Romans 8

Life and power through God’s Spirit

There is, therefore, now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not behave according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

8:1 The word “therefore” ties this verse with the preceding verses and seems another sure indication that in Rom 7:14-25 Paul is describing himself as a person “in Christ Jesus”. His connection with sin was completely broken (Rom 7:17), his inner being was changed so that he delighted in the law of God (Rom 7:22), and he could thank God through Jesus Christ the Lord for deliverance from the body of death (Rom 7:25). By these statements he shows that he was in Christ and therefore there was no condemnation for him. And there is none for anyone in a similar position.

Because of their struggles with sin believers may often think to condemn themselves, but God does not condemn them. Compare Rom 4:7-8 – how can believers be condemned for sins which God does not count against them? “In Christ” means united to Him, members of His spiritual body – Rom 6:3; 1 Cor 12:12-13. “No condemnation” is the same as being counted righteous or justified (Rom 3:24; 4:7-8; 5:1). See also John 5:24. Just as there is no condemnation for Christ, so is there none for those united to Him. Christ has already died for them and taken away their condemnation and sin forever. He and they with Him have risen to a new life beyond condemnation.

Another reason why there is no condemnation for them is that this way of faith in Christ leads to freedom from the law of sin and death (v 2). Christ both saves His people from their sins and gives victory over their sinfulness. Whom He justifies He also sanctifies. Being counted righteous through faith is the way (and the only way) that leads to victory over the flesh, the world and the devil.⚜

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the Law of sin and death.

8:2 This whole chapter is in great contrast with Rom 7:14-25. The reason is this: those verses describe what a believer is in himself faced with the awful reality of his sinfulness, but this chapter describes what we are “in Christ”. Here we have a higher and better law than the law of sin and death seen in chapter 7. This is a law that gives believers power against that law. This law has to do with the “Spirit of life” – the Holy Spirit of God living in believers and enabling them to do what they could never do by their own efforts. In chapter 8 Paul refers to Christ and God’s Spirit nearly thirty times (see note on Rom 7:14). Here Paul emphasizes the wonderful truth that God has given His Spirit to live in the bodies of believers.

The Holy Spirit alone is their power for victory (vs 4,13)

He gives life and peace (v 6)

He leads them (v 14)

He causes them to know they are God’s children (vs 15,16)

And He is in them praying for them (vs 26,27)

See notes on the Holy Spirit at John 14:16-17.⚜

3 For what the Law could not do because it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as a sacrifice for sin, and so condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not behave according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

8:4 God’s grand purpose in all this was to free people from the guilt, condemnation and power of sin, and make them a holy people for Himself, a people able to be spiritual and fulfill the righteousness in the law which is holy and spiritual (Rom 7:12, 14). See also Heb 8:10. Believers are not under the law (Rom 6:14; 7:4). They need not observe its days, ceremonies, instructions about foods, etc. But God wants the moral and ethical requirement of the law to be fulfilled in them. This requirement is summed up in two commandments – see Rom 13:8-10; Matt 22:37-40. To fulfill these, one thing is of the utmost importance – behaving “according to the Spirit”. Here, and throughout this chapter, the Spirit means God’s Spirit. See also Gal 5:16-18.

Living “according to the Spirit” means this:

To recognize that He lives in us (vs 9,15)

To offer ourselves to Him (Rom 6:13)

To obey Him (v 14; Gal 5:25)

To trust Him for His strength and power and use them (v 13)⚜

5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 The mind occupied with the flesh is death, but the mind occupied with the Spirit is life and peace. 7 Because the mind occupied with the flesh is hostile to God, for it is not subject to the Law of God, nor indeed can it be. 8 So then those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

8:10 In v 9 Paul says the Spirit of God lives in believers. Here he says Christ Himself lives in them (see also John 17:23; 2 Cor 13:5; Col 1:27; Rev 3:20). He is in them by His Spirit. These verses show the unity of God and Christ and the Spirit (this does not mean that Christ and the Holy Spirit and the Father are the same person. Notes at Matt 3:16; John 17:1; 2 John 3).

