condemn them. The "condemnation" in this sense refers to the destructive power that sin once had over their lives.

Because believers walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh (the sinful nature), they are no longer under sin's control. Sin no longer defines who they are, and it no longer brings them into condemnation. Instead, they are empowered to live a life that is pleasing to God, free from the guilt and condemnation that sin would otherwise impose.

Therefore, Romans 8:1 emphasizes that in Christ, believers are no longer condemned by sin because they have been set free from its power and are no longer identified as sinners but as children of God, living by the Spirit.

Verse 2:
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death."

The "law of the Spirit" refers to the new principle of life in the Holy Spirit, which empowers believers to live in righteousness. This stands in contrast to the "law of sin and death," which signifies the dominion of sin leading to spiritual death.

Verse 3:
"For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,"

"The law could not do": The law, although holy and good, was incapable of saving humanity from sin. It could define what sin was and reveal humanity's shortcomings, but it couldn't empower people to overcome sin or provide the righteousness that God requires.

"It was weak through the flesh": The law's inability to save was not due to a flaw in the law itself but because of human weakness—our sinful nature, referred to as "the flesh." The "flesh" is our human nature that has been corrupted by sin, making it impossible for us to fully obey God's law on our own.

"God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin"
"God did by sending His own Son": In response to humanity's helplessness under the law, God took decisive action. He sent His own Son, Jesus Christ, to accomplish what the law could not. This was an act of grace and love, as God provided the solution to the problem of sin.

"In the likeness of sinful flesh": Jesus came in the form of a human being, taking on human nature with all its weaknesses and vulnerabilities, yet without sin. He experienced life as we do, including the reality of temptation. By coming "in the likeness of sinful flesh," Jesus fully entered into the human experience, allowing Him to address sin at its root.

"On account of sin": Jesus came specifically to deal with the problem of sin. His mission was to defeat sin and its consequences, something that the law could not do.

"He condemned sin in the flesh"
"He condemned sin in the flesh": Jesus did what no one else could do—He lived a sinless life in human flesh, despite being tempted in every way (Hebrews 4:15). By doing so, He broke the power of sin in the very arena where it held sway: human flesh.

On the cross, Jesus faced the most intense temptation: the fear of eternal separation from His Father. Initially, He reassured His disciples, saying, "Indeed the hour is coming... that you will be scattered... and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me" (John 16:32, NKJV). However, as He approached the cross, the overwhelming possibility of dying eternally, separated from His Father, weighed heavily on Him. This inner struggle is reflected in His prayer at Gethsemane: "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39, NKJV).

On the cross, as the burden of sin and the potential for eternal separation grew, Jesus cried out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46, NKJV). This cry expressed the depth of His anguish as He bore the sins of the world and faced the horrifying thought of being cut off from His Father.

Despite this intense struggle, Jesus chose to submit to the Father’s will, not His own, embracing the ultimate sacrifice. By enduring this test and remaining obedient, Jesus condemned and defeated sin in His flesh, as highlighted in Philippians 2:8 (NKJV): "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."

Jesus' Victory and the Believer's Experience
After His resurrection, Jesus was glorified and returned to heaven, having fully defeated sin and death. In His glorified state, He poured out the Holy Spirit upon believers, giving them His victorious life. This means that the same power that enabled Jesus to defeat sin in the flesh is now available to every believer through the Holy Spirit.

Believers Share in Christ’s Victory: Because Jesus condemned sin in the flesh, believers are no longer bound by the power of sin. The life of Jesus, victorious over sin and death, is now imparted to them. This enables them to live in the Spirit, overcoming the flesh and walking in the newness of life.

Living by the Spirit: The victorious life that Jesus pours out through the Holy Spirit empowers believers to overcome temptation and sin. They are no longer enslaved by their old sinful nature but are free to live according to the Spirit, reflecting the righteousness of Christ.

Verse 4:
"in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

Jesus' sacrifice enables believers to fulfill the Law’s moral demands, something they could not do on their own due to the weakness of the flesh. The "righteous requirement of the law" refers to the moral standards that God set in His Law, which reflect His holy character.

By walking "according to the Spirit," believers live in a manner that is led and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This life contrasts sharply with living according to sinful tendencies ("the flesh"). When believers live by the Spirit, their lives naturally align with God’s Law, as the Spirit leads them to act in ways that fulfill the Law’s righteous requirements.

In other words, walking in the Spirit doesn’t just mean avoiding sin; it means actively living in harmony with God’s will and Law. The Holy Spirit transforms believers' hearts and minds, guiding them to live in a way that reflects the righteousness of God’s Law, not through their own efforts but through the power of the Spirit working in them.

Galatians 5:16 (NKJV) supports this understanding: "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." When believers walk in the Spirit, they fulfill the Law by living in love, holiness, and righteousness, which are the true intents of the Law. This harmonious life with the Law is the result of the Spirit’s work in them, fulfilling what the Law aimed to produce in God’s people.

Verse 5:
"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit."

