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Romans 8 Walking by the Spirit

1 Life Through the Spirit
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,

4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;

7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.

11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.

13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,

14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

18 Future Glory
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.

20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope

21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?

25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.

28 More Than Conquerors
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

32 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?

33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.

34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,

39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Analysis of Romans Chapter 8

Romans Chapter 8 is one of the most profound and theologically rich chapters in the entire Bible. The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, lays out fundamental truths about the Christian life, the role of the Holy Spirit, the assurance of salvation, and the eternal love of God. This chapter can be divided into several key sections, each providing deep and valuable insights into the life of a believer.

1. Life Through the Spirit (Romans 8:1-17)

The first section of Romans 8 emphasizes the life that believers have through the Holy Spirit. Paul begins with a triumphant declaration:

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2, NIV)

This passage marks a significant shift from the condemnation that Paul discussed in earlier chapters. For those who are in Christ Jesus, there is no condemnation. This means that believers, through their faith in Jesus, are no longer subject to the punitive aspects of the law because Jesus has fulfilled the law’s requirements on their behalf. This is a cornerstone of Christian belief—justification by faith.

Verses 3-4 explain how Jesus accomplished this:

“For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 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.”

The law, though holy and just, could not save humanity because of our sinful nature. Jesus, by living a sinless life and offering Himself as a sacrifice, met the righteous requirements of the law and condemned sin in the flesh. Therefore, believers are called to live according to the Spirit, which signifies a life empowered and directed by the Holy Spirit, as opposed to the flesh, which represents our sinful human nature.

Paul contrasts those who live according to the flesh and those who live according to the Spirit in verses 5-8:

“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.”

The distinction here is clear: living according to the flesh leads to death and hostility towards God, while living according to the Spirit results in life and peace. The mindset one adopts—fleshly or spiritual—determines one’s relationship with God.

Verses 9-11 emphasize the transformative power of the Holy Spirit:

“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

Paul assures believers that they are controlled by the Spirit if the Spirit of God dwells in them. This indwelling Spirit is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and will give life to their mortal bodies. The presence of the Holy Spirit is a mark of belonging to Christ. This passage also provides a future hope of resurrection and eternal life for believers.

Verses 12-17 further elaborate on the relationship believers have with God through the Spirit:

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

This passage underscores the believer’s obligation to live by the Spirit and not by the flesh. Those led by the Spirit are God’s children and are no longer slaves to fear. The adoption to sonship enables them to call God “Abba, Father,” an intimate term signifying a close relationship with God. Being children of God also makes them heirs with Christ, sharing both in His sufferings and in His glory. This adoption and inheritance are profound themes that highlight the depth of God’s love and the privileged position of believers.

2. Future Glory (Romans 8:18-30)

In the next section, Paul speaks about the suffering and future glory of believers. He begins with a powerful statement in verse 18:

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Paul acknowledges the reality of present sufferings but places them in the context of future glory. This perspective encourages believers to endure hardships with the hope of the incomparable glory that awaits them.

Verses 19-22 discuss the creation’s anticipation for liberation:

“For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”

The fall of humanity brought not only human suffering but also subjected creation to frustration and decay. However, creation itself eagerly awaits the revelation of the children of God, when it too will be liberated and restored. This imagery of creation groaning like a woman in childbirth suggests pain and struggle but also the hope of new birth and renewal.

Verses 23-25 focus on the believers’ hope and the role of the Spirit:

“Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

Believers, too, groan inwardly as they await the full realization of their adoption and the redemption of their bodies. The “firstfruits of the Spirit” signify the initial taste of the future glory that is to come. This hope is integral to salvation, and true hope is characterized by patient waiting for what is not yet seen.

Verses 26-27 highlight the Spirit’s intercessory role:

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

In moments of weakness and uncertainty, the Holy Spirit aids believers by interceding on their behalf with wordless groans. God, who searches our hearts, knows the mind of the Spirit, ensuring that the intercession aligns with His will. This emphasizes the close relationship between the believer, the Holy Spirit, and God.

Verses 28-30 are among the most quoted and beloved passages in Scripture:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

This passage reassures believers that God works all things for their good. This good refers to their spiritual growth and ultimate glorification, not necessarily immediate comfort or prosperity. Paul outlines a divine sequence: foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification. This sequence underscores God’s sovereign plan and purpose in the lives of believers, aimed at conforming them to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

3. More Than Conquerors (Romans 8:31-39)

In the final section of Romans 8, Paul triumphantly declares the assurance and security of believers in God’s love. He begins with a rhetorical question in verse 31:

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

This question emphasizes the invincible position of believers with God on their side. If the Creator of the universe is for them, no opposition can ultimately prevail. Verses 32-34 further emphasize God’s commitment to believers:

“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 then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”

God’s ultimate proof of love is the giving of His own Son. If He did not spare Jesus, He will certainly provide all that is necessary for believers. Because God justifies, no one can successfully bring charges against God’s elect. Jesus, having died, risen, and seated at the right hand of God, continually intercedes for believers, further ensuring their standing before God.

Verses 35-39 provide a crescendo of assurance and love:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Paul lists various potential trials and adversities but declares that none of them can separate believers from the love of Christ. He concludes with a powerful affirmation that nothing in all creation—whether physical, spiritual, temporal, or eternal—can sever the bond of love between God and those in Christ Jesus. In all circumstances, believers are “more than conquerors” through the love of Christ.

Conclusion

Romans Chapter 8 is a treasure trove of theological truths and comforting assurances. It begins with the declaration of no condemnation for those in Christ and ends with the unshakable assurance of God’s love. Throughout the chapter, Paul expounds on the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, the hope of future glory, the intercessory role of the Spirit and Christ, and the absolute security of believers in God’s love. This chapter not only provides deep theological insights but also practical encouragement for believers to live boldly and faithfully, knowing their identity and destiny in Christ.

Romans 8 calls believers to a higher understanding of their spiritual position and urges them to live in the power of the Holy Spirit, with the assurance that God is working in all things for their ultimate good and that His love is forever secured in Christ Jesus.