Notice that the “body” of a believer is “dead”. Compare Rom 6:12; 7:24. The process of death is at work in Christ’s own people as in everyone else, and if Christ does not return in our lifetime we will all die. This is because of sin. But the Spirit of life (v 2) lives in believers, and their spirits are alive because of Him.⚜

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

8:11 Two truths are here – the resurrection of Christ from the dead (Rom 1:4; Matt 28:6), and the future resurrection of believers (v 23; John 6:39; 1 Cor 15:52; 1 Thess 4:16). In the gospel of Christ the body is not merely a temporary house for the believer’s spirit which will be discarded forever at death. Our bodies are important as the instruments through which our spirits express themselves, and they will be raised and glorified like Christ’s body (Phil 3:21).⚜

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if through the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

8:12-13 What should be the response of believers to all this glorious truth God has revealed? What is their responsibility in the light of God’s marvelous grace? Paul wrote something of this in Rom 6:11-13, 19. They must deny self, renounce their own sinful natures, and use the power and strength of God’s Spirit to “put to death the deeds of the body” (see Col 3:5-10. Compare Matt 5:29-30; Gal 5:24). This is something that needs to be done continuously. This means to renounce every evil action and work with God’s Spirit to put it to death – the power to kill sin in our lives is His power, not ours. But we must cooperate with Him, and use the power He gives us (compare Phil 2:12-13). Believers should no more allow sinful acts and practices and desires to remain in their lives than allow poisonous snakes to be in their houses.

The true believer has repented of his sins and he fights against sins in his life and learns to use the Spirit’s power against them. He makes the decision to do this when he comes to Christ, and the decision is immediate and sudden, but the work of actually doing it may be slow and painful. Perhaps few are always and completely successful in this. But the tendency of the lives of all believers is to do so. If anyone called a “brother” does not put to death the deeds of the body, he shows he does not have the Spirit of life at work in him (compare 1 John 3:6, 9). Constantly living “in accordance with the flesh” is proof that the Spirit is absent, and such living is death and leads to death (v 6; Rom 6:16, 23).⚜

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are sons of God.

8:14 This is a word showing what it means to be a child of God. The sons of God are those born of His Spirit (John 1:12-13). More than that – they follow His Spirit’s leading (compare John 10:27). And God’s Spirit leads them to “put to death the deeds of the body”. God’s Spirit will always lead away from self and sin. A person lacking this experience lacks genuine repentance and faith, and is not saved (see 1 John 2:4-6; 3:3, 7-10; John 14:23-24).

Paul calls believers “sons” of God. In Rom 6:16-22 he calls them “slaves”. There is no contradiction. In speaking of “slavery” he does not mean enforced bondage, but willing and glad service to God. Believers prove themselves God’s “sons” by willingly becoming His “slaves”. If they are not willing to be God’s slaves they show themselves unworthy to be His sons, and, in fact, are not His sons.⚜

15 For you did not receive again the spirit of bondage to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we call out, “Abba, Father”.

8:15 Believers are voluntary slaves to God, not unwilling slaves to fear (compare Heb 2:14-15). And by God’s Spirit living in them they spontaneously think of God as their Father and they call Him that and cry out to Him as their Father.⚜

16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit, that we are the children of God;

8:16 Notice carefully the distinction between God’s Spirit and the spirits of believers. They are not one and the same spirit as Advaita Vedanta teaches in parenthesis. See also John 14:16-17.

In the hearts of believers, as they follow the leading of God’s Spirit and put to death the misdeeds of the body (vs 13,14), there is a happy agreement between their spirits and God’s Spirit. God’s Spirit leads them to an assurance that they are God’s children (compare 1 John 3:24; 4:13). Paul does not define how God’s Spirit gives this witness within their hearts. But it is clear that it is an inward personal experience. And we can be sure that the inner witness of the Spirit and the outer witness of the Bible will perfectly agree. God’s Spirit will never tell us something is true which God’s Word indicates is not true. The Spirit will make God’s Word personal and real and living in the hearts of believers.

On the knowledge and assurance believers can have see Rom 5:5; 1 John 5:10, 20; 1 Cor 2:9-12; John 16:13-15. If the believer sins he is in danger of “quenching” the Spirit and the Spirit’s assuring voice (Eph 4:30).⚜

The believer’s future blessedness

17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him, so that we may also be glorified together.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us.

8:18 Paul suffered much (2 Cor 11:23-29). But he regarded his sufferings as trivial in the light of eternal glory – 2 Cor 4:17. It was his assurance that he would share in that glory which enabled him to endure his sufferings with patience and even joy (Rom 5:3).⚜

19 For the earnest expectation of the creation is waiting for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope, 21 because the creation itself shall also be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers birth pangs together until now. 23 And not only creation, but we ourselves who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan in ourselves, waiting for the adoption, that is, the redemption of our body.