This verse contrasts two orientations of life—living according to the flesh and living according to the Spirit. A mind controlled by the flesh is focused on sinful desires, worldly concerns, and self-centered living. In contrast, a mind guided by the Spirit seeks to do God’s will, focusing on righteousness, spiritual growth, and pleasing God.

For those who are not born again, living according to the flesh is their only option. They are naturally inclined to follow their sinful nature because they have not received the new life that comes from the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit's presence, they lack the ability to live in a way that pleases God or to choose a life led by the Spirit.

However, those who are born again through faith in Christ have been given the Holy Spirit and, therefore, have a new nature. They now have a choice: they can either continue to walk according to the flesh, which leads to spiritual death, or they can choose to walk according to the Spirit, which leads to life and peace. This choice is possible only for those who have been spiritually reborn.

Galatians 5:17 (NKJV) further illustrates this struggle: "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish." Born-again believers experience this internal conflict but are empowered by the Spirit, when they abide in Christ, to overcome the flesh and live according to God's will.

Verse 6:
"For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

A life oriented around the flesh leads to spiritual death, while a life directed by the Spirit brings life and peace, showing the outcomes of these two ways of living.

Verse 7:
"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be."

The sinful nature is fundamentally opposed to God’s law and cannot please God, illustrating the deep rebellion of the flesh against God's authority.

Verse 8:
"So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God."

This reiterates that living according to the flesh separates individuals from God, making it impossible to please Him through human effort alone.

Verse 9:
"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."

This verse emphasizes that true believers are distinguished by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit within a person is both a mark of belonging to Christ and the source of new life and spiritual power. The Holy Spirit transforms and empowers believers to live in a way that pleases God.

However, even though believers have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them, it is still possible for them to walk according to the flesh to some extent. This is why Paul later advises in Galatians 5:25 (KJV), "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

This admonition suggests that while the Spirit gives life, believers must actively choose to walk in the Spirit, meaning they must consistently live according to the Spirit’s leading and not give in to the desires of the flesh. The battle between the flesh and the Spirit is ongoing, and believers are called to align their daily conduct with the new life they have in the Spirit, rather than reverting to old, fleshly patterns of behavior.

Verse 10:
"And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness."

This verse highlights the contrast between the believer’s physical and spiritual realities. Even though the body is subject to death due to sin, the indwelling presence of Christ through the Holy Spirit brings spiritual life. This life is a result of the righteousness of Christ, and it points to the hope of resurrection and eternal life that believers have in Him.

"The body is dead because of sin"
This refers to the physical body, which is subject to death as a result of sin. Even though believers have been spiritually renewed and have Christ living in them, their physical bodies are still affected by the consequences of sin. This means that the body is still mortal and subject to death, a condition inherited from the fall of humanity into sin.

This verse encourages believers to focus on the life-giving power of the Spirit, even as they live in mortal bodies, knowing that the Spirit’s presence is a guarantee of their ultimate victory over death.

Verse 11:
"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."

This verse offers the hope of resurrection. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead will also resurrect believers' bodies, demonstrating the ultimate victory over death.

Verse 12:
"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh."

Paul emphasizes that believers owe nothing to their sinful nature. Instead, they have a responsibility to live according to the Spirit, rejecting the ways of the flesh.

Verse 13:
"For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."

This verse presents a choice: live by the flesh and face spiritual death, or live by the Spirit and gain life. "Putting to death the misdeeds of the body" involves active resistance against sin, facilitated by the Spirit.

Verse 14:
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."

Being "led by the Spirit" is a defining characteristic of God's children. This leading implies daily guidance and empowerment to live a life pleasing to God.

Verse 15:
"For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.'"

This verse contrasts two different kinds of "spirits" or attitudes: one of bondage and fear, and the other of adoption and sonship.

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear"
This phrase refers to the state of slavery or bondage that people were in before they came to Christ. Living under the law and under the power of sin was a form of bondage that produced fear—fear of judgment, fear of failure, and fear of condemnation. This "spirit of bondage" is characterized by a sense of being enslaved to sin and fear, where one’s relationship with God is more about dread and duty than love and freedom.

"But ye have received the Spirit of adoption"
In contrast, believers have received "the Spirit of adoption." This refers to the Holy Spirit, who brings about a new relationship between believers and God. Instead of being slaves, believers are adopted as children of God. Adoption here is not just a legal status but also an intimate, personal relationship with God, characterized by love, acceptance, and belonging.

"Whereby we cry, Abba, Father"
The term "Abba" is an Aramaic word that conveys a deep sense of intimacy and affection, similar to saying "Daddy" or "Papa." It reflects the close, loving relationship that believers have with God as their Father. This cry of "Abba, Father" is made possible by the Holy Spirit, who assures believers of their identity as God’s children and enables them to approach God with confidence and love.

Galatians 4:5-7 (KJV)
"To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."

