Romans 8:1-11

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Romans 8:1-11. There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death, Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Romans 8:4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:6 For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace: Romans 8:7 because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be: Romans 8:8 and they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Romans 8:10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness. Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

157.

Where can we obtain the victory over the flesh?

REALIZING ROMANS, Romans 8:1-11

309.

What a marvelous encouragement in Romans 8:1! Amplify the words no condemnationno condemnation from what, to what, in what, etc.

310.

In what sense are we in Christ Jesus?

311.

What is the law of the spirit of life, as Romans 8:2? Show how appropriate this title is.

312.

We are indeed separated and delivered from the power of Satan and the law. Do you believe this statement? Experimentally or theologically? Have we entered the fullness of salvation if we do not now have this testimony?

313.

The law was good and not weak. The evil and weakness was located elsewhere. Where?

314.

What the law and man could not do, God could and did do. What was it?

315.

Explain the little expression, in the likeness of sinful flesh?

316.

In the previous question you discussed the nature of Christ. Now we ask for the purpose of Christ. He came for sin. Explain.

317.

Give a careful explanation of the thought of condemning sin in the flesh.

318.

Did Jesus fight Satan with weapons we do not have? If not, why do we fail to condemn sin in the flesh?

319.

What did God fulfill in us? Note the marginal reading of ordinance.

320.

Does our walking after the spirit instead of the flesh have anything to do with the requirement of the law being fulfilled in us? If so, what?

321.

Just how can we know when we walk by the Spirit?

322.

Explain the phrases, minding the things of the flesh, and minding the things of the spirit.

323.

Give three good reasons for minding the things of the Spirit instead of the flesh.

324.

What death is referred to in Romans 8:6?

325.

Wouldn-'t it be wonderful to have the life and peace spoken of in Romans 8:6 b? It will never be real to us until we know the meaning of the mind of the Spirit. Do you know? Do I? Who is responsible if we do not?

326.

The mind of the flesh must be that inspired and educated by Satan. Can we have both minds at the same time? Explain.

327.

The mind of the flesh can never be subjected to God or his law. Are we not then foolish to attempt to overcome it? How can it be overcome?

328.

Are we not all in the flesh? Explain.

329.

We have the victory not of ourselves but by him who loved us and came to make his abode within. In what sense are we to understand Romans 8:9 a?

330.

What is the Spirit of Christ of Romans 8:9 b? Is this a disposition or a person?

331.

Romans 8:9 a states that the Spirit of God dwelleth in us; Romans 8:10 a says Christ dwells in us. Explain and compare.

332.

What body is meant in Romans 8:10 a? Is this literal or figurative?

333.

What is the spirit that is life or alive?

334.

Whose sin and whose righteousness are discussed?

335.

Now in Romans 8:11 we are told that someone else dwells in us. Who is it? Harmonize Romans 8:11 with other references to the indwelling presence.

336.

What life is referred to in Romans 8:11 b? Is this in reference to the resurrection of the last day?

337.

Please try to gather an outline of each section (of your own) as you study these verses. What would be the main and subdivisions of this section?

Paraphrase

Romans 8:1-11. Mankind under the new covenant being delivered from the curse of the law, there is therefore now no condemnation to those Christians who walk not according to the inclinations of their flesh, but according to the inclinations of their spirit, enlightened and strengthened by the Spirit of God.

Romans 8:2 We the disciples of Christ are able so to walk, because the law of the gospel, which promises eternal life by Jesus Christ, has delivered us from the power of sin in our members, and from the curse of death.

Romans 8:3 For God sending his own Son is the likeness of sinful men to teach us, and of a sin-offering to procure pardon for us, hath destroyed the power of sin in the flesh, so that it can neither enslave nor kill believers, (which is the thing impossible to be done by the precepts and threatenings of the law, because it was weak through the corruption of our nature).

Romans 8:4 This destruction of sin in our flesh God accomplished, that the righteousness enjoined in the law of the gospel, (Romans 8:2) may be fulfilled by us, who walk not according to the flesh, the law in our members, (Romans 7:23), but according to the Spirit, the law of our mind.

Romans 8:5 Now, they who live according to the flesh, employ themselves in enjoying sensual pleasures, and in making provision for these enjoyments; and they who live according to the Spirit, employ themselves in the things which reason and conscience dictate: (Galatians 5:16-26.)

Romans 8:6 But whatever wicked men may think, the minding of the body, to the neglect of the soul, is eternal death; and the minding of the soul, is the road to eternal life.

