Romans 8:1-39

The New Life in Cheist in relation to God and the Spirit

It was shown in Romans 5:12. that condemnation for the guilt of sin is done away by justification through faith in Christ. The question as to the power of sin then arose, answered by the doctrine of sanctification in Romans 6-8. In Romans 6 it is asserted that the union of the Christian with Christ is a new condition, which involves death with Him to sin and resurrection to newness of life. In Romans 7 it is made clear that there is no force in the Law to break the power of sin. Now, in Romans 8, St. Paul brings forward the truth of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which accompanies union with Christ, conquering sin and death in the Christian (Romans 8:1), and bearing witness that he is child and heir of God (Romans 8:12). Hence the Christian has such hope of glory that he can bear his sufferings (Romans 8:18), in which the Spirit helps him by intercession (Romans 8:26), and which are bringing about God's purpose of good (Romans 8:28). In the security of that purpose he triumphs (Romans 8:31).

1-11. The Christian is sanctified as well as justified. In Christ he receives the Spirit, who frees him from the power of sin and of death (Romans 8:1). The object of the death of Christ was not only to win pardon for man, but also to produce right character and conduct (Romans 8:3). This is essential, and is brought about by the indwelling of the Spirit (Romans 8:5). The change means life, of spirit now and of body hereafter (Romans 8:10).

Paraphrase. '(1) The deliverance spoken of (cp. Romans 7:25) for those who are united to Christ (2) is brought about by the power of the life-giving Spirit, whom they received by union with Christ, which freed them from the power of sin and death. (3) The Law could not overcome sin, because man's fleshly nature could not respond to its demands. But God, by the incarnation and atonement of His Son, sealed the death-warrant of sin in the flesh, (4) with the object of producing in us that character and conduct which the Law requires, by enabling us to live by the rule of the renewed spiritual nature. (5) There are two states of life, the difference between which is wide. According as the fleshly or the spiritual nature is the ruling power, so are men engrossed either with fleshly or with spiritual things; (6) either they are in a state of separation from God, which ends in death both of soul and body, or they have joyful communion with God and a happy sense of reconciliation with Him. (7) Death must be the portion of the mind set on fleshly things, because such a mind is in a state of hostility to God, being rebellious against His Law. (8) They, therefore over whom the fleshly nature rules cannot be acceptable to God. (9) But you, who are in Christ, are not so. Not the fleshly, but the spiritual nature rules over you, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. And unless you have Him you are not Christ's, for it is by the Spirit that Christ comes to you. (10) But if Christ does dwell in you, although your body must die because of the curse of sin, your spirit has already risen into new life because you are accepted in Christ. (11) And the Spirit within you is a pledge that God will cause your bodies also to participate in Christ's Resurrection.'