Both Galatians 4:5-7 and Romans 8:15 emphasize the same transformative truth: through Christ's redemption, believers are adopted into God’s family, no longer living under the fear and bondage of the law, but as beloved children of God. The law, while holy and just, could only reveal sin and bring about a sense of obligation and fear, as it demanded righteousness that fallen humanity could not fully achieve. However, Christ's redemption frees believers from the law's condemnation, and through the Holy Spirit, who is sent into our hearts, our identity as God’s children is confirmed. This Spirit enables us to relate to God with the intimacy and confidence of a child speaking to their loving Father. This adoption into God’s family brings about a radical change in status—from slaves under the law to sons and daughters, from fear to love, and from obligation to inheritance.

Verse 16:
"The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,"

The Holy Spirit provides internal witness to believers, affirming their identity as God's children. This reassurance is a profound aspect of the believer's relationship with God.

The use of the word "itself" in the King James Version (KJV) is considered correct because it aligns with the original Greek neuter gender of the word for spirit (πνεῦμα, pneuma) and emphasizes the Holy Spirit as both the personal presence and the divine power of God, and of Christ in this case. This translation highlights the Holy Spirit's role as God’s pervasive presence in the world and in the lives of believers, maintaining both linguistic accuracy and theological depth.

Verse 17:
"And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."

As children of God, believers are heirs to His kingdom, sharing both in Christ's sufferings and His glory. This inheritance includes suffering, reflecting Christ’s own path, but it also promises future glorification.

Verse 18:
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

Paul contrasts present difficulties with the future glory that believers will experience, suggesting that the future glory far outweighs any current hardships.

Verse 19:
"For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God."

Creation itself is personified as awaiting the full realization of God's children’s glory, which will coincide with the restoration of all things.

Verse 20:
"For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope;"

Creation is in a state of decay and frustration not by its own choice but because of God's decision, made with the hope of eventual renewal and liberation.

Verse 21:
"because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God."

The future liberation of creation will be akin to the freedom experienced by the children of God, reflecting a universal restoration to glory.

Verse 22:
"For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now."

The ongoing suffering and disorder in the world are compared to childbirth, indicating that something new and glorious is about to emerge.

Verse 23:
"Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body."

Believers, while possessing the Spirit as a foretaste of future glory, also yearn for the complete realization of their salvation, including the resurrection of their bodies.

Verse 24:
"For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?"

Christian hope is rooted in unseen realities. It is anticipatory, looking forward to what has not yet been fully realized, underscoring the future aspect of salvation.

Verse 25:
"But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance."

This hope requires patient endurance, a steadfast waiting that is active and confident in God's promises.

Verse 26:
"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

The Spirit assists believers in their weaknesses, especially in prayer, where human words fail. The Spirit intercedes with deep, unspoken groanings, enhancing the believers' communication with God.

Verse 27:
"Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because it makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

God, who knows all hearts, understands the Spirit's intercessions, which are always in alignment with His will, ensuring that even unspoken prayers are in accord with God's desires.

In this verse, when it mentions the Holy Spirit interceding, the King James Version (KJV) uses "he," which is inconsistent with its previous use of "itself" in verse 26. The correct word of usage should be "it."

Verse 28:
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

This verse serves as a cornerstone for understanding Christian optimism and resilience. It reassures believers that no matter the difficulties or trials, nothing is wasted or meaningless in the context of their faith journey. The assurance that God orchestrates all events for the good of those who love Him provides a powerful source of comfort and motivation.

Furthermore, Romans 8:28 encourages believers to view their circumstances through the lens of divine purpose, fostering a sense of trust and surrender to God’s overarching plan, even when individual events seem challenging or hard to understand. It’s a reminder of the active and benevolent presence of God in the intricate details of life.

Verse 29:
"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."

God’s foreknowledge and predestination involve shaping believers into the likeness of Christ, indicating a familial relationship with Jesus as the elder brother in a large, redeemed family.

Verse 30:
"Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."

This sequence outlines the unbreakable chain of salvation, from God’s predestining to calling, justifying, and ultimately glorifying believers, emphasizing God’s active role in the entire process.

Verse 31:
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Paul rhetorically affirms the security of believers in God’s support, suggesting that no opposition can ultimately succeed against them.

Verse 32:
"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"

God's willingness to sacrifice Jesus on behalf of believers is used as the ultimate proof of His commitment to provide for them in all areas.

Verse 33:
"Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies."

As God is the one who declares believers righteous, no accusation or charge can prevail against them.

Verse 34:
"Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us."

Christ’s death, resurrection, and ongoing intercession provide believers with a powerful assurance that condemnation has been fully dealt with.

Verse 35:
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"

Paul lists various trials to emphasize that nothing can disrupt the bond of love between Christ and believers.

Verse 36:
"As it is written: 'For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.'"

This quote from Psalm 44:22 underscores the continual challenges and dangers believers face, yet they endure in God’s love.

Verse 37:
"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

Despite the trials, believers are not merely survivors but conquerors, overwhelmingly victorious through Christ’s love.

Verse 38-39:
"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 created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Paul concludes with a powerful declaration of the permanence of God’s love. Nothing in existence, whether spiritual or physical, can sever the bond of love between God and those united with Christ.