8:20-23 The whole earth suffered from the fall of the first man into sin – Gen 3:14-19. All that God made in the beginning was good (Gen 1:31), but because of sin destruction and death came to this good creation. This same creation now groaning in bondage will be released and share in the coming glory. Compare Isa 11:6-9; 25:6-8; 35:1-10; 49:8-13. Now creation is not what it was originally, and it is not what it shall be after Christ returns. Just as it shared in the results of man’s fall into sin, so it will eventually share in the results of Christ’s redeeming men from sin.⚜

8:23 See Rom 7:24; 2 Cor 5:4. Believers earnestly desire and groan for the final step in their salvation – their resurrection and glorification (v 30). Here this is called the “redemption” of their bodies. See 1 Cor 15:51-54; Phil 3:21. See also John 5:28-29. “Adoption” here means that believers, redeemed fully and eternally and transformed into Christ’s likeness in body, soul and spirit, will take their place as God’s children in a redeemed and transformed creation.⚜

24 For we are saved in this hope. But hope that is seen is not hope, for why does a man still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, then we wait patiently for it.

The believer’s present blessedness

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses; for we do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans which cannot be expressed in words.

8:26 This chapter is full of wonderful revelations of the spiritual life of believers and of their final salvation. But in the heart of the chapter there are three groans – here, v 22 and v 23. Creation, believers, and God’s Spirit are all groaning at the same time. Why does God’s Spirit groan in us who are believers? He is greatly concerned for our spiritual welfare. He longs for our growth in holiness and wisdom, our conformity to the Lord Jesus. With unutterable desires He works to keep us from the pit of sin and the influence of Satan. He strives to make us strong and fruitful children of God. Compare the Spirit-inspired prayer of Paul in Col 1:9-12.⚜

27 And he who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

8:27 Believers have two all-wise intercessors praying for them (v 34). And they have One who is all-powerful who listens to the prayers of these two intercessors. They always pray in the will of God, so the Father always answers the prayers of the Son and the Spirit (compare 1 John 5:14-15). The whole Trinity is at work to help believers in their weakness and to enable them to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil.⚜

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.

8:28 Here is one of those great verses of the Bible which many people quote to others, and few seem able to apply to their own circumstances. To those who do believe these words, and apply them, they are like the cool shadow of a great rock in a hot and weary land. This verse is true even when it seems impossible that it could be true (see in vs 35-39 some of the experiences that can come to believers). Happy are those who can apply this truth to all the events which overtake them in their life on earth.

See what Paul says – “we know” – not “we have some faint hope” or “we guess it might be true”. We can know it is true because God has revealed it and has given evidence of its truthfulness in many parts of the Bible (see, for example, Gen 50:20).

“Those who love Him” and “those who are called” are just two phrases which here mean all true believers. All of them love God, and He has called all of them for His purpose (v 30; Rom 1:5-6; 1 Cor 16:22; 1 John 4:8, 16). God brings good out of every circumstance into which He brings believers. Through all such things He means for them to grow spiritually and become more like Christ. Believers may not always be able to see what possible good has come to them from some things which have happened, but we are not required to understand, only to believe.

Some versions have the following translation of the first part of this verse: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him”. This does not change the meaning. If all things work together for good, it is God who causes them to do so.⚜

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.

8:29 God’s purpose spoken of in v 28 is this: to make believers like Christ (see also Heb 2:10-11; 1 John 3:1-2). There can be no higher purpose, no greater goal than this. Paul here points to five steps in the fulfillment of this purpose of God. Two of them are in the past before the world began, two in the beginning of the believer’s life in Christ, one still to come. Each of these steps is tied to all the others and all are as certain as God Himself can make them.⚜

30 Moreover, whom he predestined, those he also called; and whom he called, those he also justified; and whom he justified, those he also glorified.

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

8:31 What shall we say? Let all of our words regarding what God plans and accomplishes toward His own people be words of faith and praise and much assurance. Let none of our words express doubt that any of it can be true. God is for us who believe Him. He is with us, in us. No enemy either within or without can defeat God’s purpose for us (v 37; Heb 13:6; John 10:29; Rom 5:20).⚜

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?