Romans 8:7 The minding of the body to the neglecting of the soul, will be justly punished with death: First, Because to mind the body in the manner, is enmity against God; secondly, Because this temper of mind is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be; it is actual rebellion against God.

Romans 8:8 Wherefore, they who live after the flesh cannot be the objects of God's favor, in any dispensation whatever.

Romans 8:9 Now ye live not to the flesh, but to the Spirit, because the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any one have not the Spirit of Christ dwelling in him, and forming him into the temper and behavior of Christ, whatever such a person's profession may be, he is none of Christ's disciples.

Romans 8:10 And if the Spirit of Christ be in you, the body, with its lusts, which formerly governed you, (Romans 7:18), will certainly be dead with respect to sin; but the spirit, your rational powers, will be alive, or vigorous, with respect to righteousness.

Romans 8:11 For, if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead abide in you by his influences, he who raised up Christ from the dead, will make even your dead bodies, (Romans 8:10), your animal passions, together with the members of your mortal bodies, alive, that is, subservient to the spiritual life, through his Spirit who dwelleth in you.

Summary

There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ, for by him the gospel freed me, when I first became obedient to it, from the law of sin and death. This the law could not possibly do, because of its weakness through the flesh. But what was impossible for the law, God did, by sending his Son into the world in a body of human flesh, and as a sin-offering. Moreover in this body he condemned all sin committed under influence of the flesh, by showing that such influence can be resisted. He came as a sin-offering that the justification of the law, remission of sins, might be accomplished in us who live not in obedience to the flesh, but to the spirit. To live according to the flesh is to be led by it into sin; to live according to the spirit is to be led by it to do right. They that do the former will die; they that do the latter shall live. Attending to the flesh is continued hostility to God; and he that does it is never obedient to his will; nor can he be so long as he thus acts. We are in the spirit, under its control, provided the Holy Spirit dwells in us; and if it dwells not in us we are not Christ'S. If the Holy Spirit dwells in us God will one day make our bodies alive by it.

Comment

1.

Freedom in the Gospel. Romans 8:1-11

Introductory Remarks

There has been no little discussion over this chapter as to whether it is a conclusion of the closing remarks of the seventh chapter or a conclusion of the whole preceding treatise. It seems to me that both thoughts could well be held in viewing this chapter. It develops in a wonderful way the thought of deliverance from the bondage of the flesh expressed in Romans 7:24-25 a, as well as bringing forth a conclusion for all that has been said of the power of the gospel over the law and the flesh.

a. There is therefore now no condemnation to them then that are in Christ Jesus. The heart cry of the apostle when he said, Wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? was answered in the deliverance provided by God through Jesus Christ. So now he can say while considering this happy state, There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. It would be well to point out that to be free from condemnation we must first of all be in Christ Jesus. How this is achieved was thoroughly discussed in Romans 6:1-4. And after we are in Christ we must abide in him (John 15:1-12) in order to escape from the tragic victory of the flesh over the spirit described in Romans 7:13-25. But once we are placed in Christ through immersion, and we continue in him by denying self daily (Luke 9:23), truly there is no condemnation. God does not demand sinless perfection, but he does demand absolute sincerity. Romans 8:1

In considering this passage in a broader scope we can say there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, in the sense that God has provided through the death of his Son an escape from the stroke that was our due, for it fell upon him. Jehovah made him our substitute as an offering for sin. Romans 8:1

b. Now follow the words of the inspired writer as to how this glorious position was achieved. It is like this: The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and death. In other words, the gospel (the preaching of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ) freed me from the condemnation of the law under which I was living. The law was a law of sin, for it gave the definition of sin, and also because it became, by the use Satan made of it, a means of bringing sin into my life. When I sinned, the penalty of death was passed. But it is wonderful to know that all that is lifted from my heart; the Son through his gospel has made me free and I am free indeed. Romans 8:2

c. There was only one other provision made by God for man's justification. That was the law. If man had kept the law he would indeed have stood justified before God, but the law was weak; its weakness lay not within itself but in the flesh of man. Man's spirit was indeed willing to obey the law, but his flesh was too weak to carry out the demands of the law. But our Father of love did not leave us to the power of the evil one through the law, for what the law could not do the law-giver could, and what he could, this he did through sending his Son. We know how it took place; the eternal word was made flesh, that is, inhabited a body in which there was as much tendency to sin as in any other mortal creation. But this one did not only come in the likeness of sinful flesh, but he came to be offered for sin. He came knowing no sin that he might be made to be sin for us that we through him might stand justified before God. Further, in coming in this body of flesh and being tempted in all points like as we are tempted, and yet not yielding to Satan's suggestions, he condemned the idea that because we are in the flesh we must of a necessity yield to sin. Romans 8:3

158.

