ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:1 Paul celebrates the new life of the Spirit that Christians enjoy as a result of Christ’s saving work. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:2 Sin has no dominant power in believers’ lives. This work of the Holy Spirit is evidence that believers are in Christ. LAW in both instances means “principle.” ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:3 THE LAW (here, the Mosaic law) could not solve humanity’s problem because sin uses the law for its own purposes (see ch. Romans 7:1). God sent his Son as a sacrifice FOR SIN (a sin offering). Jesus paid the full penalty for sin by his sacrifice (CONDEMNED SIN). IN THE LIKEN... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:4 RIGHTEOUS REQUIREMENT OF THE LAW... FULFILLED. This could mean the requirement is fulfilled in the new life that Christians live on the basis of Christ’s work. It could also mean Christ’s death paid the full penalty of the law. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagN... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:6 TO SET THE MIND ON THE FLESH means to constantly desire the things that express fallen, sinful human nature. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:8 Because unbelievers (THOSE WHO ARE IN THE FLESH) are captured by sin and unable to do what God commands, they fail to please God. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:9 Paul alternates between THE SPIRIT OF GOD and THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST here, showing that Christ and God share the same status. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:10 The previous verse speaks of the Spirit’s indwelling, but here Paul describes Christ’s dwelling in Christians. This does not mean that there is no difference between Christ and the Spirit. It does suggest that Christ and the Spirit are both fully God, and they work togethe... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:13 God and believers each have a role in sanctification. It must occur BY THE SPIRIT and his power, but YOU PUT TO DEATH shows that one must take an active role in battling sinful habits. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.lengt... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:15 Christians are no longer slaves to sin. They are adopted as sons into God’s family. The Spirit assures them that God is their father. SONS. See note on Gal. 3:26. ABBA is Aramaic for Father. Paul’s use of the term likely comes from Jesus’ addressing God in this way (Mark 1... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:17 A willingness to follow Christ in suffering is another sign of being God’s children. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:18 Paul began this major section of the letter (Romans 5:1) by emphasizing the final hope of believers (Romans 5:1), and now he concludes with the same emphasis. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:20 When Adam sinned, the created world was also SUBJECTED TO FUTILITY. One thinks of the thorns and thistles that accompany work on the land (Genesis 3:17) and the pain in childbirth for women (Genesis 3:16). The original CREATION (Genesis 1:1) did not have these things. On t... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:22 Again CREATION is personified (see v. Romans 8:19). It longs for the day when salvation will be completed. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:23 Christians already have THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THE SPIRIT. But they still await the day of their final adoption, when their bodies, fully redeemed, are raised from the dead. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:26 GROANINGS TOO DEEP FOR WORDS (see v. Romans 8:23) refers to the believers’ sense of the Spirit’s intercession for them before God. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:28 GOOD in this context means being like Christ (v. Romans 8:29), enjoying closer fellowship with God, bearing good fruit for the kingdom, and final glorification (v. Romans 8:30). It does not mean earthly pleasures. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); f... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:29 God has always been doing good for his people. FOREKNEW. In the OT, the word “know” emphasizes God’s special choice of his people (e.g., Genesis 18:19). See Romans 11:2, where “foreknew” contrasts with “rejected,” emphasizing God’s choosing his people. God also PREDESTINED... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:30 Those PREDESTINED by God are also CALLED to faith through the gospel (see 2 Thessalonians 2:14) and JUSTIFIED (declared to be right in God’s sight). Not all who are invited to believe are actually justified. Thus the “calling” here must refer to an effective call that crea... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:33 Satan, their enemies, or even their own consciences may bring charges against GOD’S ELECT. But God declares them justified. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:34 WHO IS TO CONDEMN? The question in v. Romans 8:33 is repeated. Christians will never be condemned, for (1) Christ died for them and paid the full penalty for their sin; (2) he was raised, showing that his death removed sin; (3) he now is seated at God’s right hand (Psalms... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 8:38 RULERS, POWERS. Probably angelic and demonic authorities. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]