8:32 God loves to give because He is love (1 John 4:8; 2 Pet 1:3; 2 Cor 9:15; Acts 14:17; Matt 5:45; 7:10; Ps 145:9). He is the “God of all grace” (1 Pet 5:10). His throne is a “throne of grace” (Heb 4:16). In a special sense grace reigns over His people (Rom 5:21), and grace will triumph over all their weakness and sinfulness. God gave His Son, the greatest of all gifts. Can He possibly withhold anything needed for the final salvation of believers?⚜

33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s chosen? It is God who justifies.

8:33 Because God counts believers righteous He will not accept any accusations against them. Believers are united to Christ, are in Christ, and share Christ’s perfect righteousness. Just as God will not accept any accusations against His Son, so He will not accept any accusations against those united to Him. See Rom 4:6-8 and notes there. Sin is the only thing that could possibly rob them of their salvation, and God will not count their sins against them. Does this give them a license to sin? Absolutely not – Rom 6:1, 15; 8:4, 12-14.⚜

34 Who is he who condemns? Christ is the one who died, and beyond that, who was raised again and who is at the right hand of God, who also is interceding for us.

8:34 Who can condemn a single believer so that God will accept the condemnation? No one. Not Satan, not other men, not the believer himself. Christ has died as a sacrifice to take away all of their sins forever (Heb 10:10, 14). Not only so, He is at God’s right hand for His people. There He answers every accusation or attempt at condemnation. His life and intercessions keep them safe now and forever (Rom 5:9-10; Heb 7:25; 1 John 2:1).⚜

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being

killed all day long;

we are considered as sheep

for the slaughter”.

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

8:37 Judging from the context of this chapter we can say that Christ makes all believers “more than conquerors”, not merely the exceptional ones like Paul – notice the “we”, a word that included all believers at Rome (and, by extension, all believers now). Who can be “more” than a conqueror? One who not merely wins but one whom it is impossible to finally defeat by any means whatever.

And Paul says “we are”, not “we may be” or “we can be”. Sin and Satan, the world, the flesh and the devil, may wound believers and temporarily cause them to fall, may hard press them, perplex them, persecute them, and strike them down (2 Cor 4:8-9). But they cannot get the final victory over them. It is not possible to conquer those who are more than conquerors. God Who gave them faith will keep them believing to the end. He Who brought them to Christ will keep them in Christ and give them final, eternal triumph.

Believers are more than conquerors for one reason only – they are united to Christ who is the supreme Conqueror of sin, of the world, of Satan, of death, and of everything that raises its head against God, and they all share in His victory.⚜

38 For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

8:35-39 The “love of Christ” here means His love for believers, not their love for Him. But if Christ’s love for believers should fail because of their sin, what then? His love never will fail. It is everlasting (Jer 31:3). It began before they came into existence on the earth and will go on as long as they live in it and forever after. He knew in advance all their sinfulness and all their sin, and set His love on them anyway. Christ’s love “surpasses knowledge” (Eph 3:19). It will overcome all obstacles and bring all His people safely into His loving presence at last (compare Song of Song 8:6-7).

Why does Paul here speak of troubles and dangers? Because they are the common lot of God’s people (John 16:33; Acts 14:22); because Satan tries to use them to get the victory over believers; because they may sometimes cause believers to wonder if Christ still loves them; and because they may even become an occasion for them to sin and fall temporarily into unbelief. If this happens will Christ forsake them? Will He withdraw His love? Never. He will bring them all safely through all possible experiences of life.⚜

8:38-39 How could Paul say more emphatically that believers are safe in the loving care of the Lord Jesus Christ? Life with its temptations and trials cannot separate them from Him. Neither can the future with all its possibilities. Nor can death at the end of life, no matter what death they die. No evil power can do so, no good power would do so if it could.

But, someone may say, sin is not mentioned here. However, it is implied in the words “life” and “future” with all the possibilities these words signify. And as for a believer’s sins we have seen what God says about them in vs 33,34 and in Rom 4:8. Grace reigns (Rom 5:21)! Since Paul was “convinced” of the above truth, so should we be, and always rejoice in it.

Paul has presented what the gospel of Christ is, and shown how it is the power of God for salvation. He has taken us step by step from man’s terrible sinful condition, under the wrath of God, to the marvelous state of believers in Christ, forgiven, justified, sanctified, glorified, loved and safe forever. We can see why he was “not ashamed” of the gospel (Rom 1:16). The gospel of Christ is glorious beyond compare, and powerful beyond man’s poor ability to describe. It is exactly suited to man’s need and to God’s glory. Let us believe the gospel, and learn it thoroughly, and rejoice in it, and live it, and speak of it, and present it to others all the days of our lives.⚜