State in your own words the review of the entire situation just discussed.

159.

Do you believe Ch. 8 is a conclusion to Ch. 7 only, or to Ch. 1-7? Give your reasons.

160.

What condemnation is spoken of in Romans 8:1?

161.

How can we retain this sense of no condemnation?

162.

What is the law of the Spirit of life?

163.

What is the law of sin and death?

But back to the thought of how God through Christ did what the law could not do. What was the purpose of the law? Was it not justification, that man through keeping the law was to be made just before God? But this the law failed to accomplish. What the law failed to provide, God provided through his Son. In us the requirement of the law finds its fulfillment by Jesus Christ. Of course the persons discussed are Christians who are to walk according to the leading of the Spirit of God. Only by thus continuing in a life lived unto God can we hope for final justification on the day of judgment. Romans 8:3-4

There is a connecting thought between the discussion of Romans 8:4 and Romans 8:5. The thought of justification is the burden of Romans 8:4, whereas we find the course of the Christian's life to be the thought of Romans 8:5. How are they connected? Simply by realizing that although we were brought into this glorious position of justification at our conversion, we will not finally be acquitted unless we follow the life of the spirit. This life of the spirit is discussed in the following verses.

d. The first observation in this life of the spirit that will lead to final justification is a perfectly obvious fact. If our spirits are led by Satan to go after the flesh then we will be giving our attention to the activities of the flesh. (These would be synonymous with the works of the flesh mentioned in Galatians 5:19). If on the other hand we allow Jesus to be the leader and captain of our spirits we will be led into the fruitful life of the Christian. There is good reason to choose to follow the life of the spirit rather than the life of the flesh, for the end of a life of sin is death, but the life led for Christ brings peace here and eternal life hereafter. Romans 8:5-6

The reason God has to be so severe with some persons is found in the fact that a mind and heart filled with the desires of the flesh is a mind and heart filled with that which is exactly contrary to God's will; that person is at enmity with God, and while thus giving himself to the lusts of the flesh he is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can he be while so continuing. It is impossible for sweet and bitter waters to flow from the same spring. While living for the flesh, you may as well know that you cannot please God. Romans 8:7-8

164.

In what way was the law weak?

165.

How is the law fulfilled?

166.

What thought connects verses four and five?

167.

What is discussed in Romans 8:5-11?

e. But, remarks the apostle, this is not your situation for you are not following a course of fleshly desire, but rather you are following the dictates of your spirit which has been educated to do God's will in Christ. This is true providing the Holy Spirit abides in you, for you could not hope to live a life pleasing to God just of yourself (Cf. Romans 7:13-25); hence the Holy Spirit has been sent to strengthen and energize your spirit to the end that we might live after the spirit and not after the flesh. Romans 8:9 a

f. Here is a plain statement of fact:To be a Christian we must have Christ's spirit or the Holy Spirit. How did we obtain the Holy Spirit? Let Peter answer that question for you in Acts 2:38. And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. So it follows we cannot be counted as children of God without first obtaining as a gift from God the Holy Spirit. And further, that we cannot continue in a life pleasing to God without the help of the Holy Spirit. Truly, how important does the Comforter become to man! Romans 8:9 b

g. Speaking of the Holy Spirit, Paul now brings to our minds that to have the personality of the Holy Spirit, is to have Christ in us. When we examine ourselves in the light of God's Word we find ourselves to be temples of the Holy Spirit. We also find that although our physical bodies are the sanctuary of God's presence, they nevertheless must die because of Adam's sin. But our spirits will not die. No, they will live eternally with God because of the justification provided by Christ. We need not even despair of the loss of our physical bodies for if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his spirit that dwelleth in you. This word of course points to that glad resurrection morning when he will fashion anew the body of our humiliation (Philippians 3:21). Romans 8:10-11

168.

What strong reason is presented for following the spirit as in Romans 8:6?

169.

Why is God so severe with some persons?

170.

How does the Holy Spirit help us?

171.

What is essential for one to possess in order to be a Christian?

172.

How did we come into possession of